Ballantines Finest whisky was Jim Murray's No Age Statement Blend of the Year with a whopping 96 points! The critic seems to have a real penchant for the brand, awarding the 17 year old expression a similar score. Ballantines Finest is a great all-rounder - easy-going and very flavoursome. A classic blend.
Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt
Nose
Expressive, crisp barley sugars. Touch of wood smoke, toffee.
Palate
Rich and sweet. Barley and caramel, very gentle peat.
Finish
Soft and sweet, fudge.
Winner of 7 spirit awards
Gold
Scotch Whisky - Blended - 2014
International Wine & Spirit Competition
Silver
Scotch Whisky - Blended - 2013
International Wine & Spirit Competition
Silver
Scotch Whisky - Blended - 2019
International Wine & Spirit Competition
Silver Outstanding
Scotch Whisky - Deluxe Blend - 2017
International Wine & Spirit Competition
Silver
Blended: Standard - 2015
The Scotch Whisky Masters (The Spirits Business)
Gold
Blended Scotch No Age Statement (including 8 - 10yo - 2020
International Spirits Challenge
Silver
Blended Scotch No Age Statement (including 8 - 10yo - 2019
International Spirits Challenge
Allergy Information
This product does not contain any notifiable allergens
In stock, get it Saturday 6th September with express delivery
Overrall good value and best to drink it straight
Good value at the price Black Dog is like drinking petrol
Master of Malt Customer Apr 19, 2020
Go-to budget whisky
The 4.5 stars aren't for the taste but the whisky as a whole including price, taste and something like drinkability. As a starter whisky it is decent because it's cheap and at least tries to taste like something. Maybe it's personal preference but I cannot swallow Jack Daniel's or Jim Beam. At least the standard discount stuff. Ballantine's Finest kinda does the trick and thus has become my go-to budget whisky.
Price is very cheap which is usually a bad sign.
Given the price it is surprisingly drinkable. I've had much worse experiences with other discount stuff.
Taste is nothing to write home about. It's also a blend which isn't really my thing but I'd describe it as average. Maybe a bit strong in the nose and you can kinda taste the alcohol but it's not as bad as some people make it out to be.
It will do if you wanna have a drink but don't wanna get one of your good bottles.
Master of Malt Customer Apr 3, 2020
Best Low Budget Daily Sipper
This is the best bargain Scotch blend I have found. If u can afford JW Black, then go for it! I love Ardbeg and got into Scotch with the ever faithful MaCallan 12 almost 20 years ago. I've tried more than 100 Single Malts and blends.
I prefer sweet peat, and Ballantines, for the money, delivers. DO NOT add much water, just 1-3 drops, literally, or you'll water down this light flavor. Just a droplet or two, however, brings out complexity, sweetness, and maintains the rough and peaty flavoring. It does not have a bad finish like some blends (J and B), which are otherwise good.
I can't find Cutty Sark where I'm living, but I drank that in the Bay Area as an every evening sipper. Ballantines is smooth, easy to drink, and a rather delightful dessert at the end of the day.
Master of Malt Customer Mar 6, 2020
One of the best in this budget!
One of the next scotch whiskey in this budget!! The sweet finish in this range of whiskey is rare which makes it must in your bar!!
Try it with soda incase you are don’t like sweet finish.
Master of Malt Customer Jan 29, 2020
Don't think will buy again
the worst basic standart whisky i've tried...it's a sugar overdose, excessive flavour.Will keep drinking: Vat 69,Lawsons,White & Mckay,J & B,Grouse,Black & White,Label 5 ,Cutty Sark,Grants,Tullamore,Passport. I don't think will buy again Ballantines and J.W.Red.I'm just talking about the ones I've experimented. Octávio,Portugal
