Old Ballantruan The Peated Malt 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

A benchmark for Highland peated styles

Tomintoul has earned the nickname "the gentle dram", but it has an alter ego: 'Old Ballantruan' - a laid-back beast of a whisky where mature, creamy Speyside malt meets Highland peat reek. The ten year old took Jim Murray aback, commenting, "ye gods!! This is packing some peat!! Young it may be ...but...well...ye gods!!" (89.5 points).

The 15 year old steps up into the top percentile of world whisky ratings. Normally verbose, Mr.Murray capped his review to just three words. See below. (95 points).

Here's a random sample from the web to give you the gist of what to expect flavour-wise:

"...totally unlike the typical coastal Islay peated whiskies and more like a heavy forest fire, new leather, dry vanilla, sweet and fruity, charcoal wood smoke, apple and sultana caramelised crunchy strudel... smoky custard."

We'd like to offer our own insight, but there's too little to sacrifice opening a single bottle.
Zero chill filtration and bottled at high ABV for maximum flavour, this promises to set a benchmark for Highland peated styles.

Other reviews... A Tomintoul Classic! 95 points
50% Alc./vol. - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2020