tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post2079685799120892955..comments2024-02-28T07:23:12.706-04:00Comments on Jason's Scotch Whisky Reviews: Review: Ballantine's 17 years old Blended Scotch WhiskyJason Deblyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13305087714773608306noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-1768737026292361692018-02-21T04:59:33.789-04:002018-02-21T04:59:33.789-04:00Yes. Royal Salute 21 win hands down. No contest. I...Yes. Royal Salute 21 win hands down. No contest. It's just better whisky: deeper, richer, more complex, more intense. CrniSChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08659076329775663546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-4230179235332962562017-11-02T15:44:17.045-03:002017-11-02T15:44:17.045-03:00Hi. I have opened a bottle of Ballantine's 17 ...Hi. I have opened a bottle of Ballantine's 17 a couple if weeks ago. First imoression? I'm not impressed. It's to delicate. Complexity is there, but aromas and tastes are thin. But! It does help, if you use 'Murrey way' and warm it in a hand. PS I will open Royal Salute 21 next week and make a comparisson.CrniSChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08659076329775663546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-7000266905047109292017-03-01T16:18:34.451-04:002017-03-01T16:18:34.451-04:00Yea, I know. In our local whisky shop they have ol...Yea, I know. In our local whisky shop they have old and new Ballantine's 17, but I am not into buying old one.<br />I will. Hope I like them both as I liked Glencadam 19 I tried a couple of days ago. It was fantastic. CrniSChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08659076329775663546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-6748935771067885342017-03-01T13:03:15.533-04:002017-03-01T13:03:15.533-04:0097.5 for both old and new bottlings even though on...97.5 for both old and new bottlings even though one is at 43% and another is at 40%? Crazy!<br /><br />I like Royal Salute 21, but my last bottle was a real disappointment, but I truly think I just got an off bottle that sat on a shelf in direct sunlight in a shop. My brother picked it up. If it was me would have got a different bottle.<br /><br />Lemme know how your tasting goes between the Ballantines and the Royal Salute. my money is betting you will like the Salute more.Jason Deblyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13305087714773608306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-81958775285111949612017-03-01T12:54:50.792-04:002017-03-01T12:54:50.792-04:00OK. I went and bought a WB 2016. So,, there is a ...OK. I went and bought a WB 2016. So,, there is a sign for retasted- no change and he is writnig about finish becoming longer with recent bottlings. Balance is " now only slghtly less weighty than of old" and " after a change of style, it has comfortably revert back to it's sophisticated, mildly erotic old self." (erotic WTF) So, it seams score of 97, 5 is for both, old 43% and new 40% expresion. <br />It will be interest comparing Ballantin's 17 and Royal Salute 21 side by side.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-5950803418572022272017-02-28T04:56:53.451-04:002017-02-28T04:56:53.451-04:00Agree. He is taking care of his business, that'...Agree. He is taking care of his business, that's all. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-11820781711641489172017-02-27T09:17:27.442-04:002017-02-27T09:17:27.442-04:00It's really hard to say. I suspect Murray was...It's really hard to say. I suspect Murray was reviewing the one I had as I bought mine immediately following publication of his Whisky Bible. <br /><br />If the new one is a mere 40% ABV that will impact the flavor profile and not for the better.<br /><br />The bottom line is that Ballantine's 17 is good, but not the greatest and Murray's declarations as to the "Whisky of the Year" have little or no rational basis.<br /><br />Cheers!Jason Deblyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13305087714773608306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-18251509711446417122017-02-27T08:10:28.040-04:002017-02-27T08:10:28.040-04:00Hi Jason. Nice post. I have a bottle of Ballantine...Hi Jason. Nice post. I have a bottle of Ballantine's 17 (blue box) in my cabinet. Are you sure Jim Murray was writting about new Ballantine's 17 and not the old one (red box that you reviwed). Friend told me that in the Murray's WB alcohol stated for Ballantines 17 is 43%. Old one have 43%, new one 40%. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-18734132142753754082017-02-21T09:20:47.699-04:002017-02-21T09:20:47.699-04:00I have not tried the 12 and not likely to do so as...I have not tried the 12 and not likely to do so as I am not really a fan of the standard bottling or the 17.Jason Deblyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13305087714773608306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-15736629598923866642017-02-21T09:19:58.731-04:002017-02-21T09:19:58.731-04:00Definitely not worth it!
