Balblair Scotch Whisky tasting notes
 

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Balblair 27 yo 1993 (60.2%, Scotch Malt Whisky Society #70.42 ‘Elegant, Dark and Stormy’, refill bourbon barrel, 180 bottles) - by Angus - 290624
 


 

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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  

One of my favourite expressions 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.
 Balblair
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.
Check all the 'winners' (90 points or more) on this wee list (PDF)
Whiskyfun tasting notes
OB - no vintage
  • Balblair Elements (40%, OB, 2004) - 180904
  • Balblair VH ‘Small Still’ (88 proof, OB, early 1970s) - by Angus - 221218
  • Balblair 10 yo (57%, OB for Pinerolo, Late 1970's) - no notes - 86
  • Balblair 12 yo (46%, OB, +/-2019) - 211119
  • Balblair 15 yo (46%, OB, +/-2019) - 221119
  • Balblair 16 yo (40%, OB, 2005) - 071005
  • Balblair 17 yo (46%, OB, travel retail, +/-2020) - 070222
  • Balblair 18 yo (46%, OB, +/-2019) - 061020
  • Balblair 21 yo (46%, OB, 2023) - 311023
  • Balblair 25 yo (46%, OB, +/-2021) - 121021
  • Balblair 25 yo (46%, OB, +/-2022) - 240123
OB - vintage
  • Balblair 1949 (OB, Bertie Cumming's private cask, +/-1970) - 260116
  • Balblair 24 yo 1951 (80° proof, OB, private bottling, 26 2/3 fl ozs, +/-1975) - 260116
  • Balblair 1960/1960 (62%, OB, new make) - 080114
  • Balblair 1965 (52.3%, OB, American Oak Ex-Sherry Butt, cask #894, 350 bottles, +/-2008) - 040510
  • 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 35 yo 1970/2005 (44.2%, OB, bourbon) - 200220
  • 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 1975/2012 (46%, OB) - 260912
  • Balblair 1978/2009 (46%, OB) - 010814
  • Balblair 1978/2010 (46%, OB) - 040510
  • 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 1983/2013 (46%, OB) - 010814
  • Balblair 1985 (55.4%, OB, 2007) - 121007
  • Balblair 1987/2008 (52.8%, OB for LMDW, cask #787, 201 bottles) - 021008
  • Balblair 33 yo 1988/2021 (54.4%, OB for LMDW, bourbon, cask #2249, 102 bottles) - 070222
  • Balblair 1989 (46%, OB, circa 2003) - 120204 - 020404
  • Balblair 1989 (43%, OB, 2006) - 121007
  • Balblair 1989 (43%, OB, 2009?) - 120810
  • Balblair 1989/2010 (43%, OB) - 080114
  • Balblair 1989/2013 (46%, OB) - 080114
  • Balblair 1990/2009 (46%, OB) - 040510
  • Balblair 1990/2013 (46%, OB, 2nd Release) - 250116
  • Balblair 1990/2017 (46%, OB) - 050318
  • Balblair 1991 (43%, OB, +/-2009) - 121009
  • Balblair 1991/2018 (46%, OB) - 101018
  • 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 23 yo 1993/2017 (53.2%, OB for Royal Mile Whiskies, Bourbon Barrel, 204 bottles) - by Angus - 290417
  • Balblair 1997 (43%, OB, 2007) - 030507
  • Balblair 1997/2012 (46%, OB) - 260912
  • Balblair 1999/2014 (46%, OB, 2nd release) - 040315
  • Balblair 1999/2017 (46%, OB, 3rd release) - 050318
  • Balblair 2000 (43%, OB, 2010) - 171110
  • Balblair 2000/2011 (43%, OB) - 251011
  • Balblair 2000/2014 (53%, OB, The whisky Exchange, first fill sherry, cask #1343) - 250116
  • Balblair 2000/2014 (53%, OB, exclusive to Switzerland, cask #0575) - 141116
  • Balblair 2002/2012 (46%, OB) - 070613
  • Balblair 2003/2014 (46%, OB) - 280915
  • Balblair 2004/2014 (46%, OB, travel retail, 1st release) - 050318
  • Balblair 2005/2016 (46%, OB) - 141116
  • Balblair 2005/2021 (48.5%, OB for The Whisky Exchange, cask #213, 180 bottles) - 120721  - by Angus - 290624
  • Balblair 14 yo 2006/2020 (56.3%, OB, for LMDW, cask #77, 573 bottles) - 061020
Cadenhead
  • Balblair 12 yo 1965/1977 (45.7%, Cadenhead Dumpy) - 010504
  • Balblair 26 yo 1965/1992 (44.4%, Cadenhead, 150th Anniversary, Authentic Collection) - 280915
  • Balblair 16 yo 1990/2006 (58.5%, Cadenhead's, 174 bottles) - no notes - 75
  • Balblair 1990/2015 (52.2%, Cadenhead, Authentic Collection) - 040315
  • Balblair 8 yo 2011/2019 (57.8%, Cadenhead, Small Batch, 648 bottles) - 211119
Coopers Choice
  • Balblair 18 yo 1990/2008 (46%, Cooper's Choice) - 121009
Decadent Drinks - WhiskySponge
  • Balblair 15 yo 2008/2023 (48.5%, Decadent Drinks, Equinox & Solstice, Summer Edition, 1st fill barrel) - 311023
