If Scotch whisky were a music shop, you would probably find Islay whiskies in the rock and metal section. The Isle of Islay is Scotland's only island to be recognised as its own whisky region. Once you've had an Islay single malt in your glass, you'll know why. No other region in Scotland has such a distinctive character of its own. As a rule, Islay whiskies are characterised by heavy smoke. The flavours of smoked bacon, campfires, burnt tar and cold ash are acquired by kilning these malts over peat fires. Islay peat contains a high proportion of maritime components and so notes of iodine, seaweed and sea air are often another typical characteristic of these special Scotch whiskies. These notes are skilfully combined with the sweet malt notes and the versatile flavours from ex-bourbon and sherry casks. Discover the island of Islay now with our Tasting Selection Islay Whisky. Here you get a round trip to the various Islay distilleries for a small price.
Content: 0.7 Liter (€101.43* / 1 Liter)
Content: 0.7 Liter (€57.14* / 1 Liter)
Content: 0.7 Liter (€75.70* / 1 Liter)
Content: 0.7 Liter (€55.69* / 1 Liter)
Content: 0.7 Liter (€57.14* / 1 Liter)
Content: 0.7 Liter (€51.41* / 1 Liter)
Content: 0.7 Liter (€49.27* / 1 Liter)
Content: 0.7 Liter (€49.27* / 1 Liter)
Content: 0.7 Liter (€65.70* / 1 Liter)
Content: 0.7 Liter (€71.41* / 1 Liter)
Content: 0.7 Liter (€52.13* / 1 Liter)
Content: 0.7 Liter (€51.41* / 1 Liter)
Content: 0.7 Liter (€107.13* / 1 Liter)
Islay Whisky - A peat paradise
There's actually not much going on on this rather small Hebridean island in the south-west of Scotland - unless you're interested in birds or single malt Scotch whisky. In addition to a large bird sanctuary, Islay has nine malt whisky distilleries in production. More are already being planned. The legendary Port Ellen Distillery, which was closed for a long time, is now reopening. After its closure, its smoky single malt became a popular and rare collector's whisky. Port Ellen is also home to the island's malting plant, which supplies the Islay distilleries with peated malt.
Three classic Islay whiskies can be found on the south coast. If you head east from Port Ellen, you will pass Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. A triad that will make fans of smoky whiskies' mouths water. If you finally turn around and head north through Port Ellen, you will arrive in Bowmore. In the small town, the Bowmore Distillery, Islay's oldest distillery, nestles against the coast. From there, you can see Bruichladdich on a clear day.
The Bruichladdich Distillery, like Bowmore, is located on Loch Indaal, Islay's large bay. This is where the whisky brands Bruichladdich (barely smoky), Port Charlotte (very smoky) and Octomore (extremely smoky) are produced. With Octomore, Bruichladdich once created the world's smokiest whisky, which sometimes reaches over 300 ppm (phenol parts per million) in its smoke content. If you turn left on the way back from Bruichladdich, you will soon be greeted by the cute farm distillery Kilchoman with its café and visitor centre. Or you can continue towards the ferry terminal...
In Port Askaig, you can take the ferry to the mainland or the island of Jura, where there is also a whisky distillery to visit. However, you should first take the road further north. The Caol Ila Distillery is waiting for you there. It may not be as beautiful as Laphroaig or Ardbeg, but it also makes a great peated malt. Further north, you can visit Islay's newest distillery Ardnahoe. And last but not least, at the end of the road you'll find Bunnahabhain. Here you can sample some great non-smoky single malt with a delicious sherry influence.
However, it is not just the sheer abundance of distilleries that makes Islay ("Eila" pronounced) a whisky region in its own right. It is also the very unique character of the single malt whiskies. The Islay malts are characterised by the peat, which is omnipresent on the island, and the iodine in the North Sea air. As a result, by far the most powerful, peaty and distinctive single malts in the world are produced here. During the kilning process, the smoky flavours from the peat are released into the whisky. The peat smoke permeates the malt. The phenols are retained throughout the entire production process and are later reflected in the diverse smoky flavours. For fans of smoky Scotch whisky, Islay is something like the Holy Grail, the true heart of the whisky world. And others shake their heads in disbelief at the fact that "hot ash" or "wet seaweed" can be considered welcome flavour nuances.
What does Islay whisky taste like?
Powerful in body, peaty and smoky in flavour, often with notes of iodine reminiscent of medicine: this is (with some exceptions) the typical character of Islay malts. This type of whisky is not for everyone, but for many it is the ultimate fulfilment. From "freshly tarmacked road" and "car tyres" to "campfire" and "smoked ham" to "seaweed", "sailing ship", "gauze bandage" and "horse stable in winter" - Islay whisky has it all. And a lot more besides. You either love it or you hate it...
Tasting tips: Islay whisky classics
It's mainly the distilleries on the south coast that make Islay fans' hearts beat faster: Ardbeg, Lagavulin and Laphroaig make exactly the kind of single malt that is commonly associated with Islay. And which you can love dearly or fervently reject. There's only one thing to do: find out which faction you belong to.
Discover Islay whisky now with our Tasting Selection Islay Whisky. No risk of a bad chew, delicious tour of the island of Islay, enough to share with a good friend - A dram for two!
Our Islay insider tips
Not everything on Islay is peat and smoke. Bunnahabhain, formerly known as "the unpronounceable malt", impresses with great sherry notes and a strong maritime flavour. Incidentally, the self-proclaimed "unpronounceable malt" is pronounced "Bunna-häven". Little smoke, pleasant nuttiness and a fresh sea breeze. Definitely worth getting to know. For smoke fans, we also recommend the fantastic single malt from the small farm distillery Kilchoman. This whisky has not only made island history, but can also compete with its older siblings. Dry grain, roasted notes and wonderful orchard fruits blend to create a great flavour experience. A must for Peatheads!