Islay Whisky Reviews

I tried my first dram of Laphroaig 10-year back in 2014. My friend and I were at this now closed bar in Columbus, Ohio called Barrel 44. They had a very nice combination of both beer and whisky and were very proud to highlight their boilermaker recommendations. I didn’t know much about scotch other than occasionally trying something, but my friend assured me that this $10 pour was worth it. 

He gave me a fair warning about the smokiness of the scotch that I would later come to know was from this thing called peat. From my first sip, it just made sense to me. Truly, it shouldn’t have. Bourbon, scotch, and whisky are tastes that develop over time. To think the addition of smoke would be the thing to hook me in still doesn’t quite make sense to me, but it did. I’ll always remember that taste of campfire slowly transforming into a lasting warmth that puts you at ease. Hours later, that taste still lingers. 

A smoky spirit isn’t unique to Islay. Mezcal has been around since the Spanish colonization of Mexico. It’s not well understood by many of the current distilleries on Islay when the distillation of scotch first took place. The founding dates of these distilleries are usually associated with the beginning of the distilleries having taxes collected from them by the Scottish government. 

This is all to say that this idea has been around. Human beings have been lucky to enjoy these spirits for hundreds of years, but this is still a pretty new revelation for me. I was always fascinated by Islay after that night. I would describe it to friends and family as a dream vacation. A bucket list experience to travel to this island off the coasts of Scotland and Ireland and try scotch I would only find there.

I didn’t start writing this blog to tell you that I like Laphroaig. I do, and it will always be my first love when it comes to Islay scotch. I started writing this blog because I am at a weird point in my life. Maybe some would call what I am doing a quarter-life or mid-life crisis, and I am willing to accept that designation. If I were describing it though, I would say that I want to do something that I’ll look back on one day and say, “I met a lot of great people, was part of something that forced me to learn something new every day, and that I had fun doing it.”

Ardbeg distillery warehouse

If I could go back and do anything over, I would tell myself when I was younger to not think the quote, “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life” was cheesy. I have always prioritized job security over doing things that I actually want to do. Without fail, I have constantly let stressful things occupy my thoughts rather than channeling that energy into something that would make me happy. This time, I am not going to let that happen. 

That is why I am starting this blog, Islay Whisky Reviews. I want to share my experiences from Islay and of course my thoughts on its whisky. I am not an expert in any of these categories, but I am someone who appreciates the craft, is willing to invest his own money into trying interesting whiskies you may be reluctant to purchase, and will travel great lengths to share incredible scotches and the stories behind them.

There will of course be reviews. It’s called Islay Whisky Reviews after all, so hopefully that’s not a shock. In my writing though, I hope to cover other important aspects of Islay whisky, such as: where do I buy whiskies, how much did I have to pay, considerations as an American for getting Islay whisky, visits to Islay, and maybe a book review every once and awhile on topics regarding Islay. 

Most importantly, I am excited about this and to have a space to share what I love with people. I will always write with the perspective that there is no bad whisky. Even if I don’t personally enjoy something I try, there will be someone out there who does. The people who work to make these libations are talented and trying to do something really difficult, so I will never try to bring down people’s efforts. I promise to always be mindful of the people behind these works and appreciate the different opinions I encounter. 

For now, this blog is like me back at Barrel 44 in 2014. I was sharing a new experience with a friend and not quite sure where it would lead me. I was just dreaming of how to get to this island and enjoy some fine scotch with the people I love. Just this last year, I was lucky enough to finally make the trip to Islay. With a dram in my hand and the person I love by my side, I stared out into Machir Bay. 

Machir Bay

It wasn’t a stop that was originally planned for our trip, but our driver for the day insisted we needed to see it. As we arrived, he pulled some scotch from his personal stash and shared some with us, and told us how important it was to drink scotch outside. He assured us that the warmth of the whisky would perfectly compliment the cold, strong breeze coming off the coast. I took a sip, and it all came back to me. The campfire taste, but this time with the sweetness of a sherry cask infused in and eventually transitioning into that warm feeling. Christmas in a glass.

If something is truly important to you, you will make it happen. Whether it’s a blog about whisky or whatever your passion is, you deserve the chance to do something because it makes you happy. That is why I am writing this blog, and I would be excited for anyone who wants to come along. Slàinte!