Good to see you finally find the way to enjoy this gem Jim.( trick with nose always works 😅😅😅). Congrats you passed this blend chalenge 😋. Its perfect for mixers! Coke ice slice of lemon bbq just lovely in some gifted sunny day in Norn Iron...once a year. 😁🥂🙋🏻♂️
Crap whisky deserves ... er... crap review. But you did not stick to that. A great and honest review, Jim. Thanks. Happy to leave Ballantines to others to enjoy. Slàinte mhath
Poor Jim, now you got to go through with it ... 😁 In my book there is actually worse than a Ballantines. But hey, there's probably sentimental reasons why it isn't that bad to me: It was not only my first Whisky, it was the first distilled alcohol I ever drank.
Hi Jim, thanks for your honest review 👍. I know the Ballantine’s finest isn’t good but with ginger ale and lime or over an ice ball as a beer chaser one can drink it and I do.For around €10 when it’s on offer I might buy a bottle. Slàinte Jim.
It might be fun to follow up this series with another on VERY INEXPENSIVE MALTS. It might also be interesting to compare your favorites of that series to benmark malts like Glenlivet or Glenfiddich 12 ✌️
@@WhiskeyNovice I think there are some good ones. Everything from Glen Moray's Elgin Classic range is very good, and Loch Lomond Original is okay, as is Tomatin Legacy. I'm not a fan of Speyburn Bradan Orach, but it's better than most blends around its pricepoint. And there are those Mystery Malts like Finlaggan Old Reserve and others which tend to be pretty good.
You found quite a lot comparing to me. I find some vanilla, Sweetnesses and hint of smoke. Ballentines was my 1st whiskey when started whiskey journey. At start it was hard to drink it cause of burn 😅
Thanks for the heads up on Black Irish . I ve seen it on supermarket shelves in the past but never thought of purchasing it but If there are any still available I ll definitely pick up a couple of bottles . By the way I agree with you on the Ballentines, it's a poor whisky and it really makes you wonder why such stuff can be the world's 12th best seller when there are many other blends out there that are so much better . Good review Jim , take care .
Thanks for this Jim! The finest was one of my entry level whiskies but I went back to it couple of months ago just to see and yeah...I share your thoughts. What do you think of the 17 I wonder? For me that's a fantastic dram and it's relatively well priced in my market.
Lol funny how everyone’s taste is different. I enjoy the Sharp notes but more than anything I tend to focus on the sweetness on this one. I found the 12 year old a while back. Haven’t opened it yet but I wonder how it compares to this.
Yep funny indeed, I usually enjoy it, when good batches, but the secret is....(keeping some suspense as it gave me an idea of a video actually !). To answer you, Antonio, when good batches, the 12 yo is very nice in my opinion...Then we all differ, for sure, Cheers !
I get the impression that it's generally a good idea to get a cheap Irish blend over a cheap Scotch blend. I've never encountered acetone or stale cigarette ash in an Irish whiskey
You're definitely taking one - well, more - for the team in this series mucker! I may not be the wisest (insert your own insult here), but I'll take on the role of Spock: "It's whisky Jim, but not as we know it!" I saw that Black Irish in Tesco, but didn't pick it up. Cheers auld boy. I could tell ya a story at thon Mariah too, but better not on here!
haha personal punishment for you, this, Jim, but enjoyment for others, colors & tastes vary....When good batches, I quite enjoy it, BUT, and there is always a "but", there is a secret to enjoy it, so will give it away later on, as it gave me an idea for a video in fact, lol, we'll see when I can record it, but it'll be fun....oh Black Irish ? curious stuff....never heard of it, I'm intrigued...Cheers !
Bloody hell Jim , these generic blends your suffering at the min 🙈🙈🙈are a bit grim ..In your words ..Thin 👹 Take time out mate , have a proper drink , you’ve earned it 🤣🤣👍 Great channel mate 🥃
@@WhiskeyNovice There must be about a dozen blends that sell for less than $15/750ml in the USA. That aforementioned Clan Macgregor (made by W. Grant & Sons) ain't half bad all things considered.
No greater love hath a man than to run the gauntlet of dubious blended whiskies.....well done Jim; you suffered for your art!
Thanks for putting in the work Jim! This series has not looked fun for you but we get a laugh and the knowledge that these blends won’t do.
Good to see you finally find the way to enjoy this gem Jim.( trick with nose always works 😅😅😅). Congrats you passed this blend chalenge 😋. Its perfect for mixers! Coke ice slice of lemon bbq just lovely in some gifted sunny day in Norn Iron...once a year. 😁🥂🙋🏻♂️
Crap whisky deserves ... er... crap review. But you did not stick to that.
A great and honest review, Jim. Thanks.
Happy to leave Ballantines to others to enjoy.
Slàinte mhath
Slàinte Frank. Hard to be nice to poor whisky 😔
Thanks for the review, Jim. Black Irish also makes a wonderful Irish Cream.
Cheers Jerry. I can imagine it does buddy.
Poor Jim, now you got to go through with it ... 😁
In my book there is actually worse than a Ballantines. But hey, there's probably sentimental reasons why it isn't that bad to me: It was not only my first Whisky, it was the first distilled alcohol I ever drank.
Can't fault you for that buddy. Cheers.
