Highland 12 Year Old 2011 Barrel Soho Selection 56.4% 70cl

Balblair single malt Scotch whisky is one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries, founded in 1790 in the village of Edderton in the Highlands. Nestled near the shores of the Dornoch Firth, Balblair is known for producing elegant, fruit-forward whiskies that capture the essence of the Highland style. Its setting, with pure water from the Allt Dearg burn and cool, maritime-tinged air, plays a significant role in shaping its spirit’s refined character.

For much of its history, Balblair operated quietly, with most of its whisky destined for blends. In the late 20th and early 21st century, however, the distillery began to gain recognition for its single malts, initially with a series of vintage-dated releases that emphasised individual distillation years rather than age statements. This approach set Balblair apart, allowing enthusiasts to explore how the distillery’s style expressed itself across different years and cask maturations.

In 2019, Balblair refreshed its range with a more traditional age-statement lineup, while retaining the house style that had made it popular with whisky lovers. This move brought clarity to the range while maintaining the emphasis on quality, balance, and natural character.

Balblair’s production process is designed to create a light, fruity spirit with depth and structure. Long fermentation times develop vibrant orchard fruit and citrus notes, while distillation in tall, elegant stills encourages a clean, aromatic new make. Maturation takes place primarily in a mix of American oak ex-bourbon casks, which provide vanilla sweetness and creamy texture, and Spanish oak ex-sherry butts, which add richer layers of dried fruit, spice, and warmth.

The current core range includes:
• Balblair 12 Year Old — light, sweet, and approachable, with apple, lemon, and vanilla.
• Balblair 15 Year Old — richer and more complex, with honeyed malt, dried fruit, and gentle spice.
• Balblair 18 Year Old — deeply layered, with dark chocolate, toffee, and mature oak influence.
• Balblair 25 Year Old — a rare, luxurious expression showing the distillery’s full ageing potential, with rich sherried depth and a long, warming finish.

Independent bottlings of Balblair are relatively rare but can reveal fascinating sides of the spirit, from bourbon-matured examples with intense citrus brightness to sherried single casks with deep, nutty complexity.

Balblair’s style is often described as timeless, a whisky for those who appreciate balance and finesse over heavy oak or peat influence. It’s a malt that works beautifully as an aperitif, pairs well with light seafood dishes, and can also stand alone as a contemplative sipper. The gentle fruitiness and soft texture make it approachable for newcomers, while the complexity in older expressions keeps seasoned whisky drinkers coming back.

Our Balblair Single Malt Scotch Whisky selection includes the full age-statement range alongside occasional limited editions and rare single cask releases. Whether you’re exploring Highland whisky for the first time or seeking a refined, fruit-driven malt to add to your collection, Balblair offers a window into the craftsmanship and elegance that define the very best of Scotland’s whisky heritage.