Lagavulin 15YO Feis Isle 2025 (55,7%)

The Lagavulin 15 Year Old Feis Ìle 2025 was released for Fèis Ìle 2025 and showcases an unusual cask combination alongside Lagavulin’s classic smoky character. The release was bottled in a limited run of 1,596 bottles drawn from a small group of selected casks.

Distilled in 2009, the whisky initially matured in refill butts and hogsheads before receiving an additional finish of almost two years in seven Moscatel de Málaga casks. This sweet fortified wine from Andalusia brings a rich, fruit-driven character and was inspired by a historic distillery archive reference dating back to 1899.

On the nose, classic Lagavulin aromas of iodine and medicinal peat smoke appear alongside sweeter notes of salted toffee, black cherries and dark berries. With a drop of water, maritime elements become more pronounced, revealing smouldering peat, sea air and a subtle hint of white grape.

The palate is creamy and mouth-filling. It begins with a lightly sweet and saline impression before peppery spice and deeper smoke build intensity across the palate. The Moscatel casks introduce a rounded fruitiness and gentle sweetness that integrates smoothly with Lagavulin’s smoky core.

The finish is long, warming and slightly drying, with lingering sweet smoke and spice followed by a persistent peppery heat.

This festival bottling highlights how Lagavulin’s powerful maritime style can take on an additional layer of richness when paired with a sweet wine cask influence.