Balblair Live Tasting Event, August 7th 2010

[pkt77242]

Welcome to the Balblair Whisky Live Tasting


The Whiskies:

1997, 1991, 1989, 1979, 1975 and any other Balblairs you may have.


Start Time

Start time - 7:00pm GMT Saturday August 7th and running all day Saturday and Sunday.

About...
For those of you who do not know what these are about, they run for generally 12+ hours and we all sit down (at various times) to taste a range of whiskies and share our notes and comments on the forum. Have a look in the Live Tasting Forum for past events.

They are a great way to meet people on the forum, chat about your experiences and learn something new about the whiskies you have, and we all end up having a good time.

Please feel free to join in and post any comments or tasting notes you have. Tasting notes can be added using the Tasting Note tab on the postings page. (Note, the Age field on the tasting must be a number such as 7,9,10,18)

[pkt77242]

I probably won't be on till late Saturday as my son's first birthday party is tomorrow afternoon. I am looking forward to seeing everyones notes.

Sean

[Ganga]

Hm, let me go check the back room. May partake a little tonight.

[pkt77242]

Hm, let me go check the back room. May partake a little tonight.

If you find some, I will join you. I have a OB Vintage 1997 12yo and a AD Rattray 1990 16yo sherry cask (well I think I got that right).

[Ganga]

I found a couple of open 10 yos. I don't think that they are different bottling runs. Both have been open for awhile but opened at different times. I will try both to see if I note any differences.

[Ganga]

Brandy Glass

Nose: glue, grist (doughy at the top of the glass), newly cut wood, citric
Palate: bread, under ripe oranges, cinnamon sticks-used
Finish: moderate, dried straw and muted spices

[pkt77242]

Balblair 1997 12yo

N: Lemon, fresh baked bread, oak, vanilla and a hint of banana
P: Lemon and oak lead the way. Folowed by vanilla and banana and a hint of tropical fruit (guava).
F: Shortish finish on the lemon and vanilla. just a touch of oak now. Guava and banana gets stronger at the very end.

A very nice whisky. great for the summer but would be good anytime.

[Ganga]

Aye, good call on the vanilla. It's becoming quite prominent as I drink more from the glass.

[pkt77242]

Aye, good call on the vanilla. It's becoming quite prominent as I drink more from the glass.

Thanks Rich, the vanilla really hits me on the finish.

[pkt77242]

AD Rattray Balblair 4/30/1990-2/23/2007 16yo sherry cask #1138 62.4%

N: Lemons and strawberries overwhelm you. rhubarb, raisins, cinnamon and brown sugar. Also some cooking spices hiding in the background.
P: Strawberry rhubarb pie (even has a little flavor of a good pie crust), lemon, cinnamon and vanilla. A little raisins and cooking spices.
F: medium-long on lemon, raisins, and lots of cooking spices. Also a touch of the strawberry/rhubarb and cinnamon.

Very nice but potent at 62.4%. I may have to add a little water.

[Ganga]

Moving along to the second bottle of Balblair 10. did I mention that it is 43%. Still the brandy glass.

Nose: while similar, the spices are more pronounced and there really isn't the glue. Also, it is doughy all through the glass.
Palate: Again, similar experience but more pronounced
Finish: longer, buttery vanilla, spicey

[Ganga]

Mouthwatering Sean!

[pkt77242]

With water the AD Rattray Balblair 16yo

N: More on a lemon and vanilla theme. a hint of hay and dough
P: Lemon and raisins. Oak and vanilla. Gets a little to oaky with water and slightly bitter.
F: Shortens with water on bitter oak, vanilla and a little lemon and raisins.

Much better straight even at the high abv.

[pkt77242]

Mouthwatering Sean!

This was my first Balblair I ever bought and it made me want to go out and find more. I think Tim has a slightly older AD Rattray Balblair (maybe 19yo?) and I might have to hunt that one down.

[Ganga]

Yes, 19 yo. The G&M bottlings from the 90s were pretty good. I also like the 16 yo that's been discontinued.

[Ganga]

Hey Nick, nice notes. Am I supposed to "get behind thee"?