Honey, Salt and Peat in the Rock Island Whisky Review

Rock Island Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is a whisky brand that bows deeply to the proud maritime heritage of Scotland’s islands, crafted by none other than Douglas Laing & Co. Read on for our full Rock Island whisky review.

Douglas Laing & Co is an independent bottler renowned for blending and bottling top-quality Scotch whiskies. Rock Island launched in 2015 as part of the legendary Remarkable Regional Malts collection.

This blended malt draws its inspiration from the seafaring traditions of Scotland’s wild fringes, with their rugged coastlines and treacherous waters. The whisky takes its name from “The Rock Island Line,” a strait that links the Orkney Islands to the mainland. It was the lifeline of these island communities, connecting them to the wider world.

The whisky is composed from a number of distinctive distilleries whose names are kept strictly under wraps. What we do know is that the spirit hails from Orkney, Islay, Jura, and Arran.

While the nose promises a beautifully smoky whisky, the peat is not as overwhelming as in some others. Rock Island is balanced and gentle. The interplay of light spice, the licorice glow, and that touch of peated honey makes for a very enjoyable dram.

The finish is pleasing and medium in length, with the whisky unfolding into a soft, rounded sweetness at the end. What makes this so enjoyable is that you’ll happily pour another glass without your palate being swamped by peat. There’s real depth and layering here—overall, a perfectly balanced blended malt!

Rock Island Whisky is not only a tribute to Scotland’s maritime traditions, but an invitation to dive into a world of flavor and adventure . It’s an easy-drinking, approachable whisky that fits beautifully within Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts lineup.

+ Peat is not overpowering

+ Smooth and highly drinkable

+ Not overly complex

+ Works well in cocktails too

- Peat devotees may find it a touch too gentle.

Here’s an overview of all our reviews.