Exclusive Vintages
Every Balblair Vintage is strongly individual, a unique essence of a year, captured in a bottle.
Choose a Vintage to find out more.
Balblair 1965 Vintage
Every year the Distillery Manager, John MacDonald, selects the finest examples of Balblair from the maturing whiskies which he believes best exemplify Balblair Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky: rich spices; fruits and a pleasant leathery note. Of the thousands of barrels sampled each year only a limited number of casks which have reached perfection are chosen for release; however, this Limited Edition Vintage is truly exceptional.
Distilled on 23rd March 1965 and matured in a Single American Oak ex-Sherry butt, Balblair 1965 is the oldest Vintage released to date. Only 350 bottles will be available. This rare Vintage will be bottled in its purest form at natural colour and at a natural strength of 52.3%, delivering a depth of aromatic complexity.
Balblair 1965 is bright golden in appearance. A superbly well-balanced malt, slightly smoky, with aromas of honey, raisins, pears and lemons. On the palate it is sweet, creamy and spicy with traces of honey and a slight smokiness, leading to a long-lasting finish.
This Balblair Vintage bottling has not been chill-filtered or coloured. Whisky in this natural state may develop a light haze when water is added or if kept at a low temperature. This haze is a natural characteristic of fine malt whiskies.
Appearance
Bright golden.
Aroma
Well-balanced, slightly smoky, with aromas of honey, raisins, pears and lemons.
Palate
Sweet, creamy and spicy with traces of honey and a slight smokiness.
Finish
Long-lasting.
Balblair 1975 Vintage
Balblair 1975 is deep amber in appearance with bright copper highlights. A superbly balanced malt with warm spicy aromas. Hints of raisins and toffee are present from the long years of maturation in Spanish Sherry oak casks. Slight traces of honey and green apples can be detected, adding to the complexity of this exceptional vintage.
On the palate, it is rich and creamy to start, with traces of chocolate, leading to a long, lingering and smooth finish.
Appearance
Deep amber with bright copper highlights.
Aroma
Hints of raisins and toffee with slight traces of honey and green apples.
Palate
Rich and creamy to start, with traces of chocolate.
Finish
Long, lingering and smooth.
Balblair 1978 Vintage
Balblair 1978 is amber in appearance with radiant golden highlights.
A superbly balanced malt with warm aromas of honey, cloves, nutmeg and vanilla that come from the long years of maturation in American oak ex-bourbon barrels. Cloves, bananas and pears can also be detected in the aroma adding to the complexity of this exceptional Vintage.
Sweet, honey and toffee flavours combine with chocolate, lemons and oranges, leading to a rich, full-bodied, long-lasting, finish.
Appearance
Amber with radiant golden highlights.
Aroma
Honey, cloves, nutmeg and vanilla.
Palate
Sweet, honey and toffee flavours combine with chocolate, lemons and oranges.
Finish
Full bodied and long lasting.
Balblair 1989 Vintage
Mid-amber in appearance with honey-gold highlights, this Balblair 1989 is a full-bodied malt with rich aromas of raisin, green apple and hints of banana and lemon. The American oak barrels, used in the distillate's maturation, lend a memorable warm toffee, vanilla fragrance.
On the palate the typical Balblair characteristics are abundant. Ripe fruits fuse with a hint of sherry-drenched raisins. Together with a rich spiciness there is a distinctive long, complex and ultimately smooth finish.
Appearance
Mid-amber with honey-gold highlights.
Aroma
Full-bodied with raisin, green apple and hints of banana and lemon.
Palate
Raisins and fruits with a rich spiciness.
Finish
Long, complex and ultimately smooth.
Balblair 1997 Vintage
This full-bodied malt is fused with the citrus aromas of pineapple, apricot and lemon to create a long-lasting sweet finish. On the nose, the American oak barrels, used in the distillate's maturation, produce an inviting, spicy fragrance.
Subtly amber in appearance with rose gold highlights, this 1997 Vintage has hints of oak, spice and raisin, combined with the sweetness of vanilla to create a long-lingering, creamy smooth finish on the palate.
Appearance
Amber with rose gold highlights.
Aroma
Fused with the aromas of pineapple, apricot and lemon.
Palate
Hints of oak, spice, raisin and sweet vanilla.
Finish
Long-lingering, creamy smooth.
Balblair 2000 Vintage
Balblair 2000 is bright golden in appearance.
A superbly well balanced, full-bodied malt with aromas of pears, pineapple and green apples; hints of honey and vanilla, that come from the long years of maturation in American ex-bourbon oak barrels, can also be detected, adding to the complexity of this exceptional Vintage.
On the palate the sweet, honey, floral notes combined with hints of coconut and rich spices lead to a smooth, long lasting and warming finish.
Appearance
Bright gold.
Aroma
Pears, pineapple and green apples; hints of honey and vanilla.
Palate
Sweet, honey, floral notes combined with hints of coconut and rich spices.
Finish
Smooth, long lasting and warming.