MR CONSISTENT: CAOL ILA FROM ISLAY

 CAOL ILA: THE SUM OF MANY PARTS

A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE WALKER FAMILY

Caol Ila, pronounced “Cul-EE-lah” is the Gaelic name for the Sound of Islay, which separates the island from Jura. For some, the distillery’s pronunciation is as remote as its location, sitting as it does on the rugged eastern coast, where it has remained hidden from view since 1846. What ever you say, the fine, smoky whisky produced by generations of islanders is worth exploring.

Caol Ila is often termed 'Mr Consistent'. It is, I believe, a fair assessment. The largest distillery on Islay in terms of volume, Caol Ila always seems to manage to hit the perfect balance between maturity and distillery character, no matter whether it is in official or independent bottlings.

Caol Ila is an interesting phenomena where a ‘brand’ is a victim of the twin forces of its own ubiquity and quality. One can’t help but love its punchy, distillate-forward style. What’s more, it’s one of those extremely rare names that have always sheltered quality from the first known bottled examples hailing from the old distillery, right through to the present day make. Perhaps these ultra-lean modern examples aren’t as majestic as their 1960s counterparts, but then again, few spirits on this whole planet are. Today sees a healthy jumble of diverse expressions, from a never ending stream of new distilleries!

CAOL ILA DISTILLERY: ISLAY SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

Caol Ila's distillery character manages to combine a fresh pear note, grassiness, a hint of juniper and distinct notes of the seashore – lobster shells, crab creels and gentle smoke. Although it receives the same spec of malt as sister distillery Lagavulin, Caol Ila’s distillation regime – longer fermentation, higher cut point, taller stills – helps to reduce the heavy phenols. Located just feet from the salty ocean waters, four large pot stills operate at 50% capacity 24 hours a day. This low fill allows for high copper contact and plenty of interaction time within the still.

With 34 ppm of phenols, Caol Ila is not the most heavily peated of Islay malts, but – on paper at least – it’s no shrinking violet. However, it’s moderated here by the exclusive use of ex-bourbon barrels, and they lend a subtlety and distinction to this very well mannered islander. The wood regime is also evident in the light colour of the spirit. Maturation for the single malt is in refill casks. The unpeated variant is equally delicate, with a fresh, estery and almost floral lift.

Its importance for blends meant that, until 2002, when a 12-year-old was released, malt lovers had to seek out independent bottlings. Now there is a range including the NAS Moch, 18-year-old and 25-year-old, a finished Distiller’s Edition and annual special releases.

In 1846, one Hector Henderson, who owned the old Camlachie distillery in Glasgow, decided to build a small distillery in a tight bay next to Port Askaig, on Islay’s east coast. He named his venture Caol Ila, Gaelic for the Sound of Islay, the stretch of water which it overlooked.

In 1857, Henderson was bought out by blender Bulloch Lade, who improved the site by building a substantial pier. Ever since, Caol Ila has its own pier where early day steam ships or coal fired puffers and today’s barges can unload supplies and load up on whisky for sale on the mainland. Caol Ila has seen many owners. Consecutive owners included Henderson, Lamont & Co, Norman Buchanan (1863-1879). According to the 1871 census, Duncan Johnston was the Distillery Manager at the time. Duncan was the nephew of John Johnston of Lagavulin and cousin to the Laphroaig Johnstons and so the family were involved with yet another distillery on the island. By the 1880s over 147,000 imperial gallons (670,000 L) of whisky were produced there each year. Caol Ila was liquidated by Bulloch Lade and sold to J. P. O'Brien Ltd in 1920, who in turn sold it to a consortium –Caol Ila Distillery Co Ltd. the same year.

It was absorbed into DCL (now Diageo) in 1927. DCL and transferred Caol Ila to Scottish Malt Distillers Ltd in 1930 - who then shut it down again. The Caol Ila distillery was silent until 1934 and after some activity, restrictions on people, power and barley mean the distillery had to close again in 1941, during part of the second World War. It then ran continuously until 1972, when the old distillery was demolished and a new, significantly larger one was built with six stills rather than two, by 1974. This transformed Caol Ila into Islay’s largest producer in order to meet increased demand from the blenders. Only the warehouses (filled with maturing whisky) were spared. After 1974, Caol Ila started to buy their malted barley from the Port Ellen maltings. The pure spring water is from the nearby Loch nam Ban. Some people make a clear distinction between the heavier 'old' Caol Ila that was produced before 1972 and the lighter, cleaner spirit that was distilled after the expansion in 1974.