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 (70° proof, Gordon & MacPhail, licensed bottling, 26 2/3 fl ozs, +/-1970) - 260116
  • Balblair NAS (70 proof, G&M licensed bottling, 1970’s) - 240705
  • Balblair 10 yo (100°proof, Gordon & MacPhail, licensed bottling, 75cl, +/-1970) - 050318
  • 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 10 yo (40%, Gordon & MacPhail, +/-2005) - 070613
  • Balblair 10 yo (100° proof, Gordon & MacPhail, 75cl, +/-1978) - 221119
  • Balblair 10 yo (43%, Gordon & MacPhail, MacPhail´s Collection, American oak hogsheads, +/-2020) - 280423
  • Balblair 12 yo (43%, Gordon & MacPhail, Discovery, 2018) - 101018
  • Balblair 15 yo 1964 (70° proof, Gordon & MacPhail, Connoisseur's Choice, +/-1979) - 160911
  • Balblair 15 yo (57% 100°Proof, Gordon & MacPhail, Licenced bottling, 1970's, 75cl) - 021008
  • 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
  • Balblair 1973/2006 (45%, G&M Private collection, cask #3184/3185, 385 bottles) - 040510
  • Balblair 1986/2017 (49.5%, Gordon & MacPhail, Cask Strength, for Whisky Show Old & Rare 2017, refill sherry hogshead, cask #12649) - 050318
  • Balblair 1993/2017 (49.6%, Gordon & MacPhail, Cask Strength, first fill sherry puncheon, cask #1964) - 101018
  • Balblair 24 yo 1993/2018 (51.6%, Gordon & MacPhail, Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength, first fill sherry puncheon, 624 bottles) - 101018
  • Balblair 15 yo 1995/2010 (59.8%, Gordon & MacPhail for The Whisky Shop Dufftown, refill sherry, cask #1687, 266 bottles) - 180711
  • Balblair 1996/2013 (46%, Gordon & MacPhail, Exclusive to Inverness Airport, cask #412) - 250116
  • Balblair 26 yo 1997/2023 (54.1%, Gordon & MacPhail, Kirsch Import, refill bourbon barrel, cask #1884, 153 bottles) - 130524
  • Balblair 23 yo 1998/2021 (50.5%, Gordon & MacPhail ‘Connoisseur’s Choice’, cask #1075, 1st fill barrel, 170 bottles) - by Angus - 290624
Intertrade
  • Balblair 21 yo 1964/1985 (57.80%, Intertrade) - by Angus - 290417
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
Master of Malt - Boutique-y Whisky Company - Atom
  • Balblair 7 yo ‘Batch 1’ (49.9%, That Boutique-y Whisky Company, bottled 2019, 1305 bottles) - by Angus - 290624
SMWS
  • Balblair 33 yo 1968/1998 (59.4%, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, #70.4, Faded pot-pourri) - 250116
  • Balblair 27 yo 1993 (60.2%, Scotch Malt Whisky Society #70.42 ‘Elegant, Dark and Stormy’, refill bourbon barrel, 180 bottles) - by Angus - 290624
  • Balblair 14 yo 2008/2022 (57.5%, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, for Switzerland, refill ex-bourbon barrel, #70.47, 'Nana's Squeaking Toy Chest', 126 bottles) - 280423
Single Malts of Scotland - Specialty Drinks - TWE - Elixir
  • Balblair 40 yo (42.8%, Single Malts of Scotland, hogshead, cask #1346, 152 bottles, +/-2010) - 121021
  • Balblair 40yo 1965/2007 (47.7%, Speciality Drinks Ltd – The Whisky Exchange) - 160707
  • Balblair 18 yo 2002/2020 (51.7%, Single Malts of Scotland, Elixir Distillers, for The Nectar, hogshead, cask #20100, 200 bottles) - 020221
Thompson Bros. - Dornoch
  • Highland Single Malt 12 yo 2011/2023 (55.1%, Thompson Bros., first fill barrel) - 311023
Various IB
  • Balblair 20 yo (58.7%, Friends of Malt, +/-2011) - 260912
  • Balblair 20 yo 1990/2010 (57%, Scotland and Malts, Cask Collection, bourbon hoghsead) - 160911
  • Balblair 16 yo 1991/2007 (57%, C&S Dram Collection, hogshead, Cask #1015, 192 bottles) - 160707
  • Balblair 10 yo 2009/2019 (59.4%, The Whisky Barrel Originals, 1st fill oloroso hogshead, cask #TWB1008, 284 bottles) - 200220
  • Balblair 9 yo 2011/2020 (56.3%, Whisky Is The Limit and Bar du Nord, 1st fill oloroso sherry barrel finish, cask #800129/2011, 298 bottles) - 020221
  • Balblair 8 yo 2011/2020 (54.8%, Dram Mor, 1st fill PX, cask # 359004) - 120721
  • Balblair 8 yo 2012/2021 (57.3%, Kintra Spirits, refill sherry hogshead, 307 bottles) - 240123
  • Balblair 9 yo 2013/2023 (57.1%, A.D. Rattray for WhiskyFacile, refill bourbon barrel) - 130524
 
There's nothing more down there...