Balblair Scotch Whisky tasting notes
 

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Latest Tasted
Balblair 1987/2008 (52.8%, OB for LMDW, cask #787, 201 bottles) - 021008

 



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Balblair Scotch Whisky tasting notes

The Whisky Tasting Indexes - Balblair
 

Balblair - Scotch Malt Whisky - Region: Highlands
WF Distillery Ranking: Quatrième Cru Classé (all current rankings here)

Status: Active - Stills: 2 (1 wash, 1 spirit) - Founded: 1790
Address: Edderton, Tain, Ross-shire, IV19 1LB - Phone: +44 (0) 1862 821273
Web: www.inverhouse.com - More info: Malt Madness  

My favourite expression so far:
Balblair 38 yo 1966/2004 (44%, OB, Spanish oak cask, 2400 bottles)
 92 points - Last tasted on September 18, 2004 - Tasting notes here.
Balblair

General Distillery Profile - keywords (wazzat?)
Vanilla Pepper Bananas Oak Caramel Apples Coffee Liquorice Tea Milk
In our opinion: Bablair used to be a hidden gem until quite recently, but a few old whiskies of exceptional quality such as some 1966’s managed to catch many whisky lovers’ attention, especially since these bottling were very friendly priced. Many discovered that Balblair can display a wonderful fruitiness, very pure, with sometimes something discreetly Irish. Add to that a wonderful little distillery where no ugly visitor centre was built (please, don’t!) and some extremely knowledgeable and friendly managers and assistant managers plus some excellent new versions in catchy bulky bottles and you’ll understand why Balblair’s star should shine even more brightly in the future. A little distillery with a beautiful soul. – December 20, 2007.
What the pros had to say: coming soon...
MM Distillery profile:
Balblair was founded in 1790 by one John Ross, but the oldest buildings at today's distillery date from the 1870's. Ownership of Balblair was in the hands of Andrew Ross & Son by the end of the 19th century and had been transferred to Alex Cowan & Co in 1896. The Balblair distillery was closed during World War I in 1915 and it wasn't revived again until 1947, after the end of the second... More on Malt Madness.
All the Winners - 90+ (updated November 4, 2007) - Tasting Notes: Please scroll down

Points, whiskies
92 - Balblair 38yo 1966/2004 (44%, OB, Spanish oak cask)
90 - Balblair 10yo (57%, G&M Licence bottling, flask 1970's)
90 - Balblair 27yo 1974/2001 ‘Highland Selection’ (46%, OB, C#2254, 241 Bts.)
90 - Balblair 40yo 1965/2007 (47.7%, Speciality Drinks Ltd – The Whisky Exchange, 215 Bts.)
Whiskyfun tasting notes
OB - no vintage
  • Balblair Elements (40%, OB, 2004) - 180904
  • Balblair 10 yo (57%, OB for Pinerolo, Late 1970's) - no notes - 86
  • Balblair 15 yo (57% 100°Proof, Gordon & MacPhail, Licenced bottling, 1970's, 75cl) - 021008
  • Balblair 16 yo (40%, OB, 2005) - 071005
OB - vintage
  • Balblair 33 yo 1966/1999 (44.2%, OB, Bourbon cask) - 180904
  • Balblair 38 yo 1966/2004 (44%, OB, Spanish oak cask, 2400 bottles) - 180904
  • Balblair 31 yo 1969 (45%, OB, Highland Selection) - 040706
  • Balblair 27 yo 1974 (46%, OB, Highland Selection, Sherry, 550 bottles) - 120204 - 040706 - 030507
  • Balblair 27 yo 1974/2001 ‘Highland Selection’ (46%, OB, cask #2254, 241 bottles) - no notes - 90
  • Balblair 1975/2007 (46%, OB) - 021008
  • Balblair 24 yo 1979/2003 (46%, OB, 3150 bottles) - 270305
  • Balblair 26 yo 1979/2005 (46%, OB) - 071005
  • Balblair 1979 (46%, OB, 15 casks, 2006) - 121007
  • Balblair 1985 (55.4%, OB, 2007) - 121007
  • Balblair 1987/2008 (52.8%, OB for LMDW, cask #787, 201 bottles) - 021008
  • Balblair 1989 (46%, OB, circa 2003) - 120204 - 020404
  • Balblair 1989 (43%, OB, 2006) - 121007
  • Balblair 12 yo 1992/2005 (61%, OB for France, peaty single cask #3026) - 071005
  • Balblair 12 yo 1992/2005 (58.8%, OB, ‘Single Peaty Cask’ #2932) - 111006
  • Balblair 13 yo 1992/2006 (46%, OB, three bourbon casks, 884 bottles) - 111006
  • Balblair 1997 (43%, OB, 2007) - 030507
Cadenhead
  • Balblair 12 yo 1965/1977 (45.7%, Cadenhead Dumpy) - 010504
  • Balblair 16 yo 1990/2006 (58.5%, Cadenhead's, 174 bottles) - no notes - 75
Douglas Laing
  • Balblair 34 yo 1965/2000 (40.1%, Douglas Laing OMC, 169 bottles) - 180308
  • Balblair 35 yo 1966/2002 (44%, Douglas Laing Platinum, 207 bottles) - 150207
Dun Eideann
  • Balblair 22 yo 1975/1998 (46%, Dun Eideann, cask #98/1359) - 180308
Gordon & MacPhail
  • Balblair NAS (70 proof, G&M licensed bottling, 1970’s) - 240705
  • Balblair 10 yo (57%, Gordon & MacPhail, late 1970’s) - 030507
  • Balblair 10 yo (40%, G&M licensed bottling, 1980’s) - 240705
  • Balblair 10 yo (40%, Gordon & MacPhail, +/-1995) - no notes - 78
  • Balblair 1964/1999 (40%, Gordon& MacPhail, screw cap) - 030507
  • Balblair 1966/2006 (43%, Gordon & MacPhail) - 150207
  • Balblair 1973/1995 (40%, Gordon & MacPhail Centenary Reserve) - 071005
  • Balblair 1973/1998 (53%, G&M 'OB') - 020404
Jack Wieber Whisky World
  • Balblair 1975 (46.2%, Jack Wieber’s Prenzlow Collection) - 030507
  • Balblair 16 yo 1991/2007 (55.2%, Dewar Rattray for Jack Wieber for Monnier, cask #3289, 60 bottles) - 180308
Single Malts of Scotland
  • Balblair 40 yo (42.8%, Single Malts of Scotland, cask #1346, 152 bottles) - no notes - 80
  • Balblair 40yo 1965/2007 (47.7%, Speciality Drinks Ltd – The Whisky Exchange) - 160707
Various IB
  • Balblair 16 yo 1991/2007 (57%, C&S Dram Collection, hogshead, Cask #1015, 192 bottles) - 160707
 
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