Balblair

United Kingdom

All about Balblair

All realeases of Balblair are labeled as vintages. So Balblair 03 was distilled in 2003, Balblair 99 in 1999, etc. To understand the barrel age you need two numbers, the label vintage and the bottling year. And each vintage could have a different wood combination. For the person who wants an easy-sipping dram this poses a problem. For the Whisky lover every pour is an adventure in flavor and herittage. You decide.

That said, generally speaking Balblair ages all of the single malt Whisky at least ten years in ex-Bourbon casks exclusively or in combination with other exotic casks -- Spanish oak, Wine finsihes, and so on. You can expect the lovely fruit and butterscotch of similar Highlanders in the region (Glenmorangie, Glen Ord). There will be no peat smoke whatsoever (barring some unknown special edition) and the finish will be long and clean with some lemon zest lingering on the tongue. Enjoy.

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All about Balblair distillery

The Highlands are irreplaceable — yielding some of the finest single malt Whisky in the world. But there is something magic about Ross-shire.

Along the southern coast of the Dornoch Firth, at the base of ancient, Celtic limestone hills, a cluster of natural springs feed a blessed few distilleries, with what may be the best water in the world for Whisky.

John Ross founded Balblair in 1790. The water is so special, so integral to the spirit, that when they built a new distillery closer to the railway station in 1895 to expand production and facilitate distribution, they still piped water from the previous location. Yep, it's that good.

The distillery stayed in the family for two full generation as John's son Andrew took over in 1836. Ownership has changed hands a few times since then, but no one has changed production methods. Today they are owned by Inver House Distillers (sometimes called InterBev).

To this day they have only 1 wash and 1 spirit still, and 100% of production goes into their single malt vintage series — each one unique, rare, and special.

For a two-still shop they turn out an impressive amount of spirit with a capacity of 1.8 million liters per year. Their 1989 Vintage was awarded "Best in Class" and listed in the famous book "101 Whiskies to Try Before You Die."

Distillery info

  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Region: Highlands
  • Address: Balblair Distillery, Edderton, Tain IV19 1LB, United Kingdom
  • Phone: +44 1862 821273
  • Website: www.balblair.com