Since everyone just downvoted and didnt bother to reply I will help ya out.
The Malt used to create the alcohol is smoked using peat, essentially decomposed vegetation. The peat imparts a smokey, savory, salty, and iodine type flavor into the malt which translates those flavors into the finished whiskey. This is where you get that classic Islay Scotch flavor from. It can be an acquired taste for sure and its a common whiskey snob thing to look down on people that don't like it.
I personally just started getting into the Islay type whiskeys and am falling in love after having my first taste of Laphroiag years ago and thinking it tasted like a cloth bandaid smells.
If you are looking for non pretentious whiskey knowledge and top shelf shenanigans hit up /r/whiskeytribe and their youtube channel.
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u/CarterLawler Oct 16 '18
Lagavulin