Ballantine’s, the world’s No 2 Scotch whisky, is celebrating a milestone event in the brand’s 180 year history following the creation of the 2009 Ballantine’s Championship Blend.
Created by Sandy Hyslop, Ballantine’s fifth Master Blender and Graeme McDowell, the winner of the inaugural Ballantine’s Championship last year, the unique 35 Year Old Scotch represents the first time in history that anyone outside the company’s expert team has collaborated with a Master Blender.
Only 15 limited-edition bottles will be made due to the scarcity of the whiskies contained in the priceless blend with one precious bottle being presented to the winner of the 2009 Ballantine’s Championship.
Continuing the long-term relationship Ballantine’s Scotch is developing with the world of golf, the 2009 Ballantine’s Championship Blend brings together the shared passion, expertise and flair of two globally respected professions and will commemorate the second Ballantine’s Championship taking place in Korea in April.
“This is a first not only for Ballantine’s but across the entire Chivas Brothers portfolio,” said Hyslop. “It is one of the rarest blends I’ve ever created and contains some of the oldest samples from our inventory of over six million casks of ageing whisky. For example, we included two very old grain whiskies from Strathclyde and Dumbarton, the latter distillery no longer in production. Although the age stated on the bottle is 35 years, there are older whiskies contained in the blend.”
Following a private master class, Hyslop drew on his expertise and cherished stocks to select the finest and rarest whiskies for McDowell to sample. McDowell then created a unique blend under Sandy’s guidance that reflected his individual taste and strong preferences for sweet, lighter flavours.
“Graeme did a fantastic job. He knew exactly what he liked and the result is an exceptional blend that fits perfectly in the Ballantine’s range. While Ballantine’s fingerprint malts Glenburgie and Miltonduff maintain the soft, fruity and smooth characteristics of the Ballantine’s portfolio, a little sherry-matured Longmorn was one of Graeme’s favourites and it adds an appealing sweet edge,” commented Hyslop.
“I feel privileged to be part of Ballantine’s history,” said McDowell, who also won the Scottish Open in 2008, an additional European Tour event supported by Ballantine’s. “Sandy was an excellent teacher and really helped me understand the nose of each sample so that I could create a ‘top dressing’ to his carefully crafted Ballantine’s base.”
The brand’s first ever 35 Year Old blend was created at the heart of Ballantine’s production site in Dumbarton, Scotland. Of the limited edition 15 bottles made one will be presented to the winner of the 2009 Ballantine’s Championship, one will be presented to Graeme and one will be auctioned at the tournament’s Opening Ceremony.
McDowell added, “I think the result is a really beautiful whisky and I’m looking forward to sampling it should I defend my title in Korea in April – hopefully Ballantine’s will bring me a little luck as it seems when they’re involved with a tournament I generally do pretty well!”
Following his blending experience, McDowell shared some of the secrets of his trade with Sandy at local golf club The Carrick by the shores of Loch Lomond.
“I don’t think I’ll be swapping the blending suite for the golf course anytime soon!” commented Sandy, who will prepare each individual bottle of the Championship Blend by hand.
2009 Ballantine’s Championship Blend Tasting Notes
Nose: Wonderful flavours of sweet ripe dessert pears, beautifully balanced and round, bursting with juicy sweet fondant orange. Intermingled with this are flavours of sweet moist sultanas.
Body: Satin smooth and mouth watering.
Palate: This whisky excels on the palate with powerful sweet fruity flavours at first then followed by tangy marmalade with ginger and liquorice.
Finish: Incredibly long and smooth
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