Whiskies of Islay

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 waves of herbal tones and tropical fruit. Delicate, soft and barely a hint of smoke, this could only be from one distillery on the Island...

This is the latest core expression to join the Port Askaig range, a soft sweet and peaty 8 year old from an undisclosed distillery on Islay. 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 honeysuckle sweetness and slight herbal note balances out this dram before leading into a long barley sugar finish. A great introduction to the world of Islay malts.

Aged in a combination of refill ex-bourbon barrels and virgin oak casks for 10 years, this classic peated Islay whisky is softly smoky on the nose. Hints of leather and buttery, cereal notes develop. The palate is a treat of golden syrup and vanilla. As the peat smoke develops slowly it is joined by a gentle spice. A long and lingering finish which leaves you with lasting flavours of sweet peat smoke.

This higher strength expression of the Scarabus is full of the same sweet peat smoke as the standard release but with extra texture and body. On the nose notes of orchards fruits are joined by a peat smoke that develops as it sits in the glass. Flavours of creamy toffee and vanilla balance out the peppery spiciness. An impressive finish rich in honeycomb and a lasting ashy smoke.

Scarabus is a single malt whisky selected by Hunter Laing & Co. 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 adds depth, again nutty then spiced with mace and vanilla on a very oily and viscous mouthfeel. A fantastic dram and a must try for fans of Islay's oily, coastal peat smoke.

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.

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 sultanas and dried fruit, finishing with a salty sweet smoke tang. A heavy hitting dram for those who refer to them selves as 'peat freaks'.

Bottled from a Pedro Ximenez Hogshead and named after the legendary Bessie Williamson, this Islay classic starts off with a surprisingly sweet nose with notes of Moffat toffee and beeswax, the palate sees the arrival of the distillery?s classic industrial smoke and distinct oiliness with hints of burnt pastries, towards the finish, there are notes of campfire cowboy coffee and drying peat smoke, with hints of stewed fruits

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.

This release from Bruichladdich distillery has been made from the 2015 harvest of Scottish Mainland barley. It has been maturing in American oak casks. The nose is sweet and nutty, with apricots, ripe pears, coconut and charred oak. The palate has smoked granola, burnt heather and sugared almonds. The finish has notes of salty citrus, rose and heathery peat smoke.

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.

Sti?ireadair; pronounced ?stew-rahdur? meaning helmsman. This distillery release from Bunnahabain contains fruity and nutty aromas due to the large proportion of
first and second sill sherry casks. Creamy vanillas on the palate with a sea salty twang finish on the lips. This a great non-aged statement from Islay with just a bit of peat smoke. 

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 the palate. Light fruit mingles with a savoury nutty character and rich malty caramel sweetness. A lingering gingery spice on the finish. A unique Islay malt which is a must-try for anyone exploring the diversity of west coast drams.

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 price would suggest. Highly recommended.

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.

Named after one of Scotland's most famous castles, the Dun Bheagan brand has been around for many years, and though it has been difficult to source of late, we now have it back on the shelves. Bottled by the company Ian MacLeod, the source of this Islay single malt is a mystery, and could well change over time, but it is a quintessential Islay through and through. An earthy and sooty peat smoke, not overly medicinal, and a soft sweet vanilla and fruit medley that ends with a salty edge.

Created from a special blend of single malts from the isle of Islay, this new expression from the Elements of Islay range offers the classic rich barbecue smoke from a south coast Islay distillery, combined with more subtle, zesty flavours from the north coast. Matured exclusively from ex-bourbon casks and bottled at a higher strength of 54.5% this is the classic Islay style - peat smoke balanced with sweeter tones of fruit and vanilla.

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.