I know i have been rating high scores lately, and it is because i bought a lot of samples of good renowned whiskies. This is not that case.
I bought this full bottle simply because i loved the NAS version of Old Ballantruan, called "the peated malt". It is much better than the NAS, being almost a perfect 100 over 100.
Bottled at 50%abv, with a deep gold color.
On the nose not complex but beautiful: PEAT, A LOT OF IT. butter and smoke. Simple but great.
On the palate, spices, oranges, smoke, a mild but pleasant burn, clove, corn, very phenolic. Finish is so long, smokey and spicy, that makes your tongue to go to sleep. It never feels like a 50%abv dram, very smooth, very balanced. Amazing really.
Overall i give this a 98 over 100. Very very very recommended. Slaintè!