Islay is home to some of most well known distilleries in Scotland and the world . Like Speyside and Campbeltown regions, they play host to a festival in May, The Feis Ile festival, Normally hosted at the backend of may, the peaty Islay distillery's open their doors to the world to celebrate the production of whisky.
The first festival was held in 1986 was initially intended to boost tourism to the area, play host to music, crafts and community events, the whisky side of festival started at the turn of the millennium when distilleries got involved by including open days and bottling limited editions to celebrate the festival.
Some of the distilleries that call Islay home are Ardbeg, Kilchoman, Laphroaig, Bowmore, Lagavulin and Bunnahabain to name a few, most of whisky produced on Islay is peated whisky giving the regions spirits a distinctive smoky and maritime palate.
Heres a small handful of selection of our Islay whiskies that you will love:
Bunnahabian Feis Ile 2021 Marsala Cask £455.00
A limited edition release for festival in 2021 matured in 2001 Marsala Cask.
Tasting Notes:
Nose : Dried fruit, honey and Morello cherries, with hints of red grapes, walnuts, liquorice and tobacco.
Palate : Sweetly dry flavours of stone fruits, red apple, vanilla, honey and cloves, with a touch of oak and roasted nuts.
Finish : Dry and short, with subtle hints of tobacco, leather and spice.
https://whiskys.co.uk/products/bunnahabain-feis-ila-2021-marsala-cask
Ardbeg Drum Feis Ile 2019 £199.00
This Ardbeg Drum Single Malt Whisky released for Feis Ile 2019 Islay Whisky Festival is the first Ardbeg Distillery release to be finished in Rum Cask.
Matured in ex-Bourbon casks before being transferred to ex-rum casks from the Americas.
Tasting Notes:
Nose : Smoked apple and pineapple, ripe banana, fragrant pine resin and subtle woodsmoke. Dry cocoa powder, cinnamon and ginger spiced dates and ‘floating’ lavender notes.
Palate : Peppery texture, huge smoky palate, oil, tar, creosote, rich dark chocolate. A treasure of spices – clove, liquorice and ginger mingles with smoked vanilla.
Finish : Intense smoke on the finish, more spice with a sweet coffee liqueur finish.
https://whiskys.co.uk/products/ardbeg-drum-feis-ile-2019-islay-whisky-festival
Bowmore Feis Ile 2017 11 Year Old £279.00
This Bowmore 11 year old Feis Ile 2017 Single Malt Whisky, was bottled exclusively for the 2017 Islay Whisky Festival. A Limited Edition of only 2000 hand numbered bottles. Matured in a marriage of sherry and wine casks.
Tasting Notes:
Nose : Chocolate, plum skin,smoked cherry wood and walnuts thrown on a roaring fire.
Palate : Ripe blackcurrant panacotta, infused with sea-salt and vines.
Finish : Redcurrant cream and lingering smooth leather.
https://whiskys.co.uk/products/bowmore-aged-11-distillery-exclusive-feis-ile-2017