Balblair Vintage 2005

A bright, light, and refreshing Single Malt from an impeccable Highland vintage.

The Highlands are irreplaceable — yielding some of the finest single-malt Whisky in the world. But there is something magic about Ross-shire. Along the southern coast of the Dornoch Firth at the base of ancient, Celtic limestone hills, a cluster of natural springs there feed a blessed few distilleries with what may be the best water in the world for Whisky. John Ross founded Balblair in 1790. To this day they have only 1 wash and 1 Spirit still. And 100% of production goes into their Single Malts — each one unique, rare, and special.

The Balblair 2003 has been a part of their core range. It has done exceedingly well, but all vintages run out eventually. So, Balblair Distillery did it again. Great pains have been taken to ensure that Balblair Vintage 2005 meets the exceeding standards and flavor profile of the previous vintage.

Even though it was aged 10 years exclusively in ex-Bourbon casks, that influence definitely takes a back seat. Instead, you definitely taste the malt. It dances on the palate as a fresh, young, and lively Spirit. Think of it less as a "sit by a roaring Winter fire" dram and more of a "sit on the porch to watch the fireflies" kind of sipper.

Smartass Corner:
Previously, all Balblair Single Malts were issued as year-dated vintages. There are signs that the distillery is transitioning to more standard, age-statement editions. So, vintage releases like this might be harder to find going forward.