MODULE 04 · 8 MIN
Islay and Campbeltown
Islay is a protected island region. It is famous for peated, smoky styles, but not every Islay spirit is heavily peated and individual distilleries differ. Peat is a production choice, not something guaranteed merely by sea air or postcode.
Campbeltown was once a major distilling centre and later contracted sharply. Its small modern group of distilleries gives it specialist interest. Salty, oily or robust are useful tasting prompts, but they remain observations rather than legal regional requirements.
Key ideas
Islay is official; Islands is informal.
Not every Islay whisky is heavily peated.
Campbeltown’s identity is historical as well as sensory.
Glossary
- Peated
- Made using malt exposed to peat smoke, to a greater or lesser degree.
- Phenolic
- A sensory family often associated with smoke, medicinal or earthy notes.
Three-question self-check
Pause before moving on.
1. Can you explain: Islay is official; Islands is informal.
Islay is official; Islands is informal.
2. Can you connect: Not every Islay whisky is heavily peated.
Not every Islay whisky is heavily peated.
3. Can you define “Peated” in your own words?
Campbeltown’s identity is historical as well as sensory.
Sources & further reading
- SWA — Scotch Whisky regionsScotch Whisky Association
Last reviewed: 2026-08-09