Ballantine's is a world-renowned Scottish whisky brand. It was founded by George Ballantine in 1827 and is now owned by Pernod Ricard. It is currently the second largest Scottish whisky brand in the world, with global sales of 8.2 million boxes in 2023, and has been ranked second in the global Scottish whisky sales list for many consecutive years. In the 2023 global spirits brand sales ranking released by the well-known wine and beverage media The Spirits Business in 2024, Ballantine's ranked 34th, among the top 50 best-selling spirits brands in the world.
In 1827, George, who was only 19 years old, opened his first shop in Edinburgh. At first, the shop mainly sold tea and some simple liquor. However, George was not satisfied with this. He had a natural talent and passion for the art of blending and soon applied his talents to the world of whiskey.
George knew that in order to stand out in the highly competitive visa market, he had to offer a unique product. He began experimenting with blending different types of whiskey together, hoping to create a completely new taste. After countless attempts and failures, George finally found the ideal recipe: a clever combination of fresh and elegant grain whiskey with mellow and rich single malt whiskey, creating an unprecedented harmonious taste. This unique blending method quickly won the favor of customers and laid the foundation for future success. As the business flourished, in 1837 George moved the shop to the more prosperous South Bridge area of Edinburgh, close to the famous Princes Street. This strategic location attracted more high-end clientele, including local nobles and wealthy businessmen. George's Visa is not only famous for its excellent quality, but his honest and reliable business methods have also won the trust and respect of his customers.
By 1869, George's business was flourishing. He decided to expand the business to Glasgow, the second largest city in Scotland, which also laid the foundation for future international development. At the same time, George began to pass on his knowledge and passion to his sons. George II, Archibald and Daniel, and his grandson George III all devoted themselves to the family business and worked together to take Ballantine to new heights.
The year 1895 was a milestone in history. This year, Queen Victoria granted Ballantine a royal warrant, designating it as the royal wine. This honor is not only the highest recognition of Ballantine's quality, but also greatly enhances the brand's reputation and status. From then on, it became a true "noble whisky".
Entering the 20th century, in 1910, Ballantine Extra Whisky became the company's most important export product, marking the beginning of the brand's internationalization. In the following decades, new products were continuously launched, including 12-year, 17-year, 21-year and even 30-year aging products, to meet the needs of consumers at different levels. In the 1930s, despite the challenges of the global economic depression, Ballantine still adhered to the concept of quality first, launched 30-year-old whiskey, and successfully entered the US, European and Asian markets. During this period, Ballantine truly became a world-renowned visa brand.
Ballantine continues to innovate and launch a number of popular products. Each head bartender has breathed new life into the brand while maintaining its unique style. For example, in 1959, head bartender Jack Goudy introduced the recipe for 12-year-old blended whiskey, which won wider recognition.
Until 2005, Ballantine was acquired by the global wine giant Pernod Ricard, which brought more resources and a broader market. With the support of Pernod Ricard, Ballantine further consolidated its position in the global whisky market, becoming the second largest Scottish whisky brand after Johnnie Walker.
To this day, Ballantine's still adheres to the philosophy that George founded nearly 200 years ago: pursuing excellent quality and creating a unique taste. From a small shop in Edinburgh to a world-renowned visa brand, the story of Ballantine's is a legend full of passion, innovation and persistence. Every bottle of Ballantine's Whiskey carries this rich history and generations' unremitting pursuit of perfect whiskey.
