This Limited Edition whisky was distilled on the 28th October 1998 and filled into American Oak casks before being transferred to first-fill Manzanilla sherry casks on the 25th May 2016 to finish. Moorings will be introduced in the bay, encouraging boats to tie up and visit the distillery from the sea. Meanwhile,visitors will be encouraged to stay for the day and relax in one of several mobile beach huts. And because not everyone can make it to the festival, past Fèis Ìle bottles have become highly coveted collectibles when released in the secondary market. Each bottle’s price tends to double or quadruple after the festival. The iconic Lagavulin would be releasing for the first time an Armagnac cask-finished bottling. The 14-year-old single malt has been matured in a combination of American and European oak, before being finished in said Armagnac casks. Finally, Manzanilla is a variant of fino sherry that’s particularly light. It’s named after a chamomile infusion as its flavours are said to resemble the herb. It distinguishes itself by being made closer to the coast near the port of Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

Inspired by the success of Bunnahabhain's 1980 Canasta Cask Finish limited release, the Canasta Cask Matured makes use of a type of sherry cask rarely used in whisky maturation. Produced from a combination of Palomino and Pedro Ximénez grapes, Canasta sherry has a sweet and spicy character which Bunnahabhain says complements its unpeated spirit "exceptionally well". The Canasta Cask Matured is bottled non-chill filtered at 51.2% ABV. A few drops of water bring out additional spice, specifically cinnamon. The Robinson summer fruit notes have transformed into dried mangoes and apricots. Additionally, there are hints of caramel and passion fruit. Personally, we found the nose more enjoyable before dilution. Palate (with water) However, its acidity somewhat offset and masked by its sweetness. Likewise, the alcoholic strength and its full-bodied qualities of the wine are also well-concealed by the residual sugars. Nevertheless, it isn’t too cloying and quite easy to drink.

Further Reading

Sherry is best known as a dry fortified wine. Indeed, port tends to get the limelight where sweet fortified wines are concerned. You can also learn about it with our guides to port wine. We worked with whisky consultant Blair Bowman to curate the whiskies for the whisky room. As part the brief, Blair wanted to include a variety of well-known whisky that guests would recognise, but also plenty of ‘hidden gems’ distilleries or bottlings that might be less familiar. For those guests visiting from overseas, he wanted to give them an opportunity to try whiskies they may never have tasted before. We also wanted a range whiskies to suit all budgets and occasions. These limited edition expressions are so highly sought after that hours-long queues have formed outside the Bowmore and Bunnahabhain Distilleries for instance, with many people camped out overnight to be the first in line to buy the Fèis Ìle edition bottles in the morning. Whisky is as synonymous with Scotland as tartan and golf, and a club as prestigious as Dundonald Links deserves a whisky tasting room to match this traditional pastime. Currently, Williams & Humbert is the largest winery in Europe, and its distributor, Sovisur, distributes all its products together with wines from other denominations such as Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Rueda or Rías Baixas.

The Decision is bottled at 53.1% ABV, and is crafted using a blend of Hungarian Tokaji wine casks and Spanish canasta Sherry casks.Meanwhile, Palo Cortado is a somewhat rare variant of sherry. Initially produced as an Amontillado, its flor dies early, which results in a flavour profile closer to oloroso sherry.

Although Palo Cortado sherry can be made by accident, some producers will intentionally refortify a fino sherry earlier to create it.N ose: it’s all on figs and raisins, with nice hints of dark chocolate and vanilla. Hints of Gianduja. Walnut cake. It also has the slightly peppery notes of a dry Oloroso and even a faint smoky note. It’s smooth and attractive, good start. Located in the heart of Jerez de la Frontera, Bodega Williams & Humbert was founded in 1877 by Sir Alexander Williams and Arthur Humbert, and is considered to be a prestigious wine producer. As we approach Fèis Ìle 2023, we're taking a look at this years Bunnahabhain offerings. Bunnahabhain Fèis Ìle 2023: Canasta Cask Matured