[Daryei]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

That's not a reasonable generalization. Islay whiskeys differ significantly across the board. Laphroig, Bunnahabhain, Ardbeg, Caol Ila and Talisker are all very peaty and salty, but have little richness from the cask taste. They do change towards milder and more pronounced taste with age (starting at 18-yrs old), as the Scotch loses cask alcohol strength, mellows and becomes more saturated with the cask original beverage notes (bourbon, sherry or port).

Lagavulin and Bowmore Scotches are also very smokey and peaty in line with the Islay traditional distilliery practices but they are, as a rule, richer in original cask beverage notes.

Bruichladdich is technically an Islay Scotch too, but it is not really a solid product by any Scotch standard these days after losing all of their stock of aged single malts due to bankruptcy and subsequent takeover. It is more affordable and they do market it very well to young drinkers, yet, it is nothing to write home about, imo. It is mostly very young, rough and shallow in taste.

not to nitpick, but Talisker is not an Islay whisky. still darn nice stuff though.