New Caol Ila distillery manager Eva Cumming on what to expect at this year’s Feis Ile

Feis Ile is underway - it runs from 21 May-1 June - and Islay residents, distilleries and festival goers are preparing themselves for one of the biggest events in the whisky calendar.

This year, one of those gearing up for the festivities is Eva Cumming, who took over as distillery manager of Caol Ila last summer, one of the oldest distilleries on the island.

Eva will be diving in to her first Fèis Ìle this year, playing host to thousands of visitors, helping to lead an expert team through its dedicated Caol Ila Day (27 May), and even taking centre stage as she shares what makes Caol Ila such a signature smoky Speyside whisky in The Ultimate Managers Evening (30 May).

The Scotsman caught up with Eva to hear what visitors can expect this year and what she’s looking forward to the most at Fèis Ìle.

What are you most looking forward to about this year's Feis?

Here at Caol Ila distillery, we’re used to having people travel far and wide to get to us, but Fèis Ìle gives us a chance to get together with our fans for a few days and explore together the whisky we all love so much.

The conversations that are had when whisky fans get together are always amazing. Whisky means so much to people, and often in ways which are unexpected, so the stories and memories which are shared are always fascinating. Fèis Ìle offers up a rare chance delve into what Coal Ila means to those who have made the journey to join us, and as a fairly new member of the team, this is something I can’t wait for.

The festival, and Caol Ila Day in particular, will be an opportunity to make even more memories, showcase the island and Caol Ila, and get into the spirit of Islay with the island’s spectacular views and cracking line-up of Scottish music and food.

What’s your top tips for first time visitors?

Speaking as a first-time visitor to Fèis Ìle myself, I think on top of my own list is making the most of the unique experiences that are on.

It’s not every day you get to look out across Islay, while creating your very own work of art during a guided pottery and dram sampling – there are some experiences which you simply cannot and will not get anywhere else, so don’t let them pass you by.

There’s plenty to see and do while you’re here, but I always encourage people to embrace ‘Islay time’, relax and take the chance to enjoy yourself – you won’t regret it. 

What can people expect from the Caol Ila day?

Caol Ila Day will be all about the atmosphere – our team are not only some of the most knowledgeable in the business, but they also know how to bring life to any experience.

Guests from across the world will be able to appreciate the classic Scottish humour and whisky expertise in events ranging from the Scotch Sounds Radio Show - All Vinyl Special experience where our ambassadors will put the groove into a guided tasting, to Coopers and Casks where our talented coopers demonstrate the construction of Caol Ila casks, how the cask type has an influence on flavour, and a blind tasting of three drams.

The island is bursting full of fun and culture all year round, and we wanted to showcase this on Caol Ila Day with a line-up of some of the best local musicians and Scottish food suppliers you can get.

Expect top-notch drams, grub including pies from Pie Hole, fresh oysters from Oyster Shed, and Neapolitan inspired pizza from Edinburgh’s Pizza Geeks, and all-round fun, festival vibes with music from Elephant Sessions, Rhuvaal and local trio, Tàlan.

We will be revealing our special Fèis Ìle bottling on Caol Ila Day too, meaning those who join us will be some of the first to have the chance to get their hands on the Caol Ila Fèis Ile 2024 13-Year-Old which has undergone a unique maturation process, finishing in ex-Ruby Port French Oak casks sourced from the Douro Valley in Portugal.

Ticket-holders and non-ticket-holders can pick a spot on our distillery grounds (one of the best seats on the island if you ask me!) and settle in for a day of dancing, socialising and tasting the very best of Speyside whisky. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for the Scottish sun, but if that doesn’t work, we’re well prepared with a gazebo for any drizzly days.

What are your top five reasons to attend Feis?

It’s hard to whittle this down because there are so many amazing things happening over the course of the week, but if I really had to pick…

1. Enjoy the best view on Islay (I might be biased!) – The Sound of Islay, our distillery’s namesake, separates us from the Paps of Jura, so if you’re looking for an Instagram worthy shot, you will get the ultimate one here.
2. Be one of the first to enjoy the exclusive Feis release – each year the team out-do themselves on delivering an expression of Caol Ila which excites and delights and this year is no different. The Caol Ila Fèis Ìle 2024 13-Year-Old, finished in ex-Ruby Port French Oak casks, is a unique twist on the characteristic bonfire peat from Caol Ila, and will only be available from the distillery during the week of the festival. It alone is worth the journey!
3. The chance to go on a tour behind the scenes with our highly knowledgeable operators – we are so lucky to have some of the best minds and palates in whisky coming out from behind the scenes of Caol Ila to share their expertise and passion with our Fèis Ile visitors in a vast range of experiences.
4. Experience the Islay home of Johnnie Walker – a key part of our story, come see for yourself how Caol Ila helps adds that all-important smoky flavour to the iconic Johnnie Walker Black label.
5. Celebrate Fèis in style in the beautiful Caol Ila – Caol Ila is a spectacular place to spend time. As part of Diageo’s £185m investment into Scotch tourism, Caol Ila re-opened in the summer of 2022 with an immersive visitor experience, modern retail space, tasting booths with stunning views of the Paps of Jura and a warehouse maturation area. Guests will be blown away by the design, the experiences, and of course, the whisky.