Balblair 2002 is not the first young Balblair I’m trying: I’ve already had the Balblair 2000 and I’ve even reviewed its successor, Balblair 2003. Now there’s also a duo of Balblair 2004 available in travel retail, one bourbon matured and the other sherry matured (only in Asia).
Balblair 2002 is made up of ex-bourbon casks.
Balblair 2002 (46%, OB 2013)
Balblair 2002 (46%, OB 2013)Nose: malty and sweet, with lots of sugared cereals and quinces. Fairly youngish, with some esthery fruitiness of banana. Lemon and white grapefruit. Sponge cake. A grassy / minty note too.
Mouth: malty, sweet and sour. Lemon drops, pear and grapefruit again. Some tangy / zesty notes coming out as well. Lemon verbena. Green apple and honey. There’s an obvious sweetness going on (icing sugar) but it’s mixed with bitterness and sourness. A hint of moccha in the end.
Finish: rather short, zesty, slightly metallic. Still sweet honey too.
I like this one more on the palate than on the nose, where I think it’s slightly unbalanced and flat. Overall a fairly light, decent young whisky, not a one-trick pony but nothing extraordinary either. I do like the fact that each of these young vintages has its own character though. Around € 40. Thanks Joeri.
Score: 80/100