Laphroaig is one of those distilleries that divides opinion like few others. You either love the intensely medicinal, peaty character or you don't go near it. There's rarely much middle ground. The standard 10 year old is their flagship expression, a whisky that's introduced countless people to Islay peat. But this cask strength version takes everything up several notches. Bottled at full strength without chill-filtration, it's Laphroaig in its most powerful, uncompromising form. I've been curious about how the extra ABV would amplify that distinctive character. Let's see what it's like...

Special releases seem to come thick and fast these days, but Fèis Ìle bottlings still hold a particular appeal for me. For those unfamiliar, Fèis Ìle is Islay's annual whisky festival where each distillery releases exclusive expressions that often showcase something different from their core range. This 2024 release from Bunnahabhain is a 14 year old from 2009, finished in ruby port casks. It's an intriguing combination: Bunnahabhain's unpeated Islay character meeting the rich, fruity influence of port wine casks. When I had the chance to try it, I couldn't resist. Let's see what it's like...

Ardbeg is a name that commands respect amongst whisky enthusiasts. This Islay distillery has built a devoted following around its intensely peated, uncompromising style. The Uigeadail (pronounced "Oog-a-dal") takes its name from the loch that supplies the distillery's water, and it's often cited as one of the finest expressions in their core range. Where the standard 10 year old showcases youthful peat and smoke, this NAS bottling brings sherry cask maturation into the mix, promising something richer and more complex. I've been curious about this one for ages. Let's see if it lives up to its reputation...

There's something quietly rebellious about Bunnahabhain. While most of Islay shouts about peat and smoke, this distillery on the island's remote northeastern shore takes a different path entirely. The 12 year old is their flagship expression, an unpeated single malt that lets sherry casks and coastal character take centre stage. I've been curious about this one for a while, particularly after reading so much about how it divides opinion amongst Islay purists. Let's see what all the fuss is about...

Bruichladdich's The Classic Laddie stands out as one of the most distinctive and unforgettable bottles in the world of whisky. The striking turquoise bottle, paired with bold, contemporary white font, ensures that it leaves a lasting impression on anyone who encounters it. My return to this whisky was sparked by a recommendation to watch "The Water of Life: A Whisky Film," which delves into Bruichladdich's rise under the stewardship of Jim McEwan and Mark Reynier since their acquisition in 2000. The film peels back the layers of this innovative and pioneering distillery, which set out to be an "antidote to the industry norm." The bottle certainly embodies this ethos—but what about the whisky itself?

All of Scotland’s 142* distilleries are organised into one of five traditional whisky producing regions - Highlands, Speyside, Islay, Lowlands and Campbeltown. But what do these regions mean and are they useful? The regions group all of Scotlands distilleries by geography and historically meant that flavour profiles could be expected to be similar within each region due to similar processes and use of local barley. Let’s find out more…

If you enjoy peated whisky is there a better place to start than the classic ten year old from Ardbeg? Personally I prefer unpeated whisky but there is so much to love about this whisky from the south coast of Islay. The Ardbeg distillery shares just two miles of this coastline with the Lagavulin and Laphroaig distilleries and stands as one of these three peat powerhouses renowned around the world…

Today we’re diving into an intriguing whisky. Bunnahabhain Stiuireadair (pronounced ‘Bunn-na-ha-venn Stew-rahdur) is an unusual whisky. The dark-glass bottle gives away nothing of liquid inside but this is a captivating single malt with promises of maritime allure. It oozes character and distinguishes itself from many of its peers…