Distillery Thursday: Jura Distillery Crafts on a Rugged, Remote Island

This week, we exchange the Dutch soil for international ground. In this Distillery Thursday, we are journeying to the Jura Distillery on the similarly named, rugged, and tempestuous island in the Inner Hebrides archipelago.

In the Atlantic Ocean, roughly 25 miles west of Scotland and slightly north of Islay, you can find the small island of Jura. Observing the island, you'll find primarily a tumultuous landscape filled with rocky territories, mountains, lakes, and thousands of deer. The Scottish island is only about 7 miles wide and 30 miles long, making it approximately twice the size of Texel.

Jura has just one ferry and one road, leading to Craighouse, the only village on the island. Here you can find precisely one shop, one pub, and… one distillery: the Jura Distillery. It's therefore not surprising that each of the island's approximately 200 inhabitants is connected to the distillery in some way.

Despite its small population, the island has a rich history. According to archaeologists, it was inhabited as early as 8000 BC, and like the rest of the Hebrides, it was once held by the Vikings. Even the island's name supposedly originates from this period. Its ancient name, Dyrøy, translates from Old Norse as "Deer Island".

Eventually, Jura becomes part of Scotland in the 17th century, coming under the jurisdiction of the Clan Campbell. It was during this period when Archibald Campbell gave the green light (precisely in 1810) to establish a distillery on the island. This was nothing new to the inhabitants, who had been illicitly distilling alcohol for a long time—a practice that Archibald Campbell himself outlawed in 1781. There's even a legend about Campbell's change of heart.

As the story goes, he saw a lady's ghost late one night haunting over his bed, demanding more whisky on the island. Fearful of her possible return, Campbell reversed his ban on whisky distilling, commanding people to build a distillery. He even hid a 16-year-old whisky bottle in a cave on the island to deter the lady in the future. That bottle has never been found.

Although Campbell had the distillery built, and distilling was permitted once more, it does not last long before the doors close again. Charles Campbell, the last 'Laird of Jura', decides in 1938 to sell every possession on the island, and step on the boat with just one suitcase. In the meantime, the distillery has been transferred to Richard Campbell who leases it to Buchanan, he subsequently goes bankrupt.

The distillery is passed onto James Ferguson & Sons who eventually close the distillery doors in 1901 amidst a whisky crisis. Two wars and many years later, life finally begins to stir once more in the Jura Distillery.

That moment arrives in 1960. A group of local landowners team up with Charles Mackinlay & Co, a bottler. He decides to build and reopen the Jura Distillery. Jura revives due to this effort, and a few years later, the wild island's spirit of life reappears.

About twenty years later, the distiller is taken over by Whyte & Mackay. Invergordon Distilleries, the owner of Jura Distillery at the time, is doing well. Jura Distillery continues to utilize all the beauty that the island, despite its rough character, offers to this very day.

Although Jura's climate isn't ideal for whisky distillation and appears inhospitable, there are enough elements to create an excellent divine beverage. The highest mountains on the island, known as The Paps of Jura, hide a loch known as Loch a’Bhaile Mhargaidh. From there, water trundles down in small streams. This eventually reaches the distillery via a long route; the water is incredibly soft and pure, rich in peat, perfect for producing a decent dram.

The island's cool climate, distinct terroir, and generally wet weather make it exceptional for barley cultivation, which is of exceedingly high quality. The Jura inhabitants who work at the distillery then take over to produce delectable whiskies.

But as we all know, it doesn't happen by itself. The four immense distillation pots of Jura are among the largest in Scotland (only those of Glenmorangie are bigger) and they facilitate the creation of an incredibly pure spirit. Jura Distillery also boasts six fermenters and a gigantic mash tun.

All of this produces a unique and versatile whisky. Jura Distillery produces a wide range of whiskies that appeal to varied tastes. Recently, the Jura Bourbon Cask was released, a golden amber-coloured whisky from the Signature Collection. This whisky is accessible, featuring notes of vanilla, coconut, caramel, cinnamon, and cocoa. Jura even describes the perfect moment for this whisky as 'in the fine company of friends and family'.

The tasting notes of Jura Bourbon Cask are as follows:

This new addition is just one of many Jura varieties available in the Signature Collection – and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Besides, the Scottish distillery provides a 10-year old all-round whisky, a sweet 12-years aged whisky, a 14-year old whisky, and an 18-year old whisky enriched in Premier Grand Cru casks. Moreover, there is a whisky that has been matured in as many as seven different barrels, six of which come from another region in France. Aptly named, this is Jura Seven Wood. And how about a Jura whisky with a red wine barrel finish?

Like many distilleries, Jura Distillery and its island are certainly worth a visit. There is one ferry to the island which conveniently drops you off right where you need to be: in Craighouse. That's where the distillery, providing two tours a day, is situated. The first tour kicks off at ten in the morning, and the second one at noon. Each tour costs 15 pounds and takes 45 minutes to an hour.

Besides this, there is an extended tour priced at 50 pounds, taking you through the distillery, while offering a few unique advantages. On this tour, you can taste Jura whisky straight from the barrel, as well as one of the limited releases and three single cask distillery exclusives from the brand. To complete the experience, you will also receive a Jura whisky glass. Tours in the Jura distillery can be booked online via the Jura website.