Ballantine’s 17yo is packed with flavour and opens with a nose of sweet caramel, vanilla and wooded notes. There is also a delicate smoky note that wafts through and mingles really well with the sweeter notes. It is dull and reassuring, giving the brighter flavours a backboard to bounce off. The palate is elegantly sweet. Caramel, vanilla and big notes of honey take over. These give it a smooth and mellow mouth feel as well. The honey is earthy and thick, with a really lovely orchard flavour to it. it ties in well with oak flavours and a little hint of spice that also appears. There is a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg that combine everything together and give a lovely warming sensation to the smoke.