Balblair 18 year old (+/- 2022)

Though I was disappointed when Balblair dropped their vintage bottlings for a standard age range, back in 2019. Not only were they shedding their somewhat unique, slightly nerdy approach towards single malt releases, but (as longtime whisky fans have witnessed) most distilleries tinker with their whiskies' recipes every time they rebrand or change label designs. Thankfully, Balblair kept their squatty bottles, and high standards for the liquid itself.

So it's time restart the whisky review train with a trio of Balblair longer-aged expressions. First stop:

Distillery: Balblair

Ownership: Inver House (via Thai Beverages plc via International Beverage Holdings Ltd.)

Region: Northern Highlands

Age: minimum 18 years old

Maturation: First - ex-bourbon casks (American oak), Second - first-fill butts (Spanish oak)

Alcohol by Volume: 46%

Chillfiltered? No
e150a? No

(thank you, Doctors Springbank!)

NOTES

A lovely pluminess leaps to the nose first, followed by a dance of orange peel, honey, cloves, and toasted oak. Apricot jam and citrus blossoms join the party 30+ minutes in. Lots of hazelnuts in the palate. Oranges, lemons, dark chocolate, and toasted almonds fill the middle. Molasses, shisha, oak spice, and sea salt highlight the background. It finishes with candied orange peel, dark chocolate, ginger powder, and a gentle dustiness.

WORDS WORDS WORDS

With tropical fruits absent, citrus and stone fruits run youthfully rampant. The sherry butts' toasty oak has had its influence, heaviest on the palate, but it never overbears. Per usual, I adore the nose the most, as it offers the whisky's brightest moments. Overall, it's a great sipper for any season.

Just as I was about to grouse about Balblair 18 year old's price, I saw that Glenfiddich's and Glenlivet's 40%abv 18s are $160-$175 in Ohio. So, I'll resign myself to an emoji with a single tear 😢 and just show you these numbers:

Availability - Europe and USA
Pricing - Europe: $110-$150 w/o tax, and USA: $175-$225 w/o tax (yes, that's a ~50% markup)

Rating - 87