Whisky Region: Islands
Set off the fireworks, treat yourself to a whisky marinated steak and pour yourself a double measure of Jura – we’ve reached our final destination in the small series of the Scottish whisky regions. We’ve climbed the hills of the Highlands to visit the likes of Clynelish and Glenmorangie, we’ve dared go within smelling distance of Glasgow to sample the Lowland distillery of Auchentoshan, we’ve swam across to Islay and had our minds blown by a peat overload and we’ve visited the former Whisky Capital of the World, Campbeltown. There is only one, or rather several, place to go – the Scottish islands!
The islands region consists of several islands, would you believe it, and as such there is no general history for the region as a whole nor is it very easy to find shared traits. A common misconception is that Island whiskies are largely similar to those produced on Islay, which is incorrect – there is a vast difference between each island whisky, and certainly between Island whiskies and Islay whiskies.
There are several well known island distilleries, though, including the world renowned Highland Park, Isle of Jura, Talisker, Arran, Scapa, Tobermory and Ledaig – some big names, in other words, but some smaller ones as well.
Further commentary would require going into detail on each distillery, which I will leave for reviews rather than turning this post into a monster.