Bruichladdich festival returns for anniversary year
Islay-based Bruichladdich Distillery is gearing up to celebrate Fèis Ìle 2026 with the return of its annual festival Rock’ndaal on Sunday 24 May.
Rock’ndaal is part of Islay’s annual Fèis Ìle festivities, and each year is enjoyed by more than 2,500 whisky fans who descend upon the distillery’s courtyard for a day of whisky, live music, local food and entertainment.
This year, Rock’ndaal coincides with the 25th anniversary of the distillery’s reopening. As such, the island distillery is planning a bigger festival than ever to celebrate.
Gareth Brown, global marketing director at Bruichladdich Distillery, explained: “The festival is doubly special for Bruichladdich this year as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the distillery’s reopening and the 40th anniversary of Fèis Ìle.
“Every year we’re in competition with ourselves to go one better than the previous year, and 2026 is no exception. We’ve got more drams, the biggest musical acts and extra surprises in store for those who make their pilgrimage to the distillery to help us celebrate on the day.”
To mark the occasion, two limited edition Rock’ndaal single malt Scotch whisky releases will be available to sample and purchase, alongside the launch of one of the distillery’s 25th anniversary bottlings, which will be revealed on the day.
The Botanist Gin will be serving up a selection of specialist cocktails, and the event will bring together the best of the island’s produce courtesy of local restaurants and artisans.
One of the event highlights will be the annual masterclass, hosted by master blender Adam Hannett. The event has doubled in size and will welcome 500 ticket holders to enjoy hand-selected drams, including ‘iconic’ past releases and some never-before-seen single malt whiskies from the distillery’s extensive archive.
Hannett will also be joined by a selection of guests from Bruichladdich’s past and present.
With limited availability, masterclass tickets will be allocated via a ballot at www.bruichladdich.com/pages/rockndaal-tickets.
The tickets are priced at £150 (US$204) and include general festival admission. Ballot entries are now open and will close on Thursday 19 February at midnight.
Rock’ndaal will also feature a lineup of bands and singer-songwriters, including Nathan Evans and The Saint Phnx Band, who will be headlining this year’s festivities.
The lineup will also include Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist, singer-songwriter Cammy Barnes and Band, and singer-accordionist Calum MacPhail.
General tickets will be available from Monday 23 February priced at £30 (US$41) via bruichladdich.com, or in-person from the distillery’s visitor centre on Islay. Each ticket includes full-day access to Rock’ndaal.
For those unable to attend Rock’ndaal in person, the festival masterclass and musical performances will be streamed online throughout the day.
Founders Simon Coughlin, Mark Reynier and master distiller Jim McEwan brought the distillery out of mothballs in 2001. We learnt more about the distillery’s history and operations when we visited in spring last year.
Bruichladdich and The Botanist are owned by Rémy Cointreau, following the French firm’s acquisition of the Islay distillery in 2012.
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