The Caol Ila distillery became part of the United Distillers conglomerate in 1986. In 1989, the first 'semi-official' bottling was released in the 'Flora & Fauna' range. This would be the only official bottling for quite some time (not counting releases in the 'Rare Malts' series).

These days official bottlings are widely available. In 2002 Caol Ila introduced a complete 'core range'. Apart from the fairly standard 12yo, 18yo and Cask Strength bottlings, Diageo also releases occasional single cask bottlings as well.

Independent bottlings have become easier to find as well. When casks of Lagavulin and Laphroaig became harder to acquire after the year 2000, independent bottlers started to release more private and 'bastard' bottlings too.

Although the profile of Caol Ila as a single malt has been enhanced in recent years, the main function of the distillery is still the production of malt whiskies for the Johnnie Walker blends. Among single malt whisky lovers, Caol Ila is known as a relatively clean peated whisky - but the whisky that is used for blends is actually UNPEATED.

Unbeknownst to many, the Caol Ila distillery actually started with trial runs with unpeated whisky in the 1980's. These tests were deemed successful, so this 'Highland' Caol Ila became part of the regular production process. (For circa two decades this unpeated whisky was used almost exclusively for blends, but in 2006 it was introduced as an 8 years old single malt. Three years later a 10yo Cask Strength variety was added.)

These were still the days before the single malt market had really taken off, and its make was destined for a huge array of blends across the whole whisky industry – most notably within its parent company, it filled massive requirements for Johnnie Walker.

When the downturn came in the 1980s, Caol Ila began running unpeated ‘Highland style’ for blends. Not only did it have capacity, but doing so allowed the distillery to stay open. Unpeated is still made every year, with volumes dependent on the forecasts of Diageo’s blending team. In 2011, another major revamp took place with a new mash tun and more washbacks being installed, which resulted in capacity increasing to 6.5m litres per annum. During the silent period when contraction was taking place, Bunnahabhain made the peated requirements.

ARTIST'S IMPRESSION OF REWORKED VISITOR CENTRE

In 2018, Diageo revealed plans to spend £150m on upgrading tourism facilities, including a new brand home for Johnnie Walker in Edinburgh, and improved visitor centres at Caol Ila, plus Clynelish, Cardhu and Glenkinchie, representing regional styles present in Walker. At Caol Ila, a new visitor centre will be created in the distillery warehouse, including a footbridge entry, new car parking and a bar with views across the Sound of Islay to Jura.

CAOL ILA – OTHER DETAILS

Caol Ila is the largest distillery on Islay by far, producing roughly a quarter of all the malt whisky that is distilled on the isle of Islay. As such, Caol Ila's capacity dwarfs better known malt whisky brands like Longmorn, Glenfarclas and Laphroaig and Lagavulin. Caol Ila is widely open to visitors between April and October - and slightly less so in November and December.

The location of the distillery is relatively remote, but the nearby historic site at Loch Finlaggan provides another reason to make the trip. From a small island in the lake, the ‘Lords of the Isles’ ruled Scotland for centuries.

Although there is a three storey warehouse on the distillery grounds, these days the entire production is sent to the mainland via tanker trucks. So, the young Caol Ila spirit is not filled and matured on Islay.

 These days, Caol Ila is the largest distillery on Islay by far. With an annual production capacity of 6.5 million litres of pure alcohol per year it was one of the top 10 distilleries in Scotland in 2015.

By 2013 roughly a third of Caol Ila’s production consisted of unpeated whisky.

UNPEATED EXPRESSIONS

Caol Ila has 10 washbacks - 8 made out of wood; 2 from stainless steel.

After the distillery was remodelled and expanded in 1974 to better suit the needs of blenders Caol Ila introduced a novel new whisky for blenders in the mid 1980's: unpeated malt whisky known as 'Caol Ila Highland'. This product was intended for blending and most (if not all) casks would thus have gone to blenders. However, in 1999 Caol Ila resumed production of unpeated whisky for the 'single malt' market. These bottlings became available in 2006 or 2007 when Diageo released the first bottling of the Caol Ila 8 Years Old 'Unpeated'. Since most blenders were not in the habit of storing their casks for very long (with the exception of Douglas Laing, perhaps) there probably are not that many casks of the unpeated Caol Ila Highland around - if any at all...

Caol Ila was the first distillery on Islay that switched from direct firing of the stills to indirect heating via steam. They were also the first to trade in their traditional worm tubs for shell and tube condensers.

