Balblair Vintage Release Single Malt Scotch Whisky

2017 Vintage

Awarded: 2022

Gold Outstanding

2012 Vintage

Awarded: 2022

Silver

2005 Vintage

Awarded: 2018

Silver Outstanding

1991 Vintage

Awarded: 2018

2000 Vintage

Awarded: 2018

Silver

2005 Vintage

Awarded: 2017

Silver Outstanding

1999 Vintage

Awarded: 2017

Silver Outstanding

2004 Vintage

Awarded: 2017

1990 Vintage

Awarded: 2017

1999 Vintage

Awarded: 2017

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Details

About the Product

Producer Notes: Balblair single malt Scotch whisky is intriguingly complex and satisfying. We capture the intense esters at the start of the spirit cut to give our Whisky the core characteristics of apricots, oranges, spices, floral notes and green apples. The heavier oils and lipids at the end of the cut are also captured, giving leathery, nutty and full-bodied characteristics.

Analytical Data

Alcohol ABV: 46%
Alcohol °Proof: 92
Sweetness: Dry

Production Attributes

Aged

Maturation: Oaked
Ownership: Inver House Distillers
Closure Type: T-top cork

Critics Scores & Reviews

(19)

All vintages

87 / 100

19 scores

95 - 100

90 - 94

85 - 89

80 - 84

75 - 79

0 - 74

92 / 100 Guia Penin

2005 Vintage Tasted: Dec 2018

Colour, bright golden. Aroma, sweet spices, toasty, earthy notes, elegant. Flavour, mineral, spirituous, bitter. Color, dorado brillante. Aroma, especias dulces, tostado, terroso, elegante. Boca, mineral, espirituoso, amargoso. Farbe, golden leuchtend. Aroma, süße Gewürze, Röstaromen, erdig, elegant. Mund, mineralisch, leicht alkoholisch, zartbitter.

About Guia Penin

89 / 100 Wine Enthusiast

1990 Vintage Tasted: Jul 2017

The year on the bottle—1990—is not an age statement, but instead was the year this single-malt Scotch was laid down. Robust and full bodied, this deep amber whisky has a powerful caramel aroma that's accented by notes of cedar and resin. It's quite drying on the palate, with flavors that suggest strong tea, oak and beer, all leading into the warm, chocolaty finish.

About Wine Enthusiast

87 / 100 Wine Enthusiast

2003 Vintage Tasted: Jul 2017

The year on the bottle—2003—is not an age statement, but instead was the year this single-malt Scotch was laid down. A light-straw color, it has a bright, fresh aroma, with breezy notes of vanilla, hay, honey and pear. On the palate, it's astringent and overwhelmingly peppery, smoothed by a bit of honey on the finish. A splash of water tones down the peppery heat and brings more vanilla and honey sweetness forward.

About Wine Enthusiast

87 / 100 Whisky Advocate

2005 Vintage Tasted: Jun 2016

Launched in December 2015, the first release of Balblair’s Vintage 2005 replaces the previous 2003 expression. This is the youngest bottling in the brand’s portfolio. It was matured in bourbon barrels and is non-chill filtered. The nose is relatively light and fruity: vanilla, ripe bananas, honey, a wisp of smoke, and soft spices. Toffee, malt, vanilla, a biscuit-like note, more bananas, and new leather on the palate, closing with a lengthy, spicy finish.

89 / 100 Whisky Advocate

1990 Vintage Tasted: Mar 2016

The oldest of Bablair’s current core bottlings was distilled in 1990, and after maturing for 21 years in bourbon casks it was transferred to oloroso sherry butts for a further 2 years prior to bottling. Citrus fruits, furniture polish, cloves, cinnamon, and parma violets on the nose. A silky mouthfeel, spicy, with dark berries, dates, and rich sherry. Slowly drying, with aniseed and dark chocolate in the finish.

85 / 100 Whisky Advocate

1999 Vintage Tasted: Mar 2016

This Balblair vintage replaced the previous 1997 bottling, and maturation took place in a mix of bourbon barrels and sherry butts. The nose offers milk chocolate, candied ginger, caramel, honey, and musty oranges. Relatively dark fruits on the palate, with licorice, honey, and vanilla. A medium to long finish, spicy, with slight oakiness.

85 / 100 Whisky Advocate

2004 Vintage Tasted: Dec 2015

Balblair has released two Travel Retail-exclusive variants of its 2004 vintage, matured in bourbon barrels and sherry casks respectively. The Sherry Matured version was aged in American and Spanish oak sherry butts. It is only available in Asia. Oriental spices, soft leather, and damsons on the nose. Milk chocolate-coated Turkish delight in time. The palate features lively spices, cooking apples, vanilla, medium-sweet sherry, and hazelnuts. Spices persist in the finish, with honey and raisins.

87 / 100 Whisky Advocate

2003 Vintage Tasted: Dec 2014

Balblair Vintage 2003 replaces the previous 2002 expression, matured in second-fill bourbon barrels, with the contents of eighteen making up this first release. Tinned peaches and apricot jam on the nose, with underlying honey and caramel. Early malt, then zesty lemon notes on the palate, which also features freshly-cut grass and hazelnuts. The medium-length finish yields white pepper and cocoa powder.

