Island Malts

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ARRAN: Lochranza, Isle of Arran.

Comment: its product is the first single malt to be produced on this “Scotland in Miniature” island for over 150 years for though much highly-acclaimed malt was produced here in the early 19th century these, mainly illicit stills, sadly closed because of English government intervention and the exorbitant transportation costs. Though a very new distillery, all the traditional methods have been carefully restored. Isle of Arran is the only whisky distiller to be appointed as a Life Patron of the Robert Burns World Federation [appropriately as it is the nearest as the eagle soars to his Alloway birthplace though he never graced Arran with his presence - but perhaps in spirit!

Notes: est.1985; water - “perfect water for whisky production, cleansed by granite and softened by peat as it comes down from the mountain above”. Best: with cheese.

“recalls a pleasurable Easter Sunday on Arran - flowery, sweet, fresh sea

air with a soft, light, sweet malty-peat suggesting an agreeable finish”

HIGHLAND PARK: Kirkwall, Orkney.

Comment: is Scotland’s [and the world’s] most northerly whisky distillery - built where the legendary 18th century smuggler and preacher Magnus Eunson’s bothy stood; “This godly person was accustomed to give out the psalms in a more unctuous manner than usual if the Excise officers were in church” [Alfred Barnard: The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom] or whisper “smallpox” whilst indicating a coffin. Unusually, heather is dried with the peat, to add that final subtle touch.

Notes: est. 1798; water - local lower-level springs [Cattie Maggie’s], peat from Hobbister Hill. Best: after coffee.

“a whiff of Guy Fawkes’ Bonfire Night”

“secrets unfolding around a fire-wood steeped in honey slowly smouldering in the grate”

“lingering smell of a leafy wood fire”

ISLE OF JURA: Craighouse, Isle of Jura, Argyllshire.

Comment: had an early chequered career due to too many different owners but James Ferguson revived it in 1876 though abandoning it in 1901 while Barnard “left Jura with regret”

Notes: est. 1810; water - Loch a’Bhaile Mhargaidh [Market Loch]. Best: before eating.

LEDAIG: Tobermory, Isle of Mull.

Comment: see Tobermory. Best: after a picnic lunch near the beach.

TALISKER: Carbost. Isle of Skye.

Comment: mainly worked by Gaelic-speaking Clan Macleod staff, it is the only legal distillery on this Isle of Mists; lauded by R.L.Stevenson - “ the king o’drinks, as I conceive it, Talisker, Isla or Glenlivet”, but surely mistakenly denounced in 1830 by the Rev. Roderick Macleod, a local minister, as “one of the greatest curses that in the ordinary course of Providence, could befall this or any other place”. Ian Macleod, Edinburgh merchants, blends the “Isle of Skye” which contains Talisker.

Notes: est. 1830; water - a very peaty, rusty red-coloured Cnoc nan Speireag [Hawk Hill] burn, cooling water from the Carbost Burn. Best: instead of eating!

“vigorous, very peaty with a scorched heather [“baccy”] tang - spicy, yet

sweet, with an explosive pepper and salt seasoning”

“this additional double maturing amplifies the whisky’s natural hints

of sweetness and rounds out its rugged peaty character”

TOBERMORY: Tobermory, Isle of Mull.

Comment: though it is the only distillery on Mull it has been frequently closed. Its new owner, Burn Stewart, is using only un-peated barley for Tobermory in order to be more popular to the blenders and lightly peated malt for Ledaig and hopefully thus make it a more viable venture.

Notes: est. 1798; water - small [quite peated] private loch near the Mishnish Lochs. Best: after a picnic lunch

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