Ballantine's 17 Year Old Miltonduff Limited Edition

Ballantine's 17 Year Old is a revered whisky with a cult following, widely considered the best blended whisky money can buy. Quite a statement—but one supported by Whisky Bible icon Jim Murray, who is a staunch advocate of this dram. Over forty different malt and grain whiskies from across Scotland are blended to create Ballantine's 17 Year Old, a task currently overseen by head distiller Sandy Hyslop.

First distilled in the 1930s, its recipe has remained unchanged and is a closely guarded secret passed down from Master Distiller to apprentice. The whisky is golden amber in colour, with a deep, elegant nose. The palate is complex and vibrant, offering honeyed sweetness with hints of oak and peat smoke—a complete and luscious dram full of subtlety, character, and colour. Ballantine’s also boasts a range of limited edition expressions under the Signature Distillery series. These bottlings highlight one of the core malts used in the blend, with that malt appearing in higher concentration. Previous releases include the Scapa and Glenburgie Signature Editions, and now the Ballantine's 17 Year Old Miltonduff Signature Distillery edition is available for general sale.

Originally a travel retail exclusive, this edition is now more accessible for collectors and connoisseurs alike. So, what role does the Miltonduff single malt play in the Ballantine’s blend? Miltonduff adds power, working in harmony with Scapa and Glenburgie. It brings warming cinnamon spice and a delicate floral quality that balances the fruity sweetness of the other malts. These elements shine more prominently in the Ballantine’s 17 Signature Distillery Miltonduff edition, though the core Ballantine's style remains unmistakable. It's a brilliant showcase by Sandy Hyslop.

A quote from Peter Moore, Ballantine’s International Brand Director, underscores its importance: "The Miltonduff Edition is an excellent addition to any whisky connoisseur’s collection. It’s ideal for those looking to explore Ballantine’s 17 Year Old on a deeper level as it offers whisky drinkers a unique insight into the role that the Miltonduff malt plays in the much revered Ballantine’s 17 Year Old blend. It also showcases the excellent work of our Master Blender, Sandy Hyslop, a man who is a world-leader in the art of blending." The bottle’s presentation aligns with the original Ballantine’s 17 and other Signature Editions. A dash of orange hints at the warmth of cinnamon spice and the citrus notes on the nose. Without further ado, here are the tasting notes for this highly enjoyable whisky:

Nose: Rich, fruity and sweet. Flavours of peaches in syrup, juicy sweet orange, and creamy soft toffee with a hint of toasted almonds.

Palate: Sweet, scented floral flavours. Extremely smooth with milk chocolate, cinnamon spice, cloves, and liquorice root in the background.

Finish: Very long, warm, and sweet.