Never one to be boxed into a single Society colour, this Balblair falls into the Spicy & Sweet profile. It’s been matured for 10 years in a refill ex-bourbon barrel.
Nose: Somewhat shy and restrained. Buttery biscuit (base), French crepes and waffles are joined by caster sugar, fridge-cooled double cream and gooey meringue. Cookie dough and milk bottle sweets sit with dried cranberries and sultanas, whilst further patisserie aromas of buns and flans add additional sweetness. Dilution reveals apricot jam and digestive biscuits alongside dusty nutmeg.
Taste: Malt loaf and gingerbread men are joined by gooseberries and vanilla cream whilst chopped almonds and a scattering of icing sugar are added. An interesting mineral smack from salt water and coal dust sits with charred cask ends and pepperiness. Reduction delivers bright tinned apricots – juicy, vibrant and fresh.
Finish: Medium, with soft stone fruits and baked bread sticks.
A straight-forward but shape-shifting Balblair that responds to both time and the addition of water. Well-judged and certainly worth a look.