Islay Whisky

The Islay region of Scotland is renowned for its distinctive and bold whisky, known for its smoky, peaty flavours and maritime influence. Located off Scotland's west coast, Islay is home to some of the world's most celebrated distilleries, producing whiskies with rich, complex character, often with notes of sea salt, iodine, and a signature smokiness. Explore the finest Islay whiskies below and experience the essence of this iconic whisky region.

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Bowmore Miniature Set 12 Year Old, Darkest and 17 Year Old 3 x 5cl

3 x 5cl
43.0% ABV

This set contains three miniature bottles of Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Bowmore including Bowmore 12 Year Old, Bowmore Darkest Sherry Casked and Bowmore 17 Year Old.

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Ardbeg Manzanilla Rare Cask 93 16 Year Old 2022 Release

70cl
50.3% ABV

A bottle of Ardbeg Rare Cask 16 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This was drawn from a rare cask, finished in a single Manzanilla Sherry cask and bottled at a cask strength of 50.3% ABV in February 2020.One of only 671 bottles; it was bottled from cask number 93.

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Lagavulin 12 Year Old Feis Ile 2022 Single Malt Scotch Whisky

70cl
57.7% ABV

Bottled exclusively for the Feis Ile Festival 2022.One of only 6336 bottles produced. Finished in Virgin American Oak Casks. Personally selected by the distillery manager Jordan Paisley.

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Caol Ila 15 Year Old Feis Ile 2022 Single Malt Scotch Whisky

70cl
55.2% ABV

Bottled exclusively for the Feis Ile Festival 2022, extraordinarily punchy and sweet-spicy, and simply huge in spirit.Finished in Virgin American Oak Hogsheads, this is one of only 3,702 bottles produced.

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Smokehead Rum Rebel Single Malt Whisky

70cl
46.0% ABV

When the Islay rebel meets its rum cask cousin, the familiar peaty punch of Smokehead is given a sweet and furious Caribbean jolt. Soothing citrus and tropical fruits. And is that marshmallow and bacon.

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Arran Harmony Edition Volume 5 Malt & Music Festival 2022

70cl
55.6% ABV

Distilled at the Arran distillery in Lochranza, this is volume five in the Harmony Edition bottlings. It has been laid down to mature for an undisclosed length of time in a combination of three different casks - bourbon barrel, sherry hogshead and sherry butt. This expression was released to celebrate the...

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Mac-Talla Limited Edition Red Wine Barrique Scotch Whisky

70cl
53.8% ABV

Twenty- four handpicked oak casks were previously home to prestigious wines, marrying Islay’s untamed smoky nature with the refined fruitiness and opulence of Bordeaux wines.

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XOP Bowmore 1996 Bottled 2022 Single Cask 25 Year Old - Douglas Laing

70cl
51.0% ABV

A single cask Bowmore 1996 25-year-old bottled by Douglas Laing in 2022 without colouring or chill filtration for their XOP (Extra Old Particular) range. Bowmore 1996 25-year-old Cask DL15647 was a refill hogshead that yielded 194 bottles at a strength of 51%.

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Kilchoman UK Small Batch No 4 Single Malt Scotch Whisky

70cl
49.8% ABV

Combining ex-bourbon barrels and ex-sherry casks matured at 46% ABV with one specially selected STR cask at natural cask strength. The result is a marriage of classic Kilchoman citrus and peat smoke with layers of toffee, spices and red berries. This Kilchoman LIMITED EDITION SMALL BATCH vatting is exclusively available in the UK. Only 1,260...

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Isle of Raasay 2017 3 Year Old Single Cask No 96 Na Sia Single Cask Series

70cl
61.5% ABV

Distilled at the distillery on the Isle of Raasay, this single cask release forms part of the distillery's Na Sia Single cask series which showcase the characteristics of the six Isle of Raasay single malt recipe casks. This peated expression has been aged in a single first fill ex-rye American...

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Bruichladdich 12 Year Old 2009 Israeli Cabernet Sauvignon Cask No 1549

70cl
62.4% ABV

An exclusive release from Bruichladdich. This 12 year old release was distilled in 2009, then laid down in Warehouse 14 where it matured for over a decade in a cask that previously held Cabernet Sauvignon wine from Israel. This cask choice imparts a sensational flavour profile and colour to the final...

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The Botanist Gin Steel Tumblers Giftpack

70cl
46.0% ABV

The Botanist gets its authentic gin character from 22 wild botanicals and 9 classic gin spices. Traditionally made by hand at Islay's Bruichladdich distillery, this dry gin is distilled three times longer than usual. It is ideal as a basis for delicious cocktails or in combination with a dry tonic and a...

