A double dose of distilleries: Bowmore and Ardnahoe
Islay Festival Day 5
Daily drams, legendary distilleries, and festival highlights... You can find it all here. Shop, explore, delight.
Join the 40th Islay Celebration
Fèis Ìle turns 40 this year. On paper, it's a festival of music and malts. In reality, it’s a pilgrimage for peat lovers, a week-long whisky-soaked celebration of Islay’s rich distilling tradition. Part whisky showcase, part island rave, part spiritual retreat. It’s where distilleries fling open their doors, roll out the drams, and welcome fans from every corner of the world (and internet) with music, food, dancing, and yes – a fair bit of mid-morning whisky. It’s not just about limited editions (though those help). It’s about reconnecting with the heart of where whisky begins: the warehouses, the weather, and the people who make it.
We’re not all lucky enough to be on Islay for the festivities, espeically in this anniversary year, but your glass doesn’t need a ferry ticket. This year, we’re giving you the next best thing: a daily-updated showcase of the distilleries taking part, with a stellar lineup of smoky sips, old favourites, and bottles worth shouting about. Whether you're dramming along in your garden or simply fuelling your wanderlust, consider this your whisky map to Islay in festival season.
DAY FIVE, WEDNESDAY 27TH MAY: BOWMORE & ARDNAHOE
Bowmore: The old dog full of new tricks
Bowmore occupies a fascinating middle ground on Islay. It has peat smoke, maritime character, and coastal intensity, but there’s also an elegance here that sets it apart from some of its louder island neighbours. Good Bowmore has lavender, tropical fruit, sea salt, honey, old leather, cigar smoke, and gentle peat to weave together in a style that can feel almost perfumed at times. That fruit-forward character is a huge part of Bowmore’s appeal. Older bottlings in particular have become legendary for exotic mango and passion fruit notes that collectors and nerds obsess over. This is the kind of whisky that can convert people who think peat isn’t for them.
Bowmore 15 Year Old
Bowmore 15 Year Old was matured initially in bourbon casks before a finishing period in oloroso sherry casks. It balances the distillery's signature coastal peat with layers of dark fruit, spice, chocolate, and warming oak. Rich enough for peat lovers but refined enough to pull in people who normally avoid Islay altogether.
Tasting Notes
Nose:
A spiced, fruity nose with notes of prunes, sherried peels, a little sultana flavour, cinnamon and nutmeg. It develops on milky coffee and dark chocolate.
Palate:
A rich, oaky palate with wood resin and creamy toffee. Hints of plum wine, damsons, black pepper, soft wood-smoke and chocolate malt.
Finish:
Long, spiced finish with buttery toffee and malt.
Ardnahoe: Islay’s newest distillery
Ardnahoe may be the new kid on the block, but its old family connections means it gets the island’s old strengths. Opened by the Laing family in 2018, the distillery leans heavily into traditional production methods including long fermentation times and worm tub condensers designed to create a richer, oilier spirit. Early releases already show plenty of promise too: earthy smoke, orchard fruit, sea salt, vanilla, and a thick, slightly old-fashioned weight on the palate. There’s also something refreshing about the distillery’s confidence. Ardnahoe doesn’t feel desperate to reinvent Islay or become the “next big thing”. It simply wants to make serious island whisky properly. On Islay, that’s usually a smart place to start.
Ardnahoe Infinite Loch
Ardnahoe Infinite Loch carries plenty of pressure as the first core release from Islay’s newest distillery. Thankfully, it tastes like a distillery that understands exactly why people fall in love with Islay whisky in the first place. Matured in bourbon and oloroso sherry casks before bottling at 50% ABV without chill-filtration or colouring, this is richly textured single malt loaded with earthy peat smoke, orchard fruit, vanilla cream, sea spray, black pepper, and warming spice. The use of worm tub condensers helps create an oily, weighty spirit that feels old-school in character.
Tasting Notes
Nose:
Sea spray and coastal peat join zesty notes of orange oil and salted lemons, malt biscuits, and cocoa.
Palate:
Sweet and salty with a tangle of menthol and fresh fruits and smouldering beach bonfire embers.
Finish:
Rich peat smoke and zesty citrus linger, with a touch of peppery warmth.
Every Distillery, Every Day
We're spotlighting each distillery on their festival day, but every bottle stays on the shelf throughout. Explore hero picks from all 11 brands – from cult classics to bold new voices.
Bruichladdich Laddie
Unpeated, unapologetic, and bursting with coastal character. A brilliant example of Islay thinking differently.
Islay Festival Special Releases
Explore additional expressions from the island’s iconic distilleries – smoky, sherried, and everything in between.
READ MORE ABOUT ISLAY HERE
Find out what’s happening on each day, the Islay whisky distilleries that will open in the future, and what makes the island so special on our blog and whisky guides.
