Tickets are now sale for a range of highly sought after whisky experiences taking place at Lagavulin, Caol Ila and Port Ellen as part of Fèis Ìle’s 40th anniversary.
The festival, which brings together locals and global whisky lovers for a week of fun and whisky fandom is marking its 40th year as a core part of Islay’s annual calendar and will once again be celebrated by Diageo’s three distilleries on the island - Lagavulin, Caol Ila and Port Ellen.
Alongside numerous new and returning experiences, each of the distilleries will be offering guests an exploration through their rich past, present and future, and will be joined by special guests from through the ages, plus a look back on the drams from over the years and this year’s Fèis Ìle Special Releases.
Details of the limited-edition Fèis Ìle bottlings of Caol Ila and Lagavulin are yet to be revealed, however, promise to reflect the exciting milestone anniversary of this year’s event.
One-off experiences will also be available for guests to sample the liquids in the very place they were created.
Fèis Ìle at 40: A Spirit & Cask Manager's Masterclass
Join Whisky Specialist Rory Slater and Distillery Manager Jordan Paisley on a five‑dram journey of experimental whiskies in celebration of the milestone anniversary of Fèis Ìle.
Expect a deep dive into spirit character and cask influence, entertainment and an unforgettable toast to Lagavulin’s craftsmanship, innovation, and iconic Islay flavour.
Past, Peat & People: Celebrating 40 Years of Fèis Ìle
A true one off, guests will hear from three passionate individuals who have played a role in crafting Lagavulin’s legacy throughout the years, as well as insights from senior malts archivist, Jo McKerchar.
This special experience brings together the rich history of Islay, a look into the festival through the ages, the vibrant community of people who make it all possible, and a curated selection of Lagavulin’s peat‑smoked spirit.
Decades on the Decks: A Whisky, Food & Vinyl Pairing
A sell out each year, this experience is the perfect blend of music, food and whisky, led by global ambassador Ewan Gunn.
Ewan will be spinning an eclectic mix of vinyl tracks to reflect the sounds, moods, and musical moments that have defined the past four decades, all complemented by exceptional drams perfectly paired with thoughtfully crafted nibbles.
Fèis Ìle at 40: Meet the Manager
This is a rare opportunity to sample a multitude of Caol Ila styles, compare notes, ask the questions most tours never touch, and enjoy expert commentary from Caol Ila’s distillery manager, Ali McDonald.
Ali will guide guests through his own perspective of the spirit, its maturation, cask influence, and flavour evolution while they enjoy five exceptional drams - including an outstanding single-cask dram, hand-picked and hand-drawn, especially for this experience.
Coopers & Casks: Celebrating 40 years of Fèis
Get up close to the craft as Caol Ila’s skilled coopers showcase the traditional construction of casks in the rarely accessible distillery cooperage.
See the precision, power, and finesse that shape the vessels responsible for so much of the whisky’s distinctive character over the past 40 years. Followed by a blind tasting of three Caol Ila expressions, this immersive experience will test guests’ palates and expand their knowledge.
Flavour & History: Blend your own Whisky
Join Rory Slater, the creator of this year’s Fèis Ìle bottling, and a member of the Whisky Makers team for a guided tasting of five hand selected whiskies from around Scotland before having the chance to blend your own dram to take home.
Along the way, Jo McKerchar, senior malts archivist, will share stories and rare insights from her deep knowledge of Caol Ila and other Scottish malts.
Eleanor Gillies, brand home manager of Lagavulin and Caol Ila, said: “Lagavulin and Caol Ila have been proud to play a part in Fèis Ìle over the years. Throughout the past 40 years, we have had some incredible whisky makers, managers and whisky aficionados at the helm of our distilleries, so it feels right to pay homage to them and the whisky that they, our community and our island have helped create.
“In addition to some returning favourite experiences, this year, our event schedule will delve into the history, craft and practices which have helped us master the distinctive Islay flavour for which our whisky is famous. We can’t wait to celebrate this occasion with the Islay community and our guests from across the globe.”
Port Ellen Distillery returns to Fèis Ìle following its landmark 200th anniversary, continuing its exploration into flavour and smoke through a series of immersive experiences.
Port Ellen Fèis Ìle: Inside the Pagoda
Step inside the pagoda for a rare encounter with unreleased Port Ellen whiskies. This guided tasting of five previously unreleased cask samples offers insight into the character of Port Ellen.
Port Ellen Fèis Ìle: From the Shores to the Stills
An extraordinary evening discovering the world of Port Ellen through rare whisky and hospitality.
This curated experience brings together the distillery’s exploration of flavour, craftsmanship and innovation.
Port Ellen Fèis Ìle: The Spirit of Innovation
A tasting exploring Port Ellen’s experimental new make styles. This will offer an insight into Port Ellen’s exploration of the smoky character that defines its spirit, and allow guests to discover how creativity, technical mastery and heritage converge.