I would not pay a penny ...Definitely not worth it!<br /><br />I would not pay a penny over $45.Jason Deblyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13305087714773608306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-78718784839039722922017-02-21T07:10:19.627-04:002017-02-21T07:10:19.627-04:00Wow !! the 17 yr is over $90 down here !! It would...Wow !! the 17 yr is over $90 down here !! It would want to be pretty special for that amount of $$.<br />ALAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-33316398962199031812017-02-21T07:07:48.600-04:002017-02-21T07:07:48.600-04:00Have you tried the Ballyn. 12yr ? They've take...Have you tried the Ballyn. 12yr ? They've taken over $10 to bring it down to $40... same as JW Black I'm tempted to grab tomorrow when get the Glenlivet 18.... thoughts?<br />ALAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-58834091444416068372016-08-28T22:26:02.338-03:002016-08-28T22:26:02.338-03:00Hi!
I actually rank a blended whisky as the fines...Hi!<br /><br />I actually rank a blended whisky as the finest i have ever tasted: Hibiki 17yrs.<br /><br />I don't think I am biased, but hey your opinion is well your opinion. I think there are whiskies with discernible quality and others with lesser quality. Ballantines 17 is a fine drink but in that year there were so many others that were the best.<br /><br />As for Jim Murray, just because he is a published author does not mean he is necessarily right.<br /><br />Thanks for commenting though and I hope you find a bottle eventually.Jason Deblyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13305087714773608306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-11195729030481880512016-08-28T22:14:09.007-03:002016-08-28T22:14:09.007-03:00I think you might be letting your single malt bias...I think you might be letting your single malt biases get in the way. Jim is simply saying this is what he considers "best" that particular year. Someone of his standing most likely has tried all (or most) of the other styles out there, and isn't limited the same way someone who only sticks to one might be. Plenty of blends can be just as good, and even better, than single malts. It just depends on what you're looking for. How can someone's preferences or experiences be wrong? <br /><br />Alas, I haven't been able to find either Ballantine's 12 or 17, here... wrathchildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11778470760541735373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-14871453089516686472016-06-07T09:44:25.982-03:002016-06-07T09:44:25.982-03:00i think the comparison is fair because the evaluat...i think the comparison is fair because the evaluation is based what is the best whisky in the world? If that is the metric, then price is irrelevant.<br /><br />It shows how absurd it is to declare that Ballantine's 17 is the best whisky in the world with whiskies that cost many times more and are far superior.<br /><br />Have not tried the Campbeltown 21, but have heard good things.<br /><br />Thank you for commenting!Jason Deblyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13305087714773608306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-71006145476234693952016-06-07T03:32:21.441-03:002016-06-07T03:32:21.441-03:00Except the whiskies you prefer to Ballentine 17......Except the whiskies you prefer to Ballentine 17.... cost twice as much. So it's not a fair comparison?<br /><br />Have you tried Campbeltown Loch 21 ? costs around £67 UK. Pretty fine, however as you say it has that 'rounded out' profile.timnicebutdimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-35466789866171967772013-10-24T03:21:48.663-03:002013-10-24T03:21:48.663-03:00Hello, i am at odds with this whisky and like the ...Hello, i am at odds with this whisky and like the previous poster i think everyones tastes vary and preferences therefore vary. I find this scotch had a shorter finish than i like and a weak slight maltyness/sweetness with strong spice/citruis with a bit more alcohol than i like at the end of the finish. $90 vs $70 for johnnie green an $65 for cragganmore both of which i think are blended better and have more pronounced and even flavours with better finish. I think a lot of people bash the johnnie product but after tasting lots of whiskys i keep going back to johnnie green, gold 18yr, xr21 neat, double black for a mixer. Among that chivas 18, cragganmore 12 (that i rate a little above green label), and dimple 15 for a chep neat. I keep all of them at home. And sometimes buy a 200ml johnnie blue too picy to keep. Dont like glenfiddich, glenmorangie, talisker, lagavaulin, or any sherry/wine influence/strong citrius/strong spice scotchesfrankynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-39676410402769244572013-03-14T21:23:02.825-03:002013-03-14T21:23:02.825-03:00Frank, I sincerely hope you will comment more ofte...Frank, I sincerely hope you will comment more often. Thanks for taking the time!Jason Deblyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13305087714773608306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-45926315580467111862013-03-14T16:28:00.890-03:002013-03-14T16:28:00.890-03:00I came acorss your review looking to send somethin...I came acorss your review looking to send something on the whisky to a friend.