In The New Millennium

2002 - Caol Ila has been one of Diageo's 'volume' distilleries for quite some time. The only (semi-) official releases were a 'Flora & Fauna' bottling and a few 'UD Rare Malts' expressions. However, at the start of the new millennium Diageo wanted to strengthen the Caol Ila brand. They introduced a range of official bottlings; the "standard" 12 years old whisky, an 18yo and a cask strength version without an age statement.

2005 - Caol Ila is added to the 'Classic Malts' range of Diageo. This range used to contain only six different single malts (Cragganmore, Dalwinnie, Glenkinchie, Lagavulin, Oban & Talisker) when it was introduced in the late 1980's, but in 2005 a bunch of other single malts suddenly became classic - including Cardhu, Clynelish and Glen Elgin.

2006 - The Caol Ila "Unpeated" (formerly known as ‘Caol Ila Highland’ to blenders) is released as a 8yo OB.

2014 - As it turns out, Diageo had their eye on the future when they released the unpeated variety to the general public in 2006. They kept enough maturing casks in stock to keep releasing older expressions regularly. A 15yo bottling of unpeated Caol Ila was released in 2014 - as well as a 30yo peated bottling. 

2009 - A ten years old version of the unpeated variety is released at an higher ‘cask’ strength than the 8yo.

2011 - Diageo keeps expanding Caol Ila’s portfolio, this time with a 12yo version of the unpeated variety and a new version without an age statement called “Moch”.

MOSSBURN SET TO MOVE INTO BORDERS ZONE

MOSSBURN’S SECOND DISTILLERY

A DISTILLERY IN THE SPIRIT OF THE REIVERS

Scotland has been witnessing a surge of new single malt distilleries since 2015. Surprisingly, only two grain distilleries have been built in the last half century – Loch Lomond (1993) and Starlaw  (2010). This year, Scotland’s eighth grain distillery and second multi-purpose distillery is set to open in the Scottish borders: Reivers.

Reivers is the first of two malt and grain distilleries being built by Mossburn Distillers, the owner and operator of Torabhaig on Skye. Located near the banks of the River Jedwater, Reivers (aka Project Jedhart), is a small, experimental distillery designed to produce a range of spirits, including malt whisky in pot stills and grain whisky in columns.

As detailed in a previous post, Mossburn Distillers, a subsidiary of Dutch drinks group Marussia Beverages BV, set up Torabhaig distillery on Skye. Mossburn chose to establish their second distillery – the new Reivers Distillery – in the Scottish Borders region, south of Edinburgh. It is only the second active whisky distillery to be opened in the area in 150 years. This beautiful rural area belies its storied and eventful past. With many ruined castles, abbeys and towns to be found across the hills that rise above the flood plains of the River Tweed, it is the unexpected home of the rebel spirit of the Reivers that survives to this day.

The distillery is named for the Border Reivers – lawless bands of raiders and marauders organised by families loyal only to their own kin, with no allegiance to either the English or the Scottish crown. They ruled the English and Scottish borders between the 13th and 17th Centuries, following a proud ethos to ‘steal with pride’. Their reputation is firmly established at the heart of the folklore of the region.

In a nod to the Reivers’ rebellious ways, the whiskies to be developed at the distillery will be experimental in nature. Each will be released as small batches and distillers will work to evolve and develop ever-more intriguing expressions over time.

THE MOSSBURN BENCHMARKS

Mossburn is a young company, whose first bottling under the Mossburn name was released in 2017 as a range of classic Independent Bottler Malts. In the nearly three decades prior, the team developed and honed its skills in blending and bottling whiskies and a variety of other spirits. Their combined experience spans generations, with over a century of continuous family history in the Scotch Whisky industry. As theye move into the next era of development, they will add their own exceptional Single Malt Scotch Whiskies created in distilleries built by themselves.

Designed to be much more innovative and experimental, Reivers will produce its first Single Grain Scotch Whiskies in 2020. Torabhaig and Reivers are poles apart, sitting at opposite ends of the whisky-making spectrum. But they are united in a common goal: to make something new, noteworthy and bring something unique to the table.

Mossburn is their own harshest critic, continually striving to further evolve and improve the high standards set. This underpins everything done – digging deeper to exceed expectations with more than just another whisky. So when someone takes a bottle of Mossburn Scotch from the shelf, he should be excited, intrigued and rewarded.

Measured Provocation

Driven by the Spirit of Intrigue, Mossburn continually seeks opportunities to create something different and compelling for everyone involved; every expression produced must be worthy of the buyer’s time and rewarding of his curiosity. Mossburn doesn’t believe in new for the sake of newness, but everything done must bring something to the table, must enrich the world of whisky, making the most of the past and present to shape the future.

