Islay Whisky Reviews

Islay is a small island off Scotland's west coast with an outsized reputation, home to Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Lagavulin, Bowmore, Bruichladdich and Bunnahabhain, among others, on a landmass you could drive across in under an hour.

What Islay is best known for is peat: whisky made with barley dried over peat smoke, giving drams like Laphroaig and Ardbeg their trademark smoky, medicinal, maritime character, often described as tasting like a campfire on the beach. Not every Islay distillery follows that script though, Bruichladdich and Bunnahabhain both bottle unpeated expressions that show a softer, more coastal side of the island.

Below is every Islay whisky we've tasted and reviewed, with our full flavour profiles and tasting notes.