Skip to content
Spirlix
All spirits Whiskey Agave Rum Gin Vodka Brandy Liqueur Everything else Taste finder Brands
Balblair 1997 1st Release
Balblair

Balblair 1997 1st Release

Whiskey Single Malt Highlands 43% ABV
$$$ $50 to $100 Premium Top 12% of whiskey
28 reviews raw average 4.26
88 critic score out of 100

About this bottle

In March of 2007, Balblair began to release vintage dated whiskies exclusively. The 1997 was among the first of three vintages released. While this distillery doesn't offer up age statements, release dates are given. A second release of this vintage became available in September of 2012. If a 2nd or 3rd vintage has been released, this is clearly stated on the bottle.

How it tastes

Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.

Sweet 80
Rich 60
Fruity 60
Vanilla 60
Full Bodied 60
Spicy 40
Tart 30
Oily 20

Reviews

Showing the most detailed of 8 parsed reviews.

AntonioSchmid 4.3

(Review for Balblair 97 2nd Ed.) When it comes to whisky, (almost) everyone loves some peat and different casks thrown in the mix but sometimes all you need is a plain unpeated malt aged solely in ex-bourbon casks. This Balblair is 14/15 years old, 46% abv, NFC, beautiful natural golden color and aged only in 1st fill ex-bourbon casks. The nose is a flavor bomb of tropical fresh fruits: pineapple, banana and citrusy fruits, some sweet vanilla, all wrapped by a hard to explain floral aroma. DELICIOUS! The palate is gorgeous with a very thick mouthfeel, a sweet taste and a very long finish with a welcome spicy kick, just to keep things interesting. Bravo Balblair!

Joe C 5.0

(This review is for the 1997 Single Cask 1108, bottled at 58.4% ABV) I have to borrow neuroscientific language to properly review this scotch: the dopamine load in the reward centre of my brain following a taste of this expression was overwhelming. In other words, MINDFORNICATING! Chamomile on the nose with a touch of honey and pears. The palate is creamy and mouth-coating, with brown sugar, vanilla, wood spices, and what I imagine everthing Jesus, Confucius and the Buddha were trying to teach us about encountering the divine and perfect. A revelation! (Now go and sin no more with cheap liquor.)

TheButcher 4.3

Fruity up front (I get citrus, mostly, with some orchard and stone fruit) with floral honey and vanilla in the distance. Surprisingly hefty body with a very balanced mouthfeel, with fruity and malty sweetness, plus a little peppery spice in a medium-lasting finish. Very, very, very good scotch.

derlejamem 4.8

Wow. No need for cheese with this one. The sweetness is complete and stands on its own.

vbarn 4.5

Single cask 1997, bottled in 2017, cask 1108, 58.4% ABV

marcostar 4.3

Wonderful candied banana and long finish

2 more reviews were collected for this bottle. The longest ones are shown first.

Tastes like this

Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.

All Single Malt