A treasure trove from our friends at Dramfool features a pair of stunning Caol Ila 14-year-old single casks, as well as “secret source” 17-year-old Islay, the source of which is actually readily apparent by sorting out the anagram in the whisky’s “Red Bag” moniker.

Caol Ila 14 Year Old “Dramfool’s Middle Cut” Cask #313329 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $139.99 View

The first pair of Caol Ila casks in Dramfool’s new Middle Cut private cask line is a doozy. We’ve partnered with Dramfool to be able to give our customers one of the coolest Caol Ila tastings you could ever hope to put together. Four sister casks of Caol Ila in total will be coming to K&L. All four were born on the 4th of July, 2008. In April of 2021 all were reracked into the freshly emptied barrels of the Jim McEwan Signature Series from Dramfool for extended finishing. These compelling casks were part of the legendary Jim McEwan’s retirement plan — the choicest of barrels from Bruichladdich’s early revival days personally selected and owned by Jim himself. This year’s pair of Caol Ila casks, bottled at 14 years old, were finished in McEwan Release 1.2 and 2.2. Barrel #313329 was reracked into release 2.2 — the Port Charlotte release that had been aged in 1st fill Bourbon Barrel (from Beam). The result is a smokier and sweeter version of Caol Ila thanks to the additional Port Charlotte influence and an extra bump from what is effectively a super high quality, now second fill, bourbon barrel.

Caol Ila 14 Year Old “Dramfool’s Middle Cut” Cask #313321 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $139.99 View

These two casks of Caol Ila from Dramfool mark the start of something truly special. Not only are they the first full private casks they’ve sold as an exclusive to a retailer, they are part of an amazing set with a compelling cask history. They provide a rare opportunity to build both a horizontal and vertical tasting from a single set of casks. There are four sister casks in total coming to K&L between this year and next year that were all distilled on the 4th of July, 2008 at Caol Ila. In April of 2021 all four casks were reracked into the freshly emptied Jim McEwan Signature Series 1.x and 2.x releases where they will sit untouched until bottling. This year’s pair comes from the 1.2 and 2.2 releases. (Next year will see 1.3 and 2.3 finished versions hit our shelves). This Caol Ila cask (#313321) was reracked for finishing into JMSS 1.2 – the stupendous cask of Port Charlotte aged in a first-fill Bordeaux barrique that personally belonged to Jim as part of his retirement nest egg. If you know anything about Bruichladdich’s wine casks, you know this was surely a 1st growth property, although they won’t confirm which one! The Port Charlotte’s influence on the cask both pulled out the most intense red wine notes and left behind an extra smoke component for it to carry into our Caol Ila. The result is mature Caol Ila with an extra robust smoke profile and mellow red fruit to complement the naturally sweet ripe stone fruit and malt of Diageo’s famous Port Askaig distillery.

2006 Dramfool 17 Year Old “Red Bag” Bourbon Hogshead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $399.99 View

Islay’s easiest anagram. This epic cask was distilled March 9, 2006 and bottled April 24, 2023 at 17 years old. It’s old school South Shore goodness from one of the world’s most sought after distilleries. Bottled at a natural cask strength of 57.2% ABV without color or chill filtration.

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