If you’re a serious peat head, let me be frank… this is probably not your cup of tea. This will not blow you or possibly anyone away. There are much better examples of Islay single malt out there, even if you’re hunting for a soft stroke of smoke or a peaty punch in the face, I’d save a few more pennies and grab something with more grip. The issue isn’t beginner vs. expert, it’s more about flavor profiles. If you love the smoke-forward campfire flavor, you’ll like peated scotch. However, if you’re a beginner trying a peated who hates it, don’t give up! Move on to something else you like more (a Speyside might be a nice choice).

With massive numbers of distilleries on both the mainland and the islands, you’re bound to be wondering if there’s something similar to Islay that is less expensive! Islays have a strong smokey flavor, so you’re more likely to enjoy them with fatty meats like bacon, brisket, lamb, or ribs. Smoked meats like venison or even salmon also go well. If you’re in the south and want to venture away from bourbon, try your weekly barbecue with an Islay instead! Dessert…in many ways, you could consider a scotch a dessert itself since they are so flavorful and rich. But they do pair well with very dark chocolate if you want to satisfy your sweet tooth! Final Thoughts Caol Ila also uses their whisky in a number of blended whiskies (different from blended malt whiskies) that are sold around the world. Blended whiskies are a combination of different malts and grains. Where is Islay located?

Whisky reviews for Tovess Islay

Nose: Campfire smoke definitely evident, but with a hint of evergreen and mint. It light and appetizing.

Run entirely without computers, this distillery is a testament to how scotch used to be made! Produces several unpeated varieties as well. These have strong alcohol content but are a bit creamier in texture. Delayed due to financial crises and seems to have been indefinitely postponed in 2016. Best Islay Scotch RankedThere are many times the word “cheap” and “value” are used interchangeably but I feel we can all agree that when it comes to whisky, they couldn’t be further apart. The northern distilleries are milder, colder temperatures reduce fruitiness and they use lightly peated barley. Less medicinal quality with more moss and nuts. Kilchoman The peat and wood notes are immediate as soon as you open the bottle but there are a delicious caramel and toast note that deeps and enriches the whole bottle. The smoke is present and gives a meaty flavor to the dram. Lagavulin 16 the first peated scotch I tried and to this day it is still one of my favorites. The mild climate allows the grain to mature into a rich fruity flavor. Many Islay whiskies, especially the unpeated ones, have strong fruit and notes. Seaweed and Sea Salt Spray

All of the location factors: peat, mild temperatures, constant rain contribute to the flavor of the liquid. In fact, it is these very characteristics that make Islay the gem of the single malt regions and producer of some of the finest scotches in the world. Let’s look closer at each factor and what it brings to the whisky. Peat If we decide not to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms, such decision shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. One of the strongest Islay scotches, almost always aged to at least 10 years. They claim their water is what makes their whisky so unique. One of the three distilleries with its own malting floor. ArdbergWhiskybase B.V. is the Dutch private limited liability company, having its statutory seat in Rotterdam, The Netherlands and its office at Zwaanshals 530, 3035 KS Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Whiskybase B.V. is registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce under no. 52072819. So if Grants are involved, maybe the Speyside will be one of theirs? Kininvie, perhaps, since that's less likely to be recognised than Glenfiddich or Balvenie? Palate water: Strong evergreen, pine, coniferous forests, a mid-winter vacation-vibe. Hints of mint. But it’s all followed by that excellent campfire smoke and notes of green coffee beans and tobacco leaves Another source is more specific: "Islay’s past is pervaded by innumerable tales of home distilling, smuggling and illegal whisky production" and adds that the eight older distilleries all began as small, illicit producers. All were built near water since grain was shipped on boats and the finished whisky was transported via water. For centuries, the whisky was usually aged in sherry casks but bourbon casks from the U.S. are now also frequently used. [7] The seaweed and sea salt combined with other vegetation helps dry out the peat and adds a marine, sea salt note.

In March 2007 Bruichladdich Distillery announced the reopening of the distillery at Port Charlotte ( Port Sgioba in Gaelic), which was closed in 1929, and was also known as the Lochindaal distillery. Unless mandatory applicable law provides otherwise, your use of and membership to the Service are exclusively governed by Dutch law. We shall first try to settle any dispute over a dram of whisky. Disputes that cannot be settled over multiple drams of whisky shall be solely submitted to the court of Amsterdam, The Netherlands unless mandatory applicable law provides otherwise.

Whiskies That Are Similar to Islay

Islay single malts are the single malt Scotch whiskies made on Islay ( / ˈ aɪ l ə/ EYE-lə) or Ìle in Gaelic, one of the southernmost of the Inner Hebridean Islands located off the west coast of Scotland. Islay is one of five whisky distilling localities and regions in Scotland whose identity is protected by law. [1] The oldest record of a legal distillery on the island of Islay refers to Bowmore in 1779 and at one time there were up to 23 distilleries in operation. [28] For example, Port Charlotte distillery operated from 1829 to 1929 [29] and Port Ellen is also closed although it remains in business as a malthouse [28] that supplies many of the Islay distilleries. Nose water: Stronger mint and evergreen notes, wet earth and moss, licorice and tobacco are much more evident. But peat doesn’t entirely disappear.