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Bruichladdich Classic Laddie & 2 Glasses Gift Pack

70cl
50.0% ABV

This eye catching gift set from the Bruichladdich Distillery, containing a bottle of The Classic Laddie, made with 100% Scottish barley. The whisky comes with two branded glasses.

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Lagavulin 13 Year Old Jazz Festival 2021 Single Malt Scotch Whisky

70cl
54.8% ABV

Distilled on the Isle of Islay at Lagavulin distillery, this release has been bottled specially for the Islay Jazz Festival 2021. This expression was put down to mature for 13 years, firstly in refill American oak casks, before being transferred to ex-mezcal casks for a finishing period. Part of a limited...

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Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Year Old Batch 2 Single Malt Scotch Whisky

70cl
46.2% ABV

The second batch of Arbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Year Old was released in September 2020. Produced in a single batch each year, each annual batch of Traigh Bhan will feature a unique code on the carton, bottle and foot label. This rare, small batch 19 Year Old Ardbeg reveals captivating notes of gentle,...

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Bruichladdich 2011 10 Year Old 1st Fill Bourbon Laddie Crew Cask No 1241

70cl
61.9% ABV

Bottled exclusively for the Laddie Crew UK, this single cask Bruichladdich has been matured in a bourbon cask for 10 years. Distilled 13th April 2011, matured in cask #1241 then bottled 1st March 2022 with only 216 bottles being filled at cask strength, 61.9% vol.

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Jura Red Wine Cask Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky

70cl
40.0% ABV

This single malt brings the distinctive regional flavours of selected European wine casks. It is a fruity, full-bodied single malt - a special whisky for special moments.

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Highland Park Viking Tribe Single Malt Scotch Whisky

70cl
46.0% ABV

Highland Park is an island-based distillery. This single malt was specifically crafted as a tribute to the power of small communities, specifiacally tribes. This Whisky reveals delectable notes of vanilla pods and lemon zest, pepper spice and smoky peat.

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Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Year Old Batch 4 Single Malt Whisky

70cl
46.2% ABV

Introduducing the latest 2022 release of the super-popular Ardbeg 19 Year Old Traigh Bhan. Matured for 19 years in a higher proportion of Oloroso Sherry casks is the epitome of an aged Ardbeg. Part of a highly sought-after and collectable Ardbeg series, Batch 4 is the latest expression. This sublime Traigh Bhan, like...

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Bowmore x Aston Martin 10, 15 & 18 Year Old 2022 Release Set

We have a set of 3 special releases from the Bowmore Distillery in collaboration with Aston Martin. 10 year old - Dark & Intense, matured in sherry & hogshead casks (1 Litre) 40%15 year old - Golden & Elegant, matured in bourbon casks (1 Litre) 43%18 year old - Deep & Complex, matured in...

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Kilchoman 100% Islay 12th Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky

70cl
50.0% ABV

The 12th edition of Kilchoman's 100% Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Representing the revival of traditional farm distilling; growing thier own barley before malting, distilling, maturing and bottling every bottle on site.Matured in 29 bourbon barrels and 6 oloroso sherry butts for a minimum of 8 years.

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The Botanist Islay Dry Gin Tin Planter Gift Pack

70cl
46.0% ABV

A gift pack for gin lovers feautures a bottle of The Botanist Gin and a gift tin that can be used as a planter so you can grow your own garnishes for your G&Ts! -Outer packaging designed to be retained to grow garnishes -Pack includes foraged cocktail recipes and garnish inspiration -Insert made...

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Bruichladdich Bere Barley 2012 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

70cl
50.0% ABV

This unpeated single malt was produced from the 2011 harvest of heritage bere barley supplied by the Agronomy Institute of Orkney College. Bere Barley is a six-row heritage variety that has long since been forgotten from the modern world of standardised whisky making. Matured for 10 years in first fill ex-bourbon casks,...

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Bruichladdich 11 Year Old 2011 Organic Barley Single Malt Scotch Whisky

70cl
50.0% ABV

Another fantastic release in the Bruichladdich Organic Series. This 2011 release was made with 100% Scottish barley cultivated at Mid Coul farm in Inverness, Scotland, without the use of artificial fertilisers or pesticides. Produced by a slow distillation and matured only on Islay, this organic single malt has a rich and creamy, luxurious...

