Today Balblair indie vs official


November 1, 2024

WF’s Little Duos, today Balblair indie vs. official

Balblair, the homeland of fruit. A distillery we've always been very fond of, even though it’s become a bit more low-key these days, at least here at WF Towers. I suppose it’s quite a challenge to keep the interest of whisky enthusiasts when you’re surrounded by so many newer, flashier, pushier contenders…

Re-char casks at Balblair (WF Archive, 2006)

Balblair 11 yo 2012/2024 (52%, Asta Morris, cask #AM143, 250 bottles)

Des grenouilles, toujours des grenouilles. Frogs, always frogs. Colour: light gold. Nose: well now, they must have made a mix-up, bottling late-harvest Riesling instead of a young Balblair. But no harm done, everyone slips up. With water: ah, the malt returns, along with apple tarte, pears poached in Sauternes, ripe mirabelles... A beautiful nose, with a fruity profile that's bold yet well-balanced. And yes, there are notes of late-harvest Riesling. Mouth (neat): it's like rose liqueur mixed with lychee syrup, rounded off with apple and papaya juice. So, more Gewurz than Riesling in the end. With water: enough jesting, it's simply excellent, now leaning into small stone fruits—cherries, plums, damsons... Finish: fairly long, livelier, and this time bringing citrus to the fore. Let's ditch the cheap wine comparisons. Comments: in the end, it was less exuberant than expected, and thankfully not overpowered by vanilla. A very, very good young indie Balblair—perhaps best paired with a plate of frog legs (wait, what?).
SGP:651 - 87 points.

P.S.: I love frogs/grenouilles. I remember that when I spent some time in New York, ‘grenouille’ was one of the few words that our American friends who fancied themselves as French speakers – which they were - could never quite pronounce correctly. Try [g??nuj], ‘gre-nouy’. Fun times, happy times.

Balblair 16 yo 2007/2024 (55.7%, OB for LMDW Foundations, first fill bourbon barrels, cask #507, 210 bottles)

This year, La Maison du Whisky has really stepped things up once more, moving to a 12-cylinder, if you will. Colour: pale gold. Nose: this is a more classic Balblair, starting off with acacia honey, ripe apricot, and juicy pear, alongside custard, perfectly ripe banana, and even a hint of mango, though in sensible amounts. There's also a touch of stewed rhubarb, which adds a nice little twist. One might almost want to mention Riesling again, though this time it would be a rounder, sweeter German one. With water: barley syrup makes an appearance, along with a bit of orange squash and even a faint suggestion of Berocca. Mouth (neat): the classic fruit salad—pear, kiwi, banana, apple—all gently spiced with a dash of white pepper. With water: still excellent, very fruity, but now balanced by herbal teas, such as chamomile, linden, and even a touch of thyme and rosemary. Finish: medium in length, a little simpler, with apple compote and a dusting of cinnamon. Comments: a superbly classic fruity dram.
SGP:651 - 86 points.

Check the index of all Balblair we've tasted so far