Balblair Distillery Picture Gordon & Macphail

Balblair 1975 batch #2

Last week Balblair distillery has released a 2nd batch of their 1975 vintage. The new expression has been matured in American Ex-Sherry casks (rather than European ex-Sherry casks of batch #1 ) and is bottled at 46% , NCF, and no additional colouring added. Nose: Starting quite zesty with orange peel, some old bookshelves, Like entering a very old...

Score 90/100

Balblair 2002 1st Release

Balblair’s claim to fame was the fact that they did not use age statements but vintages on their bottles. But the range was revamped in March 2019 and now it boasts ages on the labels once more. There is a new 12, 15, 18 and even 25 Year Old, all bottled at 46%. The new 25 will set you back some 600 EUR. Ouch. I will try an oldie from 2002,...

Score 82/100

Balblair 1999

My first Balblair, as it is not a distillery that gets much mention in my hood. I got a chance to try this at an SAQ (Quebec's state run liquor stores) in store tasting last month, I was by myself so took the time to take notes Nose: Wet driftwood, cornmeal/porridge, Sultanas, vaguely rum like. Toasted almonds, loads of ripe fruit, soaked...

Score 85/100

Balblair 1966

This old Balblair was bottled in 2004, long before the distillery started releasing their so-called vintages. This one came from refill sherry butts. It is the oldest Balblair I have tried to date, produced before I landed upon this planet, which is always a bit of a treat. Ha! At this age, you would think that the nose would show loads of wood,...

Score 93/100