Annual whisky festival Fèis Ìle is nearly upon us, beginning this Saturday, 23 May, and running through to 31 May. As per previous years, many distilleries have announced an exciting line-up of limited-edition expressions worthy of the Festival of Music and Malt.
We’ve once again rounded up some of the must-see expressions, and here are some you won’t want to miss:
Ardbeg Smokiverse (48.3% ABV, RRP £93)
Ardbeg has announced the 2025 edition of its annual Ardbeg Day bottling. The event is held on the last Saturday of Fèis Ìle, and the distillery says to malt fans that this new release will take them to a “fruity new dimension.” It is the first whisky from Ardbeg created using a "high-gravity mash".
Lagavulin Fèis Ìle 2025 15 Year-Old (55.7% ABV, RRP £240)
Lagavulin is inviting fans to discover “new depths of flavour” with this new Fèis Ìle release. Finished in Moscatel de Málaga casks, distillery manager Jordan Paisley says that this expression is “a beautifully complex whisky that adds layers to our signature smoke.”
Mac-Talla Amarone Cask Fèis Ìle 2025 Edition (53.3% ABV, RRP £78)
Now in its third year, this annual release pays tribute to the island’s recognisable whisky heritage as well as the art of cask finishing. While the 2023 edition finished in PX sherry casks, and the 2024 edition matured in rum casks, this 2025 expression has been fully matured in first-fill Amarone wine casks sourced from northern Italy.
Caol Ila Fèis Ìle 2025 8 Year-Old (55.8% ABV, RRP £110)
Caol Ila’s new release for the festival is said to explore its waxy character, with an unexpectedly sweet profile according to its producers. It has been finished in new Colombian Oak casks, and Martin Gaughan says “I can’t wait for all of our fans to experience it first-hand at my first Fèis Ìle as Caol Ila’s distillery manager.”
Octomore Polyphonic (55.8% ABV, RRP £300)
To celebrate Fèis Ìle, Bruichladdich has unveiled two exclusive Rock’ndaal releases, one of which includes this expression — the oldest Octomore released to date. Bottled at 15 years, Octomore Polyphonic is said to marry iconic super-heavily peated expressions of the past with “never-before-released spirit.” Head distiller Adam Hannett says to think of this release as “a mix of some of Octomore’s greatest hits.”
Douglas Laing & Co Big Peat Fèis Ìle Limited Edition (50% ABV, RRP £70)
The annual Big Peat Fèis Ìle Limited Edition bottling has been labelled as a 2010 vintage. Matured in refill hogsheads and with “classic Big Peat characteristics” of sweet smoke, saltiness, and smoky barbecue, the brand says it has captured the “true spirit of Islay” in this bottling of the blended malt.
Laphroaig Lore Cask Strength (59.6% ABV, RRP £89)
Laphroaig is celebrating Fèis Ìle 2025 with Lore Cask Strength, which becomes the latest in the distillery’s Càirdeas. Made each year for the festival and available only to members of the Friends of Laphroaig, the Càirdeas whiskies are named for the Gaelic word for friendship. This year’s iteration is married from several cask types, including ex-bourbon, oloroso sherry, European oak, and quarter casks.
Bowmore Fèis Ìle 2025
Bowmore’s contribution to the festival-exclusive bottlings lineup is a single cask whisky made from 100 per cent floor-malted barley. David Turner, distillery manager, said the release captures the “signature balance, complexity, and sense of place that define Bowmore”. Tasting notes from the brand highlight an “intense and spicy” profile, with blackcurrant, leather, peat, and florals.