Full-circle Approach

Mossburn’s field of activity comprises three broad facets. They have been independent whisky makers and blenders for some time, nurturing expertise and skills in blending, and assembling a range of mature Single Malt stocks. Informed by this background, they are also distillers, creating and maturing their own unique expressions. And they are distillery-builders, choosing locations with fascinating back stories and characterful surroundings, rather than for convenience or efficiency. These three facets are wholly complementary and make up what Mossburn would call an accomplished whisky maker.

Integrity Runs Deep

Mossburn is committed to doing things properly, and tenacious in achieving the results sought. This restless pursuit means their whiskies must stand up to scrutiny from people who know whisky.

The Spirit of Intrigue runs through their DNA. It is at the heart of the whiskies imagined and created. And it is the common ground to come together with the people who share their enthusiasm and curiosity.

Mossburn is here to make whiskies that appeal to those who love Scotch truly, deeply and proudly. Mossburn strives to see beyond the obvious, always choosing the road less travelled. There are no maps and it is as much about the journey as the destination.

Their Journey

As is known, Mossburn is an established distilling and blending firm, first seen in the market in 1992. Their blenders select unique batches from exceptional distilleries and masterfully blend woods and malts to express the best from all regions, showcasing the versatility each whisky offers. Their Signature Casks Series of dozens of popular single malts reveals the unique characteristics of Scotland’s whisky-making regions. Each expression is assembled exclusively from Single Malt Scotch Whiskies from a single region. This brand will be taken up separately.

They have independent Whisky Brands as well, the Caisteal Chamuis Blended Malt Scotch Whisky NAS 40% and the Caisteal Chamuis Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, 12YO 46%.

After blending these malts are further enhanced by secondary maturation in proprietary hybrid casks. This increases depth and complexity, emphasising regional characteristics with the addition of their unique signature.

The Mossburn Signature Casks range of whiskies showcase the typical characters of Scotland’s regional malts. They are classic expressions of their provenance, with further influence from their signature casks which were designed specifically to enhance the characteristics one looks for in each of these exemplary malts.

These whiskies were first aged in American Oak barrels prior to their initial blending, and were then matured for a second period in specially coopered custom-made Mossburn Casks. These casks were built to strict specifications, or Cask Bill, with each of the malts having its very own: Cask Bill #1 for the Island and Cask Bill #2 for the Speyside.

These Blended Malt Scotch Whiskies have been bottled without any colouring or chill filtration.

The Mossburn Cask Bill No 1: Smoke & Spice ex Islands. A blend of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies distilled on the islands of Scotland. To enhance the characteristics loved in coastal malts, the Mossburn Casks used were first fill ex-Bourbon barrels with toasted virgin European heads, to provide additional smoky spice.

The Mossburn Cask Bill No 2: Rich ex Speyside. A blend of Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whiskies which underwent a secondary maturation in Mossburn Cask Bill #2. These were specially built Oloroso Sherry Butts with heavily charred virgin American Oak heads which enhance the richness, depth and spicy vanilla flavours.

VINTAGE CASKS

The Mossburn Vintage Casks range are a collection of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies each issuing from a strictly limited and select batch of casks. Each numbered release will only ever yield a finite number of bottles. While this means that one can never replicate the particular character of each of these Single Malts, it also offers an opportunity to sample what is believed to be exceptional examples of the whisky made by some of Scotland’s most distinguished distilleries.

For this range they sought out Single Malts of interest from distilleries not owned or run by themselves. They are the issue of specific vintages, with full traceability of the distillation and cask ageing that they have undergone. The master blender has specially selected these barrels from the company ageing warehouses, where many Single Malt Casks lie slowly maturing, as worthy of special Mossburn Distillers & Blenders bottling. Each batch exhibited the classic hallmarks of balance, depth and complexity that only the best Single Malts can deliver.

The selected Single Malts have been produced in four batches, 2017/2018/ 2018A/2019, consisting of 7/7/9/4 bottlings respectively. They have all been bottled without any colouring or chill filtration.

