Scotch Whisky Produced in Islay

Have you ever ever wished to buy whisky you may gone to a whisky store or on-line whisky trade however be confused concerning the completely different areas in Scotland? Similar to France has it is personal wine producing areas, Scotland has it is personal whisky producing areas. So what makes a whisky produced on Islay completely different from whiskies produced within the Highlands? That is the fifth in numerous articles exploring the completely different areas of Scotch whisky manufacturing. We now have examined the Lowlands, Highlands and Speyside and the Islands. Let’s deal with one island – the island of Islay. To completely admire the distinctiveness of Scotch whisky it is important that one understands concerning the completely different areas.

Islay (pronounced ‘EYE-lay’) is the southernmost of the Western Isles of Scotland. It has the very best focus of distilleries on any of the opposite islands with round 8 distilleries. Due to this and due to the distinctive whisky produced Islay is classed as an island in it is personal proper. Whiskies produced in Islay are normally related to a robust peaty flavour. Islay produces a number of the greatest single malt whiskies from the entire of Scotland. It was most likely in Islay the place whisky distillation was began in Scotland.

Distilleries on Islay

Let’s take a brief tour of a number of the most properly know distilleries on Islay, beginning with the north and dealing our approach south.

The Bunnahabhain (Pronounced ‘BOON-a-havn’) produces one of many milder Islay single malts and has a really distinctive style, completely different to that of different Islay whiskies. It has been producing whisky since 1881.

Bowmore. The oldest distillery on the island and one of the vital well-liked Islay whiskies being the second greatest promoting whisky behind Laphroaig. The whiskies produced are peaty – not as mild as Bunnahabhain and never as intense as Laphroaig and Lagavullin. Many of the barley used is regionally sourced, with some additionally being imported from the mainland. They produce many llimited editions whiskies, with the most costly being the Bowmore Trilogy – three uncommon whiskies which value round £15,000.

Lagavulin. The whiskies distilled listed below are a number of the most intense smokiest whiskies an individual will style. The peat is taken from a neighborhood peat lavatory which has very darkish peat. The whisky is among the slowest distilled, with the primary distillation taking round 5 hours and the second 9 hours. Many of the whisky is on the market as single malt and solely about 2% is stored for mixing. It is among the six basic malts. It was one of the best promoting Islay malt till Laphroaig took over.

Laphroaig. (Pronounced ‘La-FROYg’)Presently one of the best promoting Islay Whisky and it has an virtually cult following. There’s actually not one other single malt which compares to Laphroaig. It has an very pungent flavour. It additionally has royal connections, with the 15 yr outdated single malt being the favorite of Prince Charles. In addition they produce 27- 30- and 40- 12 months outdated single malts that are uncommon and costly.

In conclusion

Islay whiskies characterize a number of the greatest Scotch whiskies obtainable. They’ve all the weather that individuals count on from single malts with very pronounced peaty tastes, though a number of the extra pungent ones may be slightly to sturdy for some individuals.

Scott Gibson is from Scotland and is an knowledgeable on Islay single malt whiskies. He has traveled extensively to supply and style one of the best that Islay has to supply.