Balblair 1991
70cl / 43%
£299
| Country | scotland |
| Region | highlands |
| Established | 1790 |
| Owner | Inver House Distillers Ltd. |
| Type | Scotch malt whisky |
| Number of stills | 1 wash; 1 spirit; |
| Visitor center | Yes |
| Status | Active |
| Phone | +441862821273 |
Balblair Distillery is a Scotch malt whisky distillery located in Edderton, Ross-shire, Scotland. Renowned for its long history and high-quality whisky, Balblair remains a significant producer in the Scotch whisky industry.
Balblair Distillery was established in 1790 by John Ross, who managed it as a thriving enterprise. In 1824, John Ross was joined by his son, Andrew, and together they continued to develop the distillery. The Ross family maintained ownership until 1894 when Alexander Cowan took over the tenancy. The distillery was subsequently rebuilt in 1895 by the designer Charles C. Doig to be closer to the Edderton Railway Station on the Inverness and Ross-shire Railway line. Despite the relocation, Balblair chose to continue using its original water source from the Ault Dearg burn due to its superior quality.
In 1948, the distillery was purchased by Robert Cumming, who expanded the facilities and increased production. Cumming managed Balblair until his retirement in 1970, after which he sold the distillery to Hiram Walker. In 1996, Inver House Distillers Limited acquired Balblair. Inver House owns other notable distilleries, including Speyburn-Glenlivet, Knockdhu, Old Pulteney, and Balmenach.
Balblair holds one of the oldest archives in distilling, with the first ledger entry dated January 25, 1800. This entry, penned by John Ross, recorded the sale of one gallon of whisky to David Kirkcaldy at Ardmore for £1.8.0d.
Balblair's production facilities have seen several significant changes over the years. The distillery was closed from 1911 to 1948. In 1964, the pot stills were converted to steam heating. Although a third pot still was added in 1970, Balblair has been using only two pot stills since 1969.
Balblair traditionally released its whiskies by vintage. However, in April 2019, the distillery transitioned to a core range of age-statement whiskies. This new range includes 12, 15, 18, 21, and 25-year-old expressions.
Following its appearance in several scenes in Ken Loach's film "The Angels' Share," Balblair opened a visitor centre in its former malting building. The centre includes a shop and serves as the starting point for regular tours of the distillery, offering guests an in-depth look at the distillation process and the distillery's storied history.
Balblair Distillery stands as a testament to the rich heritage of Scotch whisky production in the Highlands. Its commitment to quality and tradition, coupled with its historical significance, continues to make Balblair a beloved name among whisky enthusiasts worldwide.
Sorry, there are no news from this distillery yet.
70cl / 43%
£299
70cl / 40%
£119
70cl / 57.9%
£299
70cl / 43%
£169
100cl / 46%
£189
About Glenbotal
The idea of Glenbotal came to us naturaly: as whisky lovers, we were always on the lookout for new experiences in the whisky world. That’s why we created Glenbotal and became our very own first customers. We buy unique and hard to find spirits from auctions, ballots, and private collections. Then, we share them with a small circle of friends and people who can appreciate a good dram.
