The founder of the brand, George Ballantyne, was born and raised in an ordinary Scottish family. In 1827, he left his native home and settled in Edinburgh. Later, he opened his grocery store in the capital of Scotland, and after 10 years he became a liquor merchant in his prime. George’s son, Ballantyne Jr., developed his father’s business and in 1872 established a store in Glasgow selling a wide range of spirits and tobacco products from around the world. By the end of the 1860s, George Ballantyne, with his three sons and a grandson, had expanded the company, creating new branches, including in Glasgow, and became a blended whiskey producer. In 1895, Queen Victoria granted George Ballantine & Sons a royal patent to supply spirits to the royal court.
In 1903, the Ballantyne family business was granted a Royal Charter for trading in wines and other spirits throughout Scotland, as well as in many parts of England and Ireland.
Ballantine’s Finest was introduced to the world in 1910, and 20 years later, fans of aged varieties welcomed 17- and 30-year-old Ballantine’s. In the late 1930s, the company continued its rapid development. In 1938, Ballantine’s was granted a coat of arms, confirming its nobility and high Scottish origin. The coat of arms, which to this day adorns every Ballantine’s bottle, depicts all the stages of production of this legendary drink. In 1960, Ballantine’s 12 YO was introduced to the world, and 33 years later, the 21-year-old blend took off.
In 2006, Sandy Hyslop became Ballantine’s 5th Blender in the company’s 180-year history.
Ballantine’s is the best-selling Scotch whiskey in Europe and the best-selling Scotch in the world. Today, its sales amount to more than 6 million nine-liter boxes per year. This is one of the most influential and respected spirits, which also has a completely special and unique style, characteristic of the entire line of whiskey. Glenburgie and Milfoduff whiskeys play a special role in the Ballantine’s blend. Glenburgie brings a fruity sweetness to Ballantine’s with hints of pears and apples, while Miltonduff adds floral and herbal notes and a nice vanilla sweetness.
Ballantine’s is a classic of blended Scotch whiskeys, a drink that has earned worldwide popularity over its more than 180-year history.