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Home to the peated beasts
Islay might be the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides, but it’s no less rugged, windswept or barren than its isolated counterparts. Islay malts are
pungent with peat, smoke and salinity, revealing their complexity layer after layer.
Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Kilchoman, Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain, Bruichladdich, Bowmore and Ardbeg make up Islay’s 8 distilleries. Between them,
they evoke anything from linseed to moss, pepper to purity, carbolic to floral palates.
The southern, or Kildalton, distilleries are responsible for the full-bodied, briny malts. Meanwhile the northern distilleries offer dry, but far less peaty,
assaulting, drams.
Bruichladdich $49
The Classic Laddie |
Bruichladdich Islay $70 |
Port Charlotte $64 |
Bruichladdich $68 Port Charlotte
Heavily Peated |
Port Charlotte Heavily Peated "The Distillery Valinch
UK Distillery ONLY $90 57.4 50ml |
Bruichladdich Octomore 09.3 $200 62.9%
From UK
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Kilchoman
100% Islay
50% $100 |
Auchentoshan is located at the foot of the Kilpatrick Hills on the outskirts of Clydebank in West Dunbartonshire near the
Erskine Bridge. It is one of sixmalt whisky distilleries in the Scottish Lowlands along with Bladnoch, Glenkinchie
and recently Daftmill Distillery, Annandale Distillery and Ailsa Bay Distillery.
Speyside is the Whisky Manhattan: The most densely populated Whisky region in the world sits in a fertile valley of rivers and glens. Home to
over half of Scotland’s distilleries,
Speyside malts from these fifty or so distilleries are known for being frugal with peat and lavish with nutty
fruit flavours. Apple, pear, honey, vanilla and spice all have a part to play in the Speyside Whiskies.
Speyside Whisky also knows its way around a Sherry cask, hence the variety between light and grassy malts such as The Glenlivet, and the
rich and sweet likes ofThe Macallan, a chameleon of sorts that mirrors an old English comedic drama.
The area is traditionally split into eight defined towns and areas: Rothes, Strathisla, Lossie, Liver, Fridhorn, Dufftown, Deveron and
Speyside Central. Whiskies hailing from the region include the esteemed Glenfiddich as well as The Balvenie, Aberlour, Tomintoul and Glen Moray.
It is within this region that there is the largest concerntration of distilleries in Scotland. There are currently over 30 in operation within what is a relatively small area,
based around the towns of Dufftown, Elgin, Keith, Rothes and the surrounding glens. This has historically always been the case and is due to the combination of a
perfect climate for whisky maturation, quality water supply and locality to the most fertile barley growing areas. The whiskies produced include some of the most
famous in the world, such as Glenfiddich and Glenlivet, but also a number of hidden gems. The style is generally reasonably light with pronounced malty flavours and
some sweetness. Speyside whiskies sit somewhere between the lighter Lowland whiskies and the richer, sweeter Highland whiskies. This is what makes them so
universally popular.
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Glenrothes, Whisky Maker's Cut $90 48.8% |
BenRiach 10
Curiositas Peated
$66 46% |
BenRiach Cask Strength $60.6% $99 |
Benromach 60.3% $90 |
Benromach Peat Smoke
46% $75 |
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Fruitcake and oak flirt with heather and smoke in Highland Whiskies. Wild seas and impenetrable moorland dominate the
landscape, creating a breeding ground for powerful peaty drams, whilst still leaving room for floral, silky elegance.
Northern Highland Whiskies, such as Glenmorangie are particularly spirited, with some relief in the cereals and honeys
of Dalmore. Head south for the nutty smack of Tullibardine.
Alternatively, for enduring Whisky, which has been matured for six years in oak casks, try the dry and fruity Glengoyne.
Fruit marries smoke inArdmore’s east, whilst Dalwhinnie offers syrupy indulgence in the Central Highlands. The West Highlands
harbour full-bodied peat Whiskies smothered in smoke; Oban is top of the class in the ranks of audacity.
Old Pulteney 12
43% $51 |
Old Pulteney 15
$92 46% |
Old Pulteney 18
$140 46% |
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Macallan's distillery is in right in the heart of of Speyside, just outside Craigellachie, next to the River Spey.
They would have every right to call it a Speyside Malt.
Geographically, part of Speyside is in the Highlands, but Macallan is in Banffshire, which is a bit further east
Glenmorangies - 4 pack sampler video review. Experienced this first in Canada ;)
$30
Glenmorange Original
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$56 video of all 4
Quinta Ruban
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$57
Lasanta
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$79
Nectar D'or
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SMWS Cask Numbers and Flavor Profiles
Japanese (as if you couldn't tell by looking :)
Hibiki |
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Bullet Rye |
Angels Envy |
Masterson's Rye |
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Still confused about these two! Joe Hartman, you need to help me! The one you brought is amazing. The other is CRAP. And even
the crappy one is soooo much better than the super-crappy Jack black label. Joe Hartman... Helpppppp!!!!! :)
  
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Auchentoshan 
Glenfiddich 
Aberlour 12 Double Cask $54 
