Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Scotch Review

By Emma Briones

Rating: B-

Let’s leave behind all the fuss around the new Ballantine’s Light (which I’ll come to soon for The Whiskey Reviewer, and -#spoileralert- I didn’t like it), there’s more in Ballantine’s than their Finest or their 12 year old. In fact, there is a Ballantine’s 17 Year Old in their range that doesn’t often come up in conversations.

Ballantine’s stands as the second best-selling scotch blend, right after Johnnie Walker. And it is still there because they are using the recipe for Ballantine’s Finest that started all more than a century ago (or so brand says). They  offers a range of age statement whiskies, that go from the a 12 year old to 21 years old. Between them sits this 17, which arouses some interest among Jim Murray’s fans, because he selected it in 2011 as his best whisky in the world.

But something has changed since Murray chose it, because the “new” Ballantine’s 17 year old isn’t like that. What used to be bottled at 43% ABV has been silently reduced to 40% ABV. Still, Murray has decided that the new version is the best blend in 2020. We’ll see.

Ballantine’s 17 is a blend of 40 malt and grain whiskies. Among them, some of the single malts that are at the heart of Ballantine’s: Glenburgie, Glentauchers and Miltonduff. The blend ages in American oak, ex-bourbon barrels.

The Blend
In the glass, Ballantine’s 17 is caramel-colored. On the nose, it highlights toasted oak and vanilla notes. There is a sweet touch of caramel and milk chocolate, but also some old leather notes. White coffee comes next, with cereal and biscuits. A small memory of lightly smoked malt.

On the palate, it is quite balanced, with some sweet and grassy notes. There’s honey, toffee, vanilla. Creme bruléé with a floral touch. A citrusy note. Still a very subtle smoky note in the background. Spicy notes, a touch of roasted coffee, and licorice. The finish is long, slightly spicy.

Ballantine’s 17 is a creamy and sweet blend with light hints of smoke. Lowering it to a 40% ABV makes it smoother, easier to drink. Keeping the 43% would have make it stronger and with more character (and I’ve probably would have liked it more). Even though, it goes smoothly and leaves a nice memory on the palate. One of those classic blends that easily transport you to another era.

The Price
Ballantine’s 17 is available worldwide. It retails around €60 in Europe, $99 in the US.