Serie: Distilleries

Technique: Acrylic on canvas

Size: 50 x 40 cm

Year: 2024

Inspired on a photography of Caol Ila Distillery posted by Cara Baillie

Caol Ila is derived from the Gaelic Caol Ìle for "Sound of Islay" (literally "Strait of Islay") in reference to the location of the distillery overlooking the strait between Islay and Jura.
The distillery is situated on the north east coast of Islay with magnificent views across the Strait of Islay to the spectacular Paps of Jura.

Caol Ila is one of the lightest Islay whiskeys, pale in color, with peat, floral and spicy notes. In addition to being sold as single malt whiskey, it is widely used (around 95% of its production) in blends such as Johnnie Walker's Black Label (owned by Diageo).

This painting I made of the styles and incredible view of the distilling room is another artistic tribute to the people who make such wonderful whisky.
Sláinte!

Serie: Distilleries

Technique: Acrylic on canvas

Size: 40 x 40 cm

Year: 2024

Inspired by a photograph of Laphroaig Distillery

My admiración to those who make amazing things, Even in the most difficult scenaries. My admiración to the whisky industry, and in this case, to Laphroaig, more than a whisky, a good friend.

I think the best way to describe this fascinating whisky is with the words of the distillery: "A remote island. An unpredictable climate. A community that’s learned to thrive here. Every element of Islay is a dear and true friend to our whisky. Sure, we’ve honed a nifty process over the years. But when we think about what makes Laphroaig, it comes down to a stroke of geographic serendipity and a bunch of hard grafters".

Serie: Distilleries

Technique: Acrylic on canvas

Size: 40 x 40 cm

Year: 2024

Inspired by a photograph of Laphroaig Distillery

The germination process takes longer as winter arrives on Islay, lasting up to seven days until the beans are ready to be dried in Laphroaig's kilns.
It is a time when malt masters meticulously monitor the grains to prevent them from burning.

Laphroaig is one of the few Scottish distilleries that still malts its own barley, soaking it in its Kilbride Stream peat water before it is dried over Islay peat, producing the distinctive, bold flavor of this magnificent whiskey.

Serie: Distilleries

Technique: Acrylic on canvas

Size: 60 x 50 cm

Year: 2024

Inspired by a photograph by @lindoresabbeydistillery

Considering its historical importance, Lindores Abbey distillery has been built as an aesthetically sympathetic monument to the 800-year-old Tironensian structure, using local wood from Denmylne and stone from Clatchard Quarry.

Lindores’ one wash still and two spirit stills (Poppy and Gee) produce a lightly peated Lowland malt (the site lies just on the border with the Highlands) using barley grown on neighbouring farms and around Fife, and malted at Muntons.

n 2017, spirit started flowing once again from copper stills at Lindores Abbey Distillery, and the first single malt whisky was released in 2021.

This is my last homage, for now, to this amazing distillery which I love to paint. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Serie: Distilleries

Technique: Acrylic on canvas

Size: 60 x 50 cm

Year: 2024

Inspired by a photograph of Lindores Abbey Distillery

Built as a daughter house of Kelso Abbey, Lindores Abbey was founded on the outskirts of Newburgh, Fife, in the late 12th century by the Earl of Huntingdon.
The Tironense Abbey, once visited by kings and queens, is now little more than an overgrown ruin. It is claimed that the first written reference to whiskey produced in Scotland relates to Lindores Abbey.

Since 2004, Drew McKenzie Smith inherits Lindores Abbey, House and Farm and becomes Custodian of Lindores Abbey and in 2016 development of the farm buildings began into a new state-of-the-art whiskey distillery and , in December 2017, the first Lindores liqueur mash was prepared.
Once this was done, the first stills and the first barrels were filled. In 2020, they made their first Scotch whiskey.