Islay Whiskies
Our 10 favourite Islay Whiskies of the month
Chosen by Whisky Exchange co-founder Sukhinder Singh and head buyer Dawn Davies MW
-
Oc3 - Elements of Islay
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
(1 Review)
From the brand that makes the peatiest whiskies in the world, this has been matured in various types of cask, including some ex-wine examples, for a minimum of seven years. This is extremely smoky with exceptionally balanced fruit flavours, and a very long finish.
Learn More£150
£300 per litre
-
Caol Ila 2010 / 11 Year Old / Sherry Cask / The Whisky Exchange Exclusive
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
(1 Review)
A 2010 Caol Ila single malt, bottled in September 2021 by Signatory Vintage exclusively for The Whisky Exchange, after 11 years in a single refill sherry butt.
Learn MoreStyle
- Body
- Richness
- Smoke
- Sweetness
Character
-
Leaves
-
Lime
-
Cherry
-
Tar
-
Smoke
-
Fruit Cake
£120
£171.43 per litre
-
Kilchoman Sanaig
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
(12 Reviews)
Originally released in France, Sanaig was given a wider release in 2016. Aged in a combination of oloroso-sherry and bourbon casks, this shows excellent balance between peat smoke and sweet citrus flavours.
Learn MoreStyle
- Body
- Richness
- Smoke
- Sweetness
Character
-
Smoke
-
Toffee
-
Dried Fruit
-
Plums
£50.95
£72.79 per litre
-
Ardbeg Corryvreckan
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
(91 Reviews)
As a replacement for the much-loved 1990 Airigh nam Beist, Ardbeg Corryvreckan had some pretty big shoes to fill, but the good news is that this is a belter, winning World's Best Single Malt Whisky at the World Whisky Awards 2010 and Best No Age Statement Scotch from Jim Murray's Whisky Bible.
Learn MoreStyle
- Body
- Richness
- Smoke
- Sweetness
Character
-
White Pepper
-
Anise (star)
-
Cherry
-
Smoke
-
Coffee
-
Meat
£75.45
£107.79 per litre
-
Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2013
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Farm to glass single malt from Bruichladdich made entirely with grain grown within 10 miles of the distillery. Maturation in 75% first-fill Bourbon barrels and 25% wine casks layers this fruity, unpeated whisky with rich vanilla and oak spice. Bruichladdich’s hallmark yellow fruits and honey abound on the palate, balanced nicely by subtle citrus and coastal minerality.
Learn MoreStyle
- Body
- Richness
- Smoke
- Sweetness
Character
-
Vanilla
-
Apricot
-
Brine
-
Marzipan
-
Honey
-
Oak
£52.75
£75.36 per litre
-
Laphroaig 10 Year Old Sherry Oak Finish
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
(7 Reviews)
A rich and smoky 10-year-old single malt from Laphroaig that has been finished in oloroso sherry casks, creating a rich, full-bodied character. Aromas of TCP, Manuka honey, clove, smoked bacon, leather and pine tar fill the nose, complemented by notes of treacle, wax, toffee, maple syrup, dark chocolate, pine needles, chestnut honey and rich peat smoke throughout the palate.
Learn MoreStyle
- Body
- Richness
- Smoke
- Sweetness
Character
-
Clove
-
Iodine (tcp)
-
Smoke
-
Dark Chocolate
-
Honey
-
Toffee
£59.95
£85.64 per litre
-
Bunnahabhain 1998 / 23 Year Old / Calvados Cask Finish / Feis Ile 2022
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
A limited-edition 1998 Bunnahabhain single malt that has been finished in ex-Calvados casks for two years, before being bottled in January 2022 for Feis Ile 2022. Aromas of barley sugar, pear drops, toffee apples, dates and fresh pine needles fill the nose, complemented by notes of green apples, pears, toffee, dried fruit and oily undertones throughout the palate.
Learn MoreStyle
- Body
- Richness
- Smoke
- Sweetness
Character
-
Pear
-
Apple
-
Dates
-
Toffee
-
Dried Fruit
-
Pine
£399
£570 per litre
-
Bunnahabhain Abhainn Araig / Feis Ile 2022
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
A rich, velvety limited-edition Bunnahabhain single malt, created to celebrate Feis Ile 2022 and inspired by the waters of Islay. Abhainn Araig - meaning Araig River in Gaelic - has been matured in a combination of ex-bourbon casks, Pedro Ximenez sherry casks and sherry octaves, creating a bold, spicy whisky with a complex character. Aromas of chocolate, ginger and dried tobacco fill the nose, complemented by notes of milk chocolate, raisins, dried raspberries, honey, macadamia nuts, toffee and cinnamon throughout the palate.
Learn MoreStyle
- Body
- Richness
- Smoke
- Sweetness
Character
-
Cinnamon
-
Milk Chocolate
-
Honey
-
Tobacco
-
Toffee
-
Dried Fruit
£94.95
£135.64 per litre
-
Lagavulin 10 Year Old
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
A 10-year-old Lagavulin single malt, originally released as a Travel Retail exclusive, this whisky has been matured in first-fill American oak casks. Aromas of rock salt, crunchy red apples, burnt sugar and savoury peat smoke fill the nose, complemented by notes of roast almonds, spicy chilli flakes and waves of salty smoke throughout the palate.
Learn MoreStyle
- Body
- Richness
- Smoke
- Sweetness
Character
-
Apple
-
Salt (powder)
-
Almond
-
Smoke
£79.95
£114.21 per litre
-
Bowmore 18 Year Old
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
(16 Reviews)
A popular expression in Bowmore's ongoing range, this replaced the 17 year old, which was phased out a few years ago. Fresh, with notes of salty kippers and coal smoke.
Learn MoreStyle
- Body
- Richness
- Smoke
- Sweetness
Character
-
Orange
-
Smoke
-
Dark Chocolate
-
Toffee
£98.95
£141.36 per litre