2017:

• Linkwood 10 YO 2007
• Inchgower 10 YO 2007
• Blair Athol 10 YO 2007 Cask Strength
• Teaninich 10 YO 2007 Cask Stength
• Craigellechie 10 YO 2007
• Ardmore 10 YO 2007
• Miltonduff 9 YO 2008

2018:

• Dufftown 10 YO 2008
• Royal Brackla 10 YO 2008
• Auchroisk 11 YO 2007
• Benrinnes 11 YO 2007
• Macduff 10 YO 2007
• Craigellachie 10 YO 2007
• Royal Brackla 9 YO 2009
• Royal Brackla 9 YO 2009

2018A:

• Mannochmore 11 YO 2007
• Mannochmore 10 YO 2008
• Glentauchers 10 YO 2008
• Fettercairn 10 YO 2008
• Glen Elgin 10 YO 2008
• Auchroisk 10 YO 2008
• Benrinnes 10 YO 2008
• Glentauchers 10 YO 2008
• Benrinnes 10 YO 2008
• Glen Spey 10 YO 2008

2019

• North British Single Grain 15 YO 2003
• Ardmore 10 YO 2008
• Glenrothes 11 YO 2007
• Glen Spey 10 YO 2008

These Single Malt Scotch Whiskies have all been bottled without any colouring or chill filtration.

                                                                                   THE 2019 QUARTET

Independent Whisky Brands

CAISTEAL CHAMUIS BLENDED MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

Heavily peated - double barrelled. A bold & smoky Malt Whisky, mellowed and layered through secondary aging using Mossburn Hybrid Casks.

Caisteal Chamuis, also known as Knock Castle or Castle Camus, was once a strategic stronghold that helped Clan Macleod secure their hold over the Sleat peninsula on Skye, with the first elements of the castle raised in the 13th century on the site of an Iron Age fort known as Dun Thorabhaig. The castle ruins seen today are testament to its rich and storied history. This classic Island style Blended Malt Whisky is a tribute to Hebridean life and lore, and is a reminder of a time of peat fires, lively company, and bold spirits. Bottled the old way, without colouring or chill-filtration.

CAISTEAL CHAMUIS BLENDED MALT SCOTCH WHISKY NAS

Blended from a careful selection of fine peated Single Malts distilled on the Islands of Scotland. Double barrelled for added depth and a mellow oak-spice finish. Second maturation in first-fill Bourbon barrels. 46% vol.

CAISTEAL CHAMUIS 12YO BLENDED MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

Blended from a careful selection of fine peated Single Malts distilled on the Islands of Scotland, all aged for 12 years or more. Double barrelled for a rich, smooth and lingering finish. Second maturation in Oloroso Sherry casks. 46% vol. 

FEIS ILE TO REMAIN VIRTUAL THIS YEAR

 Feis Ile 2021 cancelled again

The end of May is usually a time for celebration in the whisky world – it’s time for Fèis Ìle, the Islay Festival of Malt and Music. A week-long celebration of Scotland’s most distillery-packed island, with whisky, music, dancing and more. It’s a great week, but not one that’s particularly compatible with current social distancing policies in this long drawn out battle with the virus. So, the distilleries have again taken the party online– it’s time for The Virtual Fèis Ìle.

Festival week (Saturday-Saturday: a long week) is usually very simple: there are nine distilleries on Islay, and each gets a day of celebration – newcomers Kilchoman and Ardnahoe share the Wednesday. Things are sticking to the usual schedule in 2021, but now there’s no running around the island to get to your tours and tastings – you just need to open a new tab in your web browser.

BIG PEAT PEATRICHOR INAUGURATES SCOTCH FESTIVAL SEASON

                                                                                                                                          IMAGE COURTESY WHISKY.DE

Douglas Laing & Co has unveiled the latest addition to its Big Peat range, Big Peat Peatrichor Feis Ile 2021. Created specifically for annual Islay festival, the Scotch follows last year festival edition, A864. Since the Feis Ile 2021 has been cancelled for the second year in a row, Douglas Laing will be marketing it globally, though there are only 5,190 bottles.

In their official release brochure, the portrait shows rain falling on the Big Peat Peatrichor, the latest release of the heavily peated Islay Malt Scotch Whisky. The family company Douglas Laing & Co. presented this limited special edition on 12 May 2021 as their summer edition 2021. It will be launched this month. The word Peatrichor describes the musty earthy scent produced with rain falls on dry earth / soil as stated in the Douglas Laing press release explains, and cites the well-known saying "Today’s rain is tomorrow's whisky ”as reason enough to dedicate a whisky to the characteristic rainfall on Islay.

A marriage of Single Cask Single Malts only from Islay, Big Peat has been producing multiple releases through the ages. The 2010 version was composed of single malts from Ardbeg, Caol Ila, Bowmore and Port Ellen. The bottler is known for pasting unique comical labels on their Big Peat editions. This particular version won the title 'Best Blended Malt Scotch Whisky' at the World Whiskies Award 2010.

