Bowmore has announced a new limited edition release to celebrate this year’s Fèis Ìle, also known as The Islay Festival.

Bowmore Fèis Ìle 2026 Distillery Exclusive was produced from 100% floor malted barley and matured in a single first-fill Pedro Ximénez sherry cask (#3756) for 9 years, then bottled at 55.4% ABV.

Official tasting notes for Bowmore Fèis Ìle 2026 Distillery Exclusive follow:

Nose: Rich, spicy and warming, dried currants, treacle toffee, caramelised plum, star anise, espresso, cocoa nibs, baked peach, earthy and smouldering peat smoke.

Taste: Warming, sweet and spicy, with notes of toasted almonds, raisins, sticky dates, and candied orange segments. Mouthcoating on the palate, with peach compote and a dusting of cinnamon, red apple, molasses, black pepper, sweet bbq woodsmoke.

Finish: Long and lingering woodsmoke, with dried fruits and warming cinnamon.

Bowmore Fèis Ìle 2026 Distillery Exclusive is limited to 641 bottles and is available for purchase exclusively at the Bowmore distillery for £130 (700 mL).

Source: Bowmore.

Jura has announced two new limited edition single cask releases to celebrate this year’s Fèis Ìle, also known as The Islay Festival.

The first release, Jura Fèis Ìle 2026, is a 16 year old single malt that was initially matured in second fill Bourbon barrels, then finished for 18 months in a single Armagnac cask and bottled at a cask strength of 55.3% ABV.

Jura Fèis Ìle 2026 is described as having aromas of “apricot, 60% dark chocolate, apple marigold, and a hint of bittersweet black liquorice.” The palate exhibits flavors of “hazelnut, assorted fresh and dried stone fruit, rustic notes reminiscent of dunnage warehousing and farmhouse saison, apple crumble, dried fig, and prune.” It concludes with “dried nectarine, 60% dark chocolate, and subtle rock pool notes for a long, complex finish.”

The second release, Jura Fèis Ìle 40th Anniversary Release, is a 24 year old single malt that was initially matured in refill Bourbon barrels, then finished for 8 years in a single Sauternes barrique and bottled at a strength cask of 48.8% ABV.

Jura Fèis Ìle 40th Anniversary Release is described as having aromas of “citrus peels, ripe apricot, and pineapple, rounded off with beeswax and soft mineral notes.” The palate is “supple and rich, with freshly baked brioche, fragrant hints of lemon balm, and vanilla-spiced peach.” It finishes with “macadamia nut and delicate Alpine herbal liqueur notes, enlivened by preserved lemon and sea spray.”

Jura Fèis Ìle 2026 and Jura Fèis Ìle 40th Anniversary Release are available exclusively at the Jura distillery through May 31, 2026 for £130 and £320 for a 70 cL bottle, respectively.

Source: Jura.

Bruichladdich Distillery has unveiled Port Charlotte PC5 Redux Rock’ndaal 05.1 and Octomore OBA Redux Rock’ndaal 05.2, limited releases that will be available exclusively for Fèis Ìle 2026, also known as The Islay Festival.

Port Charlotte PC5 Redux Rock’ndaal 05.1:
Port Charlotte PC5 Redux commemorates the first liquid to come off the stills following the distillery’s 2001 reopening, and is a reimagining of the distillery’s first ever heavily peated release.

Port Charlotte PC5 Redux was distilled from heavily peated (40PPM) 100% Scottish barley sourced from the Scottish Mainland and 14 Islay farms: Blackrock, Carrabus, Craigens, Dunlossit, Newmains, Gartloist, Cruach, Islay Estate, Island Farm, Kilchiaran, Starchmill, Tormisdale, Persabus and Cladville. It was matured for five years on Islay in first-fill Bourbon barrels, Oloroso hogsheads, Pedro Ximenez hogsheads, and recharred Bruichladdich whisky barrels that were married and then bottled at 63.5% ABV. Presented non-chill filtered and coloring free, Port Charlotte PC5 Redux is limited to 2,500 bottles and is priced at £75.00 for a 700 mL bottle.

