Douglas Laing Rock Island Year Of Dragon Blendedmalt Scotch Whisky

COLOUR: Golden amber. When you at first open the bottle, sherry and toffee notes float up. The Ballantine’s 17yo makes long thick oily fingers in the glass.

NOSE: After the initial sherry sweetness, the nose brings notes of tropical fruit, pineapple and banana.  There are hints of oak and cereal at the back.  The nose is complex, luxurious and creamy.

PALATE: The Ballantine’s 17yo is incredibly smooth.  The palate brings notes of creamy oak and spice.  There are hints of vanilla sweetness balanced with little bits of smoke.  It is a complex whisky that reminds us of liquid gold.  Drinking this Ballantine’s 17yo is an amazing experience.

FINISH: Long and lingering with fruit and hints of sweetness, oak and spice at the end.  This blended whisky is impressive.

Palate: Sweet and rich. There are crisp notes of mixed peels, raisin and custard with a little zest and plenty of oak.

Finish: Long with notes of oak and cocoa and sherried peels.

ABV: 43%
Type: Whisky
Country: Japan

Palate: Rich. Liqueur cherries in dark chocolate, more sherried fruit, ripe dark forest fruits, like a Black Forest Gateaux.

Finish: Superb, led by thick dark treacle and toffee notes and chewy wooded notes, balanced with a green fruit edge.