The island of Islay (pronounced eye-la)Â lies in the southern Inner Hebridean isles of Scotland and boasts 8 producing single malt distilleries: (Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Kilchoman) and one closed (Port Ellen). Islay is home to some of the most famous distilleries in Scotland, and while the majority produce a heavily peated and pungently smoky whisky, there are excellent un-peated styles made here too.
The distinctive smoky aroma and flavour is imparted by the drying of barley over smouldering peat fires, with this character diminishing and softening with time in the cask. Islay whiskies are connected strongly to where they are made, and a visit to the island is among one of the best whisky experiences available in the world.
The Whiskies of Islay
Port Askaig 45 years old 40.8%
Port Askaig 45 years old 40.8%
Region: Islay
Strength: 40.80%
Volume: 700ml
$2,252.00
This incredibly rare whisky is the oldest Islay single malt we have stocked, bottled after 45 years of maturation. Distilled at an undisclosed distillery in 1968, this bottling is a combination of 5 old sherry casks. It carries a staggeringly complex array of aromas of flavours - honey sweetness, rich over-ripe fruit, a hint of menthol and a wav...
Smokehead 18 years old 43%
Smokehead 18 years old 43%
Region: Islay
Strength: 43%
Volume: 700ml
$292.00
From Ian Macleod Distillers, this unknown bottling from a distillery on Islay is a brooding, smooth smoky dram as the name and packaging suggests. Maturation has taken the edges off this whisky, leaving a refined and complex malt that has plenty to explore beneath the smoke.
Smokehead 43%
Smokehead 43%
Region: Islay
Strength: 43%
Volume: 700ml
$106.00
Smokehead is a rich, seaweedy and intensely peaty whisky.The flavour is fresh, fruity and immense, with notes of sherry, iodine, toffee, smoke and sea salt all fighting for recognition.A really vigorous whisky not for the faint hearted savour and enjoy!
The Ileach 40%
The Ileach 40%
Region: Islay
Strength: 40%
Volume: 700ml
$62.00
This 'mystery malt' from the Island of Islay has been given the name 'The Ileach' - a term used for someone that comes from the island, as well as the name of the local newspaper.It is classic Islay style with pungent peat smoke flavours, chewy sweet malt, pepper, tar and a touch of iodine.
Bruichladdich 'Port Charlotte' 10 years old 50%
Region: Islay
Strength: 50%
Volume: 700ml
$122.20
Port Charlotte is the name given to heavily peated whisky from Bruichaddich distillery and this particular expression is the second batch of 10 year old they have released to date. First-fill bourbon, sherry, tempranillo and French wine casks were all utilised in maturing this exciting new release from hebridean distillers. Like its 10 year old ...
Port Askaig 8 years old 45.8%
Region: Islay
Strength: 45.8%
Volume: 700ml
$82.00
This is the latest core expression to join the Port Askaig range, a soft sweet and peaty 8 year old from an undisclosed distillery. Matured entirely in refill American oak, it is fresh and vibrant on the nose with lemon oil, salty sea spray and a soft ashy smoke. More citrus on the palate with smoked fish and that classic Islay peat reek. A hone...
PEAT (Full Proof) 59.3% 500ml
Region: Islay
Strength: 59.3%
Volume: 700ml
$76.00
New to the shelves from the Elements of Islay range, PEAT is a blended malt, consisting of a combination of 60 casks from a spattering of distilleries around the north and south of Islay. Invigorating punchy peat smoke to the fore is complimented with a salty seaweed character and plenty of fresh fruit (lemon, lime and grapefruit).On the palate,...
PEAT (Pure Islay) 45% 500ml
PEAT (Pure Islay) 45% 500ml
Region: Islay
Strength: 45%
Volume: 700ml
$59.00
PEAT Pure Islay is the accomplice to the PEAT full proof, swapping its high batch strength for a more friendly 45%. It was created using single malt whisky from a handful of distilleries across northern and southern Islay. Aromas of thick cut bacon being cooked over smouldering coals on the beach. Hickory smoke to the fore on the palate with hin...
Ardbeg 'An Oa' 46.6%
Ardbeg 'An Oa' 46.6%
Region: Islay
Strength: 46.6%
Volume: 700ml
$114.00
Ardbeg 'An Oa' is the latest release from the iconic Ardbeg distillery on Islay, named after the southern point of the island known as the Mull of Oa (pronounced 'oh'). A creation of three different cask types that are married in a new 'gathering' vat which allows these flavours to mellow and mingle. The aroma is classic Ardbeg - sooty, ashy pea...
Bruichladdich 'Authors' Series' 1990 / 25 years old 48.6%
Region: Islay
Strength: 48.60%
Volume: 700ml
$891.00
This straw coloured whisky is initially sweet on the nose with vanilla custard, red berries, blackcurrants and peaches. On the palate it is creamy and mellow with soft fruits and a hint of dark chocolate slowly appearing. The finish is long and dry with an oaky aftertaste
Kilchoman Sanaig 200ml 46%
Kilchoman Sanaig 200ml 46%
Region: Islay
Strength: 46%
Volume: 200ml
$45.00
Sanaig is the newest permanent addition to the Kilchoman range. Sanaig is predominantly bottled from Oloroso sherry Hogshead casks, and this influence is most obvious in its rich colour and flavour. The aroma is classic Kilchoman, with soft cooked fruits, full-bodied peat smoke with citrus notes and a lingering sweetness. A perfect balance of pe...
