Old Ballantruan The Peated Malt 10 Year

I realize I've been giving high ratings recently, and it's because I purchased many samples of well-regarded whiskies. This is not one of those instances. I bought this entire bottle simply because I enjoyed the non-age-statement version of Old Ballantruan, known as "the peated malt." It is far superior to the NAS version, nearly achieving a perfect score. Bottled at 50% ABV, with a deep golden hue. On the nose, it's not complex but is beautiful: PEAT, A LOT OF IT. Butter and smoke. Simple yet great. On the palate, spices, oranges, smoke, a mild but pleasant warmth, clove, corn, very phenolic. The finish is so long, smoky, and spicy that it numbs the tongue. It never feels like a 50% ABV dram; it's very smooth and well-balanced. Truly amazing. Overall, I give this a 98 out of 100. Highly, highly recommended. Cheers!

Profound and intricate. Initially sharp and intense, it later unveils its full charm by amplifying the warmth and displaying a gentler character. The nose presents moderate peat and a slight smokiness, along with faintly discernible spirituous notes. Malt follows, along with various sweet elements (some honey, fresh red apples), but these are secondary to the overall aroma. Upon the first taste, the peatiness and bonfire smoke are dominant, but this gives way to a complex yet sweet flavor of baked cake with apples, or perhaps a cheesecake. It has a handful of caramel, a bit of toffee. Fruity notes, a coating of chocolate, and definitely some citrus. The aftertaste is not particularly delicate; it contains abundant smoke, peat, and a touch of spices.

Upon opening: we discovered it to be...very much like a Band-Aid....Recall the scent of old Band-Aids; that is what you are encountering. My mouth has a literal ashtray taste. The flavor is precisely like that from start to finish. I must note the overwhelming amount of smoke on the initial taste, but this is likely because they aimed to conceal the Band-Aid aroma.

The aroma is subtle, primarily peat with a whisper of sweet clover. The taste is smoky, peaty, and mellow, featuring mild tar, black licorice, and salt notes. It concludes with a warm, salty, spicy, and smooth finish.

Hmm. Not really my preference. A rather acidic, sharper peat. A step below the 16 year Port Askaig. I'll rate it a solid 3.

Smoky, reminiscent of BBQ, with a pleasant salty BBQ/smoke flavor but not overwhelming.