Caol Ila Distillery has announced its plans for this year’s Islay Jazz Festival, running from 11–13 September. The Diageo-owned distillery will release The Drummer, a limited-edition 19-year-old single malt and the second bottling in its jazz-inspired trilogy.
The Drummer follows last year’s The Guitarist as part of the partnership between the distillery and the festival.
The whisky has undergone a rare experimental three-stage maturation in American oak. The third and final stage took place in ex-Bulleit bourbon casks.
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According to the brand, this produces “an unusually sweet and spicy edition of the coastal whisky, with smooth, rich flavours and undertones of the signature smoke for which Caol Ila is famed.”
The Drummer will launch exclusively at Caol Ila Distillery from 7 September. It is priced at $373 (£275) and bottled at 52% ABV.
Alongside the release, the distillery will host a weekend of live music and exclusive whisky experiences.
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READ THE STORYPerformances will come from acclaimed Scottish musicians including saxophonist and composer Laura Macdonald and award-winning guitarist Graeme Stephen. Stephen will premiere his latest work, ORWELL, inspired by the author’s novel 1984 and written during his time on the neighboring island of Jura.
The distillery will also host cask-strength tastings in its Maturation Warehouse through the Spirit of Smoke: Cask Draw & Tasting Experience.
A further experience, the Caol Ila x Islay Cocoa: Artisanal Chocolate Pairing, will combine the distillery’s peated whisky with luxury chocolate created by Emma Goudie, owner of local chocolatier Islay Cocoa.
Emma Watson, Caol Ila’s brand home manager, said: “The line-up at this year’s Jazz festival is incredible, and we’re excited to once again be a part of this celebration of music, whisky and island culture.”
She added: “Jazz embodies experimentation, boldness and the perfect blending of styles to make something beautiful – quite like our new festival release, The Drummer.”
Caol Ila reopened in August 2022 as part of Diageo’s £185 million ($249m) investment into scotch whisky tourism. The distillery, on the shores of the Sound of Islay, has produced single malt scotch since 1846.
Now in its 27th year, the Islay Jazz Festival stages concerts in venues including distilleries, village halls and churches across the island.
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