Islay, the southernmost of Scotland's Inner Hebrides, is renowned for its whisky, famous for earthy, smoky, peaty flavors with hints of iodine and tar. The island's unique climate, peat bogs, and mineral-rich water contribute to the distinctive taste of its malts, with coastal peat adding a salty, smoky character. With a whisky-making history dating back to the 1300s, Islay once had 23 distilleries, but today, fewer than 10 remain.