The yearly Islay festival Feis Ile 2012 is coming (26th of May until 2nd of June). Here are some of the things worth looking out for.
Kilchoman will release a Feis Ile bottling at 4 years of age, 100% Islay produced, matured in first fill bourbon and finished in oloroso sherry.
Bowmore will release a limited 15 years old. Only 750 bottles. There’s also a commerorative Bowmore 1985, only 200 bottles.
Lagavulin offers a 14 year-old distilled in 1998 and matured in a refill sherry butt, cask strength (55,1%), 654 bottles. £ 85.
From Coal Ila comes an 11 year-old distilled in 2001 and matured in a sherry butt. Again cask strength (60,4%) and 618 bottles. £ 85.
Ardbeg is celebrating 2nd June 2012 as the first global Ardbeg Day. People can take part in the “Islay-limpics”: phenolic gymnastics tastings, Marathon tastings, sprint tastings, etc. They will also release an Ardbeg Day 2012 bottling, without age statement. It’s an assembly of two vintages matured in bourbon casks and married / finished in refill sherry casks previously used for Ardbeg Uigeadail. Cask strength 56,7%. It will be available from the distillery but also from the various Ardbeg Embassies around the world (in Belgium we have four).