Ballantine’s partners with Malbon on Korea TR 21 Year Old launch

By Naomi Chadderton | Monday, 8 June 2026 10:35

Ballantine’s has partnered with lifestyle golf brand Malbon on a new limited-edition collaboration that brings together whisky, fashion and contemporary golf culture, centred around a travel retail exclusive 21 Year Old expression for the South Korean market.

The collaboration celebrates the concept of ‘Time Well Spent’ at the 19th Hole, reimagining the social occasion where golfers gather after a round to connect, unwind and share experiences. It combines two brands that have each successfully reinterpreted heritage for a new generation of consumers.

South Korea provides a fitting backdrop for the partnership, with golf continuing to evolve beyond the fairway into a wider lifestyle movement. Malbon has become one of the defining brands of that transformation, blending traditional golf codes with contemporary fashion, culture and self-expression. Ballantine’s has similarly sought to modernise its approach to whisky while remaining rooted in its long-standing heritage.

At the heart of the collaboration is a limited-edition Ballantine’s 21 Year Old expression that will be available exclusively through Korea travel retail. The whisky has been created with a higher proportion of Glentauchers Single Malt, selected for its delicate character and precise finish. A companion 17 Year Old blend, featuring a higher proportion of Glenburgie Single Malt, has also been developed for the domestic Korean market.

The packaging reflects the visual identities of both brands, incorporating Malbon’s distinctive ‘Buckets’ character alongside graphics inspired by golf ball patterns and the rhythm of the game. The result is a design that balances premium whisky credentials with a fresh, contemporary aesthetic.

The launch also includes a limited-edition apparel and accessories capsule collection, extending the collaboration beyond whisky and into the broader lifestyle space. Inspired by Scotland and reinterpreted through Malbon’s modern design language, the collection is aimed at a new generation of golfers who view the sport as a form of personal expression.

The partnership builds on Ballantine’s long-standing connection with golf. The brand’s association with the sport stretches back more than 60 years, beginning with the first Ballantine’s Tournament at Wentworth Club in 1960 and continuing through sponsorship of major events including the Ballantine’s Championship and the Scottish Open.

Stephen Malbon, Co-Founder of Malbon, said: “The design reflects the balance between heritage and modernity. We created Buckets as a character wearing a classic, heavily colour-blocked hat inspired by traditional fabrics. We also developed a pattern influenced by historical motifs but modernised it by incorporating Buckets elements into the design. The colour palette was inspired by Ballantine’s packaging and overall brand colour story, and it translated beautifully into our first his-and-hers collection created exclusively for Ballantine’s and available only in the Korean market.”

Andrew Bardsley, Director, Prestige Brands and Champagne at Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail, added: “Rooted in the camaraderie that unfolds on the course, Ballantine’s x Malbon is a tribute to the moments that matter most, of ‘Time Well Spent’. Blending the energy of the modern game with Ballantine’s timeless spirit of togetherness and authenticity, this collaboration fosters connection and we are excited for the potential of the 21 Year Old to introduce a new audience of younger, South Korean travellers to the pleasures of Ballantine’s Blended Scotch Whisky.”

Antonio Duva, General Manager, Asia Pacific, at Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail said: “As the No.1 blended Scotch in Korea Travel Retail and with a strong and prestigious portfolio ranging from iconic blends to refined single malts, this TRX strengthens our point of difference versus the domestic market. The strategic collaboration with Malbon puts Ballantine’s at the heart of culture and lifestyle in South Korea, solidifying our passion for golf, rejuvenating the brand among a younger travelling consumer and elevating its premium credentials through the power of travel retail. We look forward to activating the 21 Year Old expression at airport stores over the next couple of months.”

The partnership was officially unveiled at a launch event in Seoul on 28 May, bringing together figures from the worlds of fashion, entertainment and sport. The Ballantine’s x Malbon 21 Year Old Travel Retail Exclusive will launch from mid-June across Korea duty free, supported by high-profile promotions at Incheon, Gimpo and Gimhae airports, a dedicated pop-up at Jeju Domestic Airport and listings at Jeju’s downtown JTO duty free store.

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