"Ileach" simply means "a person from Islay" in Gaelic, and the name is the whole point: a whisky that isn't meant to represent one particular distillery, but the character of the island itself. Behind it stands a distillery kept deliberately secret, while the peat does all the talking.
The expert's description
Ileach Peaty Single Islay Malt Whisky is a Single Islay Malt Whisky from an unnamed distillery, matured in oak casks and bottled at 40%.
The whisky is bottled by The Vintage Malt Whisky Company, an independent bottler founded in 1992 by Brian Crook, who is also behind brands such as Finlaggan and Islay Storm. Which distillery supplies the spirit for Ileach has never been officially confirmed, giving rise to countless guesses among whisky enthusiasts over the years, but without an age statement or a named source, the bottle lives entirely on its own flavour.
The style is classic Islay: robust, peaty and maritime, without sacrificing a certain softness that makes it an easy whisky to return to as an everyday dram.
Tasting notes
Nose
Smoke, ash and a light medicinal note meet sea salt and seaweed, with a touch of soft vanilla in the background.
Palate
Oily and robust, with peat, brine and a hint of citrus that cuts through the heavy smoke.
Finish
Medium length, dry and lightly spiced, with a persistent ashy sensation reminiscent of a beach fire just put out.
Specifications
Name: Ileach Peaty Single Islay Malt Whisky
Bottler: The Vintage Malt Whisky Company
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Single Islay Malt Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5024720700007
Flavour profile
Smoky · Maritime · Salty · Robust
Did you know?
The name Ileach is pronounced "ee-lakh" and is used locally on Islay to describe a person born and raised on the island; an honorary term that the whisky has borrowed to signal its belonging to the place rather than to any single distillery.
See our full range of The Ileach
