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
Oc6 - Elements of Islay 58.1% 500ml
Region: Islay
Strength: 58.1%
Volume: 500ml
$314.00
Distilled from ultra heavily peated barley at the Bruichladdich distillery, this new small batch of ex-bourbon barrels was matured for over 8 years before being bottled at its natural strength of 58.1% by the fine folk at Elixir Distillers. On the nose this whisky starts with spicy peat smoke, burnt matches and orange peel. Sweet notes of tinned...
Finlaggan 'Cask Strength' 58%
Finlaggan 'Cask Strength' 58%
Region: Islay
Strength: 58%
Volume: 700ml
$102.00
This cask strength release of Finlaggan has a lovely pungent peat smoke aroma, with notes of smoky bacon and old leather. The palate is rich with more peat smoke, iodine and lemon zest leading to a peppery finish that is long and warming.
Smokehead 43%
Smokehead 43%
Region: Islay
Strength: 43%
Volume: 700ml
$82.00
Smokehead is a rich, seaweedy and intensely peaty single malt Islay whisky, produced at an undisclosed distillery. The flavour is fresh, fruity and immense, with notes of iodine, toffee, earthy peat smoke and sea salt all fighting for the upper hand. A vigorous whisky from the shores of the world's most famous whisky making island.
Smokehead 'High Voltage' 58%
Smokehead 'High Voltage' 58%
Region: Islay
Strength: 58%
Volume: 700ml
$110.00
This high strength expression of smokehead is unashamedly intense and vigorous, full of heavy Islay peatsmoke, earthiness, salt, iodine. Oily and full on the palate, it's a pure Islay powerhouse. Bottled from an undisclosed distillery at 58%, it is enjoyed neat for its full strength or with water to open up and gently tame the whisky.
Caol Ila 'Signatory' 1983 / 32 years old 49.3%
Region: Islay
Strength: 49.3%
Volume: 700ml
$1,061.00
Distilled in 1983 at the Caol Ila distillery, this beautiful and gentle old Islay malt has an exceptional aroma - marrying over-ripe fruit (banana, melon, lime) and a very integrated, soft and mellow peat smoke throughout. Lush and full on the palate with a great oily feeling, the fruits and smoke swirl around and linger for a long time, finishi...
Scarabus by Hunter Laing 46%
Scarabus by Hunter Laing 46%
Region: Islay
Strength: 46%
Volume: 700ml
$79.00
Scarabus is a new single malt whisky selected by Hunter Laing & Co. who marked the opening of their new Ardnahoe distillery on Islay. While the origin of this whisky is a mystery, it is a big dram, offering an aroma of sweet syrupy pears, white raisins, freshly roasting peanuts and plumes of peaty smoke. A briny sea-salt and leathery note ad...
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...
Bruichladdich 'The Classic Laddie' 50%
Region: Islay
Strength: 50%
Volume: 700ml
$111.90
The Classic Laddie from Bruichladdich is made using unpeated barley, matured mostly in American Oak, ex-boubon barrels and french oak, bottled at 50%. A refreshing dram with a palate of green fruits, brown sugar and sweet oak along with those classic costal notes. Packaged in a very unusual aqua blue bottle to match a fresh and lively dram disti...
Caol Ila 12 years old 43% 750ml
Caol Ila 12 years old 43% 750ml
Region: Islay
Strength: 43%
Volume: 750ml
$118.00
From the northern edge of Islay, the Caol Ila distillery is known for a slightly more refined smoke character, with citrus fruit and and a gentle sweetness that mingles with the peat. Sophisticated and lingering, a great introduction to some of the smokier whiskies from the Island.
Ardbeg Corryvreckan 57.1%
Ardbeg Corryvreckan 57.1%
Region: Islay
Strength: 57.1%
Volume: 700ml
$147.00
Ardbeg Corryvreckan is one of two constantly available Ardbegs bottled at high strength. It is made up of a combination of Ardbeg matured in standard Ex Bourbon casks and in French oak casks. This maturation gives the Corryvreckan great balance of sweetness and spiciness backed up by a huge punch of drying, ashy smoke.
Finlaggan 'Old Reserve' 40%
Finlaggan 'Old Reserve' 40%
Region: Islay
Strength: 40%
Volume: 700ml
$60.30
The distillery this whisky comes from is undisclosed, but it is pungently peaty and smoky as you'd except, with a medicinal quality that is very similar to the smell of new band-aid or bandages. A very affordable single malt Islay whisky.