<br /><br />Interesting review. I see several of your points but having tried both versions of the the Ballatine 17, I agree there was a signifcant improvement from 2010. What I agree with is your idea that the only opinion that truly matters is your own. reviews are a good resource and if you find a reviewer whose taste is similar to your own then they are an even better resource. I find it unreasonable to tell someone else what they like or should like but not so to suggest what they may like. I also agree that to say this was the best whisky above all others is a bit much. At the same time to give a best whisky of the year award is fine with me and to me means something new to try which is a good thing. <br /><br />You have made some solid suggetions for other whisky's in the range. Of note Royal Salute which I also enjoy a lot is about twice the price in my locale. Only proving the point about differing tastes and palates I reframe from giving an opinion about any of the Johnnie Walker products I to put it mildly they do not sit well with my tastes, nor does the single malt Cardhu the basis for Johnnie Walker.<br /><br />It is perhaps interpretation but I do not see complexity the way you do here. I might argue that a good blend can and often does have greater complexity than a single malt due to variety of tastes that it can contain and if blended right to allow them a level of distinction and not be homogenized. The advantage to a single malt I see is the distinction of nose and taste. This breadth versus depth is what I have seen between blends and single malts. I understand the idea that you are perhaps discussing the complexity of the individual notes as opposed to my take on the different number of notes. So just a thought.<br /><br />About the whisky itself and my thoughts; I think it is tremendous whisky with deep rich flavours pleasing to a wide range of palletes and suitable to variety of occasions. I would suggest that as it is in the fruit, carmel range possessing a full smooth flavour that those who favour the Islay and partivcularly the more robust types may find as much enjoyment. In my area it is neither cheap or expensive for a good whisky, I would and have recommended it.<br /><br />FrankAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-77212641242850020532013-02-26T04:10:11.128-04:002013-02-26T04:10:11.128-04:00New master blender. Hence change in color. You ar...New master blender. Hence change in color. You are missing cocoa on thee palate and finish. Plus the finish is longer. I've had three bottles I the past four years and can definitively say you are comparing apples and oranges. Please do you research before writing an amateur review. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-43077701386653867332012-12-28T09:30:55.559-04:002012-12-28T09:30:55.559-04:00Glad to hear you agree. Others need to lift that ...Glad to hear you agree. Others need to lift that conviction that only Scotland produces the finest whiskies. Japan has been proving such a view to be flawed for a long time. I think the next country that will do it over the next decade is India. Amrut Fusion Single Malt is great!Jason Deblyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13305087714773608306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-5855614348448996112012-12-28T00:11:58.699-04:002012-12-28T00:11:58.699-04:00Having read your comment about Hibiki 17, I have t...Having read your comment about Hibiki 17, I have to agree. Having recently returned from a trip to Japan, where I was fortunate enough to visit the Yamazaki Distillery. I must say that Suntory, with their Yamazaki, Hibiki and Hakushu whiskeys; are producing some of the finest whiskey I've ever tasted.tulkuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12034711357634191673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-79459789457364478252012-11-12T12:38:20.164-04:002012-11-12T12:38:20.164-04:00I don't know what to say... I did'nt event...I don't know what to say... I did'nt event know this Jim Murray guy before I tried the Ballantine's 17, and ever since I consider it being the most fabulous beverages I ever drank. Maybe I should expand my knowledge to other great whiskies you are talking about, but what I can say about Ballantine's 17 is that it is the most _pleasurable_ whiskies I ever had, regardless of everything else. Maybe there are better drams out there... and I'll be glad to try them. But so far I quite agree with Jim Murray's review. I can't help myself but love this spirit.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12608716689511360432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-22908789483053638222012-04-23T13:36:05.624-03:002012-04-23T13:36:05.624-03:00Must be quite old. Unfortunately, older blended s...Must be quite old. Unfortunately, older blended scotch as what you may have are generally not worth more than $100 - $200. I would rather get a new bottle and do a side by side comparison with your old one and note the differences.Jason Deblyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13305087714773608306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176940657289976265.post-70507174629771721302012-04-23T10:29:51.513-03:002012-04-23T10:29:51.513-03:00my vintage pint b17 has no alcohol abbreviation.my vintage pint b17 has no alcohol abbreviation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com