Balblair 17 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Balblair released a 16 year old back in 2005 and follow it up with another unusual age statement. Adding a year seems to have made all the difference - at least according to the glowing review from Jim Murray... This one was a travel retail exclusive and comes finished in x Spanish oak sherry wood. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

Other reviews... One of the best arrivals on the palate of any Scotch Whisky I have tasted this year. 94 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2022

...Colour: gold, surprisingly pale given that it was sherried-up. Nose: walnuts and bitter almonds a bit in the way at first, but it's soon to go through to the pastry hall, with some nougat and macaroons (that almondy side again), plus really a lot of marzipan, turon and just sesame oil. Fruit Loops, also quite some beeswax. Awesome nose, I think. Mouth: a little bit on the spicy side this time, and that's possibly the Spanish oak. Moves towards speculoos and gingerbread liqueurs (indeed, some folks make ans sell gingerbread liqueur), with also good pinches of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom powder, then we have zests and bitter orange marmalade. What you won't find and which was in those old Balblairs I was mentioning are tropical fruits. Or perhaps just banana skins? Finish: rather long, spicy and almondy. A tiny touch of rose jelly or Turkish delight in the aftertaste, but don't quote me on that. Comments: a slightly intermediate Balblair, which I find very good even if I would tend to like the brighter ones a little better. 86 points - whiskyfun.com