
November 14, 2016

Two new young Balblair

You may expect some fresh garden fruits…

Balblair 2005/2016 (46%, OB)

It seems that this is the first official release of a 2005. I had found the latest 2003 of the same age a little disappointing, that is to say a little immature (WF 78). Colour: white wine. Nose: it’s certainly young, pretty au-de-vie-ish, with many pears and almondy cherries. Soft kirsch. Now it’s really cool to be able to taste some almost-new-make, and we do have to applaud the fact that the owners did not bury it under tons of vulgar coconutty oak to make it more ‘mature’ (ha!) Mouth: hold on, this is much nicer! True barley eau-de-vie, with this lovely breadiness that we like so much, and some very soft spices on apple compote and plum jam. This, is very nice. Finish: medium, barleyish, bready, and a little Slivovitzy (apologies). Comments: these young babies are no nosing whiskies, but I have to say this is perfect eau-de-vie de barley on the palate. Plus, it reeks of honesty – loved it that there was so little vanilla. So, kudos! SGP:541 - 83 points.

Balblair 2000/2014 (53%, OB, exclusive to Switzerland, cask #0575)

Indeed, a single cask for our good friends (and neighbours) the Helvetians. Colour: straw. Nose: it’s the 2005, only at a higher strength, with a little more minerality. Apples, pears, clay, barley. With water: and moist bread. Greengages. Mouth (neat): truly excellent. Even more ‘barley eau-de-vie’ than the 2005, but with a deeper earthy side, some rhubarb and kiwi, and touches of green pepper. Perhaps a little tinned pineapple, one of the distillery’s markers in my book. With water: and here come the citrus fruits. Grapefruit and lemon Jell’Os, orange drops, lemongrass. Finish: medium, fruity, bright, refreshing. In other words, more-ish. Comments: probably one of the most ‘natural’ malts out there. A very excellent young Balblair, in all its naked glory. SGP:541 - 87 points.

(Et merci, Franco)

Check the index of all Balblair I've tasted so far