Islay malt whiskey is produced in eight distilleries in Scotland. It is regarded as some of the finest and also some of the most powerful single malt scotch whiskey to be found. With the land composed mainly of peat, the Islay scotch has a definitive peaty flavor, which makes it quite different than that produced in other areas of Scotland.
Geography
Islay (pronounced "eye-la") is an island on the western edge of Scotland, and has eight distilleries producing scotch whiskey. Islay malt whiskeys are a broad family of whiskeys that include Ardbeg, Lagavulin and Laphroaig distilleries in the south, and Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain and Caol Ila in the north. The distilleries in the south of Islay produce the most strongly-flavored whiskeys in all of Scotland.
Features
Islay's land is mostly composed of peat, which is partially carbonized vegetable matter (moss). All the whiskeys from Islay have a peaty, smoky flavor. Other characteristics are gained from the winter winds which blow salt spray onto the land, which is then dried by breezes flavored with salt and seaweed.
The heavy concentration of peat on Islay turns all the water brown, and the southern distilleries use this water in every stage of the distilling process. The whiskey from the southern areas is saturated with peat and brine.
Whiskeys produced in the northern region are lighter and less peaty. The water used in the northern distilleries is drawn directly from springs, and the barley has little if any contact with peat. Bunnahabhain in particular is sweeter and lighter than the others.
All the Islay malts are dry and smoky. Some have a bit of spice.
Identification
A single malt scotch whiskey is simply one which is produced at a single distillery in Scotland. Single malts are more expensive than blended whiskeys and are rated as higher quality. Besides Islay, there are four other broad families of malt whiskeys in Scotland: Cambletown, Highland, Lowland and Speyside. Each has its own distinctive flavor and aroma characteristics.
Significance
Islay scotch varies in price according to distillery and vintage. You can expect to spend from $75 to $270 for a bottle of one of these whiskeys. One of the most expensive is the 40-year-old Bruichladdich, selling for about $2,500.
Considerations
The whiskeys from the south are strongly-flavored, peaty, smoky, tarry, as well as being reminiscent of seaweed soaked in iodine. Even the most fervent malt whiskey lovers admit it is an acquired taste, and not considered a good bet for first-timers. Laphroaig, for instance, is described as "challenging," and Wall Street Journal columnist Eric Felten tells of a single-malt specialist and restaurateur who told him, "Learn to drink this, and everything else will be easy" (see Resources below). A bottle of 30-year-old Laphroaig runs around $200.
Tags: scotch whiskey, distilleries south, eight distilleries, Islay scotch, malt scotch, malt scotch whiskey