Origin: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
Strength: 43%ABV
Ageing casks: N/A
Chillfiltered: Yes
Added coloring: Yes
Owner: Pernod Ricard
Average price: € 150.00
Official website: www.ballantines.com
Vote: 82/100
The 1980s marked a turning point for whisky, with the notorious crisis that hit Scotch due to overproduction relative to market demand, which by then was shifting towards other drinks, including flavoured vodka, which any boomer will remember with a mixture of nostalgia and horror.
In bars and car parks, however, people still drank Jack Daniel’s (especially with Coke), J&B and Ballantine’s, the ‘poor’ blended par excellence, which at the time was quite different from what we know today.
How different? Well, certainly in the alcohol content, that 43%ABV which at the time was the minimum allowed to define a whisky (passing to the current 40%ABV only in 1988), and then in the composition of the blend, which although not officially declared is almost certain at the time contained a much larger proportion of single malts, thanks also to the enormous availability.
As I have no bias related to my youth, since I was not yet drinking alcohol in the 1980s, let’s see if the difference is that noticeable.
Tasting notes
On the nose it’s the green apple that soars over the scents, leading a mineral and fruity (kiwi, banana, pear) ensemble, with cut grass and a vague metallic vein. A softer, silkier component also emerges, at times almost waxy, with vanilla and toffee, accompanied by marzipan, a dusting of cinnamon and a faint hint of coffee. Slightly pungent alcohol.
In the mouth it’s light but not ethereal, giving some creaminess to the evocations still of white fruit although less pronounced, with nuts (almonds, pine nuts) and the herbaceous part towering over the flavours together with a spicy veil. Aftertaste of cocoa and coffee.
Fairly short, herbaceous finish of wood, light spices, white fruit.
Pleasant despite its simplicity, with that bit of body and substance that outclasses its current great-grandson without working miracles (nor would it want to). A simple blended but ‘done well’.