The Story of Ballantine’s Whiskey

The roots of this godly whiskey date back to 1827 where a simple grocer called George Ballantine’s started this brand. This whiskey slowly became one of the most beloved whiskeys of all times. A lot of people love this whiskey’s sweet tasting flavour and floral notes that come off as tasteful even to beginners.

This whiskey has a very interesting history, and this blog will simplify the timeline of its inception and fame, to what it is now in the global market:

1. George Ballantine left his house in the initial days to set up a grocer apprenticeship in Edinburgh.
2. After spending good five years as an apprentice, 19-year old George Ballantine shook the whole concept of grocery in Edinburgh with a new grocery store in the Cowgate, a completely different part of Edinburgh from most of the other grocers.
3. George slowly and gradually started getting interested in the art of ageing whiskies and specialising in quality, hand-selected malts. He then opened another grocery store at South Bridge and considered opening a shop for this iconic whiskey, Ballantine’s.
4. George Ballantine was a marketing genius. He offered free delivery to his clients who were located within ten miles. This idea arose in his mind before the inception of the internet. He had great business acumen, and that's shows in the quality of his whiskey brand.
5. Ballantine’s shops and warehouses got amazingly famous and are now exporting Ballantine’s blended whisky to a worldwide market. George Ballantine retired and his two sons took over the family business. He passed away, a few years later. George Ballantine may have gone, but thanks to his whisky, his legacy lives on.
6. Ballantine’s became a wonderfully famous whiskey. It rose to fame. Ballantine’s was awarded a Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria. Or as we like to call it, the royal seal of approval.
7. As the inceptors of this brand strived for perfection, they introduced a Ballantines Finest whiskey, a sub-set of the same brand. The brand is known to stay true to its blending roots and traditional craftsmanship.
8. After the death of George Ballantine, master blender George Robertson joined the Ballantine’s family. During his time at Ballantine’s, George created the world’s first (and to this day most rewarded) 17-year-old Scotch and the prestigious Ballantine’s 30. Ballantine’s price is suited to meet the needs of the general public which loves to drink a hearty whiskey. Ballantines 17 years price and Ballantines 12 years price does justice to the quality of the whiskey.
9. Ballantine’s was on the receiving end of several awards. Ballantine’s was awarded its Heraldic Arms by Lord Lyon. This crest is a true badge of honour and remains on every single bottle to this day. The crest features the Scottish flag and the four essential elements of whisky-making – Earth (represented by Scottish barley), Water (from nearby fresh streams), Fire (which heats the mash in a copper pot still) and Air (which allows the whisky to breathe in an oak cask). Another feature that appears on every bottle is the Latin phrase, ‘Amicus Humani Generis’, meaning a friend to all mankind. A friend never lets you down.