Fàilte
Mac na Braiche is Siobhraich à Ìle agus Air Astar
Malts & Magic from Islay and Beyond.

Step into a world where the magic of whisky is celebrated and shared.

Where knowledge awakens our senses to the technicality of craft, and history and culture come alive in Scottish kinship.

It’s about discovery and delight, awareness and learning and feeling a sense of belonging amongst fellow whisky-lovers and distillers.

Our comprehensive theoretical, practical and cultural courses, lectures and tastings are underpinned by captivating technical information, imparted in unique, illuminating and meaningful ways.

Book October 2023 Residential Diploma

Blas

For the latest news, views, tastes and takes on whisky.
Islay Whisky Academy

Ardbeg Corryvreckan Tasting Notes

Slow fringing teardrops/legs. Very satisfying coherent movement of liquid in glass when swirled around.
Cold slices of roast mutton. Raspberries. Pears. Sultanas.
Palate:
AMAZING! Mouthfeel is SO heavy and malleable. Liquid moves like heavy, old, high quality satin.
Absolute buzzing on front of gums – like they are about to sneeze!
2nd Nose:
Coiled tarry ropes. Fresh white peaked icing on a Christmas cake.
Length:
Lovely linger into the chest. Takes a while for this to arrive. Timing is amazing – mouthfeel diminishes, then you feel the sensations in your chest.
2nd Palate:
Adrid Peat and honeycomb. Amazing balancing sourness at the back of the mouth from the oiliness.
This is a fantastic dram. I forgot how good it is.

Read More »
Events

Whisky Tango (maybe Foxtrot…)

We have each whisky paired with a specific Tango song and dance. People can either watch or join in the Tango after hearing a bit about the dram and why it is chosen to pair with the dance/song.

There is a dance after called a Milonga. – Milonga is a style of dancing – more cheeky and flowing than Tango itself, which is intense and sentimental and very much controlled sensuality.

Read More »

Your Journey of Discovery Starts Here

Recognised worldwide as the soul of the Scottish spirit, whisky’s warm and welcoming heritage forms the heartbeat of Islay Whisky Academy. 

Providing online, residential, day and half-day courses, lectures, tastings and experiences, Islay Whisky Academy opens your mind to a world far beyond taste. 

Through fascinating insights enabling you to interpret everything from the dance between heritage and history; to the ways that music, literature and language weave into a dram’s ever-unfolding story, you learn how to nose, taste and appreciate whisky in an expansive, supportive environment.

Explore Whisky Affinity ©

A Precious Environment

When you learn more and start connecting on an elemental level with what you’re drinking, you recognise how weather, trees, minerals, animals, people and place are all intrinsically part of whisky, its history and its evolvement.

When we begin to understand the generosity embedded in the environment of whisky, we are filled with a sense of gratitude and care for our planet. This underpins all of the Academy’s values. 

Discover More