Ballantine's 30 Year Old Restage Blended Scotch Whisky 700ml

Whiskyadvocate.com
Rated by: Jonny McCormick, 89/100

The nose unravels with milk chocolate, thick hazelnut spread, and a slender twist of orange peel, though that delectable goodness is evenly balanced with peppermint patties and detectable light, floral top notes. This has a lush softness, with a perceptibly slow crescendo of flavors incorporating caramel toffee, popcorn, and chocolate praline. It’s beautifully integrated with a smooth, dense texture, and releases its grip reluctantly with just a whisper of a peppermint reprise.

Ballantine's is a range of blended scotch whiskies produced by Pernod Ricard in Dumbarton, Scotland. The world's second highest selling Scotch, it has historically been strong in Southern Europe, where it was among the first Scotches to gain a foothold in the market. It is not commonly found in the United Kingdom.
The heritage of Ballantine's Scotch whisky can be traced back to 1827, when farmer's son George Ballantine set up a small grocery store supplying a range of whiskies to his clientele. In 1865 George delegated the small grocery store’s operation to his eldest son, Archibald, while he opened a larger establishment in Glasgow. He concentrated on the wine and spirit trade, catering to clients which included the Hindu Royal Family.
Now into the 2000s, Sandy Hyslop joined Ballantine’s to create the whiskies of Ballantine’s future. He became the fifth master blender in 180 years, testament to his skills and commitment to the perfect blend.