Official tasting notes for Port Charlotte PC5 Redux Rock’ndaal 05.1 follow:

Nose: The first impression is unmistakably Port Charlotte: robust peat smoke rising gently from the glass like embers from a beach bonfire. Sweet citrus oils follow quickly — lemon zest, candied orange and green apple — wrapped in warm vanilla and soft malt sweetness. As the whisky opens, delicate herbal notes emerge, thyme, wild rosemary and sea-swept grasses carried on the Atlantic winds. Beneath the smoke lies the unmistakable character of the Bruichladdich stills — elegant, aromatic and expressive.

Palate: Bold and vibrant at first. Sweet malt and creamy vanilla coat the palate before the peat smoke builds steadily, dry and earthy, burnt heather rather than medicinal. Bright orchard fruits — apple skins, pear drops and fresh lemon zest — cut through the smoke, bringing lift and freshness. American oak adds gentle sweetness: honey, coconut and soft caramel. The spirit shows remarkable balance, with a texture that pleasantly coats the mouth.

Finish: Long, warming and lively. The smoke lingers alongside cracked black pepper, toasted oak and a final flourish of citrus. Salty coastal air and kiln smoke fade slowly, leaving a dry, mineral echo of Islay in the glass.

Octomore OBA Redux Rock’ndaal 05.2:
Octomore OBA Redux is a reimagining of Octomore Black Art (OBA), which was first introduced by Adam Hannett in 2016 at his inaugural Fèis Ìle Masterclass as Head Distiller.

As is the case with all Black Art releases, Bruichladdich has omitted the details behind this single malt’s craft – malting, age, phenol level, and maturation profile are entirely unknown. The only known specifications are that Octomore OBA Redux was distilled from 100% Scottish Barley and has been bottled at 54.2% ABV. Presented non-chill filtered and coloring free, Octomore OBA Redux is limited to 2,500 bottles and is priced at £325.00 for a 700 mL bottle.

Official tasting notes for Octomore OBA Redux Rock’ndaal 05.2 follow:

Nose: Peat smoke drifts gradually at first, with whispers of honeysuckle and geranium leaf. Then a vibrant surge of bright tropical fruits, melon, mango and sun-ripened peach – intermingled with the intensity of stewed orchard apples and sweet apricot jam. Opulent layers of vanilla crème brûlée and zesty orange marmalade emerge, beautifully enveloped by smoked barley, fragrant marzipan and toasted praline. As the spirit breathes, it reveals a structural depth of resinous toasted oak and gingerbread spice, a bold counterpart to peat smoke and fruit.

Palate: Exceptionally rich and viscous on the palate, oily and rounded. Jammy stoned fruits and tropical sweetness coat the senses, balanced by roasted marzipan and salted hazelnuts. Beneath the surface, toasted oak and supple worn leather provide a strong foundation with cracked black pepper, nutmeg and gingerbread bringing a gentle spiced warmth.

Finish: Long and elegant. Echoes of sweet, charred oak and tropical fruit slowly surrender to the last accent of ethereal peat smoke which lingers delicately.

Port Charlotte PC5 Redux Rock’ndaal 05.1 and Octomore OBA Redux Rock’ndaal 05.2 will be available for pre-order through the Bruichladdich website and in-person at Bruichladdich Distillery beginning May 24th.

Source: Bruichladdich Distillery.

Bruichladdich Distillery has announced the return of its Rock’ndaal festival for Fèis Ìle 2026.

Taking place on Sunday, May 24th, Bruichladdich Rock’ndaal 2026 will welcome visitors to the distillery for a day of drams, local food, and live music and entertainment.

Two limited edition Rock’ndaal single malt Scotch whisky releases will be available to sample and purchase at the festival, alongside the launch of one of the distillery’s 25th anniversary bottlings, which will be revealed on the day of. 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 highlights of the event is the annual Masterclass, hosted by Master Blender, Adam Hannett. This year, the event has doubled in size and will welcome 500 ticket holders who will enjoy hand-selected drams, including past releases and never-before-seen single malt whiskies from the distillery’s archive. Adam will be joined by a selection of guests from Bruichladdich’s past and present.

