The Whiskey Reviewer uses a letter-based rating system, instead of the numerical 100-grade rating system. The following indicators should be taken as only a guide and not a set of hard and fast rules. Finish: the finish is long and becomes sweeter with time. That musty peat comes forward on the palate, but overall the whiskey’s flavor is one of smooth, lightly sweetened vanilla. 1980s Ballantine’s is fairly decent stuff. That hint of smoke again. Ballantine's Finest Blended Scotch Whisky. A bit of earthy peat. I taste Ballantines Finet 4 years ago and I don't remember very well the flavour of this blend. I don't want to rave about it because there are better blends, but I hope you give it another go Alan. Very little peat and smoke in the background. Ballatine's Finest has a lot in common with Ballantines 17yo, but sweeter and less peaty for the masses, and there are a lot more grain whiskies inside. They first blended their flagship expression, Finest, in … View all products by Ballantine’s. Ballantine’s 12-year Blended, 40% ABV Trong khi chỉ thêm vài chục nghìn là bạn đã có thể hữu rượu Ballantines Finest 1l giá là 400,000 VNĐ. Another peated blend, and rumored to use more malt than other budget blends, it’s a fun scotch. Still there was something about it (probably the minty feeling) and I kept on with it. I like this very much. This bottle was given to me as a gift from my mum, who managed to pick up a litre bottle fairly cheap on her way back from Spain. My memories of peat infused Scotch was not good but, I think the years have mellowed me. After the Ballantines 1965, 1985 and 2008 I will now try a more recent bottling. With the greatest of respect why are you reviewing this product if you don't remember the taste? I wouldnt buy a bottle for myself, at least until I've tasted one that comes across as an improvement. Never once had a problem with the cap. This is probably because of its “bottom shelf” price. Reviews Ballantine's Finest is a complex, refined and elegant blended scotch whisky. This doesn’t happen with Dewars, or Johnny Walker etc. For an entry-level, standard label, Ballantine’s is actually a well-decorated scotch. Even in countries where you can’t find J&B or Jack Daniels, Ballantine’s is usually around. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. A fascinating idea and, if I could keep a bottle of whisky that long (and live to be 81) I'd love to try something similar. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. Today, I’m trying an even older bottling. The finish is rather short but not in a bad way - gentle and soft with that hint of smoke carrying through. I am curious to try other bottles to see whether they are similar to mine. Here, here, Victor! It was bottled at 43% ABV (the previous ones I tasted at 40% ABV). I'll save my good malts for when my cats are out on the razz and sup a damn fine blend like Bally's Finest when they're in a sociable, curl-up-on-the-lap mood. SUMMER COCKTAILS. Surprisingly peaty (and a lot more than I remember from the older bottlings). It is the oldest and continuously sold Ballantine’s blend and has been one of the most popular Scotch whiskies globally. The smoke complements the strong fishy smell (sardines? Thanks, Pat. The finish is warm, sweet and even. In my humble opinion this is by far the best blended scotch whiskey for the price. Ballantine’s Finest is an elegant, complex, refined and best scotch.Regarded as a blend to satisfy a modern style, the blended scotch whisky is unmistakable as a blend, sealing itself as one of the world’s favourite blends.. The lightest of airy blends, with evident grains and a good balance, but I don't buy the comparison with Glenmorangie at all. Ballantine's Finest Blended Scotch Whisky 750ML is a complex, refined and elegant blended scotch whisky. Be the first to review this product . 10 Comments. Ballantine’s Finest is a remarkably smooth drink, with the Speyside whiskies from Miltonduff and Glenburgie lending it a rich, and sweet flavour profile. Of the three, Ballantine’s is the best. The label says this was bottled on the 16th February 2015. I was tired and in a hurry (and some poor bastard had just dropped a 12-pack of Guinness on the floor and shattered the bottles) so I grabbed the bottle that said "Ballantine's". Palate (undiluted): medium bodied, creamier than I expected, some vanilla, cinnamon, more pears, ripe banana, and a slight hint of peat smoke near the end. Yes, on the palate, the peated whisky is clearly recognizable. 