Typically, “scotch” is a whiskey that is produced in Scotland according to a set of guidelines set forth by the Scotch Whisky Association. The main points of those guidelines are that all scotch must be:
Made in Scotland, on site at the listed distillery
Matured in oak casks for no less than three years
Containing no added substances (other than water and caramel coloring)
Labeled with an age that represents the youngest drop of alcohol in the bottle
Islay whiskies are a subset of scotch that is specifically made on the island of Islay off the western coast of the country, and are typified by a strong peaty flavor, minerality, and salty umami components.
This list catalogs all of the whiskey from this region that we have reviewed so far, ordered by rating and price.
