Blended Scotch Whisky - Ballantine's
1827 George Ballantine begins to supply a select range of whiskies from his grocery shop in Edinburgh's Cowgate, marking the birth of what is to become a world famous Scotch whisky name.
1836 Response to the whiskies is overwhelming and business grows. George Ballantine moves his business to Glasgow and his sons join the business. News of the outstanding whisky travel fast and far, and they soon begin exporting Ballantine's Scotch whisky.
1879 The press describes George Ballantine and Son as having cultivated a high reputation as blenders of Ballantine's Fine Old Highland Whisky'.
1895 In recognition of the brand's superior quality, Queen Victoria awards the company a Royal Warrant when she visits Glasgow.
1919 With growing popularity comes commercial success. Foreseeing the potential of George Ballantine and Son, the respected firm Barclay and McKinlay acquires the business and further grows the company.
1933 Prohibition is repealed in America. The popularity of Ballantine's whisky soars after Prohibition and Ballantine's develops strong associations with the famous 21 Club in Manhattan.
1935 The rapid growth of the business catches the attention of a large Canadian conglomerate, Hiram Walker, which acquires and expands the business to new heights.
1938 Ballantine's receives its Grant of Heraldic Arms, recognising the brand as an 'incorporation noble on the Noblesse of Scotland'. To this day, the heraldic arms appear on every bottle of Ballantine's.
1945 (Post WWII) - An abundance of Scotch whisky heralds a push into Europe, establishing distributors, where luxury goods were scarce..
1950's Ballantine's 17 Years Old distributed to Japan; gaining iconic status in the 1970's & 80's through Asian and Duty Free markets.
1960's Ballantine's re-establishes itself as a leading brand in America.
1970's Ballantine's launches The Good Life' campaign, reflecting an aspirational way of life. Campaign was used consistently in Ballantine's Finest markets for over 15 years, allowing Ballantine's to become synonymous with an aspirational lifestyle.
1986 Ballantine's is now one of world's top three best-selling whiskies. Strong distribution and the popularity of Scotch whisky in the mid-80's were key influencers in growth.
1987 Hiram Walker merges with Allied Lyons. Allied Distillers starts operating.
1994 In recognition of Ballantine's leadership in the global market, Allied Distillers Ltd is presented with the Queen's Award for Export Achievement, its third award following earlier commendations in 1968 and 1986.
1994 Ballantine's sponsors the European Snowboarding Championships
1995 Allied Lyons purchases Spanish drinks giant, Domecq who were already the Spanish distributors for Ballantine's to form Allied Domecq. The new phase for Ballantine's begins.
1996 The 'Inspiration' global campaign for Ballantine's Finest is launched
1996 Ballantine's Finest 'Urban High' campaign brought snowboarding competitions to city centres supported by leading musicians. This was part of a 'two tier' strategy whereby younger consumers were targeted through snowboarding and in the on - premise while core consumers were targeted through advertising and promotional activity in the off - premise.
2000 Ballantine's Finest 'It's What's Inside that Counts' campaign product focused campaign launched.
2002 Ballantine's Finest 'Go Play' campaihn launched globally.
2003 Along with numerous awards and medals for Ballantine's Aged whiskies, Allied Distillers wins the Distiller of the Year award in the International Wines and Spirits competition 2003, for the third time in 7 years.
2005 Pernod-Ricard purchases Allied Domecq, and with it, Ballantine's.
Product
Finest
Ballantine's Finest is a complex, refined and elegant blended Scotch whisky. It is regarded as the taste to satisfy a modern style.
The brand's light gold colour and unmistakable taste come from a complex mix of more than 50 malts all aged for at least three years, and many for much longer. The signature malt flavours of Miltonduff and Glenburgie give Ballantine's Finest hints of chocolate, apple and vanilla.
Tasting Notes
Colour: A light gold
Nose: Deep with hints of spice
Body: Rounded
Taste: Well balanced with tones of chocolate, apple and vanilla followed by a gently floral finish
Finish: Sophisticated after-taste gives a fresh floral glow
Ballantine's 12 Year Old (Gold Seal)
"A complex, fully rounded blend with the perfect balance of oak, fruit, spice and a creamy texture."
Ballantine's 12 Years Old (Gold Seal) is a smooth and complex whisky, blended from over 40 specially picked single malt and grain whiskies, each matured for at least 12 years.
Introduced in 1964, it has received numerous international awards and accolades over the years, setting the international gold standard in premium Scotch whisky. ISC Silver winner in 2005 (Gold Seal).
Tasting Notes
Colour: Bright honey gold
Nose: Huge bouquet of honey, high suggestion of oak
Body: Creamy
Taste: Complex, flowers, honey and oak balance
Finish: Refreshing
Ballantine's 17 Years Old
Originating from a classic recipe dating back over 75 years ago, the recipe for Ballantine's 17 Years Old has remained largely unchanged since it was first produced. This recipe is closely guarded, and carefully handed down from master blender to master blender.
Over forty different malts and grains from every region of Scotland are orchestrated in this classic, creating a complex flavour that embodies the true spirit of Scotland. Little wonder then, that it has won the most awards of any 17 year old whisky in the worldwide arena.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Clear, golden amber
Nose: Long, with hints of oak and sweetness
Body: Medium, creamy, luscious
Taste: Complex, vibrant, honeyed sweetness with hints of wood and peat smoke
Finish: Long, lightly smoky, vanilla.
Ballantine's 21 Years Old
Discerning connoisseurs regard Ballantine's 21 Years Old as the supreme premium Scotch whisky. Winner of the International Wine & Spirit Challenge gold medal in 1998, this sophisticated blend is sold extensively in International Duty Free and selected domestic markets globally.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Sparkling red/gold
Nose: Honey, heather, sweet with hints of apple and gorse flowers
Body: Satin
Palate: Medium-heavy, a burst of taste with traces of heather smoke, liquorice and spice
Finish: Long, complex, soothing hints of dry sherry
Ballantine's 30 Years Old
Ballantine's 30 Years Old is the ultimate in super premium Scotch whisky, and ranks high among the most expensive and exquisite whiskies in the world. It is a rare and exclusive blend of Scotland's finest malts, every one aged to perfection in oak casks for a minimum of 30 years. Available only in limited quantities, its demand has always far exceeded supply. It is THE choice for discerning connoisseurs willing to pay for the best.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Deep old gold
Nose: Subtle sweetness, hints of oak
Body: Soft yet strong and confident
Palate: Complex, subdued, mellow, sherry, honey, flower, smoke, sea
Finish: Very long, very elegant