The 10 Islay whiskies worth trying at least once

Saturday, 19 September 2026 at 08:34

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Say Islay, and most people think peat and smoke. At least, that’s the image many whisky drinkers have of the Scottish island. Yet the range is far more diverse. Alongside big peat monsters, Islay also produces whiskies that are fruity, sweet, and even completely unpeated.

So which Islay whiskies are truly worth trying in 2026? For this selection, we didn’t just round up the priciest or oldest bottles. We looked at whiskies that are currently available, the bottling’s reputation, recent awards and 2026 developments, and what each whisky adds to the broader picture of Islay.

That’s why you’ll find familiar classics like Lagavulin 16 and Laphroaig 10, as well as a key newcomer from 2026. We’ve also deliberately chosen different styles. From heavily peated to sherry-driven and even fully unpeated. Instead of ten versions of the same dram, you’ll get a real sense of everything Islay has to offer.

Lagavulin 16 Year Old

Some bottles are almost impossible to leave out of any Islay roundup. Lagavulin 16 Year Old is one of them.

The 16-year-old is even described by the brand itself as a benchmark for Islay. It also took gold in 2025 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the New York International Spirits Competition, among others.

Nose: Intense peat smoke, iodine, seaweed, and a deep sweetness.
Palate: Dry peat smoke, sweetness, salt, sea air, and oak.
Finish: Long and elegant, with peat, salt, and seaweed.

Experience the unique character of Lagavulin 16 Year Old

Ardbeg Uigeadail

We’re starting strong. Ardbeg Uigeadail is one of the distillery’s most famous whiskies, blending Ardbeg’s signature smokiness with a darker, sweeter profile.

It’s renowned for its combination of peat smoke, dried fruit, and spice. At 54.2% ABV, Uigeadail is anything but a timid dram.

According to Ardbeg, you can expect notes of fruitcake, walnuts, spices, smoked meats, and deep, smoldering smoke.

Nose: Fruitcake, walnut, floral hints, sea breeze, cedarwood, leather, and glowing embers.
Palate: Dark sweetness, winter spices, smoked meat, and bold peat smoke.
Finish: Long, powerful, and smoky, with spicy, almost cigar-like tones.

Order a bottle of Ardbeg Uigeadail now

Kilchoman Rockside 11 Year Old

This bottle makes the list for a very different reason. Kilchoman Rockside 11 Year Old only launched in June 2026 and is the first age-stated whisky in Kilchoman’s core range.

The whisky is made with barley from Rockside Farm and, according to Kilchoman, is produced entirely on the farm: from growing and malting the barley to distillation, maturation, and bottling. At 20 ppm, it’s clearly more lightly peated than Machir Bay and Sanaig.

Nose: Light peat with tropical fruit, citrus, and gentle sweetness.
Palate: Fruit, malt, delicate smoke, and mixed spices.
Finish: Softly smoky, fruity, and spicy.

Rockside 11 is one of the most interesting new permanent Islay bottlings of 2026, while showcasing a lighter side of Kilchoman.

Get it here

Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old

Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old proves that Islay whisky doesn’t have to be heavily peated by default.

Smoke hardly takes center stage here. Instead, it’s all about fruit, nuts, sweetness, and a gentle coastal touch. The distillery highlights notes like dried fruit, vanilla, and caramel.

Nose: Fresh and aromatic with fruit, florals, and dried fruits.
Palate: Fruit, nuts, vanilla, and light caramel.
Finish: Soft and lightly sweet, with a subtle maritime character.

Bunnahabhain 12 for under fifty euros

Laphroaig 10 Year Old

If Bunnahabhain represents Islay’s gentler side, Laphroaig 10 is almost the opposite.

The combination of peat smoke, seaweed, and that famous medicinal character makes this whisky unapologetically bold. Laphroaig matures it for ten years in ex-bourbon casks.

Nose: Peat smoke, seaweed, medicinal notes, and a touch of sweetness.
Palate: Sweetness, salt, and layered peat smoke.
Finish: Long and persistent, with sweet seaweed and smoke.

Get your Laphroaig 10 here

Port Charlotte 10 Year Old

Port Charlotte is made at Bruichladdich and represents the distillery’s heavily peated side. The whisky clocks in at 40 ppm and matures for ten years on Islay.

It’s aged in American whiskey barrels and French wine casks, delivering plenty of smoke alongside a surprisingly rich vein of sweetness and fruit.

Nose: Dry, earthy smoke, caramel, fudge, vanilla, ginger, nutmeg, and citrus.
Palate: Smoke, coconut, vanilla custard, lemon, honey, and saline notes.
Finish: Smoky and sweet with fudge, malt, orange, mango, and fruit.

Order a bottle of Port Charlotte 10YO now

Bowmore 9 Year Old whisky review close-up

Bowmore 12 Year Old

If you’re just getting into smoky whisky, there’s no need to reach straight for the heaviest hitter on Islay.

Bowmore 12 Year Old marries gently earthy smoke with citrus, honey, and fruit. It’s matured in a mix of American ex-bourbon barrels and European Oloroso sherry casks.

Nose: Fresh lemon, heather honey, and soft, earthy smoke.
Palate: Warming fruit, sweetness, and dark chocolate.
Finish: Long, sweet smoke.

Bring home Bowmore 12 here

Kilchoman Sanaig

Kilchoman makes a second appearance in this roundup, though Sanaig is a very different beast from Rockside 11.

This whisky blends bourbon and sherry casks, with Oloroso sherry taking the lead. The malt is peated to 50 ppm. Expect a fusion of dark fruit, chocolate, spice, and robust smoke.

Nose: Heather, raisins, pear, orange peel, stone fruit, spices, and peaty smoke.
Palate: Ripe plums, red cherries, citrus, barbecue smoke, toffee, oak, and dark chocolate.
Finish: Fruit, caramel, cinnamon, clove, brown sugar, and persistent peat smoke.

Get a bottle of Kilchoman Sanaig delivered fast

Ardbeg Ten Years Old

Alongside Uigeadail, Ardbeg Ten deserves a place here. Not because it’s a radical newcomer, but because it so clearly captures what Ardbeg stands for.

Bottled at 46% ABV and matured in bourbon casks, it naturally leads with smoke—yet underneath you’ll find strikingly bright, fruity notes.

Nose: Smoky fruit, lemon, lime, menthol, tar, and briny sea air.
Palate: Firm peat, brine, buttermilk, and ripe banana.
Finish: Long and smoky with espresso and oily peat.

Find Ardbeg Ten here

Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie

We wrap up without peat. With The Classic Laddie, Bruichladdich proves an Islay single malt doesn’t have to be smoky. Made from Scottish barley and bottled at 50% ABV, its exact recipe can vary by batch, but Bruichladdich consistently aims for a fruity, floral house style.

Nose: Ripe orchard fruit, flowers, lemon, orange, apricot, mango, peach, and vanilla.
Palate: Orange, candied citrus, stone fruit, malt, toasted bread, almond, and a touch of salt.
Finish: Mineral and floral with lingering stone fruit and citrus.

Get the classic Laddie here

What’s your favorite Islay whisky of 2026?

Perhaps the most important takeaway from this list is how these ten bottles showcase the range found on that relatively small Scottish island. Islay may be world-famous for peat and smoke, but the story doesn’t end there. There’s so much more to discover. What’s your pick?