Dram Cask No. 4 Ships

Orleans Group has released the fourth installment in its Dram series, as the Cask No. 4 has begun shipping to retailers today.

The Dram Cask No. 4 uses a dark rich Connecticut broadleaf wrapper over an Ecuadorian Sumatra binder with fillers from Nicaragua, and is being made by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo at Tabacalera Alianza in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The company says it brings “a fuller, bolder taste” that is “designed to pair perfectly with the peat and smokiness whiskys of Islay, the Islands and Skye,” as well as some of the heavier Highlands scotches and Tennessee Sour Mash bourbons.

The Dram Cask No. 4 is being released in four sizes: Robusto (5 x 50, $11 MSRP) Toro (6 x 54, $11.50), Churchill (7 x 50, $12) and Gigantor (6 x 60, $12.50), all of which are regular production releases. It was originally scheduled to hit stores in May, though the company has not disclosed what caused the delay.

In a press release, Rene Castañeda, vice president of sales, said that “in this blend, we found that the true Broadleaf wrapper really shines and is especially well paired with heavier whiskys and that was our goal. It gives us a rich, heavy, intense smoke that provides complexity while not being over the top in terms of strength. It is a medium to full cigar which makes it approachable to all.”

The Dram Cigars for Whiskey series launched in 2014 with three offerings: Cask No. 1, a creamy, mild-plus smoke with a Connecticut wrapper that works well with Lowland and Southern Highland scotches; Cask No. 2, a woody, spicy flavor with its Corojo wrapper bringing complexity and medium body which is great for Northern Highlands and Speyside scotches; and Cask No. 3 with its Habano wrapper providing more spice and smoky flavors in a medium plus profile for the heavier Speyside scotches.