This Ballantine's 'Whisky' has Half the Alcohol

Wednesday, 24 September 2025 at 15:00

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Did you know that Ballantine’s offers a Light version? Indeed, apart from the trustworthy Finest, there’s also Ballantine’s Light, for those who appreciate the atmosphere of Ballantine’s but prefer a lighter touch. The question remains: is it whisky?

What exactly is Ballantine’s Light?
A lighter version of Ballantine’s blended whisky with 20% alcohol, fruity and smooth flavors.

Where can you buy Ballantine’s Light?
Mostly in Spain and through online stores like Decántalo; it’s challenging to find in the some countries.

What does Ballantine’s Light taste like?
Light and fruity, with hints of apple, honey, citrus, and a touch of hazelnut

Yours truly walked into a Spanish supermarket last week and discovered a blue bottle of Ballantine’s. It’s a version you won't stumble across every day. As it turns out, it’s not a true whisky, but a lighter variant of Ballantine’s.

Ballantine's Light: No Real Whisky

While the standard Ballantine’s bottle has an alcohol content of 40%, the blue bottle's is reduced by half. Its alcohol percentage is 20%, which is significantly less than the standard blends. This means that Ballantine’s Light isn't a real whisky but capitalizes on the brand's success.

What does Ballantine's Light taste like?

In terms of taste, this version seems friendly: you can detect green apples, honey, and orange on the nose, with a subtle hint of milk chocolate. On the palate, it's light and fruity, with notes of orange zest, pink grapefruit, ripe pear, and a bit of hazelnut.

The finish is soft, with sweet and citrus accents. You might argue: a summery, accessible whisky experience. And let's be honest: it fits well with Spain’s summery temperatures.

Nevertheless, you're unlikely to encounter this blue bottle with a lower ABV in every country. Possibly there’s no market for it in some places. Nonetheless, you can import the bottle. For instance, it's available at Decantalo for 17,70 euro.

More Ballantine's

Want to learn more about Ballantine’s? Check out our dedicated page. There are regularly all sorts of cool bottles being launched from this brand, like special editions for the video game Borderlands and various bands.