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.
Expressive, crisp barley sugars. Touch of wood smoke, toffee.
Rich and sweet. Barley and caramel, very gentle peat.
Soft and sweet, fudge.
I'm a single malt guy mostly, but I don't like to pour my single malts into a hip flask while in the outdoors, etc. Instead of comparing blends to single malts I prefer to think of them as different category of spirit. Older blends are in their own category while younger ones also have their place (mixing, hot toddies, etc.) Having said that I found Ballantine's surprisingly malt-forward and tasty, albeit generic. I'll cheerfully sip this without ice when sitting in a hunting blind, out on ice fishing trip, camping, etc. Or even if I am a guest and that's what the host is pouring. I'm no snob, I'll sip Red Label, but this was better. However, I found Grand Macnish, Highland Mist and McIvor even better IMHO :)
A tasty Scotch. Hints of iodine and a lingering aftertaste of peat and spice.
It is the best whiskey for those who want to drink neat / with one drop of water / on rocks. If you wish to drink whiskey with lots of soda / cola to make it drinkable then why you need scotch. There are cheaper whiskey available all over the world .
Too thin, light, sweet and boring for my taste. Almost tastes like it has been watered down (which it technically have hence the 40% ABV). Even for a budget whisky I would go for something else.
Just for mixing with soda or coke?
