🥃 Balblair
Distillery and brand of single malt whisky in Edderton near Tain (Highlands); according to the producer, founded by John Ross in 1790; owned by Inver House Distillers (International Beverage).
Balblair is a distillery and single malt Scotch whisky brand in Edderton, near Tain, at the foot of Struie Hill above the Dornoch Firth in the Highlands. According to the producer, John Ross founded it in 1790. The brand is owned by Inver House Distillers, trading as International Beverage.
History. According to the producer, the distillery moved half a mile north in 1894, when the Highland Railway reached Edderton. Historic Environment Scotland lists the distillery kiln (Category C, 1983) and dates it to about 1872. In 1947 Robert Cummings bought Balblair and reopened it together with Old Pulteney. The producer says that Ken Loach found his ideal Highland distillery here for the film Angels' Share (2012).
Making and range. Water comes from the Allt Dearg, which runs down an open lade for four and a half miles. The new spirit is matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks, and many are later matured further in ex-sherry butts. For a limited time from 2007 some bottles carried the year of distillation instead of an age. The current range is 12, 15, 17 (duty free only), 18, 21 and 25 years old.
Why this matters to you. Bottles of different ages are different whiskies, so check the label. Single malt Scotch is made at one distillery from water and malted barley in pot stills, matured for at least 3 years in oak casks of up to 700 litres and bottled at 40% vol. or more. The WHO states that there is no safe amount of alcohol for health.
Facts
| Year founded | 1790, John Ross, according to the producer (Edderton, Highlands); moved half a mile north in 1894 |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890) (Single Malt Scotch Whisky) |
| Raw material | malted barley; water from the Allt Dearg |
| Cask type | American oak ex-bourbon casks; many later ex-sherry butts |
| Minimum maturation | at least 3 years in oak casks by law; the current range is 12–25 years |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | at least 40% vol. by law |
What it includes
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Balblair → kind of → 🥃 Whisky → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel, 🍷 Sherry, 🥃 Ex-bourbon barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
- What it contains
- 🧪 Water, 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 British
- Part of
- 🥃 Whisky, 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Highland whisky
- Related to
- 🌍 Western Europe
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Glenmorangie, 🥃 Old Pulteney
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Balblair and when?
According to the producer, John Ross founded the distillery in 1790.
Who owns Balblair?
According to the producer's website, Inver House Distillers, trading as International Beverage, owns the Balblair brand.
Why did the distillery move in 1894?
According to the producer, when the Highland Railway reached Edderton, the distillery moved half a mile north to meet the line.
Where does Balblair's water come from?
From the Allt Dearg, which runs down an open lade for four and a half miles, according to the producer.
Which ages does Balblair come in?
The producer's current range is 12, 15, 17 (duty free only), 18, 21 and 25 years old.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🍷 Sherry — Protected wine from the Jerez de la Frontera area of Andalusia, aged in oak casks in the solera system; 14 to 22 % alcohol.
- 🌍 Western Europe — France, the Netherlands, Britain, Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg: a mild, moist climate, pastures and hundreds of cheeses such as Roquefort, Camembert, Gouda and Cheddar.
Similar
🥃 Blair Athol · 🥃 Glenglassaugh · 🥃 Glengoyne · 🥃 Ben Nevis · 🥃 Knockdhu · 🥃 Teaninich
⚠️ 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
- Balblair (producer): Our Story timeline (John Ross founded the distillery in 1790; move half a mile north in 1894 when the Highland Railway reached Edderton; 1947 Robert Cummings with Old Pulteney; vintages from 2007; Angels' Share)
- Balblair (producer): Our Distillery (Struie Hill, Dornoch Firth, Allt Dearg water by an open lade of four and a half miles)
- Balblair (producer): Collection (ex-bourbon American oak casks, many further matured in ex-sherry butts; 12, 15, 17, 18, 21, 25 years; footer: Inver House Distillers Ltd, trading as International Beverage, is the owner of the Balblair brand)
- Historic Environment Scotland: Balblair Distillery Kiln, listed building LB1808 (Category C, 1983; Ross & Son, circa 1872)
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), reg. 3: definition and categories of Scotch Whisky (Scotland, oak up to 700 l, min. 3 years, min. 40 % ABV; single malt: one distillery, water and malted barley, pot stills)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)