Just because we won’t be heading to Islay this year, doesn’t mean we can’t keep the festival spirit alive! Thanks to the magic of Instagram Live we’ve organised a series of interviews with the island’s distilleries that features tastings, chats and Q&As.
This is usually the time of year where we would pack our travel bags, camera kit and 10-litre bottles of midge insect repellent to head north to the beautiful Scottish island of Islay to revel in one of the highlights, if not the highlight of the whisky calendar. The week-and-a-bit from 22-30 May was sure to provide all the whisky-dipped merriment you could shake Dave Worthington’s pipe at.
But we have no intention of letting this period pass by without some recognition of an island that is home to some of Scotch whisky’s finest distilleries. Which is why we’ve put together the next best thing. Through the wonderful medium of Instagram Live, we’ve created our own virtual festival by teaming up with the island’s distilleries (and the fab folk at Jura, of course). We’ve put together a programme of tastings, chats and Q&As with your questions, comments and tasting notes to keep the Islay spirit alive and your tasting glass full from the comfort of your own home.
We thoroughly hope you enjoy our virtual Islay celebration. The schedule for the Instagram Live shows is listed below, complete with accompanying dram. Don’t forget, you can always embrace the Islay spirit whenever you like with Drinks by the Dram’s Islay Whisky Tasting Set! Why not order one for you and a pal and set up your own Zoom tasting?
Aerolite Lyndsay 10 Year Old
Day One
Who’s joining us? The Character of Islay Whisky Company and its head of whisky, Sam Simmons for a tasting. What a way to kick off proceedings!
What whisky will we be tasting? Aerolite Lyndsay 10 Year Old, Green Isle, Grace Île and Fiona Macleod.
When is it? Friday 22 May at 7:30pm
Lagavulin will be joining us on day two
Day Two
Who’s joining us? Lagavulin and its distillery manager Colin Gordon for an evening dram and a chat. Grab a tasting glass and get your questions ready for Colin!
What whisky will we be tasting? Lagavulin 8, Lagavulin 16.
When is it? Saturday 23 May at 8:30pm.
Head distiller Adam Hannett will join us for a tasting and Q&A
Day Three
Who’s joining us? Bruichladdich and its head distiller Adam Hannett for a tasting and Q&A. Bruichladdich also has its own Laddie Lock-In, while its ballot system to decide who can get their hands on its alternative festival bottling, Port Charlotte 16, has now concluded.
What whisky will we be tasting? The Classic Laddie.
When is it? Sunday 24 May at 6pm.
Caol Ila Distillery, as seen from the skies.
Day Four
Who’s joining us? Caol Ila and its distillery manager for an evening dram and a chat with Pierrick Guillaume.
What whisky will we be tasting? Caol Ila 12.
When is it? Monday 25 May at 8:15pm.
We’ll be spending lunchtime with Laphroaig
Day Five
Who’s joining us? Laphroaig for a lunchtime taste and learn session with distillery manager John Campbell. It will also be hosting its own celebration, #LaphroaigLive from 18:15pm.
What whisky will we be tasting? Laphroaig 10.
When is it? Tuesday 26 May at 1pm.
The beautiful Bowmore Distillery who will join us on day six
Day Six
Who’s joining us? Bowmore for another lunchtime Live, with time with distillery manager, David Turner. We’ll have a chat about all things whisky, so ready your questions!
What whisky will we be tasting? Bowmore 12.
When is it? Wednesday 27 May at 1pm.
Kilchoman founder Anthony Wills will stop by to kick-off our Thursday with a bang
Day Seven
Who’s joining us? Kilchoman and its founder Anthony Wills will be kicking off the day with us. The distillery also has quite the online festival Programme, complete with live tastings and a distillery tour.
What whisky will we be tasting? Kilchoman Machir Bay, Loch Gorm 2020, the new Am Burach, 100% Islay 9th Edition, and the official Festival Bottling!
When is it? Thursday 28 May at 10.30am.
Bunnahabhain Toiteach a Dhà
Day Eight
Who’s joining us? Bunnahabhain and its global brand director, Derek Scott, who will host a tasting with a very delicious dram, usually distillery-exclusive dram (it will also host its own 8pm tasting, ‘Fèis at home‘).
What whisky will we be tasting? Bunnahabhain Toiteach a Dhà, Bunnahabhain 25-Year-Old, and the very exciting Bunnahabhain 2003 Amontillado Finish, which is usually only available from the distillery.
When is it? Friday 29 May at 5pm.
The scenic Jura Distillery makes delicious and subtle smoky whisky
Who’s joining us? Jura and Whyte & Mackay’s Gregg Glass, who will be online with us for an evening tasting.
What whisky will we be tasting? Jura 10 Year Old.
When is it? Friday 29 May evening.
The stunning Ardbeg Distillery at night
Day Nine
Who’s joining us? Ardbeg and Brendan McCarron, head of maturing whisky stocks for Ardbeg (and sister distillery Glenmorangie) ,for an Ardbeg Day tasting. You can also join the distillery at 7pm on Facebook for its first-ever online Ardbeg Day!
What whisky will we be tasting? Ardbeg 10, An Oa and Blaaack.
When is it? Saturday 30 May at 3pm.
Robert Purbrick