Aberlour, 18 years old, 43% abv. (750ml)

Although one of a number Scotland's whisky producing islands, Islay is so distinctive in character it is classified as a separate region. Of the island's seven distilleries currently bottling, Ardbeg, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig on the shouthern shore and Caol Ila to the north, are known for making the most peaty whisky that expresses medicinal qualities redolent of seaweed, salt, and iodine. By contrast, Bowmore, Bunnahabhain, and Bruichladdich make less peated but equally complex whisky, with the latter two bottling the island's lightest styles.