A whisky bar like no other.

With a list of drams curated by The Whisky Exchange founder and renowned Islay whisky connoisseur Sukhinder Singh, the Secret Islay Whisky Bar is an unmissable chance to experience the magic of Islay whisky in the heart of London. And with prices from £5 to £250 (per 25ml), there’s a little something for any budget.

Whisky lovers can secure their 90-minute slot for £10 per person, redeemable against shop purchases on the night. The Secret Islay Whisky Bar is open 26-28 May and 2-4 June 2022, with sessions starting at 5pm each day.

Menu Below - All drams served 25ml

Ardbeg (Ard-BEG)
55° 38' 32.6076'' N, 6° 6' 36.792'' W

Ardbeg has been a fixture on the Kildalton coast since 1815 but it wasn’t until the 21st century that it attained the cult status it holds today. While the old plant produces one of Islay’s peatiest makes, its characteristic layers of smoke conceal fresh sweetness and rich umami. Vintages produced prior to 1977 are particularly sought-after as Ardbeg still maintained its own floor maltings at that time. A fixture of the whisky industry for generations, traditional maltings are thought to produce spirit of greater character and complexity.

Ardbeg 19yo, Sherry Cask for Islay Whisky Pop-up - £30

Ardbeg 1972, 28yo, Old Malt Cask, 50% - £150

Ardbeg 1974, Bot.2005, Cask #2751, 51.8% - £250

Ardbeg 1975, Bot.1997, Connoisseurs Choice, 40% - £50

Ardbeg 1990, Airigh Nam Beist, Bot.2008, 46% - £30

Ardbeg 1990, Bot.2004, 55% - .£80

Ardbeg 1991, 8yo, Cask #622 & 623, 43% - £17.50

Ardbeg 1999 Galileo, 12yo, 49% - £30

Ardbeg Fermutation, 13yo, Committee Release, 49.4% - £12.50

Ardbeg Traigh Bhan, 19yo, Batch 2, 46.2% - £25

Ardbeg Twenty Something, 22yo, Embassy Release, 46.4% - £30

Ardbog, 52.1% - £20

 

Bowmore (bow-MORE)
55° 45' 18.9'' N, 6° 17' 12.048'' W

Islay’s first registered distillery, Bowmore single malts are regularly counted among the finest whiskies of the 20th century. The character of this elegantly peated make has changed significantly over the years, with certain vintages showing soft fruits and others heather and violet. Bottlings distilled in the 1960s are particularly sought-after for their vivid tropical fruit and light smokiness.

Bw4, Elements of Islay, 51.6% - £15            

Bowmore 12yo, Bot.1980s - £25

Bowmore 15yo, Glasgow Garden Ceramic, Bot.1988, 40% - £30

Bowmore 18yo, Deep and Complex, 43% - £7.50

Bowmore 18yo, Vintner's Trilogy Part 1, Manzanilla, 52.5% - £15

Bowmore 21yo, Aston Martin Masters Selection, 51.8% - £25

Bowmore 30yo, Sea Dragon Ceramic, 43% - £150

Bowmore 1968, 32yo, Signatory, Cask #1422, 46% - £200

Bowmore 1996, 22yo, Hidden Spirits, Cask BW9618, 53.6% - £20

Bowmore 1998, 23yo, Gleann Mor Rare Find, 48.6% - £30

Bowmore 2002, 14yo, Chieftains, 46% - £10

Bowmore Bicentenary, Bot.1979, 43% - £250

Bowmore Sherriff's, Bot.1970s, 40% - £125

Bowmore The Devil's Casks III, 56.7% - £30

 

Bruichladdich (Brook-laddy)
55° 46' 0.192'' N, 6° 21' 38.448'' W

Historically, Bruichladdich has produced unpeated whisky with a floral, honeyed profile that was a favourite of the people of Islay. Since 2000 several peated makes have been introduced, including Port Charlotte and the world’s peatiest single malt, Octomore. Commitment to transparency and provenance, not to mention some excellent whisky, have helped elevate this once-overlooked distillery to stardom.