Due to limited availability, Masterclass tickets will be allocated via a ballot. The ballot will open on bruichladdich.com on Monday, February 16th and close on Thursday, February 19th at midnight. Ballot winners will be able to purchase tickets for £150.00 (which also includes general festival admission).

General tickets are priced at £30 each and include full-day access to Rock’ndaal. General tickets will be available to purchase via bruichladdich.com or in-person from the distillery’s Visitor Centre on Islay beginning Monday, February 23rd.

For those unable to attend Rock’ndaal in person, the festival Masterclass and musical performances will be streamed online throughout the day, live from Bruichladdich Distillery. For more information about Rock’ndaal, visit bruichladdich.com.

Source: Bruichladdich Distillery.

Bowmore has announced a new limited edition release to celebrate this year’s Fèis Ìle, also known as The Islay Festival.

Bowmore Fèis Ìle 2025 Distillery Exclusive is produced from 100% floor malted barley matured in a single Sherry cask for 8 years and bottled at 56% ABV.

Official tasting notes for Bowmore Fèis Ìle 2025 Distillery Exclusive follow:

Nose – Intense and spicy, with notes of blackcurrant, liquorice root, leather, medicinal, fisherman’s friend, plum, sundried raisins, hazelnut, toasted almond, black pepper, peat smoke.

Taste – Sweet, oily texture, parma violets/floral, charred orange rind, blackcurrant, long and lingering smoke, almost chewy, black cherry, apricot, woody smoke, creosote.

Bowmore Fèis Ìle 2025 Distillery Exclusive is now on sale at the Bowmore distillery for £120 for a 700 mL bottle.

Source: Bowmore.

Jura has announced a new limited edition release to celebrate this year’s Fèis Ìle, also known as The Islay Festival.

This year’s Jura Fèis Ìle release is a 2007 vintage single malt Scotch whisky matured in Cask No. 1895 – an Oloroso Sherry butt – for 17 years, and bottled at a cask strength of 55.3% ABV.

Jura Fèis Ìle 2025 is described as having aromas of “walnut, apricot, and autumnal forest floor notes.” The palate exhibits notes of “crystallised citrus, prune, and toasted hazelnut.” It finishes with “hints of polished leather and dark chocolate.”

Jura Fèis Ìle 2025 is limited to just 300 bottles and will be available exclusively at the Jura distillery between May 23-May 31, 2025 for £135 for a 70 cL bottle.

Source: Jura.

Octomore Polyphonic:

At 15 years old, Polyphonic is the oldest Octomore expression released to date. Polyphonic is comprised of Octomore expressions of the past – further aged in cask beyond their original release – and spirit from single casks which have never been released. Bottled at 54.9% ABV and presented non-chill filtered and coloring free, Octomore Polyphonic is limited to 2,500 bottles and is priced at £300.00 for a 700 mL bottle.

The recipe for Octomore Polyphonic follows:

• 2005 first fill Grenache single cask: unreleased and peated to 167.6 PPM.
• 2007 first fill Bourbon barrel: the ‘Octomore of Octomore’. The first Octomore spirit ever distilled using malting barley specifically grown at the eponymous Octomore Farm, and featured in Rock’ndaal 01.1 Fèis Ìle 2022. Peated to 173.8 PPM.
• 2009 second fill Sauternes single cask: unreleased and peated to 208 PPM.
• Octomore 6.3: the original 6.3 spirit, aged in Bourbon and Syrah casks, has been further aged in second fill Bourbon barrels. Peated to 258 PPM.
• Octomore Masterclass 8.2: various wine casks and recasked into first fill Amarone for one year before bottling. The original 8.2 spirit has been further aged in refill Bourbon barrels. Peated to 167.4 PPM.
• Octomore Masterclass 8.4: virgin oak casks, peated to 170 PPM.
• Octomore Event Horizon, Fèis Ìle 2019: an exclusive bottling for Fèis Ìle 2019, matured in Oloroso and PX Sherry casks. Peated to 162.6 PPM.

