Little island Islay, off the west coast of Scotland, is well known for producing some of the most recognizable and unique single malt whiskies in the world. With only 240 square miles and a population of around 3,000, the island is well-known for its untamed beauty, peat bogs, and immaculate beaches.
One of Scotland's five whisky-producing districts, Islay is renowned for its robust, smokey, and peaty tastes. This is partly because the island has a lot of peat, which has long been used as a fuel for heating and cooking. Several of the island's whiskies are malted using peat, which gives them their distinctive smoky and earthy flavor.
In Islay, there are now nine operational whiskey distilleries, each with its own taste profile and style. The most well-known are Bowmore, Laphroaig, Ardbeg, and Lagavulin. Visitors to the island may appreciate the untamed beauty of this far-off location while taking distillery tours and tasting various whiskies.
Islay is renowned for producing some of the most flavourful and unique whiskies in the world. Among the top Islay bourbons are:
- Lagavulin 16: a classic Islay whisky with rich, peaty flavors and notes of smoky sweetness.
- Laphroaig 10: a bold and briny whisky with a distinctive medicinal character.
- Ardbeg Uigeadail: a complex and smoky whisky with notes of dried fruit and chocolate.
- Bowmore 18: a well-balanced whisky with smoky, fruity, and floral notes.
- Caol Ila 12: a medium-bodied whisky with a balanced combination of smoke, fruit, and malt flavors.
- Bruichladdich Octomore: a heavily peated whisky with intense smoky flavors and a hint of sweetness.
These are just a few of the best Islay whiskies, and there are many more to explore and enjoy.
The Lagavulin Distillery
The Lagavulin distillery, one of the most recognizable and acclaimed whiskey distilleries in the world, is situated on the Scottish island of Islay. John Johnston established the distillery in 1816, and since then it has been turning out whisky.
The single malt whiskey produced by Lagavulin are well recognized for being strongly peated and smokey and are popular among many whisky connoisseurs. The malted barley used in the distillery was dried over peat fires, giving the whiskey a characteristic smokey taste. The whiskey is matured in wood barrels, further enhancing its delicious complexity.
The 16-year-old single malt, a deep and complex whiskey with aromas of smoke, peat, and sea salt, is one of Lagavulin's most well-known expressions. The 12-year-old cask strength and the Distillers Edition, which is completed in Pedro Ximenez sherry barrels, are two more popular expressions.
A tour of the Lagavulin distillery's premises, information on the distillery's past, and tastings of some of the whiskeys made there are all available to visitors. Visitors to the island of Islay and whiskey connoisseurs alike frequently visit the distillery.
The best Lagavulin whiskey is generally regarded as being the 16 Year Old. It is a traditional example of Islay single malt whiskey, with notes of sea salt, peat, and charred wood and a strong, smokey fragrance. With a 43% ABV and countless honors, including a gold medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Lagavulin 16 Year Old is bottled.
The Laphroaig Distillery
One of the oldest and most renowned whisky distilleries in the world, the Laphroaig distillery is situated on the southern coast of the Scottish island of Islay. Alexander and Donald Johnston, brothers, established the distillery in 1815, and it has been turning out whisky ever since.
Single malt whiskies from Laphroaig are well renowned for being extremely peaty and smoky and are popular among many whiskey connoisseurs. The malted barley used in the distillery was dried over peat fires, giving the whiskey a distinctively smoky and medicinal flavor. The whiskey is matured in wood barrels, further enhancing its delicious complexity.
The 10-year-old single malt from Laphroaig is one of the brand's most well-known varieties. It is a strong and potent whiskey with aromas of smoke, iodine, and saline. Some well-known varieties are the Triple Wood, which is matured in a mixture of ex-bourbon, quarter barrels, and sherry casks, and the Quarter Cask, which is aged in smaller casks for a richer and more powerful flavor.
