Thanks for the kind words Alice, I guess great minds think alike! Actually I was pretty harsh on Caol Ila here, they have some excellent IBs and I'm a big fan of the 18! Cheers! 🥃 (Canadian btw 😉)

Highly recommend you check out Kilchoman, although I've heard it's overpriced in some markets.

Glad you liked it!

Appreciate it! Thanks! 🥃

Thanks Chris! Cheers! 🥃

Thanks. Glad you agree!

Thanks Wayne. I'd actually never heard of Creag Isle. Just looked it up. Seems like a good one, although unfortunately it's not available in my market. Cheers! 🥃

I really need to get around to reviewing that 8! Cheers!

@@Gwhisky I much prefer it over the profiles of Ardbeg 10 or Laphroaig 10. Its my favorite widely available peat monster. There's nothing overtly weird about it, unlike WeeBeastie which to me has a number of odd characteristics going making it better for blending.

Thanks for the appreciation. I'm considering doing.g the islands region next! Yes the PC10 is an Islay must imo!

Love PC and most their heavily peated expressions but very curious to try the Bere release! Whatcha think? Also, why only older bottlings Bunna 12s - things changed at a certain time?

Glad you agree!

Bunna is not consistent. There are some very bad batches of the 12 y old with lots of sulphur in it. The 18 is very overpriced.

Solid!

I’d also add that it wld b great to have such guides differentiate bet core bottlings, special releases, and any great indies u know of, and what u consider the differences among the distillery’s peated, unpeated, and cask finished releases. The way u do here with Cao Ila was SO helpful!

Really appreciate the kind words Marc! I think that's an excellent idea. Hone in on a specific distillery and provide a bit of a dedicated analysis of it, as well as including some top picks! Might just do that!

🙏

Thanks for watching Andy! 🥃

Trust me you're not alone. I thought that myself, but quite a few people have reached out to me saying they've had the same issue.

I guess Laphroaig's "flattening out" issue presents a unique problem: happily, you have to drink it all up fast. Yet, regrettably, you have to drink it all up fast.

What a compliment. Hah. Thank you! 🥃

Cheers Mats! Glad you agree!

Agree, lots of great conversations and information in the comments! 🥃

Thanks Allan. Keen to hear how you feel about the Sanaig and Loch Gorm releases!

I've had a number of Caol Ila IBs, and some have been brilliant. But this video is mostly my ranking of the distilleries' core range offerings.

Great minds think alike! 🥃

Thanks! Was considering doing the Islands next!

Yeah. Every distillery on this list makes good stuff, I love Islay on the whole. But places like Caol Ila and Bowmore have a lot of wasted potential. Cheers!

My top 3 is exactly the same as yours!

Solid list! Not a single bad pick up there!

Wow that sounds great! Romantic indeed! I've visited distilleries before and the smell is amazing. Can only imagine living close to a warehouse! Lucky guy! The Bunna 18 is an amazing whisky... definitely one I recommend to any and all!

@@Gwhisky East Kilbride romantic.... I must stop by and check that one out!

I've reviewed that one. Doesn't get much love elsewhere, but I quite like it! I think it's their strongest NAS offering that I've tried.

Kilchoman isn't entirely consistent. I live theor house style but I'll admit some of their releases could be better.

Love the peate Bunna expressions. As a consumer, I'm all for more distilleries. As long as quality isn't compromised and Islay maintains its high standard of quality I think it's great to have more options for buyers.

Can't fault any of those picks! All four are bangers!

I've hear a lot of good things about the Manzanilla Bunna. Sadly I've never had the pleasure. I've seen it, but it's pricey. I'm sure it's worth it, though. I'll keep my eyes peeled. Cheers Lloyd!

@@Gwhisky hope you get to try it sometime soon. It costs about 10% more than the Bunna 18 (in Southern Cali at least).

Glad you agree about Laphroaig! Between the Lich Gorm and the Ledaig... easy. Ledaig 18 is much more unexpected, unique, and exciting! One of my favourite 18 year olds!

I know! Ledaig 18 is so wild and amazing, totally drinking a grilled squid!

@@dairyyang5457 Great description! I like how “funky” it is!

It's wonderful!

