Old Ballantruan 15 Years (70cl, 50%)

Old Ballantruan 15 Years is a peated Speyside single malt from the Tomintoul distillery, bottled at 50% ABV in a 70cl bottle. It matured entirely in American oak casks that previously held bourbon, and it is not chill-filtered. The name comes from the Ballantruan Spring at Tomintoul. The distillery makes its heavily peated Old Ballantruan malt over three weeks, then cleans the stills thoroughly before returning to its standard spirit. The nose is smoky and intense, with grilled meat, paprika, green banana, a hint of eucalyptus and maple sweetness. The palate brings grilled fennel, pak choi and cured meat alongside rich fruit cake, liquorice, black olives and cinnamon sticks. The finish is long, with marzipan, prosciutto, pistachio and a sweet, smoky aniseed note.