Islay

An island between sea spray and peat bogs

Islay, also called "Queen of the Hebrides", is a small wild island located south-west of the Scottish coast, not far from the Isle of Jura. With a total area of 600 km², the island seduces with its approximately 200 km of coastline abounding in spectacular landscapes and where a rich and diverse fauna flourishes: the island is particularly famous for its flights of wild geese each winter and the numerous rare birds that can be found there.

If Islay is one of the islands of the territory most exposed to winds and storms, it benefits from a relatively sunny microclimate. Thanks to its land suitable for growing barley and the many peat bogs that cover a quarter of its surface, the island is famous for its recognizable smoky and peated whiskies.

Legendary peat malts

The island has 9 internationally recognized distilleries, the largest number in Scotland per square meter! The distilleries have drawn their inspiration from the peat bogs of the island to develop their malts, thus giving the smoky side that makes the reputation of these whiskies. There are also iodized notes in the malts of Ardbeg, Lagavulin, Kilchoman and Laphroaig, while those of Caol Ila and Bowmore are less peaty but full of power.

Conversely, Bunnahabhain and Bruichladdich offer fine and lightly peated whiskies, with the exception of Port Charlotte and Octomore, the most peated Single Malt in the world. Finally, the legendary Port Ellen completes this list of remarkable and unique distilleries.