Port Askaig isn't a distillery, though. It's widely known to be sourced from Caol Ila. The regular strength Bunna Moine isn't available in my market, unfortunately. I love a good Bunna, though. They have a cask strength brandy finish Moine release that is utterly amazing. Cheers, man. Appreciate the suggestions! 🙏

@@Gwhisky Ow yeah you're right the port askaig is the good coal ila then, because whenever I taste the core scotches off coal isla it's like there's missing some things well if port askaig is caol ila its certainly much better. And that's too bad that you can't have the moine. I have to say I was lucky today in the shop it was there last bottle and they don't get it anymore. So yeah I sended some messages to whisky stores to ask if they got it because it's my new favourite "daily" dram together with the pc10. Edit: what's your favourite Islay scotch for the moment?

😎😎😎

I wouldn't expect everyone to agree. Your list is just as valid as mine! Glad you like the lists format and I'll try to put out a new list every two or three weeks. Cheers!

For me it has. Love Bunna, but the 18 and the Toiteach are batchy, it seems. The 12 is to, although to be fair, it's marketed as batchy so they're not going for consistency with that one. 🥃

I just picked up the Bagh Cluin last week. Taiwan exclusive, that one. It's not the first time Distell has tried to slip a 40% whisky from a "craft" distillery into the Taiwan market. We've also got a 40% Deanston offering here, too.

@@Gwhisky Ahh, I never realised it was a Taiwan exclusive. I presumed it was Distell's equivalent of the Deanston Kentucky Cask Matured for Bunnahabhain.

Have you had the peated “Moine” bottlings from Bunna? Those are amazing, too! Cheers!

Really appreciate it! Yes the Laga 16 isn't quite as good these days but still enjoyable. Totally agree about the PC10... really good and a top entry level Islay offering. I've tried the Ileach. If memory serves, it was a bit young for my taste, but I haven't had it in many years. Might be one to revisit. Cheers!

Cheers!

That's one Kilchoman I haven't tried yet. Big fan of the brand though. I'll be on the lookout for that one. Cheers Lee!

@@Gwhisky I think it's quite new. I had it at the Fife whisky festival back in March. I'm goi g to Islay next week so it'll be I treating to see what the distilleries have in the shops.

@@MMA-ALL-DAY Wow sounds like a blast! Enjoy the trip man, and thanks again for the recommendation!

Thanks for tuning in, appreciate the viewership! Totally agree about the Caol Ila IB bottles. They can be excellent. I should have stressed in the video that this ranking is specifically addressing the core ranges.

@@Gwhisky ah! Ur list makes more sense to me knowing that. Def worth adding to the description if not there.

Hah not a bad idea. It'll never happen, but cool concept! 😉🥃

I can only dream of having a bottle of Bunna 25. Bucket list whisky!

Thanks! Yeah I like the low key beats but this artist has an annoying “signature” that he puts in all his songs. I admit it's kinda irritating. Might need to rethink the music at some point.

@@Gwhisky I like it, thought it was your special input, sorta like your signature. Anyways, it’s good stuff

@@aframs-cctaf-rams-cct6424 Hah thanks man. I've had a few complaints that it's distracting.

Kilchoman is lovely! Check it out!

Sanaig is a wonderful whisky, although I've heard it can be a bit pricey in some parts of the states. Based on your preferences, I think you'll get along well with the sherried Kilchomans. They're much better than the Machir Bay, which is decent but nothing too special. I always get jealous when I hear what ppl pay for the Laphroag CS in America. It's substantially higher where I live, which makes me hesitant to pull the trigger. Shame, really enjoyed that one and I'd love to compare and contrast the batches.

@@Gwhisky The Sanaig goes for around $70 in my area while the Loch Gorm is about $120. $70 is not too unreasonable for an Islay, especially a sherried one. $120 is getting pricey for me, so I figured the Sanaig was the logical next Kilchoman to try. Speaking of price disparity, even here in the States the prices can vary significantly. As one example Laphroaig 10 (the basic 10, not cask strength) goes for around $60 give or take $5, in the Chicago area. However I have seen it in the $30s in Arizona. Half the price! I won't buy it at $60, but at $30 something, I would definitely keep a bottle on hand.

You know in retrospect I would probably go back and switch those two myself...

Some brand began running low on older stock. Some brands are simply coasting on their famous brand name without putting in the effort to stay competitive. There's a variety of reasons. 🥃

You're lucky. I'm dying to try the Bunna CS, but sadly it's nowhere to be found in Taiwan. I'm sure it's a good one, though. Solid Islay picks! Bruichladdich is my go-to these days!

