The Still & The VineSchool of Wine & Spirits
Balblair 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Scotch WhiskyIssue 34

Balblair 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Balblair · Balblair Distillery

92 proof12 YearEdderton, Northern Highlands, Scotland
Balblair's tall copper pot stills are designed to maximize reflux, and the result is a spirit of unusual purity and fruit-forward character for the Highlands. This 12-year-old balances accessibility with genuine complexity. Non-chill-filtered and naturally colored, it rewards attentive nosing.

Kit Aromas

Tasting Notes

Nose

Orchard fruit and honey dominate the first impression, with fresh peach and a delicate floral rosewater note. Underneath, there's a gentle malty cereal sweetness and a whisper of vanilla from ex-bourbon cask influence.

Palate

Silky and well-structured. Green apple and peach transition into warming clove spice and a biscuity malt core. The mid-palate delivers a pleasant butteriness that speaks to the quality of copper distillation at Balblair.

Finish

Medium, clean, and slightly drying with lingering honey and a faint woody warmth.

Specifications
Region
Northern Highlands
Cask Type
Ex-bourbon and ex-sherry
Peat Level (PPM)
Unpeated
Distillation
Double distilled in tall copper pot stills
Maturation
Ex-bourbon American oak casks and ex-sherry butts
Chill-Filtered
Non-chill filtered
Serve & Pair

Cocktail Suggestion

Highland Peach Fizz — 2 oz Balblair 12 · 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice · 0.5 oz honey syrup · 2 oz sparkling water · Shake whisky, lemon, and honey with ice, strain into a highball, top with sparkling water.

Food Pairing

Seared scallops with brown butter and sage

The Story

Founded in 1790 in the far north of the Highlands, Balblair is one of Scotland's oldest working distilleries, where exceptionally tall copper pot stills and unhurried production create a house style celebrated for its fruit-driven purity.

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