The Balvenie – 17 Year Old Peated Cask (70cl)

A Speyside single malt from The Balvenie, first released in 2010 as a limited edition. It is a vatting of 17 year old whiskies given two further maturations: half in new American oak casks and half in casks that had held a heavily peated whisky, which give the bottling its name. The idea came from Malt Master David C. Stewart, who wanted to add a touch of peat to a more traditional Balvenie. It follows the earlier 17 Year Old Islay Cask of 2003. Honey, vanilla, ripe fruit, malt and gentle spice lead, with the peat as an added layer of soft smoke, toasted wood and occasionally ash. The finish is warm, spicy and lightly smoky, with honey and citrus returning.