The brand’s founder, George Ballantine, was born and raised in an ordinary Scottish family. In 1927 he left his native home and settled in Edinburgh. Over time, he opened his own grocery store in the capital of Scotland and after 10 years became a successful liquor dealer. George’s son, Ballantyne Jr., developed his father’s business and in 1872 founded a shop in Glasgow selling a wide range of spirits and tobacco products from all over the world. By the end of the 1860s, George Ballantyne, with three sons and a grandson, expanded the company by opening new branches, including in Glasgow, and became a producer of blended whiskey. In 1895, Queen Victoria granted George Ballantine & Sons a royal patent to supply liquor to the royal court.
In 1903, the Ballantyne family business was awarded a royal charter for trading in wines and other alcoholic beverages 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, connoisseurs 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 is given a coat of arms, which confirms its nobility and high Scottish origin. The coat of arms, which to this day adorns every bottle of Ballantine’s, depicts all stages of the 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 started its march.
In 2006, Sandy Hislope became Ballantine’s 5th Blender in the company’s 180-year history.
Ballantine’s is the best selling Scotch whiskey in Europe and Scotch in the world. Today, it sells more than 6 million nine-liter boxes per year. This is one of the most influential and respected alcoholic beverages, which also has a very special and unique style that is characteristic of the entire line of whiskey. In the Ballantine’s blend, Glenburgie and Milfoduff whiskeys play a special role. Glenburgie brings a fruity sweetness to Ballantine’s with hints of pears and apples, while Miltonduff adds floral and herbal notes as well as a nice vanilla sweetness.
Ballantine’s is a classic blended Scotch whiskey, a drink that has earned truly world fame over its more than 180-year history.
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