As with every edition of Big Peat, the label and packaging of the Big Peat Peatrichor have been designed to match the name and topic. The familiar Big Peat clown shows up in a typical yellow raincoat here and he patiently lets the Islay rain fall down on him - with a pinched face and a pained expression, but that's his normal expression, we are told.

The release of the Big Peat Peatrichor is the starting post for a new ‘Peated’ campaign, which is to bring life the smoky Islay Blended Malt’s position as the "ultimate taste of Islay". The campaign will include tasting initiatives in Europe and Asia as well as virtual events and ramping up of their digital marketing via their social media channels.

As a brand, Big Peat is obsessed with both spirit quality and provenance. This latest release and accompanying marketing campaign brings to life the ultimate distillation of Islay and is definitely unmistakably Islay in style with notes of peat smoke, damp earth and a leathery charm, the Press Release elucidates.

Bottled at 53.8% ABV, unchill-filtered and with natural colour, Big Peat Peatrichor will be made available worldwide at a price equivalent to £44.50 ($63) USD. Drinkers should anticipate notes of damp soil, salty sea air and fresh leather on the nose.  The palate delivers rich, earthy peat smoke and runs to a satisfyingly long classically “Islay” finish. 

RELATED INFORMATION

Last year’s Feis Ile bottling, the A846, honoured a “legendary” road that links whisky fans to distilleries across the Scottish island of Islay before steering up through Jura. “A journey along the A846 is a rite of passage for Islay whisky lovers, and a road that carries countless memorable moments for many,” according to Douglas Laing.

The Big Peat A846 is aged for 8 years and bottled at 46% ABV. The singularity with the highway is pointedly obvious. It is made without any added colouring and is non-chill-filtered. On the nose, the whisky features notes of “peat, smoked ham, and a fresh seaside saltiness”. The palate brings “chewed leather, streaky bacon and rock salt” accompanied by notes of Madeira and smoked ham on the finish.

In March, the family firm behind Big Peat announced a bottling in honor of the heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the centre of the release is a charitable intention. The Big Peat “Heroes” Limited Edition will result in a bulk sanitiser donation to the value of £10,000 to a leading UK charitable organisation by Douglas Laing & Co.

THE 1846 

Every year, Douglas Laing releases a new Big Peat whisky for the Fèis Ìle festival and the tradition was continued in 2020 with the new Big Peat 8 Years Old A846. Even though last year’s festival was changed to an online format, the independent bottler felt necessary to release a new whisky in celebration.

Whilst Fèis Ìle – Islay’s annual festival – exists in an entirely different virtual form this year, Douglas Laing (and Big Peat) wanted to mark the occasion the best way they know how – with a particularly innovative limited edition, featuring a cracking story and spectacular spirit within.

The year’s bottling honours the A846, a “legendary” road that links whisky fans to distilleries across the Scottish island of Islay before steering up through Jura. A journey along the A846 is a rite of passage for Islay whisky lovers, and a road that carries countless memorable moments for many.  

The Big Peat 8 Years Old A846 is aged for eight years and bottled at 46% ABV. It is made without any added colouring and is non-chill-filtered. On the nose, the whisky features notes of “peat, smoked ham, and a fresh seaside saltiness”. The palate brings “chewed leather, streaky bacon and rock salt” accompanied by notes of Madeira and smoked ham on the finish.

BOTTLINGS FROM OTHER PARTICIPANTS

Ardnahoe – Open day Friday 28th May 2021 Bottle TBD

Lagavulin – Open day Saturday 29th May 2021 11 YO ABV N/K

Bruichladdich – Open day Sunday 30th May 2021, Two Bottlings. See below. 

Caol Ila – Open day Monday 31st May 2021 Bottle TBD

Jura – Open day Sunday 6th June 2021 Bottle TBD

Laphroaig – Open day on Tuesday 1st June 2021

• Laphroaig Cairdeas 2021 Pedro Ximenez Casks (58.9%) Photo: See below. The Laphroaig Cairdeas 2021 will be PX Casks (Cask Strength). It’s a triple casked whisky – starting with 1st fill ex-bourbon casks, moved to Quarter casks and eventually finished in European Oak Hogshead PX casks.

Bowmore – Open day on Wednesday 2nd June 2021

Bowmore 18 Year Old Fèis Ìle Limited Edition (51.2%, 2865 bottles, £135)

• This Feis ile bottling from Bowmore is an 18 Year Old whisky at 51.2%. 2865 bottles are available via online ballot to those with valid UK shipping address. Matured in First fill Oloroso casks.
• Interestingly enough, the official picture shows Feis Ile 2020 on the bottle so those bottles were probably bottled before Covid-19 for Feis Ile 2020 which got cancelled and Bowmore didn’t join the other distilleries in releasing a Festival bottling on-line.

