Ballantine's 17 Year

The nose is quite complex. Quite pungent especially for a blend, you smell fruit, cinnamon, quite nutty and vegetal peat. Palate: balanced, medium power, very herbal and a bit astringent. Fruity and nutty, and of course pretty smooth. Finish: medium with lingering spice and vegetal peat. This is an interesting blend because it literally tastes like they made it with some lapgroiag. It's very different from the chivas where the chivas is really fruity. Ballantines 17 tastes fruity with vegetal peat smoke

Jim Murray Whisky of the year... Classic Blend, Affordable price! nearly tickets all the boxes... nearly... short on the finish and i found it slightly lighter for a 17 years. Worth a try to see what all the fuss is about.