{"title":"Fèis Ìle 2026","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMay 2026\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThree casks.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOne spirit. One festival.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRare Find Fèis Ìle 2026 releases celebrate Caol Ila, craft finishing and the camaraderie that defines Islay.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFèis Ìle has always been about more than just the whisky. It is a celebration of place, people and shared passion - where distilleries, whisky makers, retailers, enthusiasts and locals gather to honour the spirit of Islay and the community that surrounds it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor Fèis Ìle 2026, Rare Find presents a trio of special releases that pay tribute to one of Islay’s most revered distilling styles. Each bottling begins with the unmistakable smoky, maritime and medicinal character that has made Caol Ila a cornerstone of Islay whisky. From this shared foundation, each cask has been given its own carefully judged finishing period, exploring how subtle secondary maturation can enhance and complement the distillery’s signature profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAll three whiskies have been matured for a final three months in carefully selected octave casks - small-format wood chosen to intensify interaction between spirit and cask, delivering rapid yet controlled flavour integration. The trio explores three distinct finishing influences: rich ruby port, elegant tawny port and complex, aromatic Madeira. Each finish adds its own layer of nuance while allowing the distinctive Caol Ila spirit to remain proudly at the forefront.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe releases are united visually through a striking shared label design - an abstract interpretation of Caol Ila’s smoky, medicinal and maritime character. Each expression carries the same artwork, distinguished only by colour cues that reflect the finishing cask influence, creating a cohesive yet individually expressive set designed to stand out both on shelf and in collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBottled exclusively for Fèis Ìle 2026, these Rare Find whiskies have been crafted with sharing in mind - releases designed to spark conversation, comparison and celebration among festival visitors, collectors and trade partners alike. Together, they offer an opportunity to explore how subtle cask finishing can shape a spirit while preserving the integrity of its origin.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"caol-ila-12-ruby-port","title":"Caol Ila 12 - Ruby Port","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of trio of octave-finished Caol Ila casks, this 12-year-old release was matured in a 1st fill ruby Port cask and limited to 61 bottles. The cask brings red berries, chocolate and warming spice into contact with Caol Ila’s mineral, coastal smoke. Neither side disappears: bright citrus and medicinal peat remain present beneath the sweeter Port influence. Presented alongside the tawny Port and Madeira editions, this bottle shows how one Islay spirit responds to three distinct fortified-wine casks, with ruby Port producing the darkest fruit profile of the set.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich and complex, with a deep chocolatey smoke and savoury barbecue sauce notes layered over sweet, dried berries. Hints of warming mulling spices add depth and intrigue, creating a bold, multi-dimensional aroma.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e The palate opens with bright citrus and the mineral bite of granite, layered with a touch of medicinal smoke. Juicy redcurrants and raspberries add vibrant fruitiness, balancing the smoky, stony character.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and expressive, with sweet, fruity smoke that lingers on the palate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Rare Find","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54630806847827,"sku":"RF-CAO12-FEIS1","price":99.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1097\/0336\/4947\/files\/RF-CAO12-FEIS1_pack.jpg?v=1789639444"},{"product_id":"caol-ila-12-tawny-port","title":"Caol Ila 12 - Tawny Port","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of trio of octave-finished Caol Ila casks, this 12-year-old release was matured in a first-fill tawny Port cask and limited to 63 bottles. Brown sugar, dried fruit and tangy sweetness meet medicinal peat, iodine and persistent coastal smoke. The cask adds rounded richness while lemon and brine keep the whisky lifted and recognisably Islay. Presented with the ruby Port and Madeira editions, it forms part of a direct cask comparison, showing how tawny Port develops a softer, more oxidative fruit character around the same distillery spirit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Opening with sweet aromas of mince pies and tangy cola cubes. Layers of medicinal peat smoke add depth and intrigue, while bright pineapple cubes lend a surprising, juicy freshness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich and enveloping, with soft brown sugar sweetness complemented by tangy cola bottles and chewy aniseed notes. Persistent coastal smoke wraps around the flavours, adding a profound, maritime character throughout.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lingering, with zesty lemon gel and briny iodine notes gradually giving way to fading sweet fruits.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Rare Find","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54630807765331,"sku":"RF-CAO12-FEIS2","price":99.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1097\/0336\/4947\/files\/RF-CAO12-FEIS2_pack.jpg?v=1789639464"},{"product_id":"caol-ila-12-madeira","title":"Caol Ila 12 - Madeira","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of trio of octave-finished Caol Ila casks, this 12-year-old release was matured in a first-fill Madeira cask and limited to 66 bottles. Madeira brings caramelised fruit, almond and bright citrus to the distillery’s coastal smoke, with aniseed and salinity providing structure. The whisky remains distinctly Caol Ila even as the fortified-wine cask broadens its sweeter side. Presented alongside the ruby and tawny Port editions, this bottle completes a three-cask comparison, with Madeira creating the brightest, most citrus-led interpretation of the shared Islay spirit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Opening with the sweet, caramelised aroma of griddled strawberries and the nutty warmth of salted almonds. Hints of ashy smoke and delicate angelica mingle, creating an inviting, yet intriguing nose.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich and mouthcoating, with bold aniseed notes that intertwine with billowing coastal smoke. Layers of zesty lemon tart add both freshness and impact.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Enduring, with a briny salinity that lingers on the palate. Slowly fading notes of bright lemon merge with persistent phenolic smoke, creating a layered, coastal character.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Rare Find","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54630808387923,"sku":"RF-CAO12-FEIS3","price":99.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1097\/0336\/4947\/files\/RF-CAO12-FEIS3_pack.jpg?v=1789639482"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1097\/0336\/4947\/collections\/feis-ile-caol-ila_hero.jpg?v=1790015125","url":"https:\/\/rarefindwhisky.co.uk\/collections\/feis-ile-caol-ila.oembed","provider":"Rare Find Whisky","version":"1.0","type":"link"}