Ballantine’s 17 yo is packed with flavour and opens with a nose of sweet caramel, vanilla and wooded notes.
There is also a delicate smoky note that wafts through and mingles really well with the sweeter notes.
It is dull and reassuring, giving the brighter flavours a backboard to bounce off.
The palate is elegantly sweet. Caramel, vanilla and big notes of honey take over.
These give it a smooth and mellow mouth feel as well.
The honey is earthy and thick, with a really lovely orchard flavour to it.
it ties in well with oak flavours and a little hint of spice that also appears.
There is a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg that combine everything together and give a lovely warming sensation to the smoke.