Region Profile - Islands
Region Overview
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. Other sources, however, indicate that the Islands, excluding Islay, constitute a sixth distinct region. At Whisky Mates, we categorize them as a separate region given their distinctive tastes, as well as the many references to "Islands" scotches in today's vernacular. 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". That being said, generally Islands whiskies do not contain as much peat as your heavier Islay whiskies like Lagavulin or Laphroaig.
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