The Caol Ila special bottling was selected by distillery manager David Wood. It was distilled in 2002 and has been matured in refill American oak hogsheads. It has been bottled at 55.5% ABV in an edition of 1,500 bottles.

The Lagavulin bottling is drawn from casks filled in January 1995. Matured in European oak sherry butts, the liquid was selected by Lagavulin warehouseman Iain McArthur. At 54.7% ABV, it comes in an edition of 3,500 bottles.

Both whiskies are priced at £99 per bottle. Sales are limited to two bottles per personal visitor.

Georgie Crawford commented: “The Festival gets stronger and better every year, and all of us at Lagavulin and Caol Ila Distilleries hope that this year’s special Fèis bottlings, and those offered by other distilleries on this wonderful island, will add to the delight of those visitors who come to celebrate Islay’s great whiskies and whisky-making traditions with us during the Fèis.”

This year’s annual Islay Festival runs from May 23 to 31. The Lagavulin distillery open day is on Saturday May 24. The Port Ellen maltings open day is on Sunday May 25. The Caol Ila distillery open day is on Monday May 26.