Official tasting notes for Octomore Polyphonic follow:

Nose: The influence of the oak is immediate, with the quality French and American oak casks evoking sweet cinder toffee, vanilla fudge, dark chocolate and a pinch of sea salt. Burnt orange mingles with waves of barbeque smoke, with subtle hints of liquorice and ripe cherry. True to the distillery’s signature floral style, delicate honeysuckle adds a touch of elegance.

Palate: Beautifully rounded and smooth, notes of freshly baked pastry, golden syrup and freshly ground coffee come to the fore. A subtle minerality is a gentle reminder of the spirit’s all-Islay maturation, with notes of sea salt, warm sand and beach bonfire smoke evoking a true sense of place. Mellow toasted oak adds layers of depth and complexity.

Finish: Soft seasoned oak settles as elegant peat smoke and waves of sea spray linger.

Port Charlotte Single Cask Rock’ndaal 2025 Edition:

Port Charlotte Single Cask Rock’ndaal 2025 Edition was distilled in 2005 from heavily peated (40PPM) Optic barley and fully matured in a 2nd fill Moscatel sherry cask for 19 years. Bottled at 53% ABV and presented non-chill filtered and coloring free, Port Charlotte Single Cask Rock’ndaal 2025 Edition is limited to 667 bottles and is priced at £275.00 for a 700 mL bottle.

Official tasting notes for Port Charlotte Single Cask Rock’ndaal 2025 Edition follow:

Nose: Smoked cinder toffee, toasted bread and stoned fruit jam are immediate, with a hint of sea spray and warm sand instantly nodding to the whisky’s island origins. Notes of tropical fruit come to the fore, with sweet melon and ripened peaches mingling with Port Charlotte’s signature peat smoke. The subtle presence of the oak allows aromas of orange blossom and jasmine to build, adding a lively, floral character.

Palate: Candied fruits, brown sugar and rich toasted oak take centre stage, with waves of peat smoke gently lapping in the background. The sweetness of the Moscatel grape and the signature elegant and fruity character of the spirit have combined for almost two decades, creating a complex and layered flavour profile which is truly unforgettable.

Finish: Gentle dry peat smoke, together with the rich sweetness of fruit and toasted mellow oak, makes this whisky peak. The myriad of flavours come together in perfect harmony, leaving a clean and perfectly rounded dram.

Octomore Polyphonic and Port Charlotte Single Cask Rock’ndaal 2025 Edition are available now through the Bruichladdich website and will also be available to purchase at the distillery during Fèis Ìle.

Source: Bruichladdich Distillery.

Jura has announced a new limited edition release to celebrate this year’s Fèis Ìle, also known as The Islay Festival.

Jura Distillery Cask Fèis Ìle 2024 is a 2008 vintage single malt Scotch whisky matured in Cask No. 1605, a first fill Bourbon cask, for 15 years.

Bottled at a cask strength of 55.5% ABV, Jura Distillery Cask Fèis Ìle 2024 is described as having “fruity, mineral, and oily” aromas “with citrus peels, peach, and toasted cereal.” The palate is “true to the nose, with peach crumble, vanilla pod, and preserved lemon,” concluding with “subtle mineral notes together with gorse flower, spearmint, and Williams pear” on the finish.

Jura Distillery Cask Fèis Ìle 2024 is limited to less than 200 bottles and will available exclusively at the Jura distillery beginning May 31, 2024 at a recommended retail price of £120 for a 70 cL bottle.

Source: Jura.

Bruichladdich Distillery has unveiled Bruichladdich Rock’ndaal 03.1 and Port Charlotte Rock’ndaal 03.2, limited releases that will be available exclusively for Fèis Ìle 2024, also known as The Islay Festival.