In addition to taking a tour of the premises and learning about the distillery's past, visitors to the Laphroaig distillery may also try some of the whiskies made there. Visitors to the island of Islay and whiskey connoisseurs alike frequently visit the distillery.
The Laphroaig 10 Year Old is regarded by many whiskey connoisseurs as the most recognizable and superior expression of the company. It is a single malt whiskey that has been strongly peated and has a complex taste profile with hints of smoke, iodine, seaweed, and a little bit of sweetness. Laphroaig 10 Year Old has garnered several accolades, including a gold medal at the International Wine and Spirits Competition. It is bottled at 43% ABV.
The Ardbeg Distillery
One of the most recognizable and beloved whiskey distilleries in the world is the Ardbeg distillery, which is situated on the southern coast of the Scottish island of Islay. Although being established in 1815, the distillery has seen closures and reopenings throughout its existence. Since 1997, it has been continually making whiskey.
Many whiskey connoisseurs love the strongly peated, smoky single malt whiskies produced by Ardbeg. The malted barley used in the distillery was dried over peat fires, giving the whiskey its distinctively smokey and peaty flavor. The whiskey is matured in wood barrels, further enhancing its delicious complexity.
The 10-year-old single malt from Ardbeg is among the brand's most well-known varieties. It is a powerful and smokey whiskey with hints of citrus, salt, and spice. The Corryvreckan, which is named after a well-known whirlpool and is matured in a blend of new French oak and ex-bourbon barrels, is another well-known expression. It is aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks.
In addition to taking a tour of the buildings and learning about the distillery's past, visitors to the Ardbeg distillery can also try some of the whiskies made there. Visitors to the island of Islay and whiskey connoisseurs alike frequently visit the distillery.
The Ardbeg Uigeadail is regarded by many whiskey connoisseurs as the brand's best offering. It has a deep, complex taste profile that includes hints of smoke, leather, dark chocolate, and dried fruit. It is a combination of whiskies that have been aged in former bourbon barrels and sherry casks. The Ardbeg Uigeadail has won multiple accolades, including the "World Whisky of the Year" award from Jim Murray's Whisky Bible in 2009. It is bottled at cask strength (54.2% ABV).
The Bowmore Distillery
One of the oldest whisky distilleries in Scotland is the Bowmore Distillery, which is situated in the Bowmore hamlet on the island of Islay. It is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland and has been in continuous operation since its founding in 1779.
Bowmore is renowned for its rich, peaty single malt whiskies that are produced utilizing a blend of conventional and cutting-edge techniques. The whiskey is matured in a blend of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry barrels, which adds layers of complexity to the final product. The barley used to make the whisky is malted locally.
The 12-year-old single malt from Bowmore, which is a well-balanced whiskey with hints of smoke, salt, and a little sweetness, is one of the brand's most well-known expressions. Other well-known varieties are the 18-year-old, which is matured in a mixture of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry barrels, and the 15-year-old Darkest, which is aged in ex-sherry casks and has a rich, fruity flavor.
Take a tour of the facilities, discover the history of the distillery, and try some of the whiskies made there as you visit the Bowmore distillery. Visitors to the island of Islay and whiskey connoisseurs alike frequently visit the distillery.
The Bowmore 18 Year Old is regarded by many whiskey connoisseurs as the brand's finest offering. It is a strongly peated single malt whiskey that has spent 18 years maturing in a mix of former bourbon and former sherry barrels, giving it a rich, complex taste profile with notes of smoke, fruit, and spice. The Bowmore 18 Year Old has earned several honors, including a gold medal at the San Francisco International Spirits Competition, and is bottled at 43% ABV.
The Caol Ila Distillery
On the Scottish island of Islay, there is a Scotch whiskey distillery called Caol Ila. Known for its peaty, smoky single malt whiskies, it was established in 1846.
The distillery creates a variety of single malt whiskies, such as 12-year-old, 18-year-old, and unpeated varieties. The smokey taste of the whiskies made in Caol Ila is a result of the malted barley being dried over peat fires.
