The Legend
It is the magical blend of time, passion and perseverance that defines the unparalleled generosity of a Balblair whisky.
Time, they say, is a great teacher. Time imbues one with experience and there is simply no replacing that. A single malt, one that is painstakingly aged for decades and blended with the time-honed skill of a seasoned master blender can shape a whisky in a way that will make it truly special. At the Balblair, one of Scotland’s oldest surviving distilleries (since 1790), all these factors converge to create one exquisite sip.
For the virgin hillsides overlooking the Dornoch Firth in Northern Scotland–these Highlands were Pictish gathering places (almost 3000 years ago)–time already seems to stand still. This easy passage, as if almost suspended, effectively helps us dissect each step in the process and hone it in isolation. Special Black Isle barley and Edderton Hill water that is directed down through a precious lade make up the special raw material that shape the eaux-de-vie here. The process of making whisky at Balblair is special, and what sets it apart from most other commercial distilleries is the amount of time invested in each step of the whisky-making process. Fermentation here is a 62-hour-long process, which is then followed up with a distillation step that takes at least four and a half hours. These slow speeds put greater focus on the flavours that will constitute the final blend. It allows the blenders to make precise choices and cuts to ensure that they can fine-tune the final beverage to a greater degree. John MacDonald, an outstanding and extremely gifted whisky distiller, above all, is described as a patient man. And rightfully so because any other mindset would be at crossroads with the spirit itself; it certainly likes to take its time.
As drams go, Balblair is a curious mix of simplicity and complexity. Intense esters captured at the beginning of the process impart lovely fruity notes (think apricots and oranges but also fresh spices and floral touches). This is deftly balanced off with heavier oils that come towards the end of the cut, which brings fuller-bodied leathery and nutty notes. The eclectic mix of the two, aged and nurtured over time, is what makes up the distinct Balblair profile.
For a distillery that has persevered for over 200 years, seen lots of ups and downs, the best and worst of times, Balblair is a living statement on the rewards of patience.