Islay Scotch

Islay's signature character comes from peat: the barley is dried over smoldering peat fires, and the smoke carries into the finished whisky. Expect campfire smoke, smoked meat, brine, seaweed, and medicinal notes, often balanced by vanilla and fruit from the cask. The south shore distilleries, Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg, are the heaviest hitters. Not every Islay malt is a smoke bomb, though. Bruichladdich and Bunnahabhain make much of their whisky unpeated.

New to peat? Start with a lightly peated malt or a sherry-cask Islay, where the fruit softens the smoke. Browse all single malt Scotch or the full Scotch whisky collection.