The distilled liquors are then blended and place in barrels to age. The fermented liquid is drained off into stills to go through first and second distillation. The peat, Islay’s form of coal, has a very specific and unique flavor and imparts heavy smoke, moss, and salt to the barley flavors.Īfter drying the malt is combined with water and this mash is fermented. Much is Islay’s scotch is peated, meaning the malted barley is dried over burning peat rather than burning wood.
#Peat whiskey brands full#
While many distillers on Islay credit the unique water flavors of the island (salty, full of sea minerals, and often brown) as key factors in adding flavor, the real difference lies in the drying process. The Islay distilling process is very similar to other scotch locations around the world.īarley is grown, harvested, then malted (soaked to promote germination and then dried to halt germination.) The moss and vegetation that covers the island decay and remain wet adding layers on top of each other to create a thick, black muddy substance – peat. The combination of salt, seaweed, water, and a mild climate creates a sort of bog. Islay is always wet, drenched by rain and swept by sea breezes. It is a tiny island with a population of less than 5,000. Slightly south of the other islands, the temperatures do not reach freezing and are milder than say, the Highlands. The Island of Islay sits just off the west coast of Scotland.
Blended whiskies are a combination of different malts and grains. These are a combination of different malts from different distilleries.Ĭaol Ila also uses their whisky in a number of blended whiskies (different from blended malt whiskies) that are sold around the world. While most Islay scotch is the recognizable single malt, there are a few blended malt scotches from Islay as well. There is a more in-depth discussion below, but single malt is mostly made from malt produced, distilled and bottled all in one distillery. And whisky distillation has been a part of Islay’s history for over 500 years. Simply put, an Islay Scotch is a single malt scotch or blended malt scotch that originates from the island of Islay. If you’re looking for rankings in more detail, scroll to the bottom! Otherwise, let’s dive deep into the crown jewel of Scotch Whiskies! The deep rich caramel notes blend so divinely with the Islay peat and salt. It’s an unwavering classic that any Islay-lover should keep in their collection. Though it was a hard choice, Lagavulin 16 Year was at the top of my list. But whatever your palate, the quality is impossible to deny.Īfter a deliciously smoky taste-test, we’ve created a ranking of the best Islay whiskies in 2022.
Famed for creating some of the richest peated Scotches in the world, Islay Scotches are full of peaty smoke and sea spray. Islay Scotch has risen to iconic status in the world of whisky.
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