@@Gwhisky I broke down and bought a non chill filter Glendronach 18 today, but the shop had a 50ml bottle of Highland Park 18 for $15 USD. Man that Highland Park 18 was absolutely delicious. It's like a more sherried less peated Lagavulin 16 to sum it up. It's cool that you live in Taiwan. My inlaws mostly live in Vietnam so I visits for Lunar new year every couple years for a month. They love Buffalo Trace and 1792 small batch. I think they like the high abv and fruit notes with the spiciness. Anyways I'm a third of a way through a bottle of Bushmills 12 year so cheers 🍻!!

@@DongHands84 Those Glendronach 18s are getting pretty expensive these days. Hope you got a good deal on it! HP18 is beautiful stuff, but it's pricey in my market and the low abv is quite frustrating. A better option imo is the travel retail 18, if you can find it. That one comes in at 46% and it's absolutely beautiful. But yeah... even the 18 at 43% has amazing flavours. Love a good HP. I hear Vietnam is lovely. I've travelled across much of Southeast Asia but never managed to make it to Vietnam. It's on the wishlist, though. Amazing food!

@@Gwhisky I got the Glendronach 18 non-chill filtered, bottled early 2020 though so only 18 years, for $180. I did my research and felt it was fair enough just not a steal. The shop owner has done me solids before like order and get in some Glendronach cask strength batch 10 and hes trying to get me Gold Spot (Irish single pot still is currently my favorite i.e. Redbreast 21, Blue Spot, Red Spot, Yellow Spot, Powers John's Lane 12 year) I can't wait till I hit the Japan duty free shop on my way to Vietnam. I plan on getting a nice bottle or two of Scotch to bring home. Yeah I fell in love with Vietnam my first trip to visit my in-laws. Food is amazing and super fresh. Coffee is great too, I also get looks when I order my Vietnamese coffee black and hot, I tell them the condensed milk is too sweet. So I sip and enjoy my strong bitter coffee lol. Everyone invites me to their home for dinner and drinks, I've never seen people drink so much and still be able to get up for work the next day..must be the coffee. Another good thing is all the other countries are close by so it's a short plane ride to whatever other country you want to visit. Last time we went to Thailand February 2020. Just barely made it back to the United States before covid went into full swing.

Yes actually I've had some bad corks with some older Bunna 12 bottlings. Haven't had any issues since the rebranding. Bad corks can be a serious issue. Glad you (somewhat) agree with the list. It's been far less controversial than I thought!

Thanks for the kind words. Very true... Kilchoman deserves more love!

Cheers!

I would be happier with that the other way up, Lagavulin has deteriorated, Laphroaig and Ardbeg have always been overrated, Bowmore and Kilchoman are pretty good, Bruichladdich, Bunna and Caol ila are good value honest whiskies, the truth is that the Campbeltowns, Springbank and it’s varieties and Glen Scotia are better than any of the current Islay offerings.

Loch Gorm is part of their premium line, so I doubt we'll see it drop as low as a Bunna 12 in price. Regardless... I do see a bright future for Kilchoman. I think they're doing really cool stuff and as their stock ages I hope to see bigger and better things from them!

Great minds think (mostly) alike! Cheers Martin, great list! 🥃

@@Gwhisky Yes. Perhaps it is the situation we are in. You from Canada living in Taiwan, Me from Sweden living in Japan. Canada and Sweden with government run liquor stores and Japan, Taiwan with high assortment of whisky from all over the world. Great channel👍

Trust me my heart breaks too!

Actually I'd probably restructure this list nowadays. 😉

Hah well we're not supposed to agree all the time! 🥃

“Loch Gorm is the new Laga 16.” Hadn't heard that one but it's an interesting take. PC10 is totally one of the best entry level Islays, and that expression alone played a big part in why I placed Bruichladdich ahead of Ardbeg! This video is addressing the core ranges specifically. IBs are another story. I've had some great IB Caol Ilas. They're an excellent distillery. It's another one of those “untapped potential” situations. Diageo...

@@Gwhisky it isnt exact his word, but in his recent review of loch gorm 2020, he keep mentions it how close to laga16. i know you only address OB, but this is sad for a distillery when ppl need to know your true potential by ib, especially you bottled bunch of meh ob

I mean... there's a direct correlation between craft presentation and taste, especially with regards to abv. But certainly if you prefer subtle peat then I suppose that becomes less of a priority. Cheers Jason. 🥃

@@Gwhisky certainly I'm with you on abv that makes a big difference. I'm not as sure about filtering/colour. I"ve just had a number of standard offerings I prefer the taste of to some craft offerings. But I guess that has more to do with the flavor profiles I like.

