Feis Ile 2024 ~ Caol Ila & Islay Ales Open Days
What can we say…?
One of the best days so far, catching up with great friends and seeing something new coming to fruition.
Oysters, drams, great tunes, and catching up with Billy Stitchell former manager of Caol Ila – maker of old spendid drams – right on the edge of the Sound of Islay made for an excellent late morning. Billy is now usually to be found on the other side of the camera – his photos of the Northen Lights are amazing!
I could learn a few camera selfie tips from this expert for sure! 🙂
It was also so good to meet up with Graham Omand, Manager of Lagg Distillery in Arran. What this man doesn’t know about starting up an new distillery and creating excellent whisky, isn’t worth knowing!
I was also very happy to meet my friend Glenis who is an Islay lover, a whisky lover and a Lover in general! – And, 20 years ago, Glenis and her lovely husband, John got married in Islay…!
As you can hear, Glenis likes to drink whisky that is older than she was when she got married… being a very young bride at the age of 17 years… 🙂
Glenis also loves the Bruichladdich drams – knowing the notes, flavours and tastes – but by dram six of Adam’s Tasting can’t just recall the name of the dram…!
(understandable to many of us…)
The new thing coming to fruition is Islay Ales Brewery opposite Islay Airport.
Not only was it the Open Day for the Islay Boys – it was also the OPENING DAY- as no one before had seen inside the building!
Islay Ales Brewery and the soon to come Laggan Bay Distillery share this site. Islay Ales beer tastes great and as I’m sure it will, if the Laggan Bay drams are half as good, then we will have another fine Islay dram to enjoy in the years to come.
Again, we were blessed by the sun, and I am looking forward to the rest of the Feis Ile days ahead.
Thanks to Donald and Gordon for their time and for sharing their passion and work with us.
Slainte Mhath!.
