The Balblair 2005 vintage was launched early 2016 and is matured entirely in ex-bourbon, American oak barrels. It replaces the Balblair 2003 which had basically the same recipe.
Balblair 2005
(46%, OB 2015, 1st release)
Nose: young, with clear hints of new-make spirit. Quite some feinty hints (mix of rubber and leather) at first but these dissipate. After that, it’s all on pear drops and banana candy. Some vanilla and touches of floral honey. Close to the barley.
Mouth: more body than I expected. A young but fairly weighty spirit. A lot of honey, moving towards toffee and banana pie with caramel. Sweetened grapefruit. Plenty of plain barley notes and digestive biscuits. Baking spices.
Finish: sweet and spices. Fresh but not too long.
A young, fairly easy-going dram, rather summery although it does have quite some Highlands weight on the palate. Around € 45.
Score: 80/100