Bunnahabhain 12 years old 46.3%
Region: Islay
Strength: 46.3%
Volume: 700ml
$98.00
Situated on the beautiful north east coast of Islay, looking out over the paps of Jura, Bunnahabhain is described as the 'gentle Islay', a more approachable style compared to the classic peat smoke characteristic the island is so well known for. The nose is aromatic with a subtle glimmer of smoke and a faint hint of seashore that continues into ...
MacLeod's Islay 40%
MacLeod's Islay 40%
Region: Islay
Strength: 40%
Volume: 700ml
$68.00
The Macleod's Regional Single Malts series features bottlings showcasing the regional styles of Scotland. The Islay expression is marked out by a rich, herbal, peat smoke along with plenty of salty coastal influence.
Smokehead 'Sherry Bomb' 48%
Smokehead 'Sherry Bomb' 48%
Region: Islay
Strength: 48%
Volume: 700ml
$122.00
The Smokehead 'Sherry Bomb' is a classic Islay peated Single Malt paired with a maturation in Ex-Sherry casks. Bottled at 48% this dram has all of Islay's typical oily, salty, smokey character, along with deep sherry richness.
Kilchoman 'Machir Bay' 46%
Kilchoman 'Machir Bay' 46%
Region: Islay
Strength: 46%
Volume: 700ml
$89.80
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...
Smokehead 'High Voltage' 58%
Smokehead 'High Voltage' 58%
Region: Islay
Strength: 58%
Volume: 700ml
$110.00
This high strength expression of smokehead is unashamedly intense and vigorous, full of heavy Islay peatsmoke, earthiness, salt, iodine. Oily and full on the palate, it's a pure Islay powerhouse. Bottled from an undisclosed distillery at 58%, it is enjoyed neat for its full strength or with water to open up and gently tame the whisky.
Laphroaig 10 years old 40%
Laphroaig 10 years old 40%
Region: Islay
Strength: 40%
Volume: 700ml
$94.00
The famous Laphroaig 10 year old, one of the most iconic single malt whiskies in all of Scotland. Renowned for its earthy, medicinal, richly peaty-smoky flavour, it is an evocative dram that with just one sip transports you to its home on the inner Hebridean island of Islay.
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.
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...
Laphroaig 'Triple Wood' 48%
Laphroaig 'Triple Wood' 48%
Region: Islay
Strength: 48%
Volume: 700ml
$141.00
Matured in three different styles of casks: bourbon barrels, quarter casks and lastly Spanish sherry butts. The Laphroaig from these 3 casks are brought together at bottling to produce a whisky of creamy dried fruit and lingering ashy peat smoke. The palate is lush and oily with a burst of peat followed by vanilla and a touch of sherry sweetness...
Ardbeg Uigeadail 54.2%
Ardbeg Uigeadail 54.2%
Region: Islay
Strength: 54.2%
Volume: 700ml
$144.00
A fine drop of Ardbeg bottled at high strength. A marriage of Ardbeg from bourbon barrels and sherry butts which gives a sweet and smokey finish to this malt. Uigeadail is the loch from which all Ardbeg's water flows. This year's batch of Uigeadail has more sherry influence and is an absolutely stunning whisky. Nose: the nose is deep and rounded...
Bunnahabhain 18 years old 46.3%
Bunnahabhain 18 years old 46.3%
Region: Islay
Strength: 40%
Volume: 700ml
$288.00
The nose on the Bunnahabhain 18 is truly incredible - huge notes of rich honey, nuts, old leather, dried fruits and a hint of sea-side smoke. A distinct umami (the Japanese word for 'savoury', think soy sauce and dried meat) character and a truly to-die-for rich dark chocolate flavour push this whisky in to a league far beyond what its age and p...
Bowmore 12 years old 40%
Bowmore 12 years old 40%
Region: Islay
Strength: 43%
Volume: 700ml
$76.00
Complex yet perfectly balanced, the Bowmore 12 carries notes of subtle lemon, honey and silky peat smoke. A gentler style of Islay smoke from the islands oldest distillery.
Bowmore 'Darkest' 15 years old 43%
Region: Islay
Strength: 43%
Volume: 700ml
$139.40
A new bottling from Bowmore which is a combination of vanilla-rich bourbon casks and 2 years in Oloroso sherry casks.
