Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve & Recipes

Ballantine’s has announced the release of it’s Christmas whisky, Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve.

Ballantines Christmas Reserve

Created by Master Blender Sandy Hyslop, Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve is a blended whisky available annually for a limited period. First launched in 2010, the expression was a Scotch whisky category first, with its luxury seasonal aromas including cinnamon, orange, raisin, candy apple and pear.

On the nose, Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve is rich, deep and fruity with hints of moist raisin fruitcake and sweet candy apples perfectly balanced out by caramel toffees and soft ripe pears. It tastes sweet with succulent tangy orange and a superb liquorice root and ginger flavour. The finish is very long, round and sweet.

Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve is ideal served on its own over ice or as the base for a range of seasonal cocktails. To support the 2011 launch, Ballantine’s Brand Ambassador Fredrik Olsson has created a series of seasonal cocktails, including ‘Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve Golden Saffron Martini’, ‘Ballantine’s Spiced Hot Chocolate’ and ‘Ballantine’s Hot Christmas Punch’.

Ballantines Christmas Reserve Hot Christmas Punch

Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve cocktails

Ballantine’s Hot Christmas Punch

3 parts Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve
1 part Apricot Liqueur
2 parts Spiced Berry Cordial
8 parts Hot Water

Method: In a large punchbowl with candle heat, build the ingredients with the boiling water to taste.
Glass: Punchbowl
Garnish: Orange Peel, raspberries and raisins

Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve Golden Saffron Martini

50ml Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve
15ml Saffron infused sugar syrup
5ml Hazelnut Liqueur
25ml Double Cream

Method: Shake and strain
Glass: Martini
Garnish: Saffron threads

Ballantine’s Spiced Hot Chocolate

50ml Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve
3/4 Mug of quality hot chocolate
Mini marshmallows
Chocolate sauce

Method: Make hot chocolate, add the Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve and top with garnish
Glass: Cup
Garnish: Marshmallows and chocolate sauce

You can buy Ballantine Blended Whisky from:-

• The Whisky Exchange
• Master of Malt
• Edencroft Fine Wine & Spirit Specialists
• Whisky Online