Ballantine's traces its origins to 1827, when George Ballantine, the son of a farmer, opened a small grocery shop in Edinburgh. Through dedication and a keen eye for quality, he gradually expanded his business and built a reputation for exceptional blended Scotch whisky. The brand changed hands several times over the decades — most notably acquired by Hiram Walker in 1936 — before becoming part of French drinks giant Pernod Ricard in 2005, where it now sits within the prestigious Chivas Brothers portfolio. Today, Ballantine's is the world's second best-selling Scotch whisky, a testament to its enduring appeal. The range is anchored by Ballantine's Finest, launched in 1910, which is celebrated for its supple, approachable character with notes of apple and gentle complexity. The portfolio has grown steadily over the years, with landmark releases including the 12 Year Old (1960) and the 21 Year Old (1993). Key single malt contributors to the blend include Glenburgie and Miltonduff distilleries. In recent years, Ballantine's has pushed creative boundaries by releasing its first-ever Single Malt Series — three distinctive 15-year-old expressions from different Scottish regions. With five Master Blenders across its history, the most recent being Sandy Hyslop, who joined the industry in 1983, Ballantine's continues to honour its craft heritage while embracing innovation.