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Islay - The Iconic Whisky Region of Scotland

Islay, one of Scotland's most renowned whisky regions, is located on a small island off the west coast in the Inner Hebrides. Known as the "Queen of the Hebrides," Islay has a long and rich history of whisky production that stretches back hundreds of years. Despite its relatively small size, Islay has become a global destination for whisky enthusiasts, celebrated for its distinctive and bold flavours, marked by a unique peat influence and a strong sense of tradition.

The Character of Islay Whisky

Islay whiskies are renowned for their robust, smoky, and peaty character, which sets them apart from other Scotch regions. The island’s abundant peat bogs are crucial in shaping these flavours. During the whisky-making process, the peat is used to dry the malted barley, imparting strong, earthy, and sometimes medicinal notes that define Islay whisky.

In addition to the peat, the coastal location of Islay lends a maritime influence to the whiskies, often resulting in salty, briny flavours. These whiskies are complex and intense, ranging from heavily peated expressions to lighter, more balanced options, providing something for every whisky lover.

The Islay Whisky Experience

A visit to Islay is a pilgrimage for whisky lovers. The island is home to nine working distilleries, each offering a unique take on Islay’s signature style. Despite its small size, Islay produces a remarkable variety of whisky, often categorised into southern and northern producers, with slight flavour differences based on location.

Visiting Islay isn’t just about whisky; the island’s stunning natural beauty, including its rugged coastline and windswept beaches, enhances the experience. A trip here offers an immersion into a community steeped in whisky-making tradition and breathtaking landscapes.

Six of the Most Popular Islay Distilleries

Laphroaig
Laphroaig is known for producing some of the most heavily peated whiskies in the world. Its distinct flavours, characterised by medicinal, iodine, and seaweed notes, have earned it an iconic status. The Laphroaig 10-Year-Old and Quarter Cask are some of its most celebrated offerings, appealing to those who love bold, unforgettable whiskies.
Ardbeg
Ardbeg is another of Islay’s famed distilleries, producing complex and smoky whiskies with deep peat, earthy, and citrus notes. Known for its intensity, Ardbeg 10-Year-Old and Uigeadail are popular expressions that showcase the full power of Islay peat with remarkable depth and balance.
Lagavulin
Situated on Islay's southern coast, Lagavulin produces richly peated, full-bodied whiskies. The Lagavulin 16-Year-Old is a cornerstone of the distillery’s range, with its deep smoky flavours, hint of sweetness, and long, smooth finish. It's a well-loved whisky that embodies the perfect balance of peat and richness.
Bowmore
Bowmore, the oldest distillery on Islay, offers a more balanced and approachable take on Islay whisky. While still showcasing peaty notes, Bowmore whiskies often feature fruitier and more floral elements. Bowmore 12-Year-Old is an excellent example of the distillery’s ability to combine peat, citrus, and vanilla into a harmonious dram.
Bruichladdich
Bruichladdich is known for pushing boundaries and producing both unpeated and heavily peated whiskies. Its Octomore series is among the most heavily peated whiskies in the world, while its unpeated expressions highlight Islay-grown barley and the island’s terroir. Bruichladdich prides itself on innovation and local sourcing.
Caol Ila
Caol Ila is one of the largest distilleries on Islay, known for producing lighter, more accessible whiskies compared to some of its heavily peated counterparts. With notes of lemon, brine, and smoke, Caol Ila 12-Year-Old strikes a balance that appeals to both newcomers and seasoned whisky drinkers alike.

Peat and Smoke: The Hallmarks of Islay Whisky

Peat is at the heart of Islay whisky production. The island’s rich peat bogs are ancient accumulations of decomposed organic matter, primarily mosses. During whisky production, the peat is burned to dry the malted barley, releasing thick smoke that infuses the grain with the distinctive smoky flavours.

Peat levels in whisky are measured in parts per million (PPM) of phenols. Ardbeg, for instance, often reaches around 50 PPM, while Bruichladdich’s Octomore series can soar to over 100 PPM, making it one of the most intensely peated whiskies in existence.

Islay’s Coastal Influence

Islay’s location on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean adds another layer of complexity to its whiskies. The salty sea air and coastal winds that sweep the island imbue the whisky with a maritime character, contributing to notes of sea salt, iodine, and seaweed.

Many distilleries age their whisky in warehouses close to the coast, where the casks can breathe in the salty air as they mature. This coastal influence enhances the whisky’s unique profile, creating a distinctive balance of smoke and brine that is synonymous with Islay whiskies.