Planning a UK break this year? Islay's' Festival of Malt and Music' promises to be a destination with a difference; a treat for whisky lovers and an inspiration for newcomers to scotch.
Now in its 15th year, the festival, known as Feis Ile (fesh eel) runs from 21st-29th May 2011. The week-long programme takes place across the island and celebrates Islay culture: music, sport, craft and, crucially, its most famous product, malt whisky; despite being only 25 miles by 20 miles, the island boasts 8 world-famous distilleries!
At Feis Ile the population of Islay doubles in size as visitors traverse the globe to pay homage to their favourite single malts.
Laphroaig, is the world's No.1 Islay whisky and it is expecting over 1,000 visitors for its dedicated open day on 24th May and events during the week, which will include: one-off, whisky-pairing dinners; distillery tours; whisky master-classes; live music and cookery demonstrations and classes with The Whisky Kitchen. Intimate tastings will also take place in Laphroaig's beachfront 'friends' lounge with Master Distiller, Robert Hicks, Distillery Manager, John Campbell, Visitor Centre manager Vicky Stevens and Laphroaig Master Ambassador Simon Brooking.
John Campbell, Laphroaig Distillery Manager, said: "We are really excited about this year's festival and as it's the 15th anniversary, we are launching some great new tours and tastings that will give our visitors a truly inspirational Laphroaig experience. The theme this year is "Steeped in Islay" and we look forward to welcoming our Friends of Laphroaig and whisky lovers from around the world!"
To reserve places for Laphroaig events, email visitor.centre@laphroaig.com or telephone 01496 302 418. (Places are special tours are LIMITED - bookings operates on a first-come, first-served basis)
• For accommodation and camping, visitors should call the local Tourist Information Centre on Islay 01496 810 254
Laphroaig, is the world's No.1 Islay whisky and it is expecting over 1,000 visitors for its dedicated open day on 24th May and events during the week, which will include: one-off, whisky-pairing dinners; distillery tours; whisky master-classes; live music and cookery demonstrations and classes with The Whisky Kitchen. Intimate tastings will also take place in Laphroaig's beachfront 'friends' lounge with Master Distiller, Robert Hicks, Distillery Manager, John Campbell, Visitor Centre manager Vicky Stevens and Laphroaig Master Ambassador Simon Brooking.
John Campbell, Laphroaig Distillery Manager, said: "We are really excited about this year's festival and as it's the 15th anniversary, we are launching some great new tours and tastings that will give our visitors a truly inspirational Laphroaig experience. The theme this year is "Steeped in Islay" and we look forward to welcoming our Friends of Laphroaig and whisky lovers from around the world!"
To reserve places for Laphroaig events, email visitor.centre@laphroaig.com or telephone 01496 302 418. (Places are special tours are LIMITED - bookings operates on a first-come, first-served basis)
• For accommodation and camping, visitors should call the local Tourist Information Centre on Islay 01496 810 254
FACT FILE:
Laphroaig (La-Froyg):
Laphroaig (La-froyg) is an Islay (Eye-lah) single malt whisky
Laphroaig 10 Year Old is the world's best-selling Islay whisky. The liquid is sparkling gold in colour with a huge smoke, seaweed and a hint of sweetness on the nose. Full bodied, the taste of 10 Year Old comprises Islay peat smoke and is full and earthy with tangy salt-laden air and an echo of sweetness at the end.
• The current distillery was founded in 1815 and still runs at full capacity.
• The process of crafting Laphroaig has remained the same since inception and includes a malting floor, drying in peat smoke and distillation in copper pot stills.
• The Laphroaig distillery is currently managed by John Campbell, an Islay native (an 'Ileach') whose father also worked for the distillery.
• There exists a 'Friends of Laphroaig' website where whisky lovers throughout the world could meet and chat. Each 'friend' is granted a lifetime lease on a square foot of distillery land, many of which have made a pilgrimage to see and claim their rent from the distillers, 'a wee dram'.
• Laphroaig is the only single malt to wear the Royal Warrant Prince of Wales feathers and in 2008 HRH Prince Charles travelled to the Laphroaig to claim his square foot and his wee dram rent!
• Laphroaig is traditionally served neat, with a splash of mineral water or mineral ice cube.
• Laphroaig core range includes: Laphroaig 10 Year Old and 10 Year Old Cask Strength; Laphroaig Quarter Cask; Laphroaig 18, 25, 27 and 30 Year Old. (From time to time Laphroaig also produce a number of additions to the range with new expressions and finishes)
Laphroaig (La-Froyg):
Laphroaig (La-froyg) is an Islay (Eye-lah) single malt whisky
Laphroaig 10 Year Old is the world's best-selling Islay whisky. The liquid is sparkling gold in colour with a huge smoke, seaweed and a hint of sweetness on the nose. Full bodied, the taste of 10 Year Old comprises Islay peat smoke and is full and earthy with tangy salt-laden air and an echo of sweetness at the end.
• The current distillery was founded in 1815 and still runs at full capacity.
• The process of crafting Laphroaig has remained the same since inception and includes a malting floor, drying in peat smoke and distillation in copper pot stills.
• The Laphroaig distillery is currently managed by John Campbell, an Islay native (an 'Ileach') whose father also worked for the distillery.
• There exists a 'Friends of Laphroaig' website where whisky lovers throughout the world could meet and chat. Each 'friend' is granted a lifetime lease on a square foot of distillery land, many of which have made a pilgrimage to see and claim their rent from the distillers, 'a wee dram'.
• Laphroaig is the only single malt to wear the Royal Warrant Prince of Wales feathers and in 2008 HRH Prince Charles travelled to the Laphroaig to claim his square foot and his wee dram rent!
• Laphroaig is traditionally served neat, with a splash of mineral water or mineral ice cube.
• Laphroaig core range includes: Laphroaig 10 Year Old and 10 Year Old Cask Strength; Laphroaig Quarter Cask; Laphroaig 18, 25, 27 and 30 Year Old. (From time to time Laphroaig also produce a number of additions to the range with new expressions and finishes)
(EDITOR: I have a bottle of Laphroaig 10 years old under my desk! In fact I have Christened this article with a wee nip from that very bottle, just now!)