Island whisky are the single malt Scotch whiskies produced on the islands around the perimeter of the Scottish mainland. The islands (excluding Islay) are not recognised in the Scotch Whisky Regulations as a distinct whisky producing region, but are considered to be part of the Highland region. Islay is itself recognised as a distinct whisky producing region

Scotland’s labyrinthine archipelago of islands were obvious locations for distilleries, especially at a time when illegal operations were the norm. Just a scattered handful of these far-flung facilities remain now (excluding Islay) – although a few newcomers hint at an island distilling renaissance.

There are nearly 800 islands scattered off Scotland’s crenellated coastline for Island whisky, of which only a few are inhabited – and fewer still have a distillery. Excluding the whisky hotspot of Islay, the islands of Arran, Mull, Jura, Skye, Lewis and Orkney are home to an eclectic mix of styles, from light citrus to full-on peat smoke.