By ANTONIO DELOS REYES
Bourbon and Scotch whisky are deeply intertwined, with a deep shared history that extends until today. Many scotch distilleries use ex-bourbon barrels to age their new-make spirits until they can be officially called whiskies.
Ballantine’s is no exception and to celebrate the connection between the two, the brand recently launched the Ballantine’s 7 Bourbon Finish in the Philippines. The 7-year-old blended Scotch shines the spotlight on the nuances that bourbon brings to the table.
This is done through a finishing process done prior to bottling. A selection of Scotch whiskies — all aged in oak casks for at least 7 years, are first married before being allowed to finish in a first-fill ex-bourbon barrel for several months. The use of a first-fill barrel allows the maximum extraction of bourbon’s characteristics thanks to the residual bourbon absorbed by the oak cask which are then transferred to the whisky during the finishing process.
The result is a whisky that is greater than the sum of its parts. The classic flavor profile of Ballantine’s which features honey and ripe red apple is further enhanced with notes of toffee, vanilla, and caramel typically found in bourbon whiskies.
The 7-year-old blend is a tribute to founder George Ballantine, who, as early as 1872, was ageing and selling 7-year-old whisky, long before the laws on ageing Scotch for a minimum of three years came into effect. And now, nearly 150 years later, Ballantine’s has released its 7-year-old Scotch to show there’s still no wrong way to enjoy whisky.
“Ballantine’s 7 Bourbon Finish combines two whisky worlds to create a blend that is deep in Scotch character and finished with American attitude — making it the ideal for Scotch drinkers wanting to dabble in bourbon and for bourbon drinkers wanting to break into the world of Scotch whisky,” said Ethan Miln, Ballantine’s Global Brand Ambassador.
Ballantine’s 7 Bourbon Finish will be available in Landers and at other leading stores like Landmark, Pioneer, and online sites like Boozy.ph
