Islay Malt Whisky

Ardbeg

A traditionalist in its approach to malt whisky production, this distillery is said to date back to 1794 and reputedly served as a hideout for smugglers. 17-year-old: green-gold in colour with a distinctive aroma of seaweed; rounded and peppery, but sweet with a lemony finish.

Bunnahabhain

Established in 1881 on the Isle of Islay, this distillery is set round a courtyard and resembles a chateau in Bordeaux.    12-year-old: somewhat sweet; not a pronounced peaty taste; smooth on the palate with a long, full finish.

Lagavulin

Its name means "the hollow where the mill is." 16 year-old: a balanced malt with a bit of smoke; moderately peaty with a hint of iodine; a smooth finish.

Laphroaig

Its name in Gaelic means "the beautiful hollow by the broad bay." It was built in the 1820's.One of its founders, Donald Johnston, died in 1847, two days after falling into a vat of partially-made whisky.  According to one story, during America's Prohibition, some of the Laphroaig was imported as a "disinfectant". 10-year-old: pungent, earthy aroma of blue peat smoke; sweet nuttiness of barley; a heathery perfume of Islay's streams.