As the magical Isle of Islay gets ready to welcome hoards of visitors to its annual Festival of Music and Malt, we look back on how the phenomenon that is Fèis Ìle came about and how it attracted whisky lovers and Islay enthusiasts to its shores.
Back in 1985, in an effort to boost the summer season for tourists on Islay, a Committee was formed and grounds laid in a bid to launch the first ever Islay Festival.
The inaugural festival was held in 1986, back then it looked different to how it does now and didn’t particularly focus on the whisky side of things too much. There was a mix of Community events; with walks, history talks, Best Dressed Village competitions, floats, stalls and musical entertainment. The festival would transform the island on these weeks and it became a hugely popular mainstay and attraction in years to come.
It was during the 2000’s that the islands plethora of distilleries began to get more involved, eventually introducing their special Open Days and then ultimately their noteworthy Fèis Ìle Whiskies – many of which have gone on to become treasured collectibles.
Next year, in 2026, the festival will commemorate its 40th anniversary, where you can expect there to be grand celebrations and some extra special whisky releases.
There have been some wonderful Fèis Ìle bottlings since its inception, see below for a snippet of just a handful of our favourites : -
Ardbeg 1976 25yo, Feis Ile 2002 – Cask 2390
This sensational 25 year old Islay single malt was laid down on the 24th November 1976 at the Ardbeg distillery and bottled on the 27th April 2002.
Drawn from single Sherry butt number 2390 at a cask strength 53.1% ABV, this is one of a very limited 494 bottles that comes complete with well kept presentation box and a fill level well into the neck - see image for detail.
Released exclusively for festival-goers to the annual Islay Festival of Music and Malt (Feis Ile) in 2002, this was awarded 96 humongous points on WhiskyFun; one of the highest ever scores for an Ardbeg ...or any other malt for that matter! Legend.
The Whisky Vault Price: 8000.00 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Bowmore 1989 24yo, Feis Ile 2014
This very limited 24 year old Islay single malt was laid down at the Bowmore distillery in 1989 and bottled in 2014 especially for Feis Ile, the Islay Festival of Malt & Music.
Matured in first fill American oak Bourbon barrel and French Wine barrique, this rarity was bottled at a natural cask strength 53.3% ABV and is one of just 300 bottles that comes complete with original wooden presentation box and individually numbered COA.
The Whisky Vault Price: 1,250 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Lagavulin 1998, Feis Ile 2011
This superb single cask malt was bottled at a natural cask strength 51% ABV in celebration of the 2011 Islay Festival of Music and Malt.
Taken from cask number 1715, which was filled at the Lagavulin distillery on the 23rd February 1998, this is limited edition number 299 of just 588 bottles that scored a barnstorming 94 points on WhiskyFun!
The Whisky Vault Price: 1,375 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Laphroaig 1994 12yo, Feis Ile 2006
This unique malt was cask filled at Laphroaig in 1994 by apprentice distiller John Campbell and then hand bottled by John 12 years later as, somewhat surprisingly, the first ever Islay born Laphroaig distillery manager.
Bottled at a natural cask strength 56% ABV for the 2006 Islay Malt and Music Festival (Feis Ile), the Malt Maniacs awarded this 90 points and it is now highly sought after, with only 600 bottles produced.
The Whisky Vault Price: 1,250 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
This years Fèis Ìle will run from the 23rd to the 31st May. Click here to view our full range of Fèis Ìle special releases.