I came across this at an airport lounge during a layover, having waited to try it until I could find a place to sample it without needing to gamble on an entire bottle. It’s been on my list for a while and I wasn’t disappointed. It seems impossible to try the 17 yo without comparing it to the 12 yo release. The nose is more muted and restrained than it’s younger sibling’s. On the palate, it’s more spice-driven than the 12, with vanilla, amber honey, dried fruits, and Christmas baking spices dominating. The finish is long and tends towards dry, where more of the spice and wood elements prevail. Overall, I prefer the 17 yo as a smoother, richer, and more robust dram than the 12 yo. Very enjoyable after-dinner (or holiday) selection. 4.25 ~ 90-92 ~ Excellent