Ballantine’s Finest Blended Scotch Whisky

Today I try a blend; the Ballantine’s Finest blended Scotch whisky. Ballantine’s Scotch whisky dates back to 1827. George Ballantine began supplying a selected range of blended Scotch whiskies to distinguished customers from his grocery store in Edinburgh.

Sales were good, and Ballantine employed another son, George Jr to help with the expansion. They soon began exporting  products to Europe and the business went from strength to strength.

In 1895 Queen Victoria awarded George Ballantine & Son a Royal Warrant – the most significant endorsement of the company’s prestigious reputation.

The business remained under George Jr’s watchful eye until 1919 when Barclay & McKinlay acquired the business. In 1938 the company received its Grant of Heraldic Arms. This Grant recognized George Ballantine & Sons as an ‘incorporation noble on the Nobleness of Scotland’.

This crest appears on every bottle of Ballantine’s Scotch. The blend is made up from as many as 50 single malts. The blend includes single grains and malt from distilleries like Miltonduff and Glenburgie.

Based on 2012 sales, Ballantine’s blended Scotch whisky is one of the top 10 whisky brands in the world. Today the Ballantine brand is owned by Pernod Ricard and produced in Dumbarton, Scotland.

I received this whisky as a gift from friends and have never tried any Ballantine’s whisky before this tasting. So it should be interesting, given my preference for single malts.

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Ballantine’s Finest Blended Scotch Whisky Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Light gold. The spirit is quite oily for a blend, which promised good things.

NOSE: Fruitcake, glazed cherries, wood and spice came through. Wow! I was not expecting this complexity from a blend.

PALATE: Smooth and has a beautiful, substantial full body. Flavours of Christmas cake, dried fruit and muscovado sugar are evident. In the background are hints of peat and smoke.

FINISH: The finish is also brilliant. Long and lingering, Ballantine’s Finest ends in notes of spice, ginger and fudge.

RATING: DIVINE

I was blown away by this Ballantine’s Finest blended Scotch whisky. I never expect a budget blend to taste this fantastic. This one is super smooth and full-bodied. Luxurious and sophisticated, the Ballantine’s Finest is an easy-drinking spirit that will have you reaching for a second and third glass.

From its appearance in the glass, the nose, palate and finish, this blend has surprised me with its complexity and richness. In the end, this Ballantine’s Finest whisky achieved my highest possible score.

I have tasted many whiskies over the past two years, but this is the first blend to achieve this rating. And the best of it all is the price. This affordable blend retails for around R 250 in South Africa.

Both me and John fell in love with this brand and over time, have built up quite a collection.  I have also tried the Ballantine’s 30 yo Scotch whisky and wrote about it here.

Update: This past weekend I spend some time sitting outside on the patio exploring a comparison between the Teacher’s Highland Cream whisky and the Ballantine’s Finest. Both are budget blends and it made for a fun afternoon. The Ballantine’s Finest whisky also pairs wonderfully with a rich Camembert.

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