Last week saw the #BalblairLive Facebook tasting, in which Lukasz Dynowiak , Brand ambassador and Mark Williamson ,Maturation and Spirit Quality Manager were presenting three Balblair vintages, the oldest of which was this 1991 vintage (3rd ed.) , the 2000 vintage and the 2005 vintages… As always with these Live Facebook tasting it was a lot of fun, and a lot of information was shared, as both answered our questions and spoke about this lovely distillery located in Edderton.
Balblair is quite a traditional distillery : you won’t find any bizarre cask finishes, or even no port / wine cask in their portfolio. They are mostly doing traditional ex-Bourbon and some Sherry casks combinations as to let the liquid shine… (Note they have been making some peated new make, and it’s aging nicely, yet to be released…)
The third release of the 1991 vintage has been matured for 24 years in American oak barrels before spending three additional years finishing in Spanish oak butts and retails fro £125.
Balblair 1991 vintage ed.3 , 46% abv , £125
Nose: English cake, dried citrus fruit, vanilla and spice. Tangy ginger candy, pencil shavings and oak, wee note of Bergamot . Honeyed notes as well, some toffee and milk chocolate.
Palate: ripe oranges, citrus marmalade, rich chocolate, vanilla and some candied ginger, spicy wood, waxy orange and spice. Bitter sweet and creamy with a touch of ginger biscuit.
Finish : creamy caramel, ripe orange, a hint of carob and coconut
Summary:
This is a tasty whisky indeed, very good stuff, with the right combination of sweet,fruity,citrus and honey. The ex-Bourbon casks shine, and the extra maturation in sherry adds a nice chocolate-y and tofeed feel. Good stuff as always. Balblair do create lovely whiskies, and this one is no exception. Recommended.
Score: 90/100
Available at Master of Malt