Balblair debuts 21YO whisky
Highland distillery Balblair has added a 21-year-old single malt whisky to its collection.
The whisky starts in ‘carefully selected’ American oak ex-Bourbon barrels, maturing for 15 years, before it spends an additional six years’ maturation in Spanish oak butts that were seasoned with oloroso wine. The final stage of this ageing process creates spiced, fruity flavours, complemented by a golden amber hue, with a finish of dark chocolate and tropical fruit flavours. John MacDonald, Balblair’s distillery manager, said: “Balblair’s 21 Years Old is the culmination of our commitment to craftsmanship and the timeless art of whisky-making. “From the moment the spirit touches the cask until it reaches full maturity, every detail is carefully nurtured, resulting in a remarkable whisky that flawlessly captures the essence of Balblair.” Balblair 21 Years Old has an ABV of 46% and will be available in a limited quantity. The expression will debut in the UK at the end of September, before being rolled out to Europe, North America and Asia in the coming months. The 700ml bottles can be purchased for RRP £300 (US$365) exclusively from The Whisky Exchange from 29 September before they will become available from other specialist retailers on 2 October. In 2019, Balblair 18 Years Old won Gold in the Single Malt: Highlands & Islands – Aged 13-18 Years category at The Scotch Whisky Masters.