Balnellan 8 Year Peated

This is the second scotch I've bought from Total Wine. There isn't much information available on this one, so I'm trying it without prior knowledge. It's peated and has an 8-year age statement, so it should be decent. Poured neat, the nose has notes of dusty cardboard, bread dough, and mild smoky honey with malt. The palate starts with more smoky, dusty honey malt but includes a hint of fruit and a yeasty note. It would be quite good, but it lacks potency or depth, so the thin taste is fleeting and leaves you wanting more. A couple of drops of water enhances it slightly. The finish is acceptable with lingering smoke, black pepper, gentle doughy malt, and drying charred wood. I find peated scotches always finish well due to the enduring smoke notes. This is a passable smoky scotch. Not outstanding, but a good introduction for novices. Experienced peat enthusiasts should invest more to find their desired level of smoke. Since I'm already experienced, I won't repurchase, but it's not bad... 75/100.