Dun Bheagan Islay

Score: 65

Dun Bheagan Islay is a smoky little number from independent bottler Ian Macleod, offering a taste of Islay without the usual fanfare. Bottled at 43% ABV and typically drawn from younger casks, often around 5 to 8 years old and it’s a bit of a mystery malt, with distillery sources that seem to shift between batches. Some swear they’ve had versions that tasted like young Caol Ila or Lagavulin, while others found it more generic. The nose leans into maritime peat, lime zest, and vanilla sweetness, with a touch of candied fruit and damp hay. On the palate, it’s smoky and herbal, with flashes of lemon, spice, and a slightly monolithic finish—long, but not especially layered. In its tasting, it came 5th out of 6. Not a disaster, but definitely outclassed by more expressive peaty drams. It had its moments, especially for peat fans who enjoy a bit of rough charm, but lacked the finesse or complexity to climb higher. Still, for a budget Islay with a decent hit of smoke, it’s not without appeal. Dun Bheagan Islay feels like the kind of bottle you reach for when you want peat without pretense.