Balblair 2003

Color: Maturation in ex-bourbon casks expresses itself in a pale straw Chardonnay color.

Nose: Fresh citric notes, a Balblair signature. Lemon and mandarin peel. Honey sweetness and vanilla are developing into a meringue straight from the oven, butterscotch and sweet fruits. Pineapple and apricots.

Adding water transforms the sweet aroma’s into fresh oak and winter spices (cinnamon, ginger and pepper).

Taste: The spices are ubiquitous. Bitter and soft oak, white pepper and Laos powder. The fruitiness is driven to the back and less sweeter. This reminds me more of oranges and grapefruits.

Finish: Short, powerful and spicy. A ginger-orange infusion to enjoy a cold winter evening.

Conclusion: Balblair 2003 is targeting an all-round audience with its sweet and spicy flavours. A dram to convince non-whisky lovers.

My original tasting notes (in Dutch) can be found on my tumblr blog A Tasty Dram: tastydram.tumblr.com/post/70519864807/…

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