Bunnahabhain Stiuireadair 70cl

Coastal, salty, and wildly drinkable, this Islay single malt is for anyone who wants the island’s sea-spray character without getting punched in the face by smoke. It’s got that windswept Scotch whisky energy, but it keeps things balanced, so you can sip, think, and go back for another pour.

If you’ve tried peaty Islay and thought, “Cool, but can I taste anything else?”, this is your fix. It leans into brine, toasted malt, and citrus brightness, giving you a whisky that feels like standing on an Islay pier with a bag of salted nuts and a lemon wedge in your pocket.

• Nose: Sea air and salted caramel, with orange peel, toasted grain, and a faint whiff of coastal smoke.
• Taste: Malty sweetness up front, then roasted nuts, peppery warmth, and a clean, maritime saltiness that keeps it lively.
• Finish: Drying and gently spicy, with lingering citrus zest, nuttiness, and that savoury Islay brine hanging around.

How to drink it: start neat, then add a small splash of water, it pulls out more orange-and-nut sweetness and makes the coastal notes pop. Also, yes, it absolutely works in an Old Fashioned when you want the drink to taste like whisky (not syrup).

Why this one stands out on the Islay shelf: it’s the friendly on-ramp to the region. You still get the place, the salt, the Atlantic edge, the island personality, but in a way that doesn’t require you to already love full-on peat monsters.

It’s a great pick for whisky drinkers who usually live in Speyside or Highland bottles and want to take one step toward Islay. And if you already love Islay, it’s a smart bottle to keep around for weeknights when you want the coastal mood without the heavy smoke.

Pair it with: smoked almonds, sharp cheddar, oysters, or a simple dark chocolate square. The salt-and-sweet thing here is the whole point.

Fun Fact: “Stiùireadair” is Gaelic for “helmsman”, which is basically this whisky’s job description: steering you straight into Islay’s coastal character.