BALLANTINE's
| Location : | Scotland |
| Region : | Dumbarton |
| Country : | Scotland |
| Distillery : | Blended & bottled by George Ballantine & Son Limited Distillers Dumbarton Scotland The plant is not suitable for visitors. http://www.ballantines.com |
| Founded : | ? Bought in 1936 by Hiram Walker. The heritage of Ballantine’s Scotch Whisky can be traced back to 1827, when farmer’s son George Ballantine set up a small store in Edinburgh |
| Owner : | Allied Walker Distributors Ltd. |
| Producer : | Allied Distillers, Dumbarton, Dumbartonshire. |
| Water : | Unknown |
| Remark : | Ballantine's :Ballantine's is the leading super-premium scotch in the world.From the book 'The Scottish Collection' - classic malts by Carol P. Shaw : Ballantine's was bought in 1936 by Hiram Walker as one of their first moves into the Scotch whisky market. Glenburgie end Miltonduff distilleries followed in 1937 and their new, giant complex in Dumbarton, featuring grain and malt distilleries, was operational the following year. Today the group is owned by Allied Domecq and operated by their wholly Scottish-based subsidiary, Allied Distillers. The Dumbarton plant is renowned locally for its 'Scotchwatch' alarm system, comprising 100-odd noisy Chinse geese! From the Ballantines.com website : The heritage of Ballantine’s Scotch Whisky can be traced back to the year 1827, when farmer’s son George Ballantine set up a small grocery store in Edinburgh. From there he began to supply a select range of whiskies to a distinguished clientele. In 1865 George delegated the running of the Edinburgh store to his eldest son, Archibald, while he opened a larger establishment in Glasgow. Here he concentrated on the wine and spirit trade, catering for discerning clients including the British Royal Family. He also began to create and perfect his own blends. These inspired additional demand and to build on this success he bought his second son, George junior, into the business. Trading now as George Ballantine and Son Ltd, he added a bonded warehouse to his growing empire and became and exporter of Scotch whisky. He retired in 1881 with George junior taking command, and when he died 10 years later at the age of 82, many tributes were given of his achievements. The business continued to thrive under George junior. The Ballantine’s family finally capitalised on their success in 1919, accepting a buy-out offer from the respected firm of Barclay and McKinlay. Retaining the reputation and goodwill of the former company name, the new owners began the development of Ballantine’s as a brand name for the excellent blends they had inherited. But increasingly substantial resources were needed to compete fully in the growing world market. These were provided in 1937 by Hiram Walker Gooderham & Worts, a major Canadian distilling concern with an impressive international business when they aquired the share capital of George Ballantine and Son. One of the new owner’s first actions was to purchase a distillery at Miltonduff, near Elgin in the heart of Speyside, and licence it to Ballantine’s. It was in 1937 that the company received its Grant of Heraldic Arms, recognised George Ballantine & Son as an "incorporation noble on the Noblesse of Scotland". The heraldic arms that decorate the Grant appear on every bottle of Ballantine's Scotch whisky to this date. Developments since then have seen Ballantine's established as a major global brand and the best selling Scotch whisky in Europe. The range of four distinct products are Ballantine's Finest (from 1920's when Finest was sold as 10YO), Gold Seal 12 Year Old (introduced in 1988/90), 17 Year Old and 30 Year Old (introduced early/mid 1930's). Extensive maturation warehousing was developed at Dumbuck near Dumbarton, and Willowyard near Beith in Ayrshire. And, in 1977, a few miles from Dumbarton, home of the company's headquarters, Europe's most advanced blending and bottling plant was opened at Kilmalid. Finally, in 1988, the Company became part of the global conglomerate now called Allied Domecq Spirits & Wine. |
| Ballantine's Finest | |
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| Age : | ? years old. |
| Vol : | 40% |
| Type : | Blend | Price : | ? |
| Remark : | Ballantine's Finest is the number one brand in Europe and the third largest in the world. From the Ballantines.com website : Ballantine's Finest is a complex, refined and elegant blended scotch whisky. It is regarded as the taste to satisfy a modern style. The original flavour, complexity and refinement comes from more than 50 single malt flavours. The unmistakable Ballantine's flavour is dependent on these 50 single malts, 4 single grains and in particular the fingerprint malts from Miltonduff and Glenburgie. It is balanced because no one single component dominates. |
| Ballantine's Gold Seal | |
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| Age : | 12 years old. |
| Vol : | 43% |
| Type : | Blended deluxe whisky | Price : | ? |