Kilchoman Machir Bay 200ml 46%
Region: Islay
Strength: 46%
Volume: 200ml
$39.00
Fresh peat smoke mingles with a soft cooked stone fruit sweetness, with layers of smoke. On the palate there is a surge of tangy peat smoke and a vanilla pudding sweetness that leads to a sea-side, peppery smoke. The barley, oak and peat come together in harmony on the finish which is long and peaty. Consistently one of the best whiskies to come...
Kilchoman 'Sanaig & Machir Bay' Gift Pack 2 x 200ml
Region: Islay
Strength: 46%
Volume: 400ml
$73.00
Perfect for Christmas, this brand new gift pack from Kilchoman distillery on Islay features two dinky 200ml bottles of their Machir Bay and Sanaig expressions. A great gift option for fans of the smoky Islay style.
Caol Ila 'Signatory' 2009 / 8 years old 46%
Region: Islay
Strength: 46%
Volume: 700ml
$97.00
Selected from a pair of sister casks from the Caol Ila distillery on Islay, this 8 year old bottling by Signatory Vintage is a punchy dram, with loads of dry coastal bonfire peat smoke and sweet and tangy citric (particularly lime, citrus cordial) notes throughout. A consistently excellent bottling from Signatory Vintage under their 'Unchillfilt...
Bruichladdich Octomore 8.3 61.2%
Bruichladdich Octomore 8.3 61.2%
Region: Islay
Strength: 61.20%
Volume: 700ml
$325.80
This edition of the Octomore has been matured in 1st fill, ex bourbon barrels, and pairs the smokey intensity particular to Octomore with fruity and confectionary notes from the maturation. A truly powerful peated whisky.
Caol Ila 'Gordon & MacPhail' Discovery 13 years old 43%
Region: Islay
Strength: 43%
Volume: 700ml
$98.50
Part of famed independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail's new 'Discovery' range, this 13 year old Caol Ila from the west coast island of Islay falls under their 'smoky' profile, an introduction to bold flavour ranges that Scotch has to offer. We are met with sweet vanilla and dry cured meat aromas. Peat smoke undertones are complemented by bana...
Elements of Islay 'I Love Peat' Tasting Pack 5 x 30ml
Region: Islay
Strength: Various
Volume: 5 x 30ml
$77.50
This new limited edition gift pack comes from the Elements of Islay series, containing a dram each of their famous small-batch, single malt releases from Ardbeg, Lagavulin, Octomore and Caol Ila, as well as the PEAT blended malt. A perfect gift idea for a lover of Islay's famously peaty whiskies.
Oc5 - Elements of Islay 59.8% 500ml
Region: Islay
Strength: 59.80%
Volume: 500ml
$272.00
Islay's famously highly-peated spirit produced at the Bruichladdich distillery is named Octomore, and this bottling from the Elements of Islay has come from just a single cask filled with this spirit in 2011. Bottled at a natural cask strength of 59.8%, the aroma is layered and complex, going between striking peat smoke, malty cereal and plenty ...
Laphroaig Select Cask 40%
Laphroaig Select Cask 40%
Region: Islay
Strength: 40%
Volume: 700ml
$65.00
From the famous Laphroaig distillery on Islay, this peated whisky is a combination of casks that represent classic Laphroaig styles. The nose has initial notes of smoky peat and the develops into notes of red fruits. The palate has sweet notes and dry peat with ashy notes. The finish is long with floral and marzipan and a slight citrus note.
Bunnahabhain 'Gordon & MacPhail' Discovery 11 years old 43%
Region: Islay
Strength: 43%
Volume: 700ml
$99.80
This new expression comes from Gordon & MacPhail's 'discovery' range, offering fine examples of some of the distinctive cask and spirit types in Scotland. Bottled from sherry casks from the Bunnahabhain distillery, this is not dominantly peaty at all - rich and sweet with sherry cask fruitcake notes, with vanilla, a touch of orange marmalade...
Pl5 - Elements of Islay 63.1% 500ml
Region: Islay
Strength: 63.1%
Volume: 700ml
$157.00
From Bruichladdich distillery on the southwestern tip of Islay, this whisky is a vatting of whisky from a refill hogshead and a first-fill barrel. Bottled at 63.1% this whisky has notes of dirty smoke, sweet peat and vanilla.
Laphroaig 'Xtra Old Particular' 2000 / 18 years old 52.9%
Region: Islay
Strength: 52.9%
Volume: 700ml
$635.00
A welcome addition to our shelves is this rare treat from Douglas Laing, selected from a single refill hogshead cask from Islay's iconic Laphroaig distillery. After 18 years of maturation, the peat has softened and mellow yet still rich and medicinal - smoked meats, autumn leaves and peaty bonfires lead the aroma, with dried seaweed and iodine. ...
Bunnahabhain 'Xtra old Particular' 1988 / 30 years old 42.6%
Region: Islay
Strength: 42.6%
Volume: 700ml
$731.00
Distilled in February 1988, this single cask bottling comes from the Bunnahabhain distillery on Islay after 30 years of maturation under the careful eye of Douglas Laing & Co. Filled into a refill sherry butt, this is the classic Bunnahabhain style nutty, rich and fruity with sugar-coated pear drops, lime and peach to be found on the nose. ...
Ardbeg 'Drum' 46%
Ardbeg 'Drum' 46%
Region: Islay
Strength: 46%
Volume: 700ml
$183.50
Happy Ardbeg Day 2019! The latest annual release from the Ardbeg distillery is now available to coincide with the celebrations currently taking place on Islay. Originally matured in ex-bourbon casks, its final resting period was in rum casks from the Americas. Fragrant with pine resin and seaspray aromas, the classic Ardbeg peaty note comes thro...
