A Guide to Islay Whisky: History and Top Picks

Islay is the crown jewel of Scottish whisky – a rugged island where salt-sprayed shores and ancient peat bogs have birthed some of the world's most distinctive spirits.

For centuries, master distillers have harnessed the island’s natural landscape to craft legendary Islay whisky. From clandestine stills hidden from the taxman's watchful eye to globally revered distilleries like Bowmore, Islay's whisky journey has been long and fascinating.

Today, there are nine active distilleries on Islay: Ardbeg, Ardnahoe, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig. This small Hebridean haven, with barely 3,000 inhabitants, has forever altered the whisky landscape, creating a style so distinctive that enthusiasts can identify an Islay dram with just one smoky sip.

Islay’s Whisky History

Islay has a long and storied whisky-making tradition, stretching back centuries. While the exact origins are unclear, whisky distillation likely began on the island as early as the 16th or 17th century, brought by Irish monks or local farmers who had easy access to barley and peat.

Like much of Scottish whisky, Islay’s early production was often illicit, with small stills hidden in remote locations to avoid being taxed. The island’s natural resources (filled with peat bogs, pure water sources, and a cool, maritime climate—made it an ideal location for whisky-making, even in its underground days.

By the 18th and 19th centuries, the whisky industry became legal, with distilleries gaining official status and commercial production growing. Bowmore was founded in 1779, and quickly became the first legal distillery on the island and remains one of Scotland’s oldest.

Throughout the 19th century, more distilleries followed, establishing Islay as a whisky powerhouse. Whisky from the island became highly sought after for its robust, smoky character, and mainland distilleries often blended it into their own spirits to add depth and intensity.

The 20th century brought both challenges and triumphs. Prohibition in the United States and economic downturns led to several distillery closures, while World War II disrupted production. Thankfully, towards the end of the century, Islay whisky regained its status, driven by a growing appreciation for single malts and the distinct peaty style that set the island apart from other Scotch whisky regions.

What Makes Islay Whisky Unique?

Islay’s coastal location plays a major role in shaping its whisky. The salty sea air and high humidity influence cask maturation, imparting subtle briny, seaweed flavours to the whisky. This maritime quality is especially noticeable in whiskies from Caol Ila, Bowmore, and Bunnahabhain, which often have hints of sea salt, coastal breeze, and even a slight oiliness that enhances their complexity.

However, Islay whisky is most well-known for its peatiness. The level of peat influence varies between distilleries – whiskies like Ardbeg, Laphroaig, and Lagavulin are famed for their intensely smoky flavours, while others like Bunnahabhain and Bruichladdich produce lighter and sometimes unpeated expressions.

Fèis Ìle - The Islay Festival

For whisky lovers, Fèis Ìle is a bucket-list event. Fèis Ìle – The Islay Festival of Music and Malt is an annual celebration of Islay whisky, music, and culture. The event usually takes place across the last weekend in May, drawing whisky lovers from around the world.

One of the main highlights of Fèis Ìle is the exclusive whisky releases from Islay’s distilleries. Each distillery crafts a special festival bottling, often featuring unique cask finishes or higher ABV expressions, making them highly sought after by collectors.

Alongside these special releases, distilleries host open days, where visitors can enjoy behind-the-scenes tours, masterclasses, and guided tastings – a rare chance to delve into the craftsmanship behind some of the world’s most iconic peated whiskies.

Each day is dedicated to a different distillery, ensuring visitors get the chance to explore their favourite brands while discovering new ones. Beyond the booze, the festival embraces Islay’s rich cultural heritage through live music, ceilidhs (traditional Scottish dancing), and food.

Islay Whisky: Our Top Picks

Not sure where to start with Islay whisky? These are our recommendations:

Laphroaig: Known for producing some of the most intensely peated whiskies in the world, Laphroaig offers a distinctive, almost medicinal flavour profile. Try the Laphroaig 18-Year-Old expression.

Lagavulin: Intense, deeply complex peated whiskies are the name of the game at Lagavulin. This distillery represents quintessential Islay style with its heavy smoke and rich, maritime character. Their 16-Year-Old expression is considered by many to be the definitive Islay single malt.

Ardbeg: A powerhouse of peat and complexity, Ardbeg crafts intensely smoky whiskies that are renowned for their depth. Pricey, but worth it – we love Ardbeg’s Unicorn’s Tale from their Anthology collection.

Bunnahabhain: Different from other Islay distilleries, Bunnahabhain offers a gentler, less peated style. Their whiskies often surprise drinkers with their oh-so-drinkable smoothness. Try the Bunnahabhain 18-Year-Old expression.

Kilchoman: A farm distillery known for its young, vibrant whiskies and commitment to creating single farm, single malt expressions. They're celebrated for bringing a fresh, innovative approach to traditional Islay whisky-making. Start with the Kilchoman Sanaig Single Malt.

Caol Ila: The largest producer on Islay, Caol Ila creates a consistently excellent peated whisky that balances smoky intensity with surprising lightness and elegance. Their spirits typically feature a lighter smokiness with bright citrus. Try the Caol Ila Moch Single Malt.

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