| Remark : | Special reserve Scotch Whisky. Needs ice. From the label : In celebration of the founding of George Ballantine & Son, Ltd, George Ballantine created his own gold seal which symbolised the quality and exacting standards that the Company was to become famous for. Over a century later, the Ballantine's Master blender has specially selected over forty of Scotland's greatest malts, matured for 12 years or longer, to produce a unique and gratifying blend worthy of the name Gold Seal. Allied Walker Distributors Ltd says : This blend offers a smoother, rounder and more mature taste with a lasting depth of flavour. It is equivalent to drinking a first growth wine and the label signifies that it comprises only the best whiskies which have each matured in oak casks for at least 12 years. AWA : A very common and ok whisky if the selection is small. This could be a good whisky for "beginners" We have been told that this bottling is for export markets only (From a reader in Scotland - Glasgow) Perhaps try the airport. From the Ballantines.com website : Gold Seal, the smooth and complex 12 year old whisky. A blend of over 40 specially selected single malt and grain whiskies, matured for at least 12 years. The world's number four 12 years old deluxe whisky, the brand has become the international gold standard in premium scotch whisky. |
| Ballantine's Purity | |
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| Age : | 20 years old. |
| Vol : | ?% |
| Type : | Vatted Malt | Price : | ? |
| Remark : | From the Ballantines.com website : Ballantine's Purity provides today's international travellers in Duty Free with the ultimate gift for themselves and those they hold in esteem. Purity, a 20 year old Vatted Malt Whisky is presented in unique packaging reflecting Scotland's purest ingredients. |
| Ballantine's Pure Malt | |
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| Age : | 12 years old. |
| Vol : | 40% | Price : | ? |
| Remark : | From the Ballantines.com website : The new member of the Ballantine's whisky portfolio is a Pure Malt worthy of the family name and its motto 'Amicus Humani Generis', or 'A Friend to All'. Launched in Spring 2000, but developed with the benefit of nearly two hundred years' knowledge of whisky, Ballantine's Pure Malt will appeal to new and experienced malt whisky drinkers. Deep honey gold in colour, Ballantine's Pure Malt is a blend of over 50 malt whiskies which has been aged for at least 12 years to produce a Malt whisky of exceptional smoothness and warmth. A honey-flavoured palate with overtones of fresh fruit is combined with a complex and exceptionally long finish. |
| Ballantine's 17 years old | |
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| Age : | 17 years old. |
| Vol : | ?% | Price : | ? |
| Remark : | From : Allied Walker Distributors Ltd.: This fulsome, mature, vintage whisky is in a class of its own and savoured by connoisseurs the world over. Perfect for after dinner or as a special occasion drink. Words from Brother PIP : The best Ballantines I've tasted ! From the Ballantines.com website : Ballantine's 17 year old, a super premium brand with a deep complex flavour, which is regarded as THE Scotch whisky by consumers in the Far East. It offers the true connoisseur a classic and exceptional taste from its medium, creamy body that has a complex, vibrant and honeyed palate with hints of wood and smoke. |
| Ballantine's 18 years old | |
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| Age : | 18 years old. |
| Vol : | ?% | Price : | ? |
| Remark : | From the Ballantines.com website : Ballantine's 18 Year old is a rare product, crafted for discriminating and discerning palates, exemplifying the superior consumer values inherent in the Ballantine's brand. It is a refined blend of rare malt and fine grain whiskies aged to the point of perfection. It tastes smooth and rounded, disguising the complex blend of singularly unique and characterful flavours. |
| Ballantine's 21 years old | |
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| Age : | 21 years old. |
| Vol : | 43% | Price : | 600,-Dkr Tax free. (As I recall i found it in HongKong or Thailand) |
| Remark : | AWA : Hmmm, smooth but Not very unique - Good but to expencive.. Ballantine's 21 years old is though a good subst instead of the 30 years old. From the Ballantines.com website : Ballantine's 21 years old is regarded by many as the ultimate in premium Scotch whisky - an understated, classic gift offering. It is sold extensively in International Duty Free and selected Domestic markets globally including Greater China. |
| Ballantine's 30 years old | |
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| Age : | 30 years old. |
| Vol : | 43% | Price : | 1200,- Tax free. |
| Remark : | AWA : Hmmm, disapointed - Not very unique - Good but to expencive.. Ballantine's 30 years old considered to be one of the oldest and also one of the most expensive blends available. From the Ballantines.com website : Ballantine's 30 year old Scotch Whisky is a rare and exclusive blended Scotch which has been aged in oak casks for a minimum of thirty years. The 30 YO blend is the oldest in the Ballantine's range and supreme quality aged Scotch Whiskies and is available only in very limited quantities. |
| Other Ballantine related page's / Official sites. |
| Ballantines in Spain. |
| Ballantines in Japan. |
| Ballantines at Allied Walker Distributors Ltd, Singapore |
| Ballantines at Allied Domecq |
| Here is some unsorted info riped from other sites. |
| http://www.awa.dk | Site made by  |