Palate: The dram has a honey-like sweetness to it but is not syrupy compared to the nose. Orange segment and dried cherry fill out the middle. It is earthy near the end with some peat. However, it has a dry, oaky finish similar to mulch or barkdust. Matured initially in American oak ex-bourbon casks, followed by the rich influence of first fill Spanish oak butts. Regardless of whether the Service offers the functionality to contribute, you are solely responsible and liable for any content and information that you create, upload, post, publish, link to, duplicate, transmit, record, display or otherwise make available on the Service or to other Members, such as chat messages, text messages, videos, audio, audio recordings, music, pictures, photographs, text and any other information or materials, whether publicly posted or privately transmitted (“Contributions”).

Matured initially in American oak ex-bourbon casks, the whisky is then transferred for a second ageing period in Spanish oak butts for exceptional complexity. We may sell, license, transfer, assign or in any other way dispose of the Service (including Members) to any third party without any notification to you, e.g. (but without limitation) in connection with any reorganization, restructuring, merger or sale, or other transfer of assets.

Try a Balblair 15 Year Old Sample…

We may, but are not under any obligation, to release new functionalities and tools or other features for the Service every now and then. Any new functionalities, tools and features shall be part of and governed by the Terms from the moment they are launched and/or available. Further, we reserve the right to modify, change, discontinue the Service, add or remove features, update the Service, change its appearance, temporarily and permanently, at any time, in whole or any part thereof. It is interesting how the additional time spent in sherry casks have changed this release compared to the Balblair 12 yo whisky. A very different mouthfeel and more complex when compared to the 12 yo. You can recognize the house style, but the extra time in the casks added depth and intensity. Very delicious!

Balblair 15 year old is aged in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in 1st fill Oloroso Sherry casks. It is bottled at 46% abv at a minimum 15 years. The new core range of Balblair is non-chill filtered, which is a good thing to have for this whisky. How Does This Taste? Being located near the banks of the beautiful Dornoch Firth, while sitting in the shadow of craggy Struie Hill, in the Northern Highlands of Scotland, means that rarely will you encounter a distillery set in more scenic and unspoilt surroundings than Balblair. The second run in Balblair’s revamped line of single malt is the 15 year old. The whisky sees a first stage of aging in ex-bourbon barrels, which is then transferred for a finish in first-fill butts of Spanish oak (essentially Sherry casks that weren’t used to age Sherry). Balblair 15 is bottled at 46% ABV.The nose has raisins and dusty malt, which is way more refined than its 12-year-old sibling. Cookie dough, sweet red apples, grapefruit zest and almond creates a joyful experience. The palate is oily and mouth-filling with dates, ginger and cinnamon cake. It carries a strong malty feeling with ripe stone fruits. The balance of spiciness and sweetness is well adjusted. The finish is very long with light tobacco aromas, orchard fruits, coffee, dried dates, traces of cranberries, dry Sherry and nutmeg. Verdict

According to the distillery tasting notes, the 15 yo have a deeper concentration of fruit notes compared to the 12 yo and have some yummy chocolatey elements too. Together with the Balblair 12 yo and the 15 yo, Balblair has also released a 17 yo whisky, an 18 yo as well as a Balblair 21 yo whisky. This cookie is set by Rubicon Project to control synchronization of user identification and exchange of user data between various ad services. In short, the maturation period has created a well-rounded layered classic dram. The creaminess and the spiced fruity notes make it very accessible, at a reasonable price point. Final Thoughts: Of the aged statements from Balblair, the 15-year-old ranks as the top whisky in the collection. It offers more flavor while keeping a soft mouthfeel. With a few drops of water, the baking spices mellow out. The Balblair 15 yo is non-chill-filtered and natural colour. It was aged in Ex-Bourbon casks and finished in first-fill Spanish oak butts. Balblair distillery is owned by Inver House Distillers.

Taste: A stylish, well-rounded, mouth feel. After an initial wave of creamy vanilla custard, sweet apple purée, dried fruit with a hint of bitter orange marmalade develop. This is followed up by a spicy ginger and cinnamon burr with a subtle light oak undertone. A good balance of fruit sweetness and spice.

Taste: Velvety in texture, bursting with dark chocolate, tropical fruit and spices. A flavour which is subtly complex. No partnership, joint venture, agency, or employment relationship is created as a result of your use of the Service. Whiskybase B.V. is the Dutch private limited liability company, having its statutory seat in Rotterdam, The Netherlands and its office at Zwaanshals 530, 3035 KS Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Whiskybase B.V. is registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce under no. 52072819. I have a small love affair with 15 yo whiskies. For me, it is as if the little bit extra time in the wood adds something unique to the dram. Some of my favourite releases are 15-year-olds. Let’s see if this 15 yo also does that.

History

Finish: A medium-long, mellow finish, with enduring notes of creamy vanilla and citrus led fruitiness, with warmth and a little dryness from enticing wood and spice.