12 Years. Ballantine’s Finest is a blended Scotch whisky is the standard, no-age-statement expression from the core range of Ballantine’s whiskies. Nose: Milk chocolate, green apple, white pepper, ginger and some peanuts butter. Very juicy,smooth and chewy. There's a bit of a fruity ester smell at the outset (not Elvis, I got that particular note from the Bally before fat boy joined me). For £15 it's a winner! Ballantines Finest. The nose was promising with smoke, sea air, and iodine, The palate starts with water down caramel ending with brief finish of saccharin,honey and hint of smoke.It is drinkable , but not memorable It is almost a vodka with scotch flavoring,. Nose: Immediately sweet with fresh white fruits (apples and pears) in a simple syrup, iced shortbread, barley malt, gently floral (non-specific), bits of toffee and more icing. Slightly smoky, quite expressive. Clear glass bottle but covered/coated in plastic. Balance: I really don't enjoy this whisky much at all. I always have this blend at hand .... Whilst having the time to think it through (with no snobbism intact) my mind tells me that this whisky is a very well crafted blend. Yes. Simply had to try it, as I heard so much about it. The square, brown glass bottle of Ballatine’s Finest, the entry-level scotch of the company, is a familiar sight around the world. In 2006, the whiskey won a Gold at the International Spirits Challenge, and a Silver from the International Wine and Spirit Competition. Sandy Hyslop has been Ballantine’s master blender since 2005. I love a heavy, thick and syrupy body on whiskies, and either one fills the bill quite nicely. OVERALL. Out of stock. 2.0, Balance: First of all I do like a good looking bottle, and this is certainly one of the 'finest'. without your review this product scores an 81 which i think is a fairer score. @OdysseusUnbound this review style is one of the reasons why I've always enjoyed reading your critiques. Nose:Expressive, crisp barley sugars. Blended from more than 40 single malts and 4 single grain whiskies, Ballentines Finest has a nose that is soft, elegant, with heather honey aromas with a hint of spice. I also finally found a 17 year old. This whisky is designed to appeal to the masses that it does so well. The one in front of me has a mold of mercury. At present, I would say my rating for Ballantine's Finest would be more like 80 than the 74 from this review. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. It is very Speysidey (apparently, two Speyside malts that are used and Miltonduff and Glenburgie, which is Ballantine's spiritual home), but malts from all over Scotland are used. But that's all superficial I know, it just endears me to the stuff before I've even tasted it. The taste wasnt spectacular, it didnt seem as though there was much going on, but it was very strong and powerful. Agree 100% with your comment. This bottle was part of a private collection. Really liked the taste as well, and very impressed with the smoothness. I have to say I'm with IainVH on this one. Slightly sweet with a touch of vanilla Perfect for mixing to start the night The first ever Ballantine’s recipe Start the night with a Whisky that's stayed true to it's original recipe since 1910. I agree with this review 100%. By Richard Thomas. Finish: Lingers a bit. Vanilla and apples return with fresh flowers and quite smokey. 4.5 (6 Reviews) Scotch Whisky / 40% ABV / Scotland. Rating: B-Ballantine’s 12 Year Old Blended Scotch. Rượu Ballantine 12 được bán ra thị trường năm 2005. Those plastic pourers on the Ballantines 1.75 Liter bottles always stick to the inside of the screw cap. Finish: Rather short, coffee, chocolate and mango. Despite enjoying it much more now, I still consider it to be unbalanced. I do love the Whiskey though. Nice peppery attack. Very sweet and expressive start. This blend, to me, seems to lean towards the Speyside region flavor, which is my favorite. Specifically, my reviewed bottle has a flavour which I didn't identify in the review of anise/black licorice, probably from the peat, but I am not entirely sure of that, which is so prominent that it takes the stage and crowds out the other flavours for me. That was quite an accomplishment for a whiskey from a category that usually manages a “seal of approval.”. Facts Reviews How We Pack Ballantines Finest was Jim Murray's No Age Statement Blend of the Year with a whopping 96 points! This is definitely one of the finest whiskies - blended or Single Malt - that I have ever had! Cheers, Very pleasant. I just tried a Ballentines Finest bottled in 1985 head to head with a version bottled in 2008. Critics have scored this product 85 points. I think this is one of the best whiskys in its class. The nose is surprisingly complex - barley, lime, apple, vanila and the softest hint of smoke. 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