I usually think Balvenie is overrated and not something i can commonly enjoy. I have read a lot about this "peat week" expressions they have, but i never had faith on it, since i also read a lot of good reviews on their other offerings, which i don't usually share. BUT THIS IS SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT. This 2003 vintage, 48.3%abv is an amazing dram, and deserves all the hype it gets. On the nose it has an amazing earthy peatiness, salt, iodine, old oranges, smoky and definitively feels more like a Highland Park than a Balvenie. On the palate it is powerful. All other Balvenies i have had are usually dull. But this one, pure power. Toffee, Inmediate wasabi bomb. SUPER SPICY. Red chilli peppers. Toffee and sweet on the second sip. Aftertaste is salty and ashy. Really something enjoyable. Overall, i give this dram a solid and fair 93 over 100. Great whisky really.