Bowmore 23 Year Old Vintage 1996 Fèis Ìle Limited Edition (50.8%, 155 bottles, £365)

• The second and premium level Bowmore Feis Ile bottling. Like the 18 year old, the label in the picture shows Feis Ile 2020. First Fill Bourbon single cask.

Kilchoman – Open day on Thursday 3rd June 2021

Kilchoman Feis Ile 2021 (2,832 bottles, 56.3%)

• Eight 100% Islay casks for this year’s release, two 2011 oloroso sherry butts and six 2012 bourbon barrels. The casks were filled with 20ppm 100% Islay spirit, distilled from Optic and Publican barley varieties, harvested at Kilchoman in 2010 and 2011.This Single Farm Single Malt was matured in our onsite dunnage warehouses before being bottled at cask strength; 56.3% abv.

Bunnahabhain – Open day on Friday 4th June 2021

Bunnahabhain 2013 Moine Bordeaux Cask Finish (59.5%, 5166 bottles), Distilled 10/10/2013 and bottled 25/11/2020.

Bunnahabhain Distillery may have seen plenty of changes since they started making exceptional single malts there in 1881, but some things remain the same. Dedication, determination and the wisdom to know that special occasions deserve special single malts.

Carefully matured inside the peaceful coastal distillery, its golden depths swirl with gentle notes of oily peat, rich spices and dark grapes, intertwined with just the faintest hints of cocoa and warming chilli. As well as lingering on the tongue, its delicately balanced flavour lives long in the memory – just like Islay’s famous festival.

• Colour: Burnt Amber
• Nose: Light toasted oak, red fruits leading to a sweet, dark fruit jam and a hint of dry smoke.
• Palate: Peat smoke, oak spice, dark grapes, cocoa and red chili, with a delicately balanced sweetness and acidity.
• Finish: Long and sweet, with hints of red wine and over-ripened grapes.

Bunnahabhain 2001 Marsala Cask Finish (53.6%, 1333 bottles) Distilled 08/10/2001 and bottled 19/01/2021.

Bunnahabhain has taken one of their best whiskies and let it gently slumber in casks that once held the finest Marsala fortified wine. The result is a sublime symphony of Sicilian flair and Scottish tradition; exotic aromas of cherries, liquorice and tobacco giving way to the sweetest rhapsody of fruit, nuts and the faintest breath of spice and comforting leather.

• Colour: Toasted Oak
• 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.

Ardbeg – Open day on Saturday 5th June 2021

Ardbeg Scorch (46%)

• Dragon Charred casks (One level up from Alligator). A committee release bottled at 51.7% will be released sometime before the festival.

Bruichladdich – Open Day Sunday 30th May 2021

Bruichladdich went whole hog this year, despite the Feis Ile being virtual. They had two whiskies on offer:

1. Laddie Origins Fèis Ìle 2021 (56.3%, 3,000 bottles, £150), Their Official Bottling
Unpeated Bruichladdich. On sale via Ballot.

Celebrating 20 years of milestones with a series of liquid firsts, Laddie Origins recipe draws unpeated single malt from 13 casks, across 12 vintages,6 barley types and 9 different cask types. Hand-selected by Adam Hannett, the new man in charge of spirit, production and brilliance, Bruichladdich Head Distiller, this recipe contains the first ever taste of biodynamically grown barley, which in itself is a Scotch single malt first! Triple distilled Bruichladdich as well as casks containing some of their oldest barley-exploration spirits have also been selected for this commemorative liquid journey.

Bruichladdich is the progenitor of the No Hidden Measures campaign and hopes it can add a “new level of transparency” to single malt Scotch by highlighting some of the “under-observed factors affecting flavour”. While they cannot divulge the year of distillation of each component due Scotch laws, they do share their epic liquid attributes in three broad categories:

SPIRIT FROM BRUICHLADDICH’S FIRST EVER:

BIODYNAMIC CROP
Spirit distilled from biodynamically grown barley by Richard Gantlett at Yatesbury Farm,1st fill bourbon cask.

X3–TRIPLE DISTILLATION
Unpeated Bruichladdich spirit from their first dally into triple distillation, 1st fill bourbon cask.

YEAR OF BRUICHLADDICH, AFTER RESURRECTION
From their year of resurrection, some of the first Bruichladdich unpeated spirit to run from their freshly polished stills, 1st fill bourbon cask.

