🥃 Balblair 18 Year Old
Balblair 18 Year Old: a longer maturation in ex-bourbon casks, then first-fill Spanish oak sherry casks; 46% ABV.
Balblair 18 Year Old is the older of the everyday expressions in Balblair's age-statement range, which replaced vintages in 2019. It has the same cask pattern as the 15-year-old but three more years of maturation. Strength is 46% ABV, according to Scotchwhisky.com and The Whiskey Wash.
According to Scotchwhisky.com, the whisky first matures in ex-bourbon casks and is then moved into first-fill Spanish oak sherry butts. The longer maturation gives more influence from the oak. Scotchwhisky.com describes the taste as juicy apricot, vanilla custard and raisins; a reviewer at The Whiskey Wash, by contrast, found the oak too prominent here.
Why it matters to you. Compared with Balblair 15 Year Old, you will taste the difference of age, since the casks are the same. Balblair 25 Year Old is finished in oloroso casks, so it is a different style. The WHO reminds: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 46% ABV |
|---|---|
| Minimum maturation | 18 years |
| Cask type | ex-bourbon casks, then first-fill Spanish oak sherry casks |
| Raw material | barley malt |
| Year founded | 2019 (age-statement range) |
| EU category | 2 — whisky/whiskey |
| Legal basis | Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890): Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Balblair 18 Year Old → affects → 🍷 Alcohol and health ← affects ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Sherry, 🥃 Ex-bourbon barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Balblair, 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Highland whisky, 🥃 Scotch Whisky
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Balblair 15 Year Old, 🥃 Balblair 15 Year Old, 🥃 Balblair 25 Year Old, 🥃 Balblair 25 Year Old, 🥃 Old Pulteney 18 Year Old
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Balblair 18 is finished in different casks from the 15-year-old?
No. According to Scotchwhisky.com, both move from bourbon casks into first-fill Spanish oak sherry casks.
What is the strength of Balblair 18 Year Old?
46% ABV, according to Scotchwhisky.com and The Whiskey Wash.
When did Balblair 18 Year Old appear?
In 2019, as part of the 12, 15, 18 and 25-year-old range.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky — Malted barley is the base of whisky: malt enzymes convert starch in the mash, and EU whisky is distilled below 94.8% vol.
- 🥃 Old Pulteney 18 Year Old — The oldest version of the Old Pulteney permanent range: 18 years, 46% ABV; second-fill ex-bourbon casks, finished in Spanish oak ex-oloroso casks; since 2018.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
- 🥃 Ex-bourbon barrel — American white oak cask of 180–200 litres used for bourbon: bourbon may only be aged in new charred casks, so used ones go to Scotch, Irish whiskey and rum.
Similar
🥃 Balblair 12 Year Old · 🥃 Balblair 15 Year Old · 🥃 Balblair 25 Year Old · 🥃 Old Pulteney 15 Year Old · 🥃 Ledaig 18 Year Old · 🥃 The Deveron 12 Year Old
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Scotchwhisky.com: Balblair removes vintages amidst revamp (28.03.2019; 12 y.o. ex-bourbon and double-fired American oak; 15 and 18 y.o. ex-bourbon, then first-fill Spanish oak sherry butts; 25 y.o. ex-bourbon, then ex-oloroso casks; all 46 %)
- The Whiskey Wash: Whisky Reviews — Balblair 12-, 15-, 18-, 25-Year Single Malt Scotches (06.03.2021; core collection, all 46 %)
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), reg. 3: definition and categories of Scotch Whisky
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)
Also listed under
- SpiritsWhiskyScotch WhiskyHighland whisky
- SpiritsWhiskyScotch WhiskyBalblair
- SpiritsWhiskyScotch Whisky
- SpiritsWhiskyBalblair