Islands
Islands whisky
The coastal malts of Scotland's scattered isles.
The 'Islands' aren't an official Scotch region — the Scotch Whisky Association files them under the Highlands — but drinkers have long grouped the whiskies of Skye, Orkney, Jura, Arran, Mull, Raasay, Harris and Lewis together, and they share enough of a thread to earn their own guide.
Ringed by the sea, island malts tend toward a coastal character: salt spray, a peppery warmth, and — on several islands — a restrained peat smoke that's fuller than the mainland but rarely as fierce as Islay. Beyond that they vary widely, from the honeyed Orkney style to the big, peppery Skye one.
What Islands whisky tastes like
Sea salt, black pepper and a coastal freshness; often a gentle-to-medium peat smoke, with heather-honey sweetness underneath.
Where to start
Talisker 10 (Skye) and Highland Park 12 (Orkney) are the essential island malts to start with.
Islands distilleries (11)
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