Whisky of the Week review and tasting notes for whisky from the Islay whisky region in Scotland.
Despite the small size of the island and the limited amount of distilleries, the Hebridean island of Islay is considered as one of the most distinct regions. Because of this, Islay has become a centre of “whisky tourism”. The whiskies from Islay are known for their powerful smoky, peaty character.
Currently there are nine Islay distilleries. They incude Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Port Charlotte. The famous Port Ellen distillery closed its doors in 1983. Bruichladdich is the only distillery on the island that merely produces unpeated single malt whisky.
In the world of peaty whiskies, the battle of the Titans takes centre stage today as we delve into the intriguing matchup of the Ardbeg Corryvreckan vs Uigeadail Islay single malt Scotch whisky. These two expressions from the renowned Ardbeg distillery are not for the faint of heart.
There’s a new Beast in town, and it doesn’t waste time making an impression. The Ardbeg Wee Beastie storms into the lineup as a 5 year old Islay single malt, delivering the raw, untamed character you’d expect from one of Scotland’s most iconic smoky distilleries. Launched just a few years after the Ardbeg An Oa, this is now the youngest permanent expression in the core range, and it wears that youth like a badge of honour.
In honour of Ardbeg Day, I poured a dram of Ardbeg Corryvreckan. This bottle has built a serious reputation among peat lovers. Marketed as the embodiment of “the untamed spirit of Islay,” Ardbeg Corryvreckan was released as a permanent replacement for Airigh Nam Beist.
My 4th peated dram for this year; the Kilchoman Machir Bay Islay single malt Scotch whisky. The pretty blue of the label matches the blue Indian ocean here on the island of Mauritius.
Today I go back to Islay and a taste of something from the Kilchoman Distillery, the Kilchoman Sanaig Islay single malt Scotch whisky.
I love the Big Peat releases. They are fun, original and most importantly, delicious. This week I am looking at the Big Peat that started it all. The Big Peat blended malt Scotch whisky, the original Ileac fisherman.