Tasting 4 Balblairs

I knew I should have had some Bladnochs today, but due to unforeseen circumstances there will be some Balblair instead. I have had some very good experiences with whisky from Balblair, the 16yo still stands out as one of the best standard bottlings I've tried. I'll have another go at this in this tasting. Unfortunately there aren't very many indie Balblairs around these days, and the new vintage expressions seems to be a bit of a questionable decision what quality is concerned. Of course a very personal opinion.


Balnagown/Balblair NAS 40% Harrods

One bottled for the Harrods department store. The color is golden, it smells honeyed and peppery. Light. After a small breathing period, a more spirity note appears on the nose. The taste is burnt and spirity, seems like some vodka. The aftertaste is bitter and spirity. I'd like to think Harrods would choose better (more complex) whisky for their tartan series, but I guess money matters and this was perhaps a cheap alternative. But why Balblair distillery has allowed their name on the label in this case, seems a bad move. If I never had tried Balblair before, this one sure would give me low expectations for next tasting.

young and unfinished whisky: 1.5


Balblair 16yo 40% OB

My favorite Balblair, but from an earlier batch then the one I rated a very good 8.5 back in the days. How is the consistency? Light copper hue. It smells spirity, honey and vanilla, mostly bourbon-matured. The taste is light and heathery, bourbon, vanilla, honey, elements of pistachio and granulate. Medium spicy. The aftertaste is short and fluffy (I know it isn't a tasting note) but it gives this loafy light bread feeling which I can't describe any better right now.

Not as good as I remember it, but still a nice whisky: 6


Balblair 22yo 1973-1995 40% Gordon & Macphail Centenary Reserve

A very dark whisky. I know there's gold to be found amongst these old, low strength G&M bottlings. A dark orange hue, perhaps from some old sherry casks? It smells sherried, chili, cinnamon, oaky, dry, lime peel, ginger, horse meat, blood, iron, a very good whisky with some old sherried style. The taste is thick, dry, cinnamon, honey, caramel and butter. I believe this one needs a small drop of water to really shine. With about two teaspoons of water it tastes red wine, honey, rich oaky notes, licorice, orange peel, grapefruit and raisins. The finish is drying and bitter, more in fino territory.

For hardcore sherry fans only: 6


Balblair 10yo 1997-2007 43% OB

One of these I dread a bit as the 1989 was a huge letdown. For what I know, this is only bourbon-matured whiskies. Apple juice color. It smells banana liqueur and gin. A sweet treat. The taste is very sweet, vanilla and banana, some hints of black peppers and once agin gin. The aftertaste is peppery.

Very drinkable, but not very interesting: 4



Next tasting: Royal Brackla Distillery