The most recent addition to Ballantine’s Masterclass Collection is Chapter Two: The Waiting. The Masterclass Collection is a selection of 40-year-old whiskies created to highlight the legacy of the company’s Master Blenders,
Jack Goudy, the master blender until Sandy Hyslop took over, put barrels down in the 1980s to create the mixture of whiskies in this limited edition. Bottled at 45.4% ABV, this 40-year-old Scotch is thought to embody the complexity and depth of Ballantine’s.
The firm asserts that American Oak casks significantly enhance the flavor profile by infusing a subtle hint of smoke and a harmonious blend of sweet notes. Hyslop, who has been with Ballantine’s for almost 40 years, remarked of the laborious process of creating the blend.
“Time brings distinction to a whisky, but it also brings huge responsibility.”
Ballantine’s Distillery Adds The Waiting Spirit
It takes a combination of passion, persistence, and patience to carefully examine and smell hundreds of samples every day to assess whether a flavor profile has reached its peak. Time must be perfect since it cannot be undone.
Only 108 bottles of The Waiting were ever produced, and each bottle has an RRP of $12,000. Ballantine’s acknowledged that a certain market is prepared to shell out a hefty premium for the limited-edition item.
“This collection attracts a very particular consumer, with supply matching demand for an exquisite release at this price point. Naturally, the older a whisky, the rarer it becomes, and at a minimum of 40 years of age, the Ballantine’s 40-Year-Old Masterclass Collection is no exception.
“Producing such a prestigious collection is challenging in that you have to maintain the cask quality over 40 years, ensuring the touch of Master Blenders before me are preserved. Exercising patience throughout the process is a crucial skill. Time brings distinction, and so it is recognized with great patience, can come great reward in flavor and taste experience,” Hyslop adds.