Br7, Elements of Islay, 60.4% - £10

Bruichladdich 10yo. Bot.1990s, 40% - £15

Bruichladdich 15yo, Cream Label, Bot.1990s, 40% - £20

Bruichladdich 1970, 35yo, 125th Anniversary, 40.1% - £100

Bruichladdich 1984, 46% -  £30

Bruichladdich 2002, 13yo, TWE Exclusive, 52.7% - £15

Port Charlotte 2008, Islay Barley, 50% - £5

Port Charlotte MRC: 01, 2010, 59.2% - £7.50

Port Charlotte PC8, Ar Duthchas, 60.5% - £15

Octomore 5yo, Edition 05.1, 59.5% - £25

Octomore 5yo, Scottish Barley, Edition 06.1, 57% - £15

Octomore 5yo, Farm Grown Barley, Edition 9.3, 62.9% - £12.50

Octomore 5yo, Edition 10.1, 59.8% - £15

Octomore 2004, Futures, Bot.2011, 60.5% - £10

Octomore 2008, 10yo, 56.8% - £10

Octomore Edition 07.1, Scottish Barley, 59.5% - £15

 

Bunnahabhain (boo-na-HA-venn)
55° 37' 49.044'' N, 6° 9' 7.848'' W

Islay’s northernmost distillery stands by Bunnahabhain bay on the island’s northeast coast. A product of the Victorian whisky boom, the imposing plant has been in business since 1880. Unlike many of its neighbours, Bunnahabhain is known for un-peated malt, making it a perfect choice for anyone looking for Islay whisky without the smoke. However, in recent years a number of peated expressions have also come to market, combining the distillery’s hallmark notes of oranges and nuts with rich, earthy smoke. 

Bunnahabhain 12yo, Bot.1990s, 43% - £20

Bunnahabhain 12yo, Cask Strength, 2021 Release, 55.1% - £5

Bunnahabhain 16yo, TWE Retro Label, 55.6% - £7.50

Bunnahabhain 18yo, 46.3% - £7.50

Bunnahabhain 44yo, Director's Special, 42.4% - £50

Bunnahabhain 1989, TWE Exclusive, 40.4% - £15

Bunnahabhain 1997, 22yo, Cask #5448, The Whisky Exchange, 51.3% - £15

Bunnahabhain 2009, North Star, Series 012, 52.3% - £10

Bunnahabhain Staoisha 2014, Signatory, TWE Exclusive, 60.3% - £5

 

Caol Ila (cull-EE-La)
44° 22' 26.292'' N, 100° 22' 49.224'' W

This powerhouse distillery bears the Gaelic name for the Sound of Islay, the narrow strait that separates the island from the Scottish mainland. A favourite of independent bottlers, Caol Ila is known for its consistent quality as it ages. Younger expressions often show citrus, fine smoke and coastal minerality – while older bottlings tend to be richer with subdued peatiness and soft fruit. An elegant old islander that’s infinitely rewarding.   

Caol Ila 15yo, Unpeated, Diageo Special Releases 2016, 61.5% - £7.50

Caol Ila 16yo, Feis Ile 2020, 53.9% - £25

Caol Ila 24yo, 175th Anniversary, 52.1% - £20

Caol Ila 1972, 15yo, Gordon & MacPhail, 40% - £50

Caol Ila 1981, 36yo, Connoisseurs Choice, TWE Exclusive, 60.2% - £50

Caol Ila 1988, 32yo, Cask #1100, Connoisseurs Choice, 52.7% - £40

Caol Ila 2004, Gordon & MacPhail, TWE Exclusive, 46% - £5

Caol Ila 2009, 9yo, The Whisky Show Magic, 58.7% - £7.50

Caol Ila 2010, 11yo, TWE Exclusive, 58.2% - £7.50

Caol Ila 2011, 10yo, Reserve Cask - Parcel 7, 48% - £5

 

Kilchoman (kil-HO-mann)
55° 46' 56.316'' N, 6° 26' 29.076'' W

A modern, old-fashioned single malt – this relative newcomer is modelled on the farm distilleries that once covered the island. Since coming online in 2005, Kilchoman has established itself as a part of Islay whisky culture. A string of critically acclaimed releases that favour first fill Bourbon and sherry casks offer a robustly peated dram full of funk and character.  

