Balblair
One of Scotland's Oldest
Within the sight of the Balblair Distillery, on the plain of Eadar Dun in the Northern Highlands, lies an ancient Pictish monument, the 'Clach Biorach', or ‘sharp stone’. This potent symbol has become part of the identity of this connoisseur’s single malt brand, which lays claim to being one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland.
Balblair was founded in the picturesque Highlands village of Edderton in 1790. Although the distillery changed sites in 1872, it continued to be produced with spring water from its original source of Ault Dreag burn. These peaty waters which filter down from the rugged mountains of this Northern Highlands region, once a hotbed for illicit distillation, are said to account for the whisky’s delicately smoky flavour.
Just 15% of Balblair's output is used to produce single malts (the rest can be found in various blended whiskies). While Balblair previously released these by vintage, since 2019 the distillery has introduced a core range of age-statement whiskies. This includes 12, 15, 18 and 25-year-old expressions.
