DESCRIPTION Absolutely remarkable, this Caol Ila 1997 aged in a first-fill sherry cask is inevitably reminiscent of the Caol Ila 2004 from the 2020 creation catalog, The Little Big Book, aged in reconditioned sherry casks, which had retained great popularity among enthusiasts. . Overflowing with generosity and complexity, its aromatic and taste palette reveals, throughout the tasting, animal, medicinal, chocolate, rancid and floral tones which transcend the smoky, iodized, saline and mineral character of this Islay, one emblematic single malts from the merchant Gordon & MacPhail. TASTING NOTES Nose: Both fine and rich. Very dense, the first nose reveals a nice rancio (cherry in brandy, apricot, marmalade) while being animal (smoked meat), saline and empyreumatic (soot, ashes). Allowed to breathe, strong spices (cloves, nutmeg, black pepper) and heady flowers (iris, lavender, rosewood) constitute a particularly complex second olfactory stage. Then, gradually, the aromatic palette is imbued with a pleasant chocolate and malty bitterness. Mineral (slate) and iodized (dye), this lingers with notes of incense and leather. Appearance: Mahogany Mouth: Full, deep. Very lively, the attack on the palate reveals itself to be maritime (seaweed, salt), fruity (candied orange, currants), medicinal (tiger balm) and spicy (paprika, cinnamon). Initially, deliciously chocolatey and roasted (coffee), the mid-palate becomes increasingly autumnal (chestnut, truffle), grassy (tobacco), gamey (cured meat). Crackling, the finish evokes the hearth of a fireplace from which persistent braised scents escape. Finish: Long, fleshy. Heady (carnation, linden, violet) and preciously woody (Emery cloth, beeswax), the start of the finish takes up, amplifying it, the rancid and oxidative character (crushed red fruits, balsamic vinegar), lardy and iodized (kelp, seaweed) of the nose and mouth. Tinted with exoticism (mango, persimmon), the aftertaste is also marked by flavors of extremely mature fig and walnut. Nobly spicy (cardamom, curry, saffron), toasted (bread) and grilled, the retro olfaction makes us once again hear the crackling of the flames. Warm, the empty glass is at the same time mineral, (charcoal), (empyreumatic) sandalwood, crème brûlée) and herbaceous (Havana), chocolatey and oily.