Ballantine’s 21YO

Ballantine's is a brand of blended Scotch whisky produced in Dumbarton, Scotland. It is the second biggest-selling Scotch in the world. Similar to Johnnie Walker, the brand has its roots in a small grocery store, this time set up in Edinburgh by farmer's son George Ballantine. In 1865, he opened a wines and spirits business in Glasgow, creating his own blends and developing an international client list. In 1937, Hiram Walker Gooderham & Worts became the majority shareholder and subsequently purchased the Glenburgie and Miltonduff distilleries to provide a staple supply of whisky for their newly acquired blend brand. The company also built a substantial grain distillery at Dumbarton. Ballantine's continued to prosper and in 1986 became the largest blended whisky label in Europe.

Lively yet refined, the stone fruit, marmalade and liquorice notes jump from the glass. There’s some aromatic spice in there too, and even a whisper of wood smoke. Sweeter and more intense on the palate, here honey comes through along with an abundance of apple, juicy orange and rich hedgerow fruits. A macadamia, pecan quality adds depth. Dried fruits and more of that honey. The suggestion of wood smoke comes back here, too. Smooth, complex and luxurious. A real treat of a dram.