Ballantine’s is among the best-selling scotch whiskies on the earth, however you wouldn’t realize it strolling previous the bottle in your native store. With its old-school label and sq. form, it’s simple to mistake it for simply one other bar staple. However behind the acquainted bottle is a narrative of royal recognition, intelligent design, world success, and various surprises.
Whether or not you’ve combined it with cola or by no means tried it in any respect, listed below are 5 issues about Ballantine’s whisky that may change the way you see it.
1. It’s the World’s #2 Blended Scotch (and Affords Extra Than Simply “Most interesting”)
Ballantine’s doesn’t shout about its success, but it surely quietly sells greater than 5 million instances a yr. That makes it the second-best-selling scotch whisky on the earth, simply behind Johnnie Walker. For a mix that’s been round for over a century, that’s no small feat.
Most individuals know Ballantine’s for its entry-level expression, Ballantine’s Most interesting. It’s easy, mild, and inexpensive—best for mixing or sipping with out fuss. However there’s much more to the vary than that.
Over the previous few years, Ballantine’s has expanded with expressions that cater to totally different tastes and ingesting events. These embody:
- Ballantine’s Candy Mix – launched in 2024 with a softer, sweeter profile geared toward informal drinkers
- Ballantine’s Mild – a lower-alcohol (20% ABV) choice for these trying to in the reduction of with out switching to mocktails
- Ballantine’s 7 American Barrel – aged for seven years and completed in ex-bourbon barrels for additional vanilla and spice
- Ballantine’s 10 12 months Outdated – easy, mellow, and barely richer, with a bit extra depth
- Ballantine’s Single Distillery Editions – blends made fully from the output of 1 distillery for a extra centered type
So, is Ballantine’s whisky? It depends upon what you’re searching for, however the model’s energy lies in its selection. The whole lot from whisky liqueurs to aged blends are on provide.
2. The Sq. Bottle Was Designed for Smuggling
In accordance with firm lore, Ballantine’s distinctive sq. bottle was created through the days of Prohibition in the US. The flat form allowed American salesmen to slide bottles into their briefcases with out drawing consideration.
It was sensible, discreet, and simple to stack, which was best for a time when shifting scotch throughout borders was a quite dangerous enterprise. Whether or not truth or intelligent advertising and marketing, the story caught. At this time, that sq. bottle stays one of many model’s most recognizable options.
3. It Has Royal and Heraldic Endorsements
In 1895, Ballantine’s was awarded a Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria, marking it as an official provider to the royal family. It was a uncommon honor on the time and helped cement the model’s fame for high quality.
In 1938, Ballantine’s obtained one other image of status: its personal coat of arms. Granted by the Lord Lyon, the Scottish authority on heraldry, the crest nonetheless seems on each bottle in the present day. It options the 4 classical components (earth, air, fireplace, and water) alongside the St. Andrew’s Cross. The Latin motto beneath reads Amicus Humani Generis, or “a good friend to all humankind.”
So, does this make Ballantine’s a premium whisky? It depends upon the place you look within the vary. The usual Ballantine’s Most interesting is a budget-friendly mix, however the 17, 21, 30, and 40 12 months Outdated expressions present that the model additionally has credentials within the premium whisky world.
4. It Was Protected by a Flock of Geese for Over 50 Years
In 1959, Ballantine’s launched a brand new safety system at its Dumbarton bottling plant. A flock of white geese, often known as the Scotch Watch, was introduced in to protect the warehouses. Geese are territorial, alert, and fast to lift the alarm, making them surprisingly efficient protectors of getting old whisky.
The unique flock began with simply six birds however ultimately grew to over 100. They patrolled the grounds day and night time, gaining a little bit of fame alongside the best way. The Scotch Watch turned a unusual a part of the model’s identification, even showing in promotional supplies.
The geese remained on responsibility till 2012, when the Dumbarton web site closed and the flock was rehomed. However the story caught, and stays a hilarious and novel story of the Ballantine’s model.
5. One Ballantine’s Mix Was As soon as Named the Greatest Whisky within the World
Ballantine’s is usually seen as a price mix, but it surely’s additionally earned severe important acclaim. In 2011, Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible named Ballantine’s 17 12 months Outdated the “World Whisky of the 12 months,” scoring it a powerful 97.5 out of 100.
Murray mentioned on the time: “Blends are seen by many because the poor relations to single malts. Ballantine’s 17 proves, fairly spectacularly, what many people have recognized for an excellent a few years: it isn’t. A blender has the possibility to create one thing distinctive and fairly lovely by placing collectively many whisky types. With Ballantine’s 17, the blender has carried out his job in wonderful, fairly majestic vogue.”
The 17 12 months Outdated has since turn into a fan favourite, providing a easy, layered profile with notes of honey, fruit, and spice. It’s nonetheless broadly out there and sometimes really helpful as one of many best-value aged blends available on the market.
In 2024, Ballantine’s 30 12 months Outdated went a step additional, profitable “World’s Greatest Blended Scotch” on the World Whiskies Awards. For collectors or anybody trying to step up from the entry-level choices, these higher-end expressions present simply how far the model can go when it comes to age and status.
Searching for extra on Ballantine’s? Mark Bostock has you lined with The whole lot You Want To Know About Ballantine’s.
