Islands

Unsurprisingly, this is the whisky produced on the islands around the Scottish coast – excluding Islay which though not formally recognised in it’s on right as a region by the Scotch Whisky Association can conveniently represent a geography if not a style of whisky.

Many are tempted to (and many do) lump these distilleries as part of the Highland region, yet the inhabitants of Arran, Jura, Mull, Orkney, & Skye would object rather strongly I suspect.

Unlike the other regions there is no “Island-flavour” (we’re not in rum-punch country) as the whiskies produced on the Islands are extremely varied and have few similarities. On the Isle of Mull, Tobermory take this to the limits by producing their own-named (fruit & light spice) plus Ledaig, a heavily peated single malt.

That said, it’s fair to write these are generally smokier than other non-Islay malts, and unsurprisingly a slight saline taste can feature… but only ever a hint, or maybe suggestion is more appropriate given the locations.

• Arran – eponymous
• Jura – eponymous
• Tobermory – eponymous & Ledaig
• Orkney – Highland Park
• Skye – Talisker

Highland Park has the honour of being the Northernmost distiller in Scotland (beaten by Sweden’s Box for global), but Talisker yields the greatest volume.