Bruichladdich Rock’ndaal 03.1:
Bruichladdich Rock’ndaal 03.1 was distilled in 2013 from unpeated 100% Scottish barley and initially matured in bourbon casks. From 2017-2023, the spirit was recasked into a combination of Sauternes casks (12.5%), Austrian dessert wine casks (12.5%), and ex-brandy casks from Fernando de Castilla, Spain, which previously held Pedro Ximénez Sherry (75%). The spirit was then married in ex-bourbon casks and, after maturing entirely on Islay for 10 years, bottled at 50% ABV. Presented non-chill filtered and coloring free, Bruichladdich Rock’ndaal 03.1 is limited to 3,000 bottles and is priced at £100.00 for a 700 mL bottle.

Official tasting notes for Bruichladdich Rock’ndaal 03.1 follow:

Nose: Crème brulee immediately opens on the nose, with sharp lemon rind cutting through the creamy vanilla custard. Malt biscuit, toasted oak, hazelnut, and praline follow, balanced with hints of ripe pear, apricot, and honey.

Palate: Marzipan and honey join a mix of dried fruit, with apricot, figs and dried mango bringing a hint of sweetness. A subtle minerality coats the palate, nodding to the single malt whisky’s all Islay maturation. This salty tang is balanced with a hint of nutmeg and peaches in syrup.

Finish: Sweet floral notes come to the fore, with a gentle bouquet of primrose and Turkish delight followed by marzipan and Scottish tablet.

Port Charlotte Rock’ndaal 03.2:
Port Charlotte Rock’ndaal 03.2 was distilled in 2004 from heavily peated (40PPM) 100% Scottish barley and matured in bourbon casks (70%) and first fill Sauternes casks (30%). After maturing entirely on Islay for 20 years, the casks were married and bottled at 54% ABV. Presented non-chill filtered and coloring free, Port Charlotte Rock’ndaal 03.2 is limited to 1,500 bottles and is priced at £225.00 for a 700 mL bottle.

Official tasting notes for Port Charlotte Rock’ndaal 03.2 follow:

Nose: Fragrant ripe stone fruits open on the nose, with unmistakable apricot and peach. Mellow oak, almond and marzipan are wrapped in just a hint of delicate smoke, with milk chocolate, juicy mango and honeydew melon. Crème brulee and malted barley flour complement dried smoked fruit, while a gentle sea breeze follows.

Palate: Incredibly smooth and luxurious in texture, raisins in honey, ripe apple and peach skin come to the fore, with robust leathery oak underpinning the fruity notes. Crème brulee and rich poached pears mingle with Port Charlotte’s signature peat smoke, with crystalised lemon rind providing vibrancy and balance.

Finish: Port Charlotte’s smoke is predominant of the finish as peat fire embers linger, with a sweet hint of dried mango and milk chocolate.

Bruichladdich Rock’ndaal 03.1 and Port Charlotte Rock’ndaal 03.2 will be available for pre-order through the Bruichladdich website beginning May 13th, 2024 at 12:00 PM BST and will also be available to purchase at the distillery during Fèis Ìle.

Source: Bruichladdich Distillery.

Bruichladdich Distillery has launched Bruichladdich Rock’ndaal 02.1 and Port Charlotte Rock’ndaal 02.2, limited releases that are available exclusively for Fèis Ìle 2023, also known as The Islay Festival.

Bruichladdich Rock’ndaal 02.1:
Bruichladdich Rock’ndaal 02.1 was distilled in 2006 and matured in a mix of bourbon and Sauternes casks for 16 years. Bottled non-chill filtered and coloring free at 50% ABV. Limited to 2,500 bottles and priced at £135.00 for a 700 mL bottle.

Port Charlotte Rock’ndaal 02.2:
Port Charlotte Rock’ndaal 02.2 was distilled in 2006 and matured entirely on Islay in a mix of refill wine casks and sherry butts for 16 years. Bottled non-chill filtered and coloring free at 50% ABV. Limited to 2,500 bottles and priced at £165.00 for a 700 mL bottle.

Due to the highly limited nature of Fèis Ìle releases, interested individuals must enter a ballot on the Bruichladdich website (open now and closing on June 5th) for the chance to purchase either of the two bottles.

Image credit: Bruichladdich.
Source: Bruichladdich.