90 / 100 Wine Enthusiast

1989 Vintage Tasted: Jul 2013

Based on the pale straw color and tropical fruit scent alone, some might guess this to be a Sauvignon Blanc rather than Highland Scotch. But the first sip tells a different story, showing a fruity flavor with a bit of smoke and a light vanilla finish. Strong alcohol, light body. Attractive bottle with raised curlicue design on the side.

About Wine Enthusiast

89 / 100 Whisky Advocate

1969 Vintage Tasted: Jun 2013

This veteran Balblair was distilled on February 7, 1969 using barley malted on site and coal-fired stills. Just 999 bottles have been released. Opens with slight saltiness on the nose, almost ozone, then lemons and pine, and finally, vanilla fudge. Overt citrus notes on the palate, with aniseed, some oak, brittle toffee, and a smokiness not found in younger Balblairs. The finish is long and discreetly spicy, notably cinnamon and black pepper.

88 / 100 Whisky Advocate

1997 Vintage Tasted: Mar 2013

Following the initial release of a 1997 vintage Balblair in 2007, a second edition has now been launched, with the spirit in question having benefited from an additional five years’ maturation in first-fill bourbon barrels. Fresh, light, and fruity on the nose: tinned peaches, pear drops, sweet apples, plus vanilla and wood putty. The palate features lots of succulent soft fruits, milk chocolate, honey, and spice. The finish is medium in length, and spicy chocolate notes persist. £55

87 / 100 Whisky Advocate

1975 Vintage Tasted: Dec 2012

Balblair has followed up the first release of its 1975 vintage bottling with a second, which differs significantly in character, having been matured in American oak sherry casks, whereas the initial release had been aged in Spanish oak sherry casks. Floral, mellow, and slightly oily on the nose, with a savory background and ready-salted crisps. Silky smooth on the palate, with citrus fruit, a hint of wood smoke, coconut, and honey. The finish is spicy, with aniseed and oak.

84 / 100 Whisky Advocate

1996 Vintage Tasted: Dec 2012

Balblair’s 1996 vintage expression replaces the previous 1995 variant as a travel retail-exclusive bottling, and maturation has taken place in bourbon casks. Ginger snaps, peaches, pineapple, and vanilla on the relatively light, fresh nose, which also has just a wisp of smoke in the background. Medium-bodied, the palate offers soft toffee, milk chocolate, spices, and the same fruit notes as the nose. The finish is quite lengthy, with a final flourish of black pepper. Price is per one liter.

84 / 100 Whisky Advocate

2002 Vintage Tasted: Dec 2012

This 2002 expression of Balblair replaces the previous 2001 vintage as the ‘entry level’ bottling. It is naturally colored and non-chill filtered, in line with the rest of the Balblair range, and has been matured in bourbon barrels. Fizzy lemonade, banana skins, and violets on the nose, with soft caramel developing in time. Fruit and nut milk chocolate on the palate, with ripe apples and vanilla. Long, floral, and lively in the finish. £40

84 / 100 Whisky Advocate

1989 Vintage Tasted: Jun 2012

The third and final release of the 1989 vintage of Northern Highland malt Balblair is on sale in Europe initially, with U.S. availability (at approximately $95) this fall. Initially quite reticent on the nose, with a hint of potato chips, mild vanilla, lemon, and unripe bananas. Full and rounded on the palate; nutty, with tropical fruits and lively spice. Medium length in the finish, with apricots, instant coffee, and milky cocoa. £60

88 / 100 Whisky Advocate

2001 Vintage Tasted: Mar 2012

Balblair 2001 Vintage is the first distillery bottling to be non-chill filtered, noncolored, and offered at 46%. It is 10 years old and has been matured in ex-bourbon barrels. The nose offers lemonade, vanilla, allspice, and developing milk chocolate and caramel notes. Clean and straightforward on the palate; sweet and spicy, with tangerines, eating apples, toffee, and more milk chocolate. Cocoa powder in the spicy, relatively lengthy finish. £33

89 / 100 Whisky Advocate

2000 Vintage Tasted: Dec 2011

The 2000 vintage of Balblair is intended to replace the well-regarded 1997 variant. Matured in first-fill American oak, this very drinkable expression represents good value for the money. A pretty peach and pineapple nose, with coconut and honeyed vanilla. Toasted marshmallows with time. Relatively light-bodied, sweet, with lively spice, ginger, and youthful oak on the relatively complex palate. Fudge in the finish, and a contrasting hint of dark chocolate at the last.

91 / 100 Whisky Advocate

1995 Vintage Tasted: Sep 2011

The latest Balblair release is a 1995 vintage expression, exclusive to global travel retail outlets. Matured in second-fill bourbon casks, Balblair 1995 is non-chill filtered and naturally colored. Initially very fruity on the nose, with peaches and carnations, icing sugar on bonbons, then a faint sprinkling of black pepper. Stewed fruits on the early palate, full and confident, with developing spices and brittle toffee. Relatively lengthy in the finish, with dark chocolate and soft oak. Price is per 1 liter.

85 / 100 Whisky Advocate

1991 Vintage Tasted: Sep 2010

Here’s the older sibling to the 1997 vintage released in U.S. at the same time. It costs twice as much as the 1997 vintage, and guess what? I like the less expensive 1997 vintage better (because of its lovely balance and creamy texture). Still, this 1991 vintage is a nice whisky, rich with vanilla, coconut cream, citrus (orange, tangerine), pineapple, and sultana. A soothing, mouth-coating texture lingers, with some polished oak on the finish.