Islay
Smoke, sea salt and peat: the small island that makes Scotch whisky's boldest flavours.
The island of smoke
Islay (say “EYE-la”) is a small island off the west coast of Scotland, and the home of Scotch whisky's boldest flavours. It has around ten distilleries, which is a lot for an island this size.
The smoke comes from peat. When peat is burned to dry the malted barley, it leaves a smoky, medicinal, salty character in the whisky, and Islay's coastal peat and sea air are a big part of why the island's whiskies taste the way they do. Some of the most heavily peated whiskies in the world are made here.
Not every Islay is a smoke bomb, though. Bunnahabhain is usually unpeated and gentle, Bruichladdich makes plenty of unpeated whisky, and Bowmore and Caol Ila sit in the middle. If you think you dislike smoke, there is probably still an Islay for you.
How it tastes
Peat smoke, sea spray, iodine and brine, with citrus and vanilla underneath.
Smoky and oily, with salt, black pepper, campfire ash and a thread of sweetness.
Long, dry and smoky, often with a salty, ashy tail.
Mostly ex-bourbon, which lets the smoke show. Sherry and wine casks add sweetness and dark fruit.
The defining feature. Levels run from none to extreme, measured in phenol parts per million (ppm).
Drinkers who want smoke and character, and anyone curious about peat.
Islay Distilleries to know
Eight names that define the island. Each one links to its full profile.
Laphroaig
Medicinal, iodine-laced peat smoke. Love it or leave it.
Lagavulin
Rich, dry and smoky, with a long, slow finish.
Ardbeg
Intensely peated yet balanced, with a devoted following.
Bowmore
Balanced smoke with citrus and honey, from the island's oldest distillery.
Bruichladdich
Unpeated Laddie, plus the heavily peated Port Charlotte and Octomore.
Bunnahabhain
Usually unpeated: nutty, sherried and gentle by Islay standards.
Caol Ila
Clean, oily smoke with a citrus edge.
Kilchoman
A small farm distillery, young and fast-growing.
Where to start
Six widely available bottles, from gentle to bold.
Visiting Islay
Islay is a pilgrimage for peat lovers. Three famous names, Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg, sit close together on the south coast, and the rest are within easy reach by road. Book tours and rooms early: both fill up fast in summer.
Keep exploring Scotland
Speyside
Sweet, fruity and easy to love.
Campbeltown
Briny, oily and distinctive.
Highland
The largest region, with styles from light to rich.
The Islands
Island whisky beyond Islay, from Skye and Jura to Orkney.
Taste your way around Scotland
Islay is only the start. Browse every region, or go straight to the distilleries.