Berry Bros. & Rudd Guide to Islay Whisky

The small Hebridean island of Islay is known the world over for its heavily peat-flavoured malt whiskies. Undoubtedly the most easily recognisable of all Scotch whiskies, the drams produced here are powerfully intense and smoky, with a medicinal core that simply can’t be mistaken.

Located in Argyll just west of Jura, around 25 miles north of the Irish coast (which can be seen on a clear day), the breathtakingly rugged island of Islay has been affectionately coined ‘Whisky Island’ thanks to the nine iconic working distilleries that are dotted across its landscape. These whitewashed buildings have arguably produced some of the best whiskies in the world and alongside the pristine beaches and excellent seafood make any visit a memorable one.

The island’s fame as far as whisky goes is due to the aforementioned distilleries that currently include Ardbeg, Ardnahoe,  Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Lagavulin and Laphroaig (with two more due to open in the next couple of years), as well as the vast tracts of peat that cover most of the island’s surface. It’s this very peat, which imparts the famously smoky and medicinal character to malting barley when burnt as a fuel source in the whisky making process.

For those looking to start out on their exploration of Islay whiskies, our Classic Islay Malt is an excellent choice. Made from a carefully selected blend of casks from some of the island’s most famous distilleries, the result is a balanced, complex and beguilingly smoky dram.

The distilleries themselves can be divided up, depending on the amount of peat used. The ‘Big 3’ are Ardbeg, Lagavulin and Laphroaig - who all produce powerful smoke laden whiskies. The malt produced by one of the newest whisky producers, Kilchoman is also very powerful indeed.

Occupying the middle ground of peated whisky are Ardnahoe, the well-respected Caol Ila and Bowmore. No guide to Islay would be complete without a mention of the beloved Bowmore, the first distillery to open on the island back in 1779 and the namesake of the capital where it can be found. Whiskies distilled here in the 1990s are considered amongst the greatest whisky ever created.

Then finally onto the whiskies produced at Bruichladdich and Bunnahabhain, found on west and north-east coast respectively are in peat terms at least, the lightest. 

Arguably the most important 200 or so square miles in the whisky world, if you have a chance to visit the island of Islay, we implore you to go.