Move Over Johnnie Walker, Because This 23-Year-Old Scotch Just Took the Global Crown
At the 2026 World Whiskies Awards held at the Waldorf Hilton, Ballantine’s 23 Year Old earned the title of World’s Best Blended Whisky. The win also secured the bottle another major title: Best Scotch Blended. For a brand that already ranks as the second-best-selling Scotch in the world, behind Johnnie Walker, the moment was a reminder that popularity and prestige do not always move in step.
A Big Win for a Nearly 200-Year-Old Brand
Ballantine’s has been around since 1827, long before modern whisky awards. The Scotch brand joined Pernod Ricard in 2005 and is now under its Chivas Brothers portfolio, alongside several major Scotch labels.
Its lineup stretches beyond entry-level blends. Ballantine’s currently sells age-stated whiskies ranging from 7 years old all the way to 40, though the 23-year expression has become the latest standout in the collection.
The award arrived shortly after longtime master blender Sandy Hyslop retired at the end of 2025 after more than two decades shaping Ballantine’s signature style. Kevin Balmforth, a longtime blending partner at Chivas Brothers, has now stepped into the role. The transition added extra attention to the award because the bottle represents continuity and change for one of Scotland’s largest whisky operations.
Why This Blend is Distinct
Image via iStockphoto/monticelllo
Ballantine’s 23 Year Old is built with malt and grain whiskies sourced from multiple Scottish distilleries. The blend ages in American oak casks, and Chivas Brothers highlights the use of first-fill American oak to help shape the whisky’s flavor profile.
The tasting notes embrace fruit and sweetness without drifting into syrupy territory. Competition judges described aromas of oranges, apple blossom, vanilla, and honey. Other descriptions tied the whisky to poached pears, red apples, caramel candy, and orchard fruit.
That balance is vital in blended Scotch. Single malts often dominate conversations among collectors, while blends sometimes get treated like the more approachable cousin at the dinner table. Awards like this shake up that perception by putting craftsmanship front and center.
A $233 Bottle With Travel Appeal
Unlike many award winners that disappear instantly into collector vaults, Ballantine’s 23 Year Old remains relatively accessible, though tracking it down may require a trip through duty-free.
Chivas Brothers confirmed the whisky is sold exclusively through Global Travel Retail channels at a suggested retail price of around $233. Other listings have placed bottles anywhere between $180 and $250, depending on the market.
The airport-only strategy adds more to the bottle’s growing reputation. Travelers passing through international terminals now have a world-title-winning Scotch sitting beside far more familiar luxury labels. For whisky fans, that kind of discovery tends to spread fast.
The World Whiskies Awards also recognized other blended whiskies across several categories this year, including Jameson 18-Year as Best Irish Blended and Hibiki 30-Year as Best Japanese Blended.