Jura celebrates 40 years of Fèis Ìle festival
Whyte & Mackay-owned Jura has bottled two single cask whiskies to mark this year’s Fèis Ìle festival.
To mark the 40th anniversary of the festival, which is held annually on Islay, Jura has unveiled two expressions that will be exclusively available to those who visit Jura Distillery in person during Fèis Ìle, which kicks off today (22 May).
The first bottling, Jura’s Fèis Ìle Annual Release, is a 16-year-old whisky matured in second-fill Bourbon barrels prior to an 18-month finish in a single 400-litre Armagnac cask.
Joe Ricketts, lead blender for Jura, said this combination “complements the fruity and aromatic qualities of Jura, while maintaining a hint of coastal complexity.”
The 55.3% ABV whisky presents aromas of apricot, 60% dark chocolate, apple marigold and a hint of bittersweet black liquorice, while on the palate, hazelnut, assorted fresh and dried stone fruit, and rustic notes reminiscent of dunnage warehousing and farmhouse saison are presented alongside apple crumble, dried fig and prune.
The finish offers notes of dried nectarine, 60% dark chocolate and subtle rock pool notes.
It is priced at £130 (US$174).
Meanwhile, to mark the festival’s milestone, the brand has unveiled a 40th Anniversary release.
The 24-year-old whisky (48.8% ABV) was initially matured in refill Bourbon barrels followed by an eight-year finish in a single Sauternes barrique.
Ricketts added: “Over the past couple of years, we’ve been returning to our 2001 vintage Sauternes casks with the distillery team, discussing the intricacies of the spirit as it develops and its charming patisserie-like notes. So, in celebration of the festival’s 40th anniversary, we’ve bottled one of our favourites from the one-off parcel which showcases Jura’s complex island spirit in all its glory.”
Citrus peels, ripe apricot and pineapple can be detected on the nose, while on the palate, freshly baked brioche, fragrant hints of lemon balm and vanilla-spiced peach are presented.
It finishes with hints of Macadamia nut and Alpine herbal liqueur notes, enlivened by preserved lemon and sea spray.
It will be available exclusively at the Jura distillery in 700ml format between 22-31 May 2026 for £320 (US$429). It will then be available in specialist whisky bars and pubs across Scotland.
During the festival on 29 May, the brand will welcome whisky lovers to its beachside distillery, with tours of the production site on offer, as well as tastings, live music, cocktails and boat tours exploring Jura’s coastline.
Tickets for this year’s celebration on Jura can be purchased at www.jurawhisky.com/en-gb/community/feis-ile.
Earlier this week, Bruichladdich revealed its Fèis Ìle festival releases.
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