Caol Ila 18-Year-Old “The Guitarist” | Islay Jazz 2025

Festival partner release with rare toasted Scottish oak finish (948 bottles)

Exclusive tastings at Caol Ila & Johnnie Walker Princes Street, Edinburgh

As the official partner of the Islay Jazz Festival 2025 (19–21 September, 27th year), the coastal distillery known as the “Sound of Islay” unveils Caol Ila 18-Year-Old Jazz Festival Edition, The Guitarist. This limited edition single malt launches 1 September at the distillery and at the Johnnie Walker Experience, Princes Street, Edinburgh. Bottled at 52.8% ABV with only 948 bottles, the RRSP is £250—a collector-focused whisky tied to a three-day celebration of music on Islay featuring Fergus McCreadie, Unharm (guitarist James Mackay with vocalist Gaïa), and bassist-composer David Bowden’s live “Islay Experience” amid the maturation warehouses.

Design & Presentation: Framed by a music-led concept—“The Guitarist”—this Festival Edition aligns whisky and jazz across the island. Alongside the bottle release, Caol Ila hosts Jazz-themed Cocktail Masterclasses and a Smoke & Salt Food Pairing Experience, bringing the brand’s coastal character to life. An exclusive warehouse tasting with Distillery Manager Martin Gaughan culminates in a first sip of the 2025 Jazz Edition; full event details and booking are available via malts.com.

Maturation & Flavor Profile: First matured 18 years in American oak, this heavily peated single malt then receives a rare finish using toasted Scottish oak cask ends. Expect the distillery’s smoky-smooth baseline lifted to a fresh tempo, where aromatic spice meets a subtle coastal edge—a nod to Caol Ila’s shoreline setting—delivering a deft balance of salinity and signature gentle smoke.

Master Blender’s Statement (brand comment): Eleanor Gillies, Caol Ila’s Brand Home Manager, notes: “We always love the energy and excitement that the Jazz Festival brings… This year’s very special Festival Edition captures that spirit perfectly. At 18 years old, the expression reflects the essence of Caol Ila’s coastal character, with a gentle, but lingering fade of smouldering ember.”

Tasting notes

• Sweet confectionery notes
• Bold peppery smokiness
• Toffee apple and cinnamon
• Saline peat, crisp like a smooth baseline
• Subtle coastal hint of salt
• Caol Ila’s signature smooth, gentle smoky character

Conclusion: A precise union of music and whisky, this limited edition single malt amplifies Caol Ila’s maritime identity through an 18-year backbone and a rare Scottish oak finish—an Islay Jazz Festival release crafted for enthusiasts seeking provenance, tasting notes depth, and collectible scarcity.