Caol Ila bottlings can be excellent.

Good picks! Loch Gorm and Bunna 18 are both fantastic. I'm sure the 2022 Gorm will be delicious!

That's a damn good lineup. Gwhisky stamp of approval! Cheers Andy! 🥃

Ah, I saw in a later video your clarifying your scope to the brand/official bottlings. I myself would factor a distillery higher for good independent bottlings (showing the quality of the spirit), though obviously the brand’s presentation and value are a factor as well. For what it’s worth, my current list: 8) Bowmore (was never too amazed with the official 12, but tried and liked the 18 recently, and also was impressed by a hard-to-find independent 12 year) 7) Caol Ila (yes, it’s everywhere, and I haven’t bought core range in years, but there are sublime cask strength indies out there) 6) Bruichladdich (agree that Port Charlotte 10 is a gem. Classic Laddie is ok. Octomore and others are alas virtually unaffordable) 5) Lagavulin (Maybe not as it was, but the 16 still matters. The 12 is insanely priced, The 8 is a bit one- note for me) 4) Ardbeg (i agree, too many pricey collectors market releases in recent years, and the distillery character runs a tad sweet for me, but Uigie and Corry are solid) 3) Bunnahabhain (the 12 is best bang for buck, I really liked the Toiteach a Dha, and independent bottlings showing the consistent excellence of the spirit in a range of expressions, old, young, peated, unpeated, sherried, bourbon) speak to the quality of this distillery 2) Kilchoman (for all the reasons you’ve said. Every release is worth trying, and some are truly phenomenal) 1) Laphroaig (can’t help it. It’s so distinctive. Agree that the 10 isn’t what it once was, but QC is solid. There are great special releases including the cask strength that show how good the spirit can be and at least where I am, are not too unreasonably priced.)

I'm covering the standard ranges only.

Good call. Loads of wasted potential at Bowmore. 🥃

Well this video was exclusively for Islay distilleries. I've done another video about Island distilleries. 🥃

Fair enough! Still a great lineup! 👍🥃

Yeah no rule saying the best peated whiskies are from Islay. Ledaig is one of my favourite brands at the moment.

Bowmore is capable of great things. Even the 18 yr old that I mention above is pretty damn good!

Interesting perspective. I've lived outside of North America for well over a decade in Taiwan, which is one of the best scotch whisky markets in the world. I've tried quite a variety of IB bottlings from many (but not all) of the Islay distilleries, and I would certainly have to reshuffle the list if I were approaching it from an IB perspective. As it stands, this list is addressing the core ranges specifically.

That's no coincidence. I've always been very forward about my bias for sherried stuff!

@@Gwhisky ok 👍, got it, cheers

Absolutely!

Хорошая идея. По крайней мере срач в комментах выйдет знатный. Что на пользу продвижению канала.

@@Dmitriy_Izhevsk из его топа Килхоман и Бунна супер. Кол Илу от боттлера только пробовал Ардбег и Лафройг не заходит

@@andriiyeremenko7406 дело вкуса. Мне брухладди айла Барли нравится. Лафроиг - не мое.

I think I might do the Islands region next!

Unfortunately "If x, then y..." is a very widely used phrase when it comes to lower abv whisky. You're absolutely right, Laphroaig 10 would be vastly better than it is, if only...

Then get the cask strength.

@@wingracer1614 laphroaig 10 is $100 here in Australia and the cask strength is $300, sadly I’m not that rich

I buy laphroaig 10 when it goes on sale for $80

@@superodfx Damn that's rough. I can get regular 10 for around 60 and CS for around 100, sometimes 80 if it's on sale. Still cheaper and IMO better than Lag 16 I'm curious, do you get Laph 10 at 40% or 43?

Fair enough. Huge Bruichladdich fan myself. Matter of taste! Cheers!

Yeah that's pretty funny. Now we're buying whiskies that aren't whiskies.

Ouch! Too much! 😬

Interesting! And what do you think would be a good scotch to go up against the Kavs? 🥃

I would bow to your greater knowledge...........But I would match each with the same cask treatment viz Sherry with Sherry Oloroso with Oloroso etc

I would bow to your greater knowledge...........However I would keep the cask treatment the same Viz. Bourbon with Bourbon...........Oloroso against Oloroso etc.

Lol sure I did. Making big bank over here, Randy. 😂

Randy, too much island air made you salty eh

I know this wasn't intended to be nice, but I'm 40, so I'll take it as a compliment anyway.