Balblair – 25 Year Old (70cl, 46%)

A 25-year-old Highland single malt from Balblair, bottled by the distillery at 46% in a 70cl bottle. It first appeared in 2019, when the distillery moved away from vintage releases in favour of age-statement bottlings. The whisky was first matured in ex-bourbon wood, then finished in sherry casks. It keeps the distillery's fruit character and a weighty, oily texture. The colour is hot copper. The nose shows overripe apricots and dark liquorice against polished oak and a touch of saddle wax. The palate is full-bodied, with oily citrus, chocolate praline and a faint note of fresh tobacco leaf. The finish is warming, with smooth chocolate and blood oranges.