Dràm Mòr Caol Ila 2015 Cask #302611 & Dràm Mòr Pitilie (Aberfeldy) 2015 Cask #247

Dràm Mòr Caol Ila 2015 Cask #302611

Region: Islay

ABV: 55.2%

Price: £82.00

Distilled in 2015, this release was finished in a French oak oloroso sherry hogshead before being bottled in 2024 by Dràm Mòr as part of their Spring releases. A total of 288 bottles were made available.

Nose

The nose starts with rich aromas of buttered crumpets, sea salt, and bonfire smoke, intertwined with notes of tar, wood varnish, rice crackers, and a hint of chlorine. Revisiting the nose reveals kelp, lime juice, dry earth, and a subtle mustiness. Nutty notes of cashew, savoury Cornish pasty, red cola, and a kick of ginger spice appear with patience.

Palate

The palate delivers a robust punch of smoke, mixed with the sweetness of cream soda. Nutty notes of pistachios blend with lavender, stewed apples, beef brisket, ash, tar, and hibiscus. A subtle spice from black pepper and dried sugared ginger sits behind these notes . The mouthfeel straddles between oily and creamy, enhancing the overall texture. Upon revisiting, there's an intriguing sardines on a BBQ vibe, splashed with sweet BBQ sauce. The finish is medium in length, maintaining a perfect balance of sweet, smoke, and slight spice that lingers harmoniously.

Nose (with water)

Adding water to the nose doesn’t make a huge difference. Some notes become more prominent notes such as tar, smoke, and dust. Behind these cooked porridge oats barley sugars, cashew nuts and beef crisps. Personally we find the nose takes a few nose takes a few drops of water well.

Palate (with water)

Adding water to the palate results in subtle changes; it introduces a slight bitterness from dark chocolate, yet the core notes remain intact. The mouthfeel and finish also hold up well under the addition of water. The spice becomes slightly better balanced, although the overall palate is a touch drier, reminiscent of dry roasted peanuts.

Conclusion

This is a well-balanced dram that can be enjoyed with or without water. It offers a good mouthfeel and a satisfying finish. While not exactly a critique, it's worth noting that the sherry finish is not overly pronounced; those expecting a strong sherry influence might be disappointed. However, we enjoyed this whisky for what it is and appreciated the subtler sherry influences.

Score: 8/10

Value

The price is in line with what other indie bottlers are charging.

Dràm Mòr Pitilie (Aberfeldy) 2015 Cask #247

Region: Highlands

ABV: 54.8%

Price: £62.00

Distilled in 2015, this release was finished in a first-fill Buffalo Trace barrel before being bottled in 2024 by Dràm Mòr as part of their Spring releases. A total of 240 bottles were made available.

Nose

On the nose, this whisky presents an inviting mix of vanilla and lemon juice, accompanied by aroma of burnt toast and the sweetness of icing sugar. We also found notes of grapefruit, pineapple, peach, and caramel, creating. Despite its ABV, there isn't much alcohol spice, making it quite approachable. Upon revisiting, additional scents of uncooked pizza dough and barley sugars emerge.

Palate

On the palate, this whisky starts off quite spicy with a pronounced sweet chili heat, which then gives way to subtler flavours of fudge and crème anglaise. The mouthfeel is reasonably creamy, adding a pleasant texture to the experience. The finish is medium-length, with both sweetness and spice lingering pleasingly on the palate. Upon revisiting, additional flavours emerge, including lemon juice, caramel, pineapple, and tangerines, which intertwine with vanilla and brown sugar.

Nose (with water)

Adding water to the nose brings forward more of the uncooked pizza dough and introduces a slightly vegetal note. There's an increase in citric sweetness, prominently featuring lemons and limes, which is complemented by underlying notes of vanilla sweetness, fudge, and cream.

Palate (with water)

With the addition of water, the palate becomes sweeter, with a synthetic edge, while the spiciness diminishes. This sweetness persists into long the finish. The mouthfeel improves, becoming creamier. We’re getting lots of caramel and brown sugar, along with a touch of honey.

Conclusion

With a few drops of water, this bourbon cask whisky shines. It serves as a solid reminder of how well bourbon cask maturation can complement the natural qualities of the spirit. Personally, we wish more bottlers would consider using fresh bourbon casks for finishing instead of defaulting to sherry casks.

Score: 7/10

Value

As usual Dràm Mòr are one of the more pocket friendly bottlers.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

If you like what you’ve read then check out our social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) to get notifications of when we post a new review or just to chat about whisky with us.