Caol Ila 19-Year-Old The Drummer Jazz Festival Edition
Matured in American Oak and Bourbon Casks: The Second Chapter in the Islay Jazz Festival Series Arrives
Islay distillery Caol Ila has unveiled its 2026 Islay Jazz Festival limited-edition bottling: Caol Ila Jazz Festival – The Drummer. This single malt Scotch whisky marks the second release in the distillery's three-part collaboration with the Islay Jazz Festival, following last year's debut of The Guitarist.
Aged for 19 years and bottled at 52% ABV, The Drummer single malt whisky features a maturation profile combining refill American oak casks and ex-Bulleit Bourbon barrels, imparting a distinctive flavor architecture to the liquid.
Further Reading: The Complete Guide to Whisky Casks: Types, Flavor Profiles & Wood Finishing — Why 60% of Flavor Comes from the Cask
According to official tasting notes, this coastal Caol Ila expression presents an uncharacteristic interplay of sweetness and spice. The overall palate is rounded and luscious, underpinned by the distillery's signature smoke and balancing decadent sweet notes against warm spice.
Exploring Jazz Spirit and Cask Craftsmanship
Emma Watson, Brand Home Manager at Caol Ila, stated that with this year's festival featuring an exceptional lineup, the distillery is thrilled to celebrate music, whisky, and island culture once again. She noted that jazz represents adventurous experimentation and the blending of distinct styles. In the same vein, the team utilized American oak and bourbon casks on this 19-year-old expression to reveal notes rarely found in their coastal whisky, while enriching the lingering, gentle smoke.
Exclusive Distillery Experiences at 2026 Islay Jazz Festival
Taking place from September 11 to 13, this year's Islay Jazz Festival features several exclusive events hosted at Caol Ila, including the "Spirit of Smoke: Cask Draw & Tasting Experience" inside the Maturation Warehouse. Guests will have the opportunity to draw and sample five distillery-exclusive, cask-strength whiskies straight from the wood. Across the weekend, musicians from across Scotland will perform at the distillery, with an opening set by saxophonist and composer Laura Macdonald alongside guitarist Graeme Stephen, who will also premiere his suite ORWELL, composed on Jura and inspired by George Orwell's 1984.
📅 Release Date: 2026-09-09
🔗 Source: The Whisky Wire