Whisky Forum - Head-to-head comp. bet. Glenmorangie 10 & Ballantine's

Quaich1

I've wanted to do this test comparison for some time. Here we have a single malt, Glenmorangie The Original 10 Year versus Balantine's 17 Year, a blended Scotch.

Let me give you my taste notes first from today followed by comparison of the two in terms of my own rating.

Glenmorangie 10
Neat-
Nose:Honey, fruit, sweet, citrus, orange peel and lichee nuts in syrup.
Palate: Smooth, fruity, syrup, hint of molasses and spice.
Finish: Lingering, spice, coffee, drying.

Ballantine's 17
Neat-
Nose: Ripe cantaloup, pungent, mild prune nectar, stone fruit (plum and apricot) and a hint of sweet peat smoke.
Palate: Creamy, spice, dark plums, grape jelly and an earthy note.
Finish: Long, fruit wood, mouth-watering and oak notes.

I have to say that the blended scotch, Ballantine's 17 leaves a better impression overall for me than the single malt, Glenmorangie The Original 10 Year. The Ballantine's provides a more mature nose and taste profile with heightened complexity than the latter which though quite pleasant doesn't have the depth or complexity and subtle flavor nuances of this blended scotch. I think age is everything here.

It is interesting that in this case the blended scotch is $20 more here in Ontario than the single malt. My vote goes to Ballantine's 17 in this head-to-head contest.
_________________
"Always carry a large flagon of whisky in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake."
W.C. Fields (1880-1946)

chrisg · Double Malt Member Joined: 12 Apr 2011 Posts: 197

Havent tried them both head to head but i do like both, the Glenmorangie 10 is one of the best entry level malts from any distillery and holds in own in more expensive company and the Ballantines 17 is superb. I guess it would depend on my mood which one i would reach for, both are different and both are excellent drams.

Charlie · Master Of Malts Joined: 23 Sep 2008 Posts: 1413

I have to say if i was to make a choice between the 2 my preference would be the Ballantines 17

Newkophile · Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 2:26 pm Post subject:

Here in southeast Florida, the Ballantine's 17 is not readily available, however I did spot it in one small liquor store priced at $87. All the Total Wine & Liquors down here price the Glenmorangie 10 at $33. I cannot imagine anyone in these parts indulging in a comparison of the far less expensive single malt to the exorbitantly priced blend.

Quaich1 · Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 5:01 pm Post subject:

Newkophile · Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 10:20 pm Post subject:

Point taken, however I do like equally the Glenmorangie Lasanta and Quinta Ruban, both priced at $46 here at the TW&Ls scattered throughout southeast Florida. (I did not detect any sulphur issue with the Lasanta). I admit to never having tried the Glenmorangie Original 10 because I tend to spend my liquor dollars on spirits that have at least 43% ABV. As Ralfy says, and I do heartily agree, taste and alcohol content DO correlate. While I have never tried the Ballantine 17 due to its high price down here (see my above post), I have tried the Ballantine 12 (priced at a mere $23 here but only 40% ABV)) and found it quite acceptable for what it is, a go-to blend that can be sipped comfortably and also readily used as a mixer for guests.