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

K&L Notes: 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. 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 a first-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.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: April 22, 2023

Cask #313329 is a beauty. It is more classic Caol Ila than #313321, and perhaps that’s no surprise as there is no wine influence here, just Caol Ila’s famous fruit, grass, and smoke paired with a sweet bourbon barrel and an extra hit of smoke. Upfront notes of vanilla custard, peat, and gummy peach rings. Butterscotch. Salty, smoky, rendered bacon fat. Golf course. Honey graham crackers. It’s got it all and is a great contrasting cask to #313321. The palate is weighty and sweet with a mouth-coating smoke and a balancing herbaceousness. It finishes very clean and sweet. Medium length. If you love the OB Caol Ila 12 year, you’ll flip over this bottling at two more years and cask strength.

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