The last Balblair tasted in the official Tweet Tasting that took place earlier tonight is the Balblair 18 Year Old which followed the 12 Year Old, 15 Year Old & 17 Year Old. (Click the links for their reviews).
Just like the 15 Year Old , the Balblair 18 Year Old was matured in ex-bourbon casks and then finished in 1st fill Spanish oak sherry casks.
Balblair 18 Year Old (46%, £118)
Nose: Soft and balanced, baked pears, fruity and chocolaty. Then medium aged soft leather and then lots of toffee! And then cinnamon and nutmeg. Complex and nice, just maybe a bit too relaxed and laid back?
Palate: Balanced, tropical fruit, honey, soursweet fruit, chocolate, leather, gentle spice oak and all spice, quite good stuff even if again a bit too relaxed.
Finish: Medium length, leathery, oak spice, cloves, almonds and sweet tropical fruits.
Thoughts: The Rounded and balanced of them all. Complex and rich but at the same time wasn’t too exciting – too gentlemanly and well manners without fire. But It’s just that I may be the wrong audience for this bottle as the whisky itself is splendid.