Even if i hated Ballantine's finest and Ballantine's 12yo, i went to a club last night and after looking the liquor chart, the only one i did not had before was this Ballantine's 17yo. Obviously i asked to see the bottle and it had a gorgeous old-looking label. Well, this is a very good dram. I wouldn't buy it, but i recognize there is a galaxy of difference between the horrible finest and 12yo from this one. Bottled at 43%abv, with a chesnut oloroso sherry color. On the nose the first note is salt and some dry grass. After breathing a little it changes to a sweeter aroma, with vanilla cream, milk chocolate and butter cake. I think it was a little dim and i rated it 21 over 25. On the palate is much much better. And i believe this is the most wonderful hobbie in the world (to review whiskies) because it shows you how a cereal note can be awful sometimes and other times is pleasant. This dram felt very good in the palate with tobbacco and cereal notes, pleasant hotness, and a peppery sensation that numbs your lips a little. Some smoke too. The aftertaste is long and nice, very mouth watering. Overall i rate this dram with a particular high note: 91 over 100 (because of my rating system) but it felt more like an 89 over 100. In any case it is a good dram (that i wouldn't buy) and it deserves the high score i have given to it.