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Varying amounts of peat are also used to dry the barley. In the past, the barley was produced locally, although now the majority is brought in from further afield.

Peat is noticeable in the flavours of all the Islay malts, from the mildest to the intensely flavoured, imparting a dryness which is sometimes balanced by sweetness and often emphasised by smokiness. For beginners to single malts, the Islay whiskies seem like an acquired taste, but they are an essential ingredient in the vast majority of Blended whiskies, without them your favourite blend may not be your favourite at all!