Hunter Laing Islay Journey Series Blended Malt Whisky 46%

The journey to Islay begins on the ferry from Kennacraig, where the sea air starts to smell properly of seaweed and smoke. Islay Journey is the Laing family's take on exactly that crossing, a bottle built entirely from the island's own distilleries, assembled by the people behind Ardnahoe.

The expert's description

Hunter Laing Islay Journey Series is an Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, composed of malt whisky from several Islay distilleries and bottled at 46%.

The whisky belongs to Hunter Laing & Co.'s Journey Series, a range of regional blended malts in which Islay Journey represents the island's characteristic peated style. Behind the bottle stands Hunter Laing & Co., a family-owned bottler founded in 2013 by Stewart Laing together with his sons Andrew and Scott, and since 2018 also owner of Islay's newest distillery, Ardnahoe. The malt behind Islay Journey has matured in bourbon hogsheads before being married together for this no-age-statement release.

Islay Journey is designed as an accessible introduction to the island's whisky style, with several distilleries contributing to the overall character rather than letting a single signature dominate.

Tasting notes

Nose

Dry smoke, ash and tar settle like a blanket over the aroma, with a touch of salted caramel behind it.

Palate

Robust peat meets sea salt and seaweed, with an oily texture that ties the different distilleries together.

Finish

Medium length and dry, with lingering smoke and a light ashy note that fades like a burnt-out beach fire.

Specifications

Name: Hunter Laing Islay Journey Series
Bottler: Hunter Laing & Co.
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon hogsheads
Edition: Journey Series
EAN no.: 5060354263181

Flavour profile

Smoky · Maritime · Salty · Robust

Did you know?

Hunter Laing & Co. was founded by Stewart Laing, who previously ran sister company Douglas Laing together with his brother; the two split the business in 2013, and Stewart established his own family firm with sons Andrew and Scott.

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Frequently asked questions about Hunter Laing Islay Journey Series

Which distilleries does Hunter Laing Islay Journey come from?

The whisky is a blended malt composed of several of Islay's renowned distilleries. The individual distilleries are not named on the bottle, but together they deliver the island's typical peated, maritime character.

Does Hunter Laing Islay Journey carry an age statement?

No, the whisky is sold without an age statement (NAS). The focus lies on the overall flavour profile rather than a single vintage, which is common for regional blended malt series like this one.

What is the Journey Series from Hunter Laing?

The Journey Series is a collection of regional blended malt whiskies from Hunter Laing & Co., where each bottle represents a specific Scotch whisky region, with Islay Journey standing for the island's peated contribution to the range.

Who is behind Hunter Laing & Co.?

The company was founded in 2013 by Stewart Laing and his sons Andrew and Scott, and since 2018 the family has also owned Ardnahoe Distillery on Islay, the island's newest distillery.

What does Hunter Laing Islay Journey taste like?

The nose is dominated by dry smoke, ash and tar, while the palate offers robust peat, sea salt and seaweed with an oily texture. The finish is medium length and dry with lingering smoke.

Is Hunter Laing Islay Journey a good introduction to Islay whisky?

Yes, because it brings together several distilleries in one bottle, it gives a broad impression of the island's peated style without tying itself to a single distillery's particular character, making it well suited as a first encounter with Islay whisky.

Is Hunter Laing Islay Journey worth it?

The judgement rests on quality: as a well-composed blend from a respected family-owned bottler that also runs its own distillery on Islay, the bottle delivers an authentic and characterful peated experience.

How should Hunter Laing Islay Journey be served?

The whisky works well in a nosing glass at room temperature. A small splash of water can open up the maritime and ashy notes further.