Balblair 1999 2nd Release

Stop number 63, and the last official stop for round 4 of the SDT is Balblair. This Highland distillery does not use age statements, but rather vintages. I suppose that way they can sample their casks and determine when they are ready for vatting and not be restricted to set age statement releases. This is the 2nd release of the 1999 vintage, which was bottled in 2014 making it roughly 15 years old. Bottled at 46% ABV, non chill filtered and natural color of yellow gold. The nose starts off with lots of honey. It quickly transitions into apples, pears, tangerines, oranges and apricots. Almonds, ginger and cinnamon. Light chocolate and vanilla. It’s fairly malty with a nice pepper note, and really comes across as an unpeated Talisker. Grape skins and a very light sherry note, buried way down deep. Faint oak and some caramel. The nose, overall, is light. I really wish there was more complexity to it. The palate is very malty with barley sugar and honey. Light sherry sweetness and a little pepper, again mimicking Talisker but without the peat smoke or intense pepper. Tangerines, apricots and oranges. Some brown sugar and caramel. Raisins, mild oak and almonds finish things off. A medium light bodied mouthfeel that starts a little mouthwatering but turns dry. The finish is medium length, dry with tangerines and slightly bitter almonds. After seeing rave reviews from @Telex, @LeeEvolved and @PBMichiganWolverine, I had high hopes for this one, but it seems to fall a little short for me. While I certainly appreciate the likeness to Talisker, I don’t want an unpeated Talisker knockoff. The complexity just wasn’t there for a 15 year old. This is very much like an improved Glenmorangie 10. At more than double the price though, it’s really not worth buying a full bottle. Round 4 was fun, but this Balblair was far from the top of the sample pile, but it was also not at the bottom. Thanks to Telex for the sample, 3.75. Cheers 🥃

I’m beginning to wind down the samples that were sent to me as part of our fourth round of the Distillery Tour group. This Highland malt from Balblair is the second edition of the 1999 vintage. I believe this is considered a 15 year old single malt, I’m just not sure why it’s not openly declared on the labeling. This malt comes in with a slightly elevated ABV of 46%. I’m also not sure whether it’s NCF’d or has additional coloring added. It’s a beautiful gold color and gives you some silky, skinny legs in the Glencairn. The nose opens with faint oak and it isn’t until you really give it 25-30 minutes that you are rewarded with some sweet honey and sherry notes. There’s a bit of spice cake in there if you really invest the extra time and energy required to extract it. The palate is seriously complex with a sensational, full mouthfeel. It starts with vanilla and apples and transverses between sweet and light spices frequently during the entire sip. It’s mesmerizing. The finish is medium to long, constantly warming yet incredibly smooth. Overall, this is a Highland malt I could seriously get behind and purchase over and over and be completely happy with it from one bottle to the next. It won’t WOW you with surprises, but you could reach for this one during every session and just be thoroughly content every time. Thanks to my new buddy, @Telex for this sample. Excellent choice! 4.25 stars. Cheers.

Dear Mr. Glenmorangie, with much regret I must inform you that your services as our Highland single malt of choice will no longer be needed. We have decided to move on to a lower cost model that delivers the same level of quality in Ms. Balblair. She offers the same orchard fruit aromas. Followed by the same chocolate-y taste, but at a more reasonable price. I'm sorry, but in today's economic climate, we need to look at ways of maximizing ROI and reduce costs. But, we're offering you a great severance package. Also, please feel free to use us as a reference, should some other shmuck decide to pay your premium price.