Jura
The only distillery on Jura, sitting in the island's single village of Craighouse. Historically made a lighter, less assertive Islands style than nearby Islay despite being visible across the Sound of Islay — the Journey and 10 Year Old are the workhorses.
Jura produces whisky in the shadow of the Paps of Jura and the legacy of George Orwell (who wrote 1984 at Barnhill on the north of the island). The style is lighter and less assertive than nearby Islay — accessible, fruity, and good for beginners to island whisky. The distillery anchors the island's single village of Craighouse. The island itself, accessible by ferry from Port Askaig (Islay), is wild and beautiful.
Visiting Jura
Contact distillery
Craighouse, Isle of Jura
PA60 7XT
- Shop
- Café/Restaurant
- Parking
Core range
10 Year Old
40% ABV · American oak ex-bourbon + oloroso sherry finish
Light island malt with mild sherry finish. Not heavily peated like Islay neighbours — closer in character to a soft Highland.
- Nose:
- Vanilla, soft sherry, oak, faint citrus.
- Palate:
- Light — vanilla, sherry sweetness, oak, faint peat.
- Finish:
- Short to medium, clean.
12 Year Old
40% ABV · American oak + oloroso sherry finish
Step up from the 10 with more sherry weight. Soft, sweet island malt — pleasant rather than challenging.
- Nose:
- Sherry, vanilla, oak, soft dried fruit.
- Palate:
- Sweet — sherry, oak, vanilla, faint smoke.
- Finish:
- Medium, sweet, drying.
18 Year Old
44% ABV · American oak + Premier Cru Bordeaux finish
Bordeaux wine-cask finished — unusual at this age. Premium-tier Jura at a reasonable price.
- Nose:
- Soft fruit, oak, sherry, faint sweetness.
- Palate:
- Layered — wine-finished fruit, oak, soft sherry, gentle peat.
- Finish:
- Long, drying, sweet.
Food pairings
| Whisky | Food | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journey | Honey-glazed salmon | Light peating and honey notes suit delicate fish. |
Getting there
Ferry from Port Askaig (Islay) to Feolin Ferry — 5 min. To get to Port Askaig: CalMac from Kennacraig.
Where to eat nearby
- Jura HotelHotel/Restaurant
Craighouse — the only pub and restaurant on the island.
Where to stay near Jura
Jura distillery is in Craighouse, Jura's only village, accessible by a small CalMac ferry from Port Askaig on Islay (5 min crossing, then 8 miles to Craighouse). The Jura Hotel in Craighouse has rooms and a bar that serves distillery drams. Jura has a single-track road, 200 residents, 6,000 red deer, and George Orwell's Barnhill in the remote north. Plan two nights minimum.
The only hotel in Craighouse — book well ahead.
Various cottages on the island.
Where to stay near Jura
Hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering within easy reach of Jura.
Booking links are affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Location
Craighouse, Isle of Jura, PA60 7XT
View on map →Frequently asked questions
+Is Jura hard to get to?
Yes — two ferries (Kennacraig to Port Askaig on Islay, then Islay to Feolin on Jura). Plan a full day. Worth it if you want the most remote inhabited island experience in Scotland.
+Did Orwell really write 1984 on Jura?
Yes — at Barnhill on the north of the island, one of the most remote inhabited dwellings in Scotland. He finished the novel there in 1948.
+Where is Jura distillery?
Jura is in the Islands. Postcode PA60.
+When was Jura distillery founded?
Jura was founded in 1810, making it roughly 216 years old.
Compare with similar distilleries
Lighter and more accessible than most Islay malts. Most similar to Tobermory and Arran for accessible island character.
Other distilleries owned by Whyte & Mackay
Distilleries that share Jura's corporate parent — useful context if you're comparing house styles within an owner's stable.
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