Review #292 (2016)
This is the first release and comes from ex-Bourbon casks. What a well-behaved whisky! Some syrupy sugar sweetness mixed with some exotic fruits in the smell. Sweet banana cake and some pineapple. The oak influence is so elegant! It doesn’t dominate, it just blends in with the other flavors in a very suiting way.
It is a bit rougher in the taste. In the good way! The wood is getting more prominent and the sugary sweetness is almost gone. Replaced with fruity sweetness, but very subtle. The exotic fruits is almost gone in the finish and replaced with spices and a hint of lemons, but the wood is still the main factor.
Another lovely dram from Balblair. I like their Sherry influenced whiskies a bit more, but if you enjoy a solid Bourbon Barrel influenced whisky, this would be a good choice! The wood and the age really makes a difference! I will give this 87/100 (22/21/22/22).