Kilchoman 2006, Private Cask for Robert McClatchey, 57.5% - £10

Kilchoman 2010 Cask 679, TWE Exclusive, PX Finish, 58.3% - £7.50

Kilchoman 2012, Cask #824, TWE Exclusive, Tequila Finish, 53.4% - £7.50

Kilchoman 2012, Cask #828, TWE Exclusive, Mezcal Finish, 52.8% - £7.50

Kilchoman Fino Sherry Cask, Bot.2020, 46% - £7.50

 

Lagavulin (la-ga-Voo-lun)
55° 38' 7.512'' N, 6° 7' 41.7'' W

For many whisky drinkers, this is the archetypical Islay malt. Legally speaking, Lagavulin has been distilling on the Kildalton coast for about 200 years – but like many of the island’s distilleries, we suspect it was in business long before then. The iconic 16-year-old expression is a perennial favourite – filled with bonfire smoke, citrus, walnuts, and marine brininess. These hard-to-find bottlings show the nuance to be found in this powerful make.

Lagavulin 9yo, Game of Thrones - House Lannister, 46% - £5

Lagavulin 11yo, Offerman Edition, 46% - £7.50

“Prepare to experience true freedom and bliss…” – Ron Swanson

Lg10, Elements of Islay, 57.4% - £15

Lagavulin 12yo, 43%, Green Glass, Bot. 1980s - £100

Lagavulin 15yo, Ceramic, Bot. 1980s, 45% - £75

Lagavulin 16yo, White Horse, Bot.1980s - £40

Lagavulin 1994, 26yo, Special Releases 2021, 44.2% - £90

Lagavulin 1995, Distillers Edition, Bot.2011, 43% - £20

Lagavulin SMWS, No label - £50

 

Laphroaig (La-froy-g)
55° 37' 48.2088'', N6° 9' 7.9344'' W

This icon of the whisky world is famously divisive and was in fact marketed as a dram to love-or-hate decades before Marmite adopted a similar sales pitch. But despite Laphroaig’s fearsome reputation, older bottlings often reveal a subtle - even delicate - side of this old islander. A fascinating distillery to compare-and-contrast different eras and vintages.

Lp7, Elements of Islay, 52.8% - £15

Laphroaig 10yo, Bot.1990s - £25

Laphroaig 10yo, Cask Strength, Batch 006, 58% - £15

Laphroaig 10yo, Sherry Cask Finish, 48% - £5

Laphroaig 15yo, 43% - £20

Laphroaig 16yo, 48% - £7.50

Laphroaig 18yo, 48% - £17.50

Laphroaig 25yo, Cask Strength, Bot.2014, 45.1% - £40

Laphroaig 30yo, 43% - £150

Laphroaig 30yo, The Ian Hunter Story Book 2, 48.2% - £100

Laphroaig 40yo, 42.4% - £250

Laphroaig The 1815, 48% - £7.50

Laphroaig 1981, 20yo, Caledonian Selection, Bot.2001, 55.3% - £30

Laphroaig 1998, 21yo, Cask 117, TWE 20th Anniversary, 54.4% 70cl - £40

Laphroaig 2001, 15yo, Old Malt Cask, #HL12774, 50% - £15

 

Port Ellen (port el-len) 

55° 37' 44.976'' N، 6° 11' 17.772''

One of the most sought-after single malts in the world, Port Ellen only rose to prominence years after its closure. For decades the stillhouse on Islay’s south coast stood silent – a casualty of the lean years of the 1980s that saw distilleries across Scotland bolt their doors for good. A series of excellent quality Diageo Special Releases, along with many now-legendary independent bottlings, have since made Port Ellen a titan of the whisky world. The site re-opened in 2021, but aged stock remains extraordinarily rare. A real bucket list dram.

Port Ellen 1974, 22yo, Bot. 1997, Signatory, 59.2% - £70

Port Ellen 1979, 21yo, Old Malt Casks, 50% - £80

Port Ellen 1982, 17yo, Provenance, 43% - £50

 

Blended Malts and Mystery Whiskies

Single malts of mysterious origins alongside limited edition blended malts that offer a unique expression of Islay whisky character.

Elements of Islay Peat & Sherry, TWE Exclusive, 56.8% - £7.50

Port Askaig 10yo, 10th Anniversary, 55.85% - £7.50

Port Askaig 19yo, Cask Strength, 50.4% - £15

Port Askaig 30yo, 2015 Release, 45.8% - £40

Port Askaig 100° Proof, 57.1% - £5

 

Whisky Show 2022

We are thrilled to announce that the UK’s biggest and best whisky festival is back for its 14th Year! Deep dive into the wonderful world of whisky with over 650 drams available to sample, masterclasses, Dream Drams, stage demos and much more at the award-winning Whisky Show. Tickets available via the links below the map.