Ballantine's Finest

Nose: floral - hints of lavender and cedar. Rather light, but with a slight pepperiness and a touch of iodine. Mango perhaps? A whiff of caramelized brown sugar that's been scrubbed with rubbing alcohol. Palette: A shockingly full body for a scotch under $20. Though not very complex, definitely high marks here for busting my expectations. Most blends I've had at this price point are thin and watery... not this dram. Vanilla and honey sit on the tip of the tongue, before charging to the back of the mouth with abandon, unleashing a peppery barrage that burns so good. A slight pine rises in the back of the pepper, offering a hint of respite in the midst of the fire. With a splash of water, the sweetness is unlocked more, and it becomes an even more pleasant dram as the peppery burn is balanced by fresh, sweet cherries and sugarcane. Finish: undoubtedly a weak point. A touch bitter, slightly medicinal, and tasting of unflavored mouthwash. This overall unpleasantness finally resolves into a nice brine aftertaste, that fades relatively slow. The bottom line: A full bodied sub-$20 whisky. If you don't go in expecting much, it's sure to surprise you. An honest blend that is passable neat, but perhaps better suited with a splash of soda. I think it will have a home on my bottom shelf as my low price, go to daily sipping scotch.