islay

Carndonagh, Republic of Ireland to Port Ellen, Islay is only 50 miles as the crow flies.

He's missing the newest and smallest distillery on Islay on that map - Kilchoman.

At a certain point I suppose taste is subjective, but Laphroig is definitely not the smokiest or peatiest of the Islay malts.

Looking forward to making it onto Islay next time.

In 10 years time we might be hearing calls for Islay or the Highlands to separate from the rest of Scotland for example.

I recall there were some people out in Normandie that made a pretty good, smoked single malt, not entirely unlike a decent Islay whisky.

I visited Islay last summer and toured Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Kilchoman, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, and a few others.

Whereas I remember a horizontal Islay 30+ year old tasting that left me thinking I was drinking wooded water - the price tags were purely a function of supply (none) and demand (there's a sort of vicious circle whereby the rarity makes the price go up, turning it into a Veblen good amongst wealthy non-amateurs).

Bowmore is a smoky whisky (score 3), but it has enough interesting other characteristics that means it does not align with the obvious "Islay" cluster (smoky centre of 2.8).

Very Islay-like though (a lot of peat, and probably the opposite of your sherried sweetness) which is not to everyone's taste.

Bonus: I now own land on Maui, Hawaii 2, and Islay.