Feis Ile 2016 – Diageo Announces Two Special Bottlings 

Two limited edition bottlings of Lagavulin™ and Caol Ila™ Single Malt Scotch Whiskies will be released for the 2016 Islay Festival, Diageo has announced.

Given the heightened interest in Lagavulin during its bicentennial celebration, it’s anticipated that these bottlings will be much in demand from enthusiasts. Often selling out within hours of going on sale, they will be available to personal shoppers at the distilleries only.

Lagavulin 18 Year Old

The Lagavulin Festival bottling comes from a blend of refill American Oak and ex Bodega European Oak casks. Bottled at cask strength, it will be a limited edition run of 6,000 bottles. RRP £125.

Georgie Crawford’s tasting notes in brief: Rose gold in colour, the Lagavulin 18 Year Old has an initially shy nose which opens up to offer complex rich, spicy notes with a nod to marzipan, dark dried fruits and star anise. Lovely fresh notes from the American oak and some menthol nose tickle. The taste is sharp but sweet, a subtle tannin background with a lovely long lasting finish. Slight saltiness gives way to a gentle roll of smoke across the tongue. Hints of soft fruits and plain chocolate balanced with rich wood character. 

Caol Ila 12 Year Old

The Caol Ila single cask bottling is also a blend of refill American Oak and ex Bodega European Oak casks. Bottled at cask strength, with a limited edition run of 1,500 bottles, this is a unique, more sherried expression than might be expected of a Caol Ila. RRP £99.

The Lagavulin bottling will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis at the distillery, starting on the distillery’s open day on World Whisky Day, Saturday 21^st May. The Caol Ila bottling will be sold starting from the Caol Ila distillery open day on Monday 23^rd May. During the Festival, a series of special events will be held at both Lagavulin and Caol Ila distilleries, including tastings with the distillery manager and warehouse demonstrations, which are now all sold out.

2016 continues to be a memorable year for Lagavulin as the iconic Islay distillery marks its 200^th anniversary. Georgie Crawford, Lagavulin Distillery Manager, said of the bottling: “This is a really special year for everyone at the distillery, and we’re looking forward to celebrating with our friends at the Feis Ile by raising a dram of these exceptional bottlings together.”

The Lagavulin Distillery team are aiming to bring as many people to Islay and Islay to as many people from around the globe as possible in 2016 to celebrate years of craft and passion. For those who cannot attend the festival, a Lagavulin 200th Anniversary film has been produced and is available to watch in 3D and 360 degrees with any virtual reality device. It has been designed to transport you to the birthplace of Lagavulin, whilst enjoying a dram. Watch the film here: https://www.malts.com/en-gb/lagavulin-360-videos/

Instagram: @LagavulinWhisky

Twitter: @LagavulinWhisky

#LoveScotch #Lagavulin200

For more Malts news please visit: http://www.malts.com/

Festival website: http://www.theislayfestival.co.uk/

Notes

About Diageo:Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

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The LAGAVULIN and CAOL ILA words and associated logos are trade marks. © 2016

Visit malts.com for further information.

Access to Caol Ila Distillery for Visitors on Monday 23^rd May: 

Diageo has announced that, as in previous years, due to limited space there is no parking at Caol Ila distillery, except for cars with a registered disabled badge. A regular complimentary shuttle bus service will operate from the village of Keills.