Well I think it’s time for some scotch, but because I am clearly masochistic by point of doing this site – it’s time for some more bottom shelf scotches. This week we got with Ballantine, which they themselves have little to say and since I was taught to never say anything unless it’s nice I do as well. (Read: Total lies)
I am used to lower tiered spirits suffering from a lack of filtration as if when creating their spirit they forgot to utilize charcoal at all. Here though I get the feeling they tried to cover up a bad spirit by drowning the cask in charcoal briquettes hoping to suck out the bad. In short it has worked, but it’s left me with an off taste that is quite unpleasant.
What they Say: “Blended & Bottled in Scotland”
Taste: 4.0 – Not terrible, but overall it’s just not a great taste.
Aftertaste: 3.0 – Just a subpar aftertaste, it certainly leaves some lingering flavor. It leaves a lingering charcoal flavor is I think the best way to describe it – a flavor I don’t think anyone wants.
Burn/Smooth: 4.0 – Without a doubt it burns in the same way a burnt hotdog burns – overall though just not pleasant.
Aroma: 4.5 – It’s certainly not an inoffensive smell, and all the right parts are there, but it lacks any sort of distinctiveness or impact in aroma.
Honesty: 6.5 – It does nothing to hinder or bolster itself here so I must default to the normal scoring of scotch.
Mixability: 4.0
W/ Rocks: 4.0 – It helps to calm the whiskey overall, but even for a blended scotch I wouldn’t call it particularly great.
Value: 4.0 – The problem here is this is truly a more bottom shelf scotch, and if you can find it at that price go ahead – but at it’s current price it’s a bit too close to things like Walker Red or Grouse.
Google Shop Average: $18
Website: http://www.ballantines.com
Reviewer Scores:
BuffaloJern: 4.0
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Metric Score: 30/70 |+| Metric Average: 4.28 |+| Reviewer Average: 4.0
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Final Thoughts: At the end of the day it seems I will continue to fill my decanters with Grand Macnish as to not offend any guests or my own palate. Too bad I am still stuck with this bottle, but hey maybe I can marinate some steak to add a smoky flavor to it.
Worst scotch I have ever tasted: burn, grain and nothing else. I would have been more kind if the label had said vodka! One of the few spirits I have bought that I was tempted to pore down the drain. Bloody Mary Queen of Scotts’ saved it from that fate.