OLDEST REMAIINING STOCKS OF BARLEY FIRSTS:

ORGANIC
Grown with minimal intervention by William Rose at Mid Coul, Inverness, 2nd fill bourbon cask.

ISLAY BARLEY
From their Islay-growing farming partners, from the first year of this Islay barley project, 1st fill bourbon cask.

ORKNEY GROWN BERE
The oldest stock remaining of our Orkney grown six-row ancient landrace. First fill bourbon cask.

REGIONAL TRIALS FROM BLACK ISLE
From their single estate, northern contingency of our Regional Trials experiment. 1st fill bourbon cask.

CASK EXPLORATIONS:

PEDRO XIMENEZ SHERRY FROM FERNANDO DE CASTILLA
Commemorating the partnership with Jerez bodega FdC, 1st fill PX sherry butt, Scottish Mainland Barley.

FRENCH RED WINE: PAUILLAC
From the year Remy Cointreau invested behind Bruichladdich, 2nd fill Hogshead from the Pauillac region of France, Scottish Mainland Barley. 

FRENCH EAUX DE VIE
From the Cognac region in France, 1st fill French Eau de Vie cask, Scottish Mainland Organic Barley.

FRENCH SWEET WHITE WINE: SAUTERNES
Islay grown barley distilled and then matured in a 1st fill Sauternes casks.

FRENCH RED WINE: RIVESALTES
From the early years of their Islay barley project, matured in 1st fill Rivesaltes red wine cask.

FRENCH WHITE WINE : CHENIN BLANC
Distilled from organically grown barley, matured in 2nd fill bourbon to 2nd fill Chenin Blanc hogshead.

LADDIE ORIGINS:7 YRS MIN/MULTI-VINTAGE CUVEE/ 700ML/3,000 BTLS/ 56.3%ABV/DESIGNED AND SOLD WITHOUT TIN

2. Bruichladdich Fèis Ìle 2021 Single Cask (17 Year Old, 59.2%, 840 bottles, 500ml, £150)

On an occasion like this, Head Distiller Adam Hannett takes the opportunity to hand-select a single cask of extraordinary quality from their warehouses. For their Feis Ile 2021 celebrations, he has chosen a 17-year-old, unpeated Bruichladdich, matured full term in an “incredible” 2nd fill sherry cask. Despite the experimental nature when it comes to maturation, with their warehouses filled with over 200 different cask types, sherry casks are some of the rarest found at their distillery. Distilled in 2003 from 100% Scottish barley, this 50cl single cask release is limited to 840 bottles and is bottled un chill-filtered and E150A free at 59.2% ABV.

Empathy with this singular cask out of the distillery’s vast stock can only be achieved through regular, systematic sampling in the warehouse. This means extracting the bung and drawing liquid from the cask with a valinch, then carefully evaluating the spirit by nose, taste, mouthfeel and eye. It is an intellectual exercise requiring a clear head, intense concentration, and a rigorous approach to note-taking. The spirit is constantly changing as it matures and an understanding of the rate and character of the change can only come from experience and constant monitoring.

Laphroaig Cairdeas 2021 Pedro Ximenez Casks (58.9%)

Beam Suntory’s Laphroaig 2021 Càirdeas edition, Pedro Ximénez Cask was launched at the virtual Fèis Ìle Festival on schedule. The expression, which is limited to 3,500 nine-litre cases, will be available via the brand’s website and through selected US retailers from 1 July. The liquid in the non-age statement iteration has been triple matured, first in ex-Bourbon barrels, then in quarter casks before spending time in European oak Hogshead casks that previously held Pedro Ximénez Sherry.

The whisky was unveiled just ahead of the Féis Íle. The blend creates a ‘complex expression full of character’, bottled at cask strength to ensure ‘rich and intricate flavours’. It has smoky aromas of grilled bacon, as well as manuka honey and oak spices. Tasting notes are nutty, combined with a blend of toffee and cinnamon on the nose. The finish is described as hot, spicy and salty.

The Càirdeas series takes its name from the Gaelic word for ‘friendship’. "We don't make friends easily, but when we do, they're for life," as they say. When you make Laphroaig purchases, you'll be able to collect points and progress through three levels of membership. Each year, a limited-edition bottling is crafted by distillery manager and fifth generation Islay native, John Campbell, available exclusively to Friends of Laphroaig. As a Friend of Laphroaig one is given an honorary lifetime lease on a plot of land (an entire square foot) close to its all-important water source – the Kilbride Stream.