This old ones could be fab I’m wary of reduced ones. Colour: dark amber. Nose: well, it’s a notch weak at very first sniffs but what’s deep inside seems to be very complex. Let’s wait a little longer… zzz… Good, indeed, there are more notes of old walnuts, butter cream, smoked tea, marmalade and various chutneys (probably mango, maybe pineapple), some soot, some metal polish (do you know Glanzol? It’s a genuine Alsatian brand!)… Touches of old white wine as well but the whole remains a little shy. Also touches of camphor, then aniseed and wormwood after a good fifteen minutes. Maybe smoked cheese as well? Curious about the palate… Mouth: the oak’s taken over, or is about to. It’s not that it’s unpleasant, not at all, but the distillate hasn’t much to say anymore, there’s just an acrid smokiness. The older (so younger) Caol Ilas by G&M could be magnificent, but I feel these casks were a little tired. Having said that, should you wait a little longer, the mentholated and resinous notes can be very interesting. Isn’t this eugenol? That would be C10H12O2. Just trying to be smart. Finish: of medium length, always woody and resinous. Astonishingly, the aftertaste is neither too drying nor too astringent. Mint. Comments: I think very old peaters are always having trouble on the palate, whichever the distillery. It’s the Ardbeg ’65 syndrome. Now, the nose was quite brilliant!

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