Your favourite Islay whiskies

A bottle many suggested was the first Islay Kieran tried and still one of his favourites, he says “can’t go wrong and affordable price,” and Tom backing this up with “not even a question really is it.” It’s a go to for David, and Andy finds it “utterly divine.”

George was first to reply to our request, saying Lagavulin 16 “has something in it for everyone. Smokey, slight salt and refreshing, ” a bottle Bobski describes as rich, dark and leathery and Dave proposes that it “tastes lovely.”

Amber describes Caol Ila as “very underrated in my opinion, especially as a lot of blended releases that focus on a peaty flavour have used Caol Ila as a base,” David agreed with, “The Caol Ila 12 is a really nice everyday whisky, more subtle than many Islay whiskies and underrated as you say. The 18 is a beautiful dram to sip when sitting beside a roaring fire on an autumn night. A whisky that can be appreciated by someone who maybe doesn’t normally go for Islay whiskies.”

Martin is also a fan of Caol Ila 12, “it’s so perfectly balanced. Not a peat monster but not a thin, weary dram either.”

Chris “tried an 18YO Caol Ila at the Blair Atholl distillery. It was lovely.”

A distillery not necessarily known for heavily peated expressions, but still recognised as producing fantastic whisky. Bunnahabhain 12 is a staple in Helen’s collection, calling it a quality dram that is superb value for money, Mick also adds, “I love bunna 12.”

Stiùireadair also received a number of mentions, with it being one of Graeme’s favourites, and supported by Paul who says “one that does not break the bank but is a good dram in my mind” about the first dram he ever had from Bunnahabhain.

“One for my money in the budget range is The Ileach…you are not getting the subtlety of some of the more traditional Islays but it certainly is a good little tipple. I am not much of a one for describing the nose, i.e. oakyness with a hint of apricot type thing. I never got that but this is what I would class as a school-night whisky, not too heavy. If it was a beer it would be a session ale.

Sorry if that sounds daft but hopefully you will get my drift.” Graham sums this one up nicely

“Huge shout out for Kilchoman Machir Bay which is a stunning whisky” from Chris, gets Kilchoman Machir Bay included, something Robert agrees with proposing that it is “full of Islay peat and smoke flavors, but in balance and a tad of sweetness.”

Often mentioned in the same breath as Ardbeg 10, many have them on a par, Andy suggests both express a “perfect balance of sweetness and smoke, but each slightly different”, but a word of warning from Mick and Grant who say that it “is not what it used to be.”

Rhuvaal however points out that you can’t go far wrong with Laphroaig 10 cask strength, so maybe that is what to go for now.

Ross’ description has me interested, “I know it’s dear but the octomore 12.2 is brilliant. Heavily peated on the palate but the finish is really clean like a non peated whisky. Could drink it all day if it wasn’t so expensive.”