Balblair 38yo 1966-2004 OB Spanish Oak
Probably a sherry cask then, and at this age, amazing. The colour however isn't that dark, more of a golden hue, like some batches of my favourite Balblair, the old 16yo. Smells wine-influenced, rose-like, very light considering its age, and a bit dry, somewhat floral, reminds me of the 21yo Glanfarclas. The taste is silky smooth, warm, no sherry here, but a lot of honey, caramel, sweet, rich, creamy, toffee, absolutely amazing. A Highlander disguised as a Speysider(?) Yes I know, same region.
A dessert whisky: 7
Balblair 19yo 1990-2009 53% Adelphi Selection
Adelphi is one of the independent bottlers I've tried far too few from. This one has a nice nose, oloroso sherry, creamy sweets, hints of cinnamon, choriander and malt. The taste on the other hand is dry, very phenolic, just a bit over the top if you aren't a sherry-freak then. Could this be matured in some amoroso butt? I'll add some water then, doesn't change much. Reminds me more of some young sherried highlanders than the 16yo balblair, thus I hoped it would as that's still my preference and milestone when it comes to Balblair.
Instead get some old 16yo bottlings before they're all gone: 4.5
Balblair 17yo 1989-2006 43% OB
I've tried many Balblair's, but to be honest I have to say, none have ever compared to the 16yo OB, maybe this one will. Bourbon-matured, smells of vanilla and fresh eucalyptus, very minty. The taste is creamy, sweet, burnt sugar, dark toffee and mint leaves, after eight? It lacks the raffinement that the 16yo got, but let's stop comparing... With a generous addition of water it becomes a bot more dry, oaky, red onions, nuts, rubber notes. The aftertaste is short and a bit vanillish.
I wouldn't say it's great, it isn't, but straight and honest, yes: 5
Balblair NAS 40% OB Elements
I found the 16yo to be a giant leap ahead of the 10yo, so a NAS could be dodgy at least, but anyway, here it goes. A sweet marshmallow, nutty, milk chocolate and corn cereal nose. The taste is sweet, dark chocolate, vanilla, roasted onions and red peppers. This is a very nice surprise, I think this could give any standard 12year-old a run for it's money. It has some of the fresh notes that dominated the fabulous 16yo. A swell dram.
For a youngster, very well crafted: 6
Balblair 10yo 40% OB
One more 10-year old, this time from the highlands. The nose is very mild and reminds me vaguely of the classy 16 year old. My first impression is half ripe red apples, some water creates a more rustic flavour with some tannins and citrus cores, with a little hin of red hot chillies in the end, not too bad actually.
Pretty advanced for it's age: 5.5
Balblair 16yo 40% OB
It's stated on the label that this malt comes from the place in Scotland's with cleanest air(?), it could very well be trough, as it smells very fresh, like wet grass in springtime. In the beginning it's very sweet, hints of sweet caramell, and it finishes off with some flowery, peppery aftertaste.
Simply pleasure: 8
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