Ballantines Special Reserve 12yo (43%, OB, +/-2010)

Another blended Scotch whisky from the justifiably famous House of  Ballantine’s (did you know that as well as having a NAS, 12yo, 17yo, 21yo, Special Reserve and 30yo blends they also have a 12yo blended (vatted) malt?). But no mention of their 12yo Special Reserve, just the 12yo blend. What’s the difference? Quite frankly we don’t know; however it says 12yo Special Reserve so we’ll confine our selves to what’s on hand. And it comes in a blue box which says it contains over 40 different malts.

On the nose it’s slightly smokey with some ‘green’ notes that quickly vanish along with some good influence from the casks (slight hints of leather and tobacco) and also some little hints of orange. But all very gentle; this is not a giant whisky but still very pleasant. A little hand warming brings out some honey, a little more of the smoke and some hints of grain whisky (as opposed to malt). All in all it’s a very pleasing collection of aromas. The taste very much shows the peat smoke but in a very subtle manner and then the cask(s) influence shows with some really good cocoa (Fry’s) and then followed by the honey notes. Some dryness binds it altogether quite nicely. Hints of cold unsweetened black tea (without milk) and all very nice together. The finish is pretty much a mirror image of the nose and the taste and it’s consistent and towards the very end some good malt and further dry sweet notes arrive and more malt. Quite a long finish (a little tobacco too).

What a surprise…

$65

Score 86 points