Ballantines 30 Years Old Very Old Scotch Whisky 43% NV

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (85)

Colour: full gold. Nose: this is different and, most amazingly, much closer to the old one, with these whiffs of old books, old herbs liqueurs and metal polish, then moss and mushrooms. There’s also more oak, obviously, vanilla custard, cinnamon… And then mead, old roses and Turkish delights (very vivid). Rather beautiful!

Mouth: bigger, richer, sweeter and fruitier than the 17. Starts with tinned pineapples and apricots and goes on with pomegranates and cinnamon from the oak. There’s also a little honey, aniseed and touches of rancio (and sherry), then more oak. Just like the 17, it becomes a little dry after a while, a little light… but it remains pretty excellent.

Finish: medium long, a notch smokier. Bitter oranges in the aftertaste. Comments: again, it’s no big whisky but it’s complex and beautifully balanced.

BOW (85)