Hankey Bannister Heritage Blended Scotch review

Hankey Bannister is a famous Blended Scotch Whisky brand by Inver House Distillers (owned by International Beverage Holdings Ltd.). The brand was established in London’s West End in 1757 – Beaumont Hankey and Hugh Bannister founded the company seeking to enter the wines and spirits business, and the hearts of London’s connoisseurs. The blend did receive a Royal Warrant under George V. and was also a favourite of Sir Winston Churchill.

Their standard blend has Lowland grains and malts from Highland and Speyside distilleries owned by Inver House Distillers: Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc, Speyburn and Balmenach distilleries.

Hankey Bannister Heritage Blend is a special recreation of their original blended bottling made between 1924 and 1928. Kinda like Mackinlay’s Shackleton release, this blend was re-discovered and preserved. It’s been carefully recreated by Inver House Master Blender Stuart Harvey. 5000 cases of this Heritage Blend has been produced using Hankey Bannister Original as the base. The recipe has also been teaked with older peated malts to match the 1920’s flavor profile – trying to match Hankey Bannister 90 years ago.

Hankey Bannister Heritage Blend won Gold (Scotch Whisky – Blended category) in 2014 International Wine & Spirit Competition and got Silver (Scotch Blend No Age Statement category) in 2014 World Whiskies Awards. So we are not talking about some average blended whisky.

Churchill’s Secret no more

The bottle design is cool, a black bottle with simple but stylish labels. This whisky looks like something made 90 years ago. The taste is also good, this surely is not an average blend like the awards suggest. This blend has high malt content and it’s been bottled at 46% alcohol per volume level – so no wonder it is good. If this blend is something similar to what Churchill used to have, I don’t blame him for liking it so much. Overall surprisingly good blended Scotch whisky, with emphasis on the malt. If I may use a TV Movie as reference, I’m glad this is not Churchill’s Secret anymore.

Colour: Golden amber

Nose: Floral notes and orange peel. Herbs, butterscotch and caramel.

Taste: Caramel and toffee are the main notes. Raisins and hints of honey. Bit spicy as well, cinnamon being the main spice note.

Finish: Slightly sweet and sour. Dry oak and dried fruits in a quite long aftertaste which is nicely ungrainy. Soft, yet peppery finish. No sharp and stingy grain whisky notes.

Balance: Pleasant character in each step of the way. I like this blend because it’s not so blendy. Alla the bad qualities of blended whiskies are not present.

Hankey Bannister Heritage Blend Scoring

Nose:Taste:Finish:Balance:

Brand: Hankey Bannister Distilleries: Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc, Speyburn and Balmenach Region: grains from Lowland, malts from Highland and Speyside ABV: 46%

Ralfy gave Hankey Bannister Heritage Blend a whopping 87 points, not bad for blended whisky!

Mr Hankey cocktail

I spotted a nice cocktail from Hankey Bannister’s website. A timeless classic called Fanciulli. With Fanciulli, whisky and vermouth gets some Fernet-Branca in the mix. It’s an Italian amaro withdeep flavour. Hankey Bannister Heritage Blend stands up against the herbal and bitter character of amaro and makes a nice base for a Fanciulli, which is a cocktail developed 100 years ago.

Ingredients