Islay malts are often described as being smoky, peaty and medicinal. Islay, like Speyside, is a mecca for whisky lovers. There are only few distilleries squeezed onto the island from the recently re-opened Bruichladdich and Ardbeg to Bowmore, Lagavulin, Bunnahabhain and Laphroaig. Caol Ila's malts were re-launched by owners Diageo in summer 2002, giving a welcome boost to the distillery. Taking their smoky flavour from the peat fuel used for malting the barley used in producing their whiskies, Islay malts are often described as being smoky and medicinal, salty and 'seaweedy'. Port Ellen distillery sadly ceased production in 1983, although some bottles of its wonderful malt are still available through independent bottlers such as Signatory and Douglas Laing & Co.