New Balblair

by **Harry Whisky** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 2:44 pm

Has anyone tried the new Balblair "vintages" yet? I was looking at getting either the 1989 or the 1997, but not sure if they're worth the money...bit of a price hike on the older stock. :cry:

by **RufusA** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 3:28 pm

I tried most of them at WL. Nice in a Balblairish way, but IMHO no real difference to the equivalent age statement malts they replaced.

The new "vintages" are (as they all but acknowledged) more of a market positioning exercise rather than something new. By naming a year they have a little more flexibility over cask selection making it easier to manage their inventory. Might be worth buying one to admire the bottling, but if you are expecting to be blown away by something new and exciting, you may be disappointed.

Also could become a "collectable" assuming the years will increment, and Balblair's new strategy takes off.

Just so long as they leave Old Pultney unmolested by premiumisation!

HTH - Rufus

by **irishwhiskeychaser** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 4:52 pm

RufusA wrote:I tried most of them at WL. Nice in a Balblairish way, but IMHO no real difference to the equivalent age statement malts they replaced.

Bar the price hike :shock:

by **kallaskander** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 9:21 am

Hi there,

it is true. What the new design really did was promoting a stiff rise in prices. The quality is as yet not so much higher than that the Balblairs had until now.

Greetings
kallaskander