Ballantine’s 21 Years Old (George Ballantine & Son)

Ballantine's 21 Years Old (George Ballantine & Son) is a 21 year old blended Scotch built around Glenburgie and its Speyside neighbours. It has belonged to Chivas Brothers, part of Pernod Ricard, since 2005.

Glenburgie lends a light, fruity, grassy Speyside note. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the fresh, fruity character to the fore. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the Speyside spirit. Years in oak deepen the spirit to old gold, the body growing rounder and waxier with time. Built for the blender's art, the make ages with quiet grace as a single malt. The spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out a soft beeswax. First fill wood drives the maturation, the cask clear in the spirit. A soft waxiness from the spirit carries a thread through the maturation. Maturation runs slow and even in the cool Speyside warehouses.

Bottled at 40%, it is light and rounded. Apple, pear and a soft honey run through it. Pear, grass and a creamy oak fill the middle. A fresh finish closes on apple and a soft oak. A characterful blended Scotch.