-46% abv -Non chill-filtered -Natural color -Aged in ex bourbon for 23 years then finished for 2 in oloroso sherry casks. Nose: rich, Christmas cakey and complex. Notes include: vanilla cream; honey; red apple; fresh strawberry; dark plum; pear; clove; cinnamon; lemon meringue; slight floral; slight pepper; grassy almost herbal note hiding in the background. Taste: medium viscosity but full. It starts out sweet with bright red fruits, dark fruits, and sugary plums and dates along side a hint of root beer/cola. As it develops, a gentle but assertive cinnamon spice and note of pepper kicks in along side rich toffee and dark cherry. Simply fantastic. With water, a tropical clementine orange and kiwi appears. Not. Even. Kidding. Finish: one of the longest I’ve ever experienced. Mouth watering with honey, vanilla, a slight floral note, plum, honeydew melon, iced pastry, maple syrup, golden apple, and just when you think it’s over, you get light salted caramel and a sweet spearmint to close the show. Value: while getting harder to find, you can get a bottle for between $170-200 and I suggest you do so. Final thoughts: an amazing single malt at a great price. This is what I imagine a 30 year old Highland Park might taste like. This 25 year old Balblair should not fly under your radar...so start hunting! Score: 5/5. Go out and buy it now! Malt musing. “Whisky is liquid sunshine.” - George Bernard Shaw