By Benjamin Quigan
The island of Islay may be small, but it produces some of the biggest tasting whiskies in all of Scotland.
Islay malts possess an intense, smoky character and it is often said a whisky drinker will either love them, or hate them.
The smokiness is derived from peat, which is a central characteristic in many of the Islay malts.
Put simply, when you smell an Islay malt next to any other single malt it is blatantly obvious which came from Islay.
There were once 23 legal distillers – plus many more illegal – in Islay, however just seven remain, producing some of Scotland’s most prominent and unique malts.
Of those that remain in operation there are three in particular that stand out for me. All from the most southern coast of the island these three are great examples of the smoky, peaty characteristic.
Laphroaig 10-year-old
Laphroaig would be one of the most well-known and unique tasting malts from Islay.
The Johnson family opened the distillery in 1815. In an unfortunate twist, the founder died in 1847 by falling into a vat of whisky.
Laphroaig is known for its huge smoky nose - when you smell it, the aroma is instantly recognizable.
It is very “in your face” and one such whisky that will either be loved, or hated.
Tasting includes notes of medicinal, tar smoke, peat and a hint of sweetness.
Lagavulin 16-year-old
Lagavulin is another distinctively Islay malt.
The distillery was opened just one year after Laphroaig in 1816, on the shoreline on the south of the island
The lagavulin is much sought-after as it has the typical massive peat smoke common in most Islay malts but also offers a dryness which makes it interesting and unique.
Ardbeg 10-year-old
Ardbeg is one of the most critically acclaimed single malts from Islay. This is considered a truly extraordinary whisky.
With Ardbeg balance is the key, it does not flaunt the peat like many others do, rather tries to combine it with other interesting tastes.
There is a great balance between the heavy smoky aromas and a mix of a toffee and chocolate sweetness with a cinnamon spice.
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