Hi Jim, thanks for your honest review 👍. I know the Ballantine’s finest isn’t good but with ginger ale and lime or over an ice ball as a beer chaser one can drink it and I do.For around €10 when it’s on offer I might buy a bottle. Slàinte Jim.
Cheers David.
It might be fun to follow up this series with another on VERY INEXPENSIVE MALTS. It might also be interesting to compare your favorites of that series to benmark malts like Glenlivet or Glenfiddich 12 ✌️
Series coming later in the year Chris looking at NAS entry level malts. Don't know how much I'm looking forward to that 😄
@@WhiskeyNovice I think there are some good ones. Everything from Glen Moray's Elgin Classic range is very good, and Loch Lomond Original is okay, as is Tomatin Legacy. I'm not a fan of Speyburn Bradan Orach, but it's better than most blends around its pricepoint. And there are those Mystery Malts like Finlaggan Old Reserve and others which tend to be pretty good.
Just tried this one recently, and I agree with you wholeheartedly.
You found quite a lot comparing to me. I find some vanilla, Sweetnesses and hint of smoke. Ballentines was my 1st whiskey when started whiskey journey. At start it was hard to drink it cause of burn 😅
Thanks for the heads up on Black Irish . I ve seen it on supermarket shelves in the past but never thought of purchasing it but If there are any still available I ll definitely pick up a couple of bottles . By the way I agree with you on the Ballentines, it's a poor whisky and it really makes you wonder why such stuff can be the world's 12th best seller when there are many other blends out there that are so much better . Good review Jim , take care .
Cheers Ricky. Aye get that Black Irish bought mate 😉
In Spain it is a very popular blend for mixing, I myself never touch it.
"Did I say thin?"
Thanks for doing this so we don't have to. 😉 For your next review, treat yourself to something really fantastic!
Coming soon Mike 😉
Thanks for this Jim! The finest was one of my entry level whiskies but I went back to it couple of months ago just to see and yeah...I share your thoughts. What do you think of the 17 I wonder? For me that's a fantastic dram and it's relatively well priced in my market.
You earnt the "like' @ 2:55 . Well done !
🤣🤣 cheers.
Must be the hardest series of reviews for you so far I think. I can't help but watch the videos with some schadenfreude😁. Hang in there Jim!
😄😄 cheers Dennis. The end is nigh 😄😄
It is very nice of you to try these basic whiskies.
Lol funny how everyone’s taste is different. I enjoy the Sharp notes but more than anything I tend to focus on the sweetness on this one. I found the 12 year old a while back. Haven’t opened it yet but I wonder how it compares to this.
Yep funny indeed, I usually enjoy it, when good batches, but the secret is....(keeping some suspense as it gave me an idea of a video actually !). To answer you, Antonio, when good batches, the 12 yo is very nice in my opinion...Then we all differ, for sure, Cheers !
😉 cheers Antonio. Better that we all have different tastes buddy otherwise there wouldn't be so many of us out there reviewing 😄
I get the impression that it's generally a good idea to get a cheap Irish blend over a cheap Scotch blend. I've never encountered acetone or stale cigarette ash in an Irish whiskey
I think the same!
Very true. Also some of the cheap American whiskies cant be overlooked
Notes of paint stripper and nail polish 😂.
At this price range I'd recommend an auchentoshen or jim beam.
You're definitely taking one - well, more - for the team in this series mucker! I may not be the wisest (insert your own insult here), but I'll take on the role of Spock: "It's whisky Jim, but not as we know it!" I saw that Black Irish in Tesco, but didn't pick it up. Cheers auld boy. I could tell ya a story at thon Mariah too, but better not on here!
😄😄 cheers Al.
haha personal punishment for you, this, Jim, but enjoyment for others, colors & tastes vary....When good batches, I quite enjoy it, BUT, and there is always a "but", there is a secret to enjoy it, so will give it away later on, as it gave me an idea for a video in fact, lol, we'll see when I can record it, but it'll be fun....oh Black Irish ? curious stuff....never heard of it, I'm intrigued...Cheers !
Cheers Greg. Finding Black Irish might be a little more difficult now 😉
Will you review the 12? What about the Famous Grouse?
Jim trying to say something nice about his neighbor’s overcooked risotto.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Is ballentines 17 is a good whisky compare to dewars 18? Thanks sir
Never had either if I'm honest.
Bloody hell Jim , these generic blends your suffering at the min 🙈🙈🙈are a bit grim ..In your words ..Thin 👹
Take time out mate , have a proper drink , you’ve earned it 🤣🤣👍
Great channel mate 🥃
Thankfully the end of this series draws ever closer Allan 😄.
Cheers fella.
Question: Are there less well known BOTTOM-SHELF BLENDS available in your market? I'm talking about 40% stuff like Clan Macgregor?
Not really mate.
@@WhiskeyNovice There must be about a dozen blends that sell for less than $15/750ml in the USA. That aforementioned Clan Macgregor (made by W. Grant & Sons) ain't half bad all things considered.
@@WhiskeyNovice ...kinda hard to believe there's a shelf lower than Grant's Triple Wood, but there is 😳
@@WhiskeyNovice ua-cam.com/video/5m9rwrDq5FI/v-deo.html
Unfortunately this is the first whisky I’ve ever tried… I won’t let it stop me from trying something nicer though.
Sounded like a total disaster. It was painful to watch. I've been thinking about this series too, but ... ouch.