Fèis Ìle: A Pilgrimage for Peat – and the Perfect Time to Explore Islay’s Finest

Every spring, the windswept island of Islay becomes a stage for one of whisky’s greatest celebrations: Fèis Ìle — the Festival of Music and Malt. A week of drams, stories, and songs, where distilleries open their doors and rare whiskies are poured in good company.

This year, whether you’re travelling to the source or raising a glass from afar, Justerini & Brooks invites you to celebrate Fèis Ìle with a curated edit of six exceptional Islay whiskies. Each bottle is a tribute to the character of the island — smoky, bold, and profoundly individual.

To Enjoy Characterful, complex, and ready to pour.

Caol Ila Distillers Edition, 2022 Release A richer, deeper side of Caol Ila, finished in Moscatel casks for a luxurious twist on its typically coastal profile. The result is a harmony of sweet smoke and stone fruit, with a gentle syrupy texture that makes this dangerously sippable. Why it’s perfect: It’s Islay — but with silk gloves. A smart twist for the peated whisky lover.

Lagavulin 12 Year Old, Special Releases 2024 An Islay cult favourite that shows Lagavulin at its purest. Bottled at natural cask strength, this year’s edition balances volcanic peat with green apple and spiced oak. It’s youthful but not brash — a whisky with punch and poise. Why it’s perfect: A classic Fèis-style dram — bold, energetic, and made to share.

Caol Ila Moch The softest and most ethereal Caol Ila — “Moch” meaning dawn in Gaelic — this is a dram of gentle smoke and shimmering light. Designed as an introduction to peated whisky, it brings lemon balm, sweet barley, and just a touch of coastal driftwood. Why it’s perfect: For those who want their peat with a whisper, not a roar.

To Collect Rare & Remarkable

Lagavulin Prima & Ultima, 28 Year Old, 1993 A prized Lagavulin, from the last two 1993 casks, filled in the year the distillery won the first of an avalanche of international awards. Matured in a marriage of American oak and a PX/Oloroso seasoned cask, this is a Lagavulin at its mature peak with redcurrant fruitiness on the nose, soon overcome by the maritime scents of sea salt and sweet seaweed Why it’s collectible: An end-of-era bottling from one of Lagavulin’s most elegant decades — a cornerstone for any Islay collection.

Caol Ila 25 Year Old Matured entirely in ex-bourbon casks, this is Caol Ila at its most serene. The peat is softened by age, revealing notes of beeswax, salted caramel, dried flowers, and distant smoke. A contemplative dram, built for slow evenings and reflective sips. Why it’s collectible: A rare mature age statement from Islay’s most understated distillery — poised and powerful.

Port Ellen ‘9 Rogue Casks’, 40 Year Old A legend reborn. This release comes from nine rogue casks discovered in the depths of the Port Ellen warehouses — long thought forgotten. After four decades, the spirit is astonishingly fresh, with gentle peat, beeswax polish, and exotic fruits. Why it’s collectible: From a closed distillery with cult status, this is one of the most compelling Port Ellen bottlings in recent memory.

Whether you're tasting the spirit of Islay or building a legacy collection, our Fèis Ìle 2024 Selection honours the island’s smoky soul in six exquisite bottles.