Caol Ila 2008 15 Year Old, Dramfool Middle Cut Cask #313320

A 15 year old Caol Ila distilled on 4th July 2008 (a perfect dram to celebrate Independence Day, if it lasts that long in the cupboard!), matured for 13 years in a bourbon barrel before being transferred into a fresh refill Bordeaux red wine barrique filled within days of being emptied for bottling as an unpeated release in their Jim McEwan Signature Collection release #1. Finished for over two years, adding a balance of fruit and flavour - when a cask is that impressive why not use it twice!

Tasting notes by Jim McEwan MBE

Cask Type - 13 Years in Bourbon, then 2 years in red wine Barrique

Colour - 19 Carat Gold!!

Aromas - Beautiful opening on a smoky marine combination of peat, seaweed & charred oak from the Bourbon barrels which work in harmony with the wine influence. Underneath it all lies a briny sea breeze, and this allows the red wine to add a halo of red fruits without detracting from the smoky peat influence. A dash of water is required to fully and truly experience the taste!

Taste - It’s an absolute delight. All the aromatics can be found on the palate, particularly the red wine which calms the peat fire influence. While very potent, this Islay gem walks a different path. A fruitier, more grainy taste which makes the flavours from the malted barley uphold its Islay heritage despite the high alcohol. The wine flavour is working well giving this spirit a DNA that is seldom experienced.