Ballantine's 17 Year Old 40%

Meet Scotch Blend of the year 2019.

Ballantine’s most likely doesn’t need a special introduction since it’s the world’s second highest selling Scotch. It was established back in 1827, when George Ballantine hustled Whiskies, but their own blends started flowing after 1865, when George’s eldest son Archibald took over the reins. Now, they’re under Pernod Ricard with their bonded warehouse and bottling plant in Dumbarton. Their Master Blender is currently Sandy Hyslop (their fifth ever) and he’s making sure the brand’s belief in “Staying True” remains sacred.

Ballantine’s 17-year-old 40% isn’t just a watered down original 17YO, although it has a slightly lower ABV (the regular expression is bottled at 43%). This marvelous blend is bright and smooth that will make you a recidivist (in the best possible way). Add a splash of water and there’s another floral world to be explored. It received two gold medals from The Scotch Whisky Masters, a gold at the International Wine & Spirit Competition, while Jim Murray crowned it the 2019 Scotch Blend of the Year. Now they’re just showing off.