With a capacity to produce more than 6 million liters of alcohol annually, Caol Ila is one of the biggest distilleries on the island of Islay. The distillery has changed hands numerous times over the years, but it continues to be a significant component of the Islay whisky industry and a well-liked tourist attraction for whisky lovers.
Visitors at the Caol Ila distillery are welcome to explore the premises, learn about the production of whiskey, and taste some of the products. Also, the distillery sells a number of limited-edition bottles that may only be obtained there or via specific dealers.
The Caol Ila 12 Year Old is regarded by many whiskey connoisseurs as the brand's finest offering. Single malt Scotch whiskey Caol Ila 12 Year Old is created by the Caol Ila distillery on the Scottish island of Islay. It is a peated whiskey, giving it a smoky and slightly medicinal taste character from the drying of the barley used in its distillation over peat smoke.
The Caol Ila 12 Year Old's rich taste profile results from maturation for 12 years in a mix of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry barrels. It has smokey, brackish, seaweed- and citrus-like characteristics on the nose. It is full-bodied and smokey on the palate, with notes of peat, charcoal, and a touch of sweetness. The finish is lengthy, smokey, and sweet with a salty undertone.
A popular entry-level Islay whiskey, Caol Ila 12 Year Old is bottled at 43% ABV. It has received several honors, including a gold medal at the International Wine & Spirit Competition and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. For whiskey lovers who like peaty, smokey whiskies, it is a fantastic option.
The Bruichladdich Distillery
The Bruichladdich distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery located on the island of Islay in Scotland. It was founded in 1881 and has a long and storied history of producing single malt whiskies.
The distillery produces a range of different expressions, including unpeated, lightly peated, and heavily peated whiskies. Bruichladdich is known for its innovative approach to whisky-making and has experimented with a range of different cask finishes and maturation techniques to produce unique and flavorful whiskies.
One of the most popular expressions of Bruichladdich is the Classic Laddie, which is a non-age statement single malt whisky that is bottled at 50% ABV. The Classic Laddie is unpeated and has a fresh and fruity flavor profile with notes of citrus and vanilla.
In addition to its range of single malt whiskies, Bruichladdich also produces The Botanist, a gin that is made using 22 different botanicals, many of which are sourced from the island of Islay.
Visitors to the Bruichladdich distillery can take a tour of the facilities, learn about the whisky-making process, and sample some of the whiskies and gin produced on site. The distillery also offers a range of exclusive bottlings that are only available for purchase at the distillery or through selected retailers.
Octomore is a range of heavily peated single malt Scotch whiskies produced by Bruichladdich distillery on the island of Islay. The best Octomore is subjective and ultimately depends on personal preference. However, here are some of the most highly acclaimed and sought-after Octomore expressions:
- Octomore 8.3: This 5-year-old expression is one of the most heavily peated whiskies in the world, with a peating level of 309 PPM. It has a complex flavor profile with notes of smoke, vanilla, citrus, and spice.
- Octomore 10.4: This 3-year-old expression is matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and virgin oak casks, resulting in a rich and intense flavor profile with notes of smoke, oak, and tropical fruit.
- Octomore 7.3: This 5-year-old expression is matured in ex-Bourbon barrels and finished in ex-Syrah wine casks. It has a sweet and fruity flavor profile with notes of smoke, red fruit, and dark chocolate.
- Octomore 11.3: This 5-year-old expression is matured in ex-bourbon casks and finished in ex-Pauillac wine casks from Château Latour. It has a complex flavor profile with notes of smoke, red fruit, and spice.
- Octomore 9.3: This 3-year-old expression is matured in ex-bourbon casks and finished in ex-Pauillac wine casks from Château Lafite. It has a sweet and smoky flavor profile with notes of red fruit, vanilla, and chocolate.
Again, the best Octomore is subjective and depends on individual preference. Each expression offers a unique flavor profile and experience, and it is worth trying several to discover which one you enjoy the most.
