Happy New Year! I hope you are all having a fantastic start to 2025. As for me, I’m kicking off the year with dry January, but for those who aren’t, don’t worry! I still have plenty of content to share from tasting conducted in 2024. The first post of 2025 featured the Balblair 15-Year whisky.

This Highlands distillery has a rich history, dating back to its establishment in 1790. Situated overlooking the Dornoch Firth in the North of Scotland, it initially played a role in producing whiskies for blends. However, in 1996, the distillery was acquired by Invern House Distillers Limited, leading to the introduction of their vintages. In April 2019, they made a significant shift towards core ranges. Their current core ranges include the 12-year, 15 year, 18-year, 21-Year and 25-year expressions. Additionally, they offer a travel collection featuring a 17-year whisky. Prior to sampling this 15-year expression I’ve had the pleasure of trying some of their vintages including the 1990, 1999, and 2005 releases. You can find my thoughts on those expressions on my blog. Link here.

The 15-Year is matured in American oak ex-bourbon cask and is finished in first fill Spanish oak butts.

Nose: spices, lemon and fruit

Palate: tropical fruits, ginger, chocolate and baking spices

Finish: smooth, vanilla and lemon

ABV: 46%

Costs: $120-$140

This whisky is fantastic! I enjoyed this whisky during the holidays,and it proved to be the perfect companion for that time of year. It evokes the flavors of fruit cake and spices, creating a delightful and nostalgic experience. The whisky is remarkably smooth, with a rich array of baking spices, fruity notes, and subtle hints of chocolate and vanilla. It was a superb dram that I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend giving a try if you have the chance to.

Cheers!

Note: The contents on my blog are solely my opinion. To me every palate is different! Although I may or may not like a product, I always recommend for people to try it and make up their own minds.