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
Finlaggan 'Old Reserve' 40%
Finlaggan 'Old Reserve' 40%
Region: Islay
Strength: 40%
Volume: 700ml
$62.50
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.
Bowmore 18 years old 43%
Bowmore 18 years old 43%
Region: Islay
Strength: 43%
Volume: 700ml
$162.00
Released in January 2007 to replace the 17 year old, this is a complex and interesting Bowmore that opens up beautifully given time.It has a perfumed aroma with stewed fruit and gentle smoke in the background which continues to develop on the palate along with plum jam and fruit flavours which leads to a mellow finish with gentle peat smoke ever...
Finlaggan 'Cask Strength' 58%
Finlaggan 'Cask Strength' 58%
Region: Islay
Strength: 58%
Volume: 700ml
$105.50
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.
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...
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.
Laphroaig 10 years old 40%
Laphroaig 10 years old 40%
Region: Islay
Strength: 40%
Volume: 700ml
$110.20
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.
Bowmore 12 years old 40%
Bowmore 12 years old 40%
Region: Islay
Strength: 40%
Volume: 700ml
$74.60
Complex yet perfectly balanced, the Bowmore 12 carries notes of subtle citrus, berry fruits, honey and silky peat smoke. A gentler style of Islay smoke from the islands oldest distillery.
Laphroaig Select Cask 40%
Laphroaig Select Cask 40%
Region: Islay
Strength: 40%
Volume: 700ml
$64.50
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.
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...
Ardbeg 10 years old 46%
Ardbeg 10 years old 46%
Region: Islay
Strength: 46%
Volume: 700ml
$94.00
Legendary to those who have come to crave Scotland's big peat-flavoured drams, Ardbeg achieves a balance between surging smoke and peat, with notes of fresh tar, medicinal carbolic soap, wood smoke and a distant coastal element. The palate has a surprising sweetness and an oilyness that is offset by a fruity, citrus hint. One of our most popular...
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.
PEAT (Pure Islay) 45% 500ml
PEAT (Pure Islay) 45% 500ml
Region: Islay
Strength: 45%
Volume: 500ml
$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...
Bruichladdich 'Port Charlotte' 10 years old 50%
Region: Islay
Strength: 50%
Volume: 700ml
$125.20
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...
Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2011 50%
Region: Islay
Strength: 50%
Volume: 700ml
$138.00
Made from barley exclusively grown from 6 farms throughout Islay, comes this 2011 vintage release from Bruichladdich. This 6 year old whisky has been matured in ex-bourbon barrels as well as second and third fill white wine casks. This dram offers caramel wafers and apricots on the nose and provides coconut on the finish. Islay grown, distilled,...
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...
Port Askaig '100 Proof' 57.1%
Port Askaig '100 Proof' 57.1%
Region: Islay
Strength: 57.1%
Volume: 700ml
$102.00
Bottled from a selection of casks both young and old from an undisclosed distillery on Islay, the Port Askaig series personifies the Islay style - dense smoke, sea spray and a hint of lemon and liquorice (suggesting one distillery in particular). The peat smoke lingers on the palate with salted caramel, herbal notes and a slow drying finish. Bot...
Lagavulin 9 Year Old 'Game of Thrones House Lannister' 46%
Region: Islay
Strength: 46%
Volume: 700ml
$151.00
A characteristically Lagavulin release, with the sweet smoke aromas exploding on the nose to provide a little more zesty, maritime brine than other expressions.The palate opens with sweet, smoky caramelised banana, burnt marshmallow and vanilla.The palate subsides into a lightly dry menthol and salted caramel finish.
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...
Bunnahabhain 25 years old 46.3%
Bunnahabhain 25 years old 46.3%
Region: Islay
Strength: 46.3%
Volume: 700ml
$567.00
Maturing for 25 years in sherry casks, this latest edition from Bunnahabhain shows the classic non-smkoy style for this famous Islay distillery. The wonderfully rich flavours of sherry casks produce flavours of fruitcake, dried fruit and a distinctive roasted nut taste. Honeyed, creamy and spicy as well, this ia beaituflly complex single malt fr...
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.
Smokehead 'Sherry Bomb' 48%
Smokehead 'Sherry Bomb' 48%
Region: Islay
Strength: 48%
Volume: 700ml
$122.00
A new arrival to the shelves, the Smokehead 'Sherry Bomb' from Ian Macleod's certainly lives up to its name. A powerful Islay single malt from an unknown distillery which has been matured entirely in Oloroso Sherry casks it boasts thick peat and custard aromas. Heavy oily black smoke mingles on the palate with sticky barbecued bananas, tangy sul...
Bruichladdich Organic 50%
Bruichladdich Organic 50%
Region: Islay
Strength: 50%
Volume: 700ml
$199.50
Distilled from organically grown barley from the Mid Coul farms near Inverness, this 2009 vintage of Bruichladdich is one of the few organic whiskies produced in the world. Aromas of candied orange and lemon are joined by floral and marine spice notes, surrounded by creamy barley and rich vanilla pudding flavours. A wonderful example of Bruichla...
Laphroaig 25 years old 48.9%
Laphroaig 25 years old 48.9%
Region: Islay
Strength: 48.9%
Volume: 700ml
$750.00