IslaySingle Malt Scotch Whisky
Islay is best known for its disproportionately high number of distilleries – eight, with more planned – and for a distinctively peaty style of single malt. Beyond the obvious lurks a surprising diversity of spirit, making the identity of Islay whisky a more elusive prospect than might first appear.
Absent friend
Amid all the talk of Islay’s famous active distilleries, the island also boasts one of the most legendary of ‘lost’ producers: Port Ellen, which closed its doors in 1983. Its strongly smoky, turfy flavours were an artist’s study of the most typical Islay style and its whiskies remain among the most sought-after.
Southern smoke
Port Ellen’s fate could easily have befallen some of its surviving neighbours, with Ardbeg famously mothballed in 1982 and restored to full production only in the late 1990s.
Given Ardbeg’s cult status, that’s hard to believe; the distillery is now a firmly established part of the Kildalton trio of Islay’s southern coast and, with neighbours Lagavulin and Laphroaig, these producers have come to epitomise the popular image of Islay single malt: maritime peat smoke in different styles.
Islay’s other side
But Islay isn’t just about peat. Travel north and, in time, you’ll come to Bunnahabhain on the shore facing Jura, whose spirit has both used and eschewed peat during its history; in the west, Bruichladdich is typically unpeated – but has been unable to resist making a couple of super-smoky whiskies in recent years.
Completing Islay’s current roster of distilleries we have Caol Ila’s fragrant smoke (although the distillery makes unpeated spirit for part of the year), Bowmore’s richly fruited smokiness and – the most recent addition to the ranks – self-styled ‘farm distillery’ Kilchoman, maker of a charming young malt (it only opened in 2005) from its own barley.
Did you know?
- Islay’s smoky style comes from malting barley over burning peat, giving flavours known as phenols. These are measured in parts per million (ppm), with Ardbeg’s 10 year old, for instance, measuring 24ppm
- some historians believe distillation reached Scotland from Ireland via Islay in the 13th century, when the Lord of the Isles married the daughter of an Ulster baron
- Prince Charles’ love of Laphroaig has come at a cost: after awarding the distillery his Royal Warrant in 1994, he crash-landed his plane on Islay’s tiny airstrip when arriving to visit. Nobody was hurt, but the damage was put at £1m.
Typical Character and Style of Islay
- Seaweed
- Brine
- Carbolic Soap
- Apple
- Smoke
- Kippers
Distilleries in Islay
Filter
Price Range
Bottling Status
Distillery/Brand
Age
Vintage
Cask Type
Bottler
Series
Strength
Size
Single Cask
Limited Edition
Flavour Profile
Colouring
Certification
Bowmore 12 Year Old
$40.34
($57.63 per litre)
Bunnahabhain Stiuireadair
$40.87
($58.39 per litre)
Classic Malts Coastal Collection3x20cl
$50.75
($84.59 per litre)
Bowmore 15 Year Old
$70.10
($100.14 per litre)
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
$45.12
($64.46 per litre)
Lagavulin 9 Year OldGame of Thrones House Lannister
$84.98
($121.40 per litre)
Offer
Kilchoman 2023 European Tour Bottling and XL T-shirt Bundle
$79.67
($113.81 per litre)
Octomore 2010 Edition 10.28 Year Old Sauternes Finish
$159.44
($227.77 per litre)
Personalised 10 Year Old Islay Scotch Whisky
$84.98
($121.40 per litre)
Laphroaig 10 Year OldCask Strength Batch 015
$80.52
($115.02 per litre)
Laphroaig 10 Year OldCask Strength Batch 014 Bot.2021
$78.60
($112.29 per litre)
Caol Ila 13 Year OldSmoky G&M Discovery Range
$59.26
($84.65 per litre)
Bruichladdich Classic LaddieScottish Barley
$50.97
($72.81 per litre)
Port Charlotte 2013 PMC:019 Year Old Pomerol Wine Cask Finish
$114.80
($163.99 per litre)
Port Askaig 100° Proof
$60
($85.72 per litre)
Octomore Edition 13.15 Year Old Scottish Barley Bourbon Cask
$149.87
($214.10 per litre)
Bunnahabhain Moine 20137 Year Old Bordeaux Wine Cask Feis Ile 2021
$90.30
($128.99 per litre)
Ardbeg The Three Monsters of Smoke Trio Pack3x20cl
$42.46
($70.77 per litre)
Bunnahabhain 18 Year Old
$147.75
($211.07 per litre)
Ardbeg Corryvreckan
$86.04
($122.92 per litre)
Caol Ila 20139 Year Old Sherry Finish Signatory for The Whisky Exchange
$116.92
($167.03 per litre)
Finlaggan Cask Strength Islay Malt
$56.81
($81.16 per litre)
Offer
Kilchoman 2023 European Tour Bottling and XXL T-shirt Bundle
$79.67
($113.81 per litre)
Smokehead High Voltage
$61.60
($88 per litre)