Ballantine's Finest

bitter, grainy, not much else

Not too sweet, not too smoky, not too sharp. A role model for nicely balanced Scotch with toned down qualities.

Forget the bottom shelf price; this is a beautifully balanced whisky. Better than many single malts that sell for over twice the price.

Smokin bang for the buck.

Easy sipper with smoke and peat, but not overwhelmingly so. Vanilla and hints of green apple come through nicely.

Slightly smoky, peat, honey, slight tartness.

not bad at all, for this price I hope to save some for enough time to A/B compare to red label, j&b rare and the famous grouse... other budget favorites... it's certainly drinkable but definitely a sharp spice on the swallow that lingers. the scent is not memorable, but neutral enough that I can't say anything too good or too terrible about it. at this price just something to fill the cabinet with another option for when friends are over but nothing worth talking about to anyone you trying to impress.