Balblair Vintage 2005 Scotch Could Be Your Burns Dram

As Scotch whisky drinkers ready for the 2016 Burns Night later this month, Balblair is hoping you’ll raise their latest ten-year-old release, Balblair Vintage 2005, as the toasting dram in honor of the famous Scottish poet.

Balblair Vintage 2005, according to the distillery, is the first release with this distillation year attached to it. Balblair, unique to most distilleries, is known for putting the year it creates the whisky on the bottle in a very prominent fashion. With Vintage 2005, they are replacing the Vintage 2003, making this newer expression part of the core range which includes Vintages 1999, 1990 and 1983.

Totally matured in in ex-bourbon, American oak barrels, Vintage 2005 was bