Distilleries roll out Fèis Ìle whiskies
Fèis Ìle takes place this week, with Bowmore, Laphroaig and Jura all unveiling limited edition bottlings to toast to the occasion.
Running until 31 May, Fèis Ìle – also known as the The Islay Festival – is a highlight of the year for fans of all things peat and smoke, as distilleries on the Scottish island open their doors to the public, put on special events, and create one-off whiskies in celebration of the week.
Bowmore, Laphroaig and Jura are the latest of the nine distilleries currently active on the island to debut exclusive bottlings for the festival, joining Mac-Talla, Ardbeg, Bruichladdich and Diageo’s two Islay-based brands Lagavulin and Caol Ila in getting in on the action.
Bowmore
Bowmore’s Fèis Ìle whisky is a 100% floor-malted single cask bottling, aged for eight years.
The whisky was filled entirely by hand in Bowmore’s No. 1 Vaults and has aromas of blackcurrant, liquorice root, leather and peat smoke, while its palate is described as ‘sweet and oily’ with floral notes of charred orange rind and black cherry.
It has an ABV of 57% and is available from the Bowmore Distillery tomorrow (28 May) for £120 (US$162).
Distillery manager David Turner said: “The Fèis Ìle 2025 exclusive is a whisky that captures the essence of our signature balance, complexity, and sense of place that define Bowmore. Being crafted with 100% floor malted barley, hand turned in the malt barns, we celebrate the vital role of this age-old process in creating layers of flavour in our spirit.
“The result is a single malt uniting earthy peat smoke with tropical and maritime notes. In hand-filling each and every bottle within the legendary No. 1 Vaults, we can promise something truly special for whisky fans during this year’s festival.”
To go with the whisky release, Bowmore will also be opening its gates tomorrow for its open day with live music from Corra and locally sourced food. Through the week, fans can experience masterclasses and behind-the-scenes experiences at the island’s oldest licensed distillery, such as tours of its floor maltings and No 1. Vaults.
Laphroaig
Meanwhile, Laphroaig’s Fèis Ìle release will also be its latest Càirdeas expression: Lore Cask Strength.
Càirdeas means ‘friendship’ in Gaelic and the whisky contains a blend of five single malts from the distillery’s five favourite cask types: oloroso Sherry, European oak, ex-Bourbon, and quarter casks.
The whisky is said to be the distillery’s most intense flavour profile yet, and is bottled at a natural cask strength of 59.6% ABV. Sporting an antique gold hue, drinkers will find aromas of peach, apricot and vanilla fudge, while to taste, expect an ‘explosion’ of peat and salty sea spray.
Visitor centre manager Caroline Ogden said: “Fèis Ìle is one of our favourite days in the year at Laphroaig, as it’s a time to celebrate Islay and share the whiskies we’re most proud of.
“This year’s Càirdeas is particularly special, following our tradition of releasing cask strength versions of our favourite Laphroaigs, especially for our friends. It’s a richly layered, powerful whisky that captures everything fans love about Laphroaig – big flavours, bold peat, and a deep, welcoming sense of place.”
Laphroaig Càirdeas Lore Cask Strength is available for £89 (US$120) from the distillery’s shop.
Today (27 May) is the distillery’s open day, and the brand invites guests to attend for traditional music, dancing and peat fires, alongside masterclasses, tastings and special drams.
Jura
Lastly, Jura, on the adjacent island of Jura – accessed via a ten minute ferry – is marking Fèis Ìle with a single cask release.
The whisky is only available to those visiting the isle of Jura during the festival and is limited to 300 bottles.
Named Jura Fèis Ìle 2025, it was aged for 17 years and in an oloroso Sherry butt cask. It is available for £135 (US$182) from the distillery until 31 May.
The distillery’s whisky maker Joe Ricketts said of the release: “For this year’s Fèis Ìle single cask release, we’ve revisited a standout 2007 vintage parcel. In 2022 the whisky making and distillery teams selected #1892 – a bold, rich oloroso butt that explored a different side to Jura’s distillery character.
“With an additional three years maturation, #1895 builds on the complexity of our 2022 Fèis Ìle release, with notes of crystallised citrus, prune, and hazelnut together with hints of polished leather and dark chocolate from its full-course Sherry maturation.”
Jura’s open day will take place on 30 May, when visitors can take part in distillery tours that are supplemented by tastings, live music, cocktails and boat tours, which will whisk guests around the distillery’s coastline surroundings.
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