The last week of May heralds one of the most celebrated whisky festivals in the world: Fèis Ìle. This annual gathering, which runs over ten days, transforms the picturesque Hebridean island of Islay into a vibrant celebration of whisky and music. Translating to ‘Islay Festival’ in the local Gaelic language, Fèis Ìle attracts single malt enthusiasts from across the globe, making it a pilgrimage for whisky lovers.
Islay is famous for its distinctively peaty and smoky single malts, a profile unmatched in the spirits world. The island boasts ten operational distilleries; the oldest, Bowmore, was established in 1779, while Port Ellen made a much-anticipated return in March 2024. Islay is not only key to Scotland’s whisky history due to its traditional ingredients and methods, but it is also affectionately known as ‘The Queen of the Hebrides.’
During Fèis Ìle, each distillery opens its doors for a day of celebration. The festival traditionally begins with Lagavulin Day on the first Saturday and concludes with the grand finale of Ardbeg Day. Even the Jura distillery from the neighboring island gets involved, contributing to the festivities. Each distillery typically releases exclusive bottlings available only to festival-goers.
For those who can’t make it to Islay for Fèis Ìle, there are still plenty of remarkable recent releases from Islay distilleries worth exploring…
Ardbeg Spectacular
Each year, the iconic Ardbeg distillery unveils a special bottling for Fèis Ìle, and this year’s limited edition is aptly named Spectacular. Rather than reserving it solely for festival attendees, Ardbeg ensures it reaches whisky fans worldwide. This release marks a notable milestone as it’s the first whisky from Ardbeg aged in ex-Port casks, blending spirit matured in ex-bourbon and ex-Port barrels. The results are captivating, combining pungent peat smoke and seaweed notes with touches of salted caramel, poached pear, and milk chocolate. To enrich its character, hints of menthol, lavender, and eucalyptus linger on the palate.
Ardnahoe Inaugural Release 5 Years Old
This marks an exciting milestone as it is the inaugural release from Ardnahoe distillery, situated on Islay’s rugged northeastern coastline. Ardnahoe, meaning ‘height of the hollow’ in Gaelic, began producing whisky in 2018 and gazes across the Strait of Islay towards Jura and its famous Paps. Operated by the esteemed family-owned bottlers Hunter Laing & Co., this release signifies the start of a series slated for 2024.
The Ardnahoe Inaugural Release 5 Years Old has been matured in a mix of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, showcasing bold peaty notes interwoven with fruity essences of baked apple and lemon zest, accented by hints of gingerbread and a blend of baking spices.
Available at Ardnahoe Distillery
Bruichladdich 18 Years Old
While many distilleries on Islay are known for their peated whiskies, Bruichladdich stands out with its elegant offerings. The recent introduction of an 18-year-old whisky into its core range is a noteworthy achievement, complemented by the addition of a 30-year-old expression.
This 18 Years Old bottling utilizes barley sourced locally from Islay, having matured for close to two decades in ex-bourbon barrels, with a percentage also aged in ex-Sauternes wine and ex-Port casks. The result is a delightful fusion of lush tropical notes—especially peach and pineapple—rounded out by toffee, warming spices, earthy malted barley, and candied citrus.
Kilchoman Loch Gorm (2024 Edition)
Kilchoman distillery, unique among Islay’s producers, is situated on Kilchoman Farm along the island’s western coast, delivering a true ‘field to bottle’ experience. Established in 2005, every stage of whisky production—from growing barley to bottling—is visible at the distillery.
Kilchoman’s celebrated range has gained a dedicated following, with the annual release of Loch Gorm eagerly awaited. Named for the inky freshwater loch nearby, this bottling is the only regular offering from Kilchoman aged entirely in ex-Oloroso sherry casks. Expect a robust combination of rich peat and sweetness, highlighted by notes of caramel, dried fruits, and an ashy undertone.
Available at The Whiskey Exchange
Port Ellen Gemini 44 Years Old
The legendary Port Ellen distillery has made a remarkable comeback, producing whisky after a 41-year hiatus. Following a complete rebuild, Port Ellen resumed operations after closing in March 1983. Although new releases will take time, limited quantities of whisky from the late 1970s to early 1980s still exist, and collectors eagerly await these rare offerings.
The Port Ellen Gemini release features two whiskies—Original and Remnant—distilled in 1978 and bottled at 44 years of age. Presented in exquisite crystal decanters and housed within a mirrored casket, these exceptional single malts are available only as a set, and come with a price tag of £45,000.
