Balblair 25 YO

Balblair 25 YO, 46 %

The Balblair 25 YO is the flagship expression in the brand new core range from Balblair. This whiskyu has been matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks, and then, as they say “reshaped in Oloroso Spanish oak”. I take this to mean the whisky has been finished, perhaps for an extended period, in ex-Oloroso sherry casks made from Spanish oak.

The Balblair 25 YO comes on sale in Norway on Friday September 6 at NOK 4399. You can also get it in the UK at the significantly more expensive GBP 502. We see this time and again - in Norway it is expensive to drink cheap whisky, but cheap to drink expensive whisky.

Nose: Oh, my! This is a nose that makes you sit up and pay attention. What a perfect mix of lighter fruits from the bourbon casks and darker, dried fruits from the sherry casks. Add to this mustard seeds, cinnamon, ginger, almond paste, milk chocolate, coffee and nutmeg, and you have yourself a proper treat.

Taste: Full bodied and delicate. This is almost what I would call a sherry bomb. Did it really say just a sherry finish? It is delightful. I find the palate perfectly matching the nose. The same complex and wonderful symphony.

Finish: Long finish. Perhaps a bit lighter in character towards the end. Mandarin and lime, as well as creamy vanilla notes.

Comment: Wow, this is an amazing dram!

Score 92/100

Sláinte!
- Thomas