It would be hard to find a distillery set in more scenic and unspoilt surroundings than Balblair. Founded in 1790, it is one of Scotland's oldest working distilleries, it is strikingly situated by the beautiful Dornoch Firth on the sweep of the Cambuscurrie Bay.
The original source of its water is still used to this day. The delightful and winding Ault Dearg burn flows fresh and clear from the surrounding hills.
John Ross, the founder, ran Balblair as a thriving business and in 1824 he was joined by his son, Andrew. The distillery stayed in the Ross family until 1894 when the tenancy was taken over by Alexander Cowan.
Balblair enjoys one of the oldest archives in distilling, with the first ledger entry dated 25th January 1800. John Ross himself penned that first entry, which read: "Sale to David Kirkcaldy at Ardmore, one gallon of whisky at £1.8.0d".
In 1996 Balblair was purchased by Inver House Distillers and so began a new chapter in its history. Today, over two centuries later, four out of the nine Balblair distillery workers have the surname Ross so the distillery's traditions still clearly run through the veins of the men who work there.
Many single malt Scotch whiskies distinguish between their expressions with an age statement, rightly proud of the long maturation their distillates have undergone.
At Balblair they have pursued a Vintage statement by which to differentiate their various expressions. In doing so, they take a complementary approach between age itself and the fundamental character of the spirit that is Balblair Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
The ageing process plays a significant role in the maturation of fine single malt Scotch whiskies. The interaction of the spirit with the oak barrels and the environment in which they are matured is fundamental to the character of the final distillate. However, over and above this, is the character of the spirit itself.
Every distillery is different, its location, its water source, its still shape, its wood policy. In fact, there are a myriad of variables. With Balblair they go one step further. Balblair’s Vintage whiskies are hand–picked, specially selected 'years' that represent the very best whisky the distillery has to offer.
Every year our Distillery Manager, John MacDonald selects only those whiskies that have reached their exact point of 'optimum maturation', the absolute peak of perfection.
Balblair - devoted to detail. Few whiskies you’ll find are quite so devoted to detail as Balblair Highland Single Malt Whisky. Detail is in everything they do. It is in the love that is lavished on their design and presentation. And of course it is in the meticulous care that goes into their selection of award winning whisky.
