Ballantine's 17 Years Old

Tasted in Whisky Magazine Issue 55 by Martine Nouet and Dave Broom.

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Tasting Notes

Martine Nouet Nose Musty. Earthy peat notes. Mushrooms, wet leaves. Oozing dampness. Then rich biscuity notes. Lemon cake. Touch of beewax. Palate Enticing sweetness. Silky feel. Salty sensation. Peaty, rooty. Teasingly tingling. Spicier with water. Finish Dry, sherbety. Nutty. Dry walnuts. Comment Quite a rustic profile, warmed up when aerated. Seems to have retained the waterfalls from all Scotland!

Dave Broom Nose Gentle and soft: green banana, coconut milk, hot gorse, honey, whipped cream. With water, there’s subtle smoke and summer fruits. Palate Very smooth start, then lifts into dry smoke and spicy oak which balance the citric juiciness, gooseberry jam, vanilla and general fruitiness. Finish Light sherried notes and smoke. Gentle. Comment An example of superb blending skills. If this tasting is about balance then this is a perfect example, every element pulls together in harmony.