I'm trying to focus, decide on which of the 149 different whiskies in front of me I want to try first. But the seductive crackle of the fire and the lively tunes from the Scottish band playing to my left are vying for my attention.
My conclusion? There are worse ways to conclude a day of learning about Whisky.
The Port Charlotte Hotel and Bar is located on an island known as "The Queen of the Hebrides" on the most Southern point of the Inner Hebrides, Islay. Sitting prominently on Main Street overlooking Loch Indaal, it's hard not to be transported to a peaceful mindset. The Port Charlotte Hotel may be small, housing a mere ten rooms inside its whitewashed stone walls, but it is steeped in beauty and local culture. From the art that lines the walls of the cozy residents lounge, to the restaurant serving local seafood and game, to a bar that comes alive with music and spirits when the sun goes down, the atmosphere doesn't invite the word small - it invites the word welcoming.
Locally
Once you've stashed your bags in your room and locked the door using a good old-fashioned key, grab your camera and head out for your day that is sure to be filled with time spent marveling at the sheep, cows, and Highland cattle grazing everywhere from the grassy outcrops on the beach to the precarious ledges jutting out of the sloping hills.
