Hankey Bannister Original is a blended Scotch whisky from Scotland, combining Lowland grains with Highland and Speyside malts. The brand was created in 1757, when Beaumont Hankey and Hugh Bannister founded a wine and spirits merchant business in London's West End. Today the brand is produced by Inver House Distillers, which also runs the Balblair, Balmenach, Knockdhu, Pulteney and Speyburn distilleries.
At the heart of the blend lies a marriage of Lowland grains with Highland and Speyside malts. The producer describes it as a blend of "fine and rare" whiskies, hand-selected. This is a no-age-statement whisky, bottled at 40%. The producer emphasises that this is an unpeated blend.
Creamy toffee in colour with a golden hue. The nose is light, with a spicy note lending additional depth, while on the palate it is a light, subtle blend – clean, sweet and spicy, with honeyed tones and a pleasant, lingering finish. An independent review in Whisky Magazine offers further detail: on the nose, toffee butter, Scottish tablet and a touch of pastéis de nata, with nutmeg, lemon peel and cedar. The palate is concentrated at the outset – cream soda, Werther's Original caramel, alongside hazelnut, orange peel and gentle white pepper, with a fairly short finish carrying a note of toffee, baking spice and dried ginger.
This is a light and approachable blend, built around sweetness and spice. It appeals both to those who drink it neat and to those mixing cocktails – the producer notes that its honeyed, spicy profile works well in classic long drinks.