
This distillery was the find of the trip. We liked the whisky and our visit to the shop was part tour, part shopping. Upon parking in the narrow lot we were cautioned to stay in the middle so as not to get in the way of the trucks. I moved the van. Then the nice lady led us back to the shop.
On the way there was an unmistakable scent of bananas and something citrusy. I am not making this up. I think Donna chimed in with a “Yeah!” when I mentioned it.
Here is what we tasted:
*Balblair 10 year 2012 bottling 46%ABV
-smelled of bananas/citrusy
-tasted sweet citrusy and quickly went to oak
-with water sweetness disappears
-smelled of light oak
-tasted lightly sweet with stronger oak, no vanilla
I was surprised with banana and oak in a whisky.
*Balblair 16 year 1997 bottling 46%ABV
-smelled orange citrusy with slight wood
-tasted almost bitter oak
-trailed oak with a hint of citrus
-with water turned almost sour, bitter oak
-smelled faintly of oak
It seemed that an extra 6 years did not add anything to this whisky.
On the way there was an unmistakable scent of bananas and something citrusy. I am not making this up. I think Donna chimed in with a “Yeah!” when I mentioned it.
Here is what we tasted:
*Balblair 10 year 2012 bottling 46%ABV
-smelled of bananas/citrusy
-tasted sweet citrusy and quickly went to oak
-with water sweetness disappears
-smelled of light oak
-tasted lightly sweet with stronger oak, no vanilla
I was surprised with banana and oak in a whisky.
*Balblair 16 year 1997 bottling 46%ABV
-smelled orange citrusy with slight wood
-tasted almost bitter oak
-trailed oak with a hint of citrus
-with water turned almost sour, bitter oak
-smelled faintly of oak
It seemed that an extra 6 years did not add anything to this whisky.

Tood and I bottled our own.