Ballantine’s 30 year old /40%/ – George Ballantine passed away in 1891 and his son George took over the business. In 1919 the family sold company to James Barclay and R.A. McKinlay who made fortune selling Ballantine’s whisky to thirsty Americans during prohibition. The Canadian giant Hiram Walker & Sons took over the brand in the mid 1930s and made it one of the most popular blended whiskies in the 20th Century. Ballantine 30 years old was launched in the 1930s and it was the first permanent 30 years old whisky expression. Looking from today’s perspective the idea required great planning, especially securing stocks of whisky distilled at the turn of the Century. Ballantine’s 30 years old scored number of medals and awards, the last gold at the 2016 International Wine & Spirits Competition.
Nose: very complex, slightly earthy, moist gravel, moist linen, honey, toffee, apples, oranges, raisins, hints of cinnamon and cloves, oak and touch of smoke.
Palate: rich and elegant, oranges, grapefruits, mango, sherry-soaked raisins, honey, toffee, cloves, hint of candied ginger, oak and fading whiff of smoke.
Finish: long and pretty spicy, cloves, cinnamon, white pepper, honey, dried fruit, oak and hints of peat.
