Single Malt
Scotland
Highlands and Islands Whisky Company
The Ileach Peaty (pronounced Eee-luhk) is a young and peaty single malt whisky from a secret Islay distillery, independently bottled by the Vintage Malt Whisky Company. Ileach is what the Islay natives call themselves, and this whisky is Islay through and through. There’s no mucking about here, this is one peaty dram. Of course, it says so in the name.
Youthful peat, herbal notes, oak, grassy, notes of the coast.
Sublimely smooth malty notes, peat, peppery spices, tannins, a touch of fruit.
Faint iodine. Coastal notes, malt.
I can see why the reviews vary a lot with this one. Yes, it is unashamedly peaty. If this is a surprise then, well I actually don't know what to say! It is young and the finish is a little on the short side but the nose is lovely and complex, changing with time and water. The palate is actually very amenable and overall this is a very worthwhile, and good value, malt. Go on - make your own mind up!
Best whisky I've had at anything close to this price. Nose: delicious rich smoke and barely, hint of fruitiness. Reminds me of the bouquet of all the malting rooms of the distilleries I visited on Islay. Palate: deep smoke with hints of vanilla/heather sweetness, maybe a bit of oak/wood spice. Clearly one of the 'big boys' among Islay distilleries putting out a budget label and totally killing it. I'm definitely keeping a bottle of this around for when I want that luscious peat without feeling guilty about the price. If you like the smokey Island/Islay whiskys but don't want the price associated with most of the big name distilleries, then you'll love this. Anyone who gives this a bad review obviously just doesn't like the heavily peated whiskies.
I can’t believe the negative comments about this whisky. It may be young but it delivers an initial burst of smooth flavour and peatyness. Admittedly it doesn’t linger for long but the finish is without any bitterness which, for me, is one of the measure of a good whisky. Definitely one that won’t disappoint for those who appreciate Islay whiskies.
Peat and brine, and really rather pleasant. Not the most complex whisky in the world but deferentially something I'd order again.
Great value in an Islay single malt. Not overly complex but great nose and nice finish. Almost salty finish in a good way. Might be amazing if it spends another few years in the barrel.
