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Two limited edition single-cask
bottlings of Lagavulin and Caol Ila
Single Malt Scotch Whiskies will be
released for the 2011 Islay Festival,
Diageo has announced.
Like previous Festival bottlings, it’s
anticipated that they 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 13
Year Old Feis Ile 2011
The
Lagavulin Festival bottling comes from a
Refill Butt filled in February 1998,
selected from Warehouse Number 1 by Iain
McArthur, long-time warehouseman at the
distillery. It has been bottled in an
edition of 588 bottles at its natural
cask strength of 51% ABV.
One of Diageo’s tasters commented on its
"approachable fruit tones and late,
cleansing anise-like notes, against a
backdrop of appetising smoke."
Caol Ila
Bodega Cask Feis Ile 2011
 The Caol Ila single cask bottling – hand
selected by Billy Stitchell,
long-standing distillery manager, whose
family connections with Caol Ila
distillery go back many generations –
has been drawn from a bodega cask filled
in February 2000. It enjoys a high
natural cask strength of 64.3% ABV, in
an edition of 600 bottles.
"A lean and precise whisky at cask
strength … altogether longer and more
structured with water. Complex and
provocative throughout …" were some of
the taster’s comments.
Sale
conditions
The Lagavulin single-cask bottling will
be sold on a first-come, first-served
basis at the distillery, starting on the
distillery’s open day, Saturday 21 May.
The Caol Ila bottling will be sold with
effect from Monday 23 May which is the
Caol Ila open day.
Both bottlings are priced at £79.95 UK
RRP per bottle.
Nick Morgan, Diageo’s Scotch Knowledge
and Heritage Director, said: "Whisky
lovers travel from all over the world to
visit the Islay Festival.
"These two carefully chosen single cask
bottlings are both outstanding examples
of Islay whiskies, conveying something
of the island’s magic for those lucky
enough enjoy them on their return home."
During the Festival, a series of special
events (now all fully booked) will be
held at both Lagavulin and Caol Ila
distilleries, including tastings with
the distillery manager and warehouse
demonstrations. There will be also be
tours of the Port Ellen Maltings.
Access to
Caol Ila Distillery
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 Ballygrant Hall at Keills.
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