Ballantines 21 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky (700ml) - 40%

"This has all the hallmarks of a perfect nightcap" - whiskyadvocate.com

Other reviews... Even though the strength has been reduced, presumably to eke out rare stocks, the beauty of this blend hasn't. 94 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2025/26

Baked almond desserts liberally splashed with cream, light caramel, malted milk, and an invading cloud of smoke from newly ignited twigs: a lucky strike from a forest survivalist. On the palate, it is soft and blushing, with marmalade and warm butter, ground ginger, moving to chocolate orange, toffee, and Ovaltine. A whirl of spices and chunky chocolate round off this blend's finish stylishly. This has all the hallmarks of a perfect nightcap. 88 points - whiskyadvocate.com

George Ballantine, the founder of Ballantine's came from a farming family in the Scottish borders. He established a grocers shop in Cowgate, Edinburgh in 1827, eventually extending his business into wines and spirits. His son, also named George, set up in Argyll Street, Glasgow, in 1872 as a whisky, wine and cigar merchant, with many export interests, especially the promotion of the Old Glenlivet and Talisker Fine Malt brands. In 1903 the family business was granted a Royal Warrant and was recorded as "transacting an immense trade in supplying wines and spirits to families of distinction all over Scotland and in many parts of England and Ireland." The company was subsequently sold, however the new owners had similar success, establishing solid markets in the United States and elsewhere. The rest is history... Today Ballantine’s is one of the largest spirits brands in the world. The flavour profile of all the Ballantine’s bottlings is largely dependent on fingerprint malts from Miltonduff and Glenburgie.

Notes from the producers... Nose: Rich, honey-sweet with hints of apple and floral aromas. Taste: A smooth balance of rich liquorice and aromatic spice. Finish: Long and mellow with hints of dried fruit.