For those who have already been appreciating whisky Islay malts are usually ones that you are sure to enjoy. Islay single malts are made in the Islay region in Scotland. There are about eight distilleries which are active in this region with a ninth one getting ready for manufacturing. This area is so diverse in its beauty that along with whisky manufacturing, it has also become a big center for whisky travel and leisure. This particular region holds a Festival of Malt as well as Music exactly where you will find events which hold whisky mouth watering sessions along with other events which celebrate the culture of the area beer brewing.
Islay whiskies are generally very smoky in character though there are several whiskies that are fairly mild which are also produced in this region. In addition to being smoky as well as peaty, these whiskies are also a little salty in taste. Initially there were about twenty three distilleries present in this region but this number now has gone lower.
The whiskies that are made in the southern a part of Islay such as Lagavulin, Ardbeg and Laphroaig are the ones that possess the smoky taste as the central character. These are the particular distinct characteristics of Islay malts. These types of tastes are so unique to this area because of the high peating amounts of the barley and also the water of this region. Whiskies created in this area happen to be ascribed a slightly therapeutic flavor. Notes of seaweed, sodium and even some iodine are found in whiskies originating from this region. The Scottish distillery of Caol Ila that is based on the northern part of the Islay area also generates quite strong smoky and peaty whiskies.
There are other types of whiskies which are created in this area at the same time. The whiskies made in Bruichladdich and Bunnahabhain distilleries are usually comparatively much lighter in weight and therefore are somewhat peated in taste. However the Bruichladdich distillery is also known for generating heavily peated whiskies. The actual Bowmore distillery creates whiskies that are quite balanced and have a medium to string peat degree. This distillery also utilizes sherry casks to mature their whisky.
The most recent distillery in the Islay area is the Kilchoman distillery. This distillery is located in the western part of Islay inside a small town of Kilchoman. This particular distillery is the most westerly distillery in the entire of Scotland. This can be a rather brand new distillery as well as had started production in 2005. The first casks of this distillery were stuffed in December 2005 and bottling began in September 2009. In fact, this distillery is among the six only distilleries in Scotland that still does conventional floor malting and has all of the other procedures of malting, distilling, maturing and bottling to be carried out on the distillery site more hints.
When you are searching for strong whisky Islay whisky is your option. In fact the most coveted whisky from this region is known as the Lagavulin Single Malt. This whisky includes a very effective smoky, peaty fragrance. The actual tastes of this whisky are full bodied as well as robust, very well balanced with a somewhat fairly sweet and clean taste.
