Ballantine's Whisky

Ballantine's is a range of blended scotch whiskies distilled by George Ballantine & Son Ltd in Dumbarton, Scotland.

The Ballantine's flavor 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.

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 range of whiskies to his 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 to clients which included the British Royal Family. He also began to create his own blends. These inspired additional demand and to build on this success he brought 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 an exporter of Scotch whisky. He retired in 1881 with George junior taking command, and when he died 10 years later at the age of 83, 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 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 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 Canadian distilling concern with an international business when they acquired 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.

In 1937 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.

The new company's first task was to secure fillings, to which end Miltonduff and Glenburgie Distilleries were purchased, and a massive new grain distillery - the largest in Europe - built at Dumbarton. During the 1960s the company turned to Europe - at that time an unexplored market for Scotch - and by 1965 had secured such a strong foothold there that it resolved to gear the home trade to supporting the overseas business.

Strong distribution and the popularity of Scotch whisky in the mid-80’s were key influencers in growth. Ballantine's is named the number one brand in Europe and the third largest in the world in 1986 with the oldest product Ballantine’s Finest. In Korea, Ballantine's is the clear number one in the super-premium category with its ever-popular Ballantine's 17 in addition to 21 and 30> In 1988, the Company became part of the global conglomerate called Allied Domecq Spirits & Wine.

The brand has won many accolades and awards.