Island single malt

Island single malts are the single malt Scotch whiskies produced on the islands around the perimeter of the Scottish mainland. The islands (excluding Islay) are not recognised in the Scotch Whisky Regulations as a distinct whisky producing region, but are considered to be part of the Highland region.[1] Islay is itself recognised as a distinct whisky producing region (see Islay whisky).

Whisky producing regions of Scotland

Other sources, however, indicate that the Islands, excluding Islay, constitute a sixth distinct region.[2][3] This unofficial region includes the following whisky-producing islands: Arran, Jura, Mull, Orkney, and Skye: with their respective distilleries: Arran, Jura, Tobermory, Highland Park, Scapa and Talisker.

The whiskies produced on the Islands are extremely varied and have few similarities, though can often be distinguished from other whisky regions by generally having a smokier flavour with peaty undertones. One source states that the flavour depends on the use of peat which "varies widely depending on the distiller".[4]

Island malt distilleries

• Abhainn Dearg, on Lewis
• Arran, on Arran
• Highland Park, in Orkney
• Isle of Raasay Distillery on Raasay
• Jura, on Jura
• Scapa, in Orkney
• Talisker, on Skye
• Tobermory distillery on Mull, producing Tobermory and Ledaig

In development

• Isle of Barra distillery, on Barra
• Isle of Harris distillery, on Harris, Outer Hebrides
• Torabhaig distillery on Skye

See also

• List of whisky distilleries in Scotland

References

1. "Scotch Whisky Regulations Guidance 2009" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2015-05-21.
2. |Scotch Whisky Regions
3. |The beginner's guide to scotch whisky
4. Getting to Know Scotch Whisky: The Islands