With a history of whisky-making that dates well back to the 1300s, the Isle of Islay has weathered the storms and coasted the waves of whisky's turbulent past, and is now famous the world over for its iconic outputs. Today, the 620km² island is home to nine distilleries, with more in the works, and the names of Ardbeg, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Kilchoman, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Ardnahoe, Bunnahabhain, and Caol Ila will no doubt be familiar to many of you.

Whilst there are a fantastic range of expression from the region, they are most well-known for their exceptionally peated outputs, and the Bruichladdich Distillery really takes the biscuit with Octomore, the most peated whisky in the world!

Being a small adventure away from the mainland, the island hosts an annual celebration of their fine distilleries, which convinces people from far and wide to make the trek and spend a week staggering from distillery to distillery enjoying the food, the tours, the music, the traditional events, and of course the whisky! This week-long fiesta, which began in 1986, is known locally as Fèis Ìle [pronounced "Fesh Eel"], or 'Islay Festival'. This year the festival will be held between Friday 23rd May to Saturday 31st May.

photo credit: Fèis Ìle website

Regional Recommendations

We promised you recommendations of our favourite drams from each of the festival Scotch regions and we are here to deliver! Our wonderful Glasgow Buchanan Galleries team have chosen the exquisite Ardnahoe Bholsa release:

Ardnahoe Bholsa
Ardnahoe Bholsa
£62.00
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Ardnahoe Bholsa is an exceptional whisky is predominantly matured in Oloroso sherry casks and is bottled with no artificial colouring or chill-filtration, ensuring a pure and authentic experience. With an ABV of 50% and presented in a 70cl bottle, this whisky delivers a full-bodied, memorable flavour profile.

On the nose, it offers a rich blend of smoky peat, raisins, and the sweet influence of Oloroso sherry, complemented by vibrant notes of orange zest and walnuts. The palate is indulgent, with luscious ripe plums and dates, balanced by the distinctive warmth of Islay peat. The finish is long and peppery, leaving a lingering sherried character.

More from our Glasgow Buchanan Galleries Store

Once declared as “The Second City of the Empire” Glasgow has been home to the Buchanan Galleries branch of the Whisky Shop store for over 20 years.

Situated in the heart of Glasgow, on the lower ground floor of the Buchanan Galleries Shopping Centre at the top end of Buchanan Street. A whisky lover's paradise, the shop offers over 400 types of blended, malt, and rare whiskies.

How to find them:

Unit L2-02 Buchanan Galleries
220 Buchanan Street
Glasgow, G1 2GF
+44 (0)141 331 0022

Team Tip: Are you a fan of tea as well as whisky? If so, you have to visit the Whittard of Chelsea Glasogw in the Buchanan Galleries (after a visit to us of course!). They have an amazing selection of hot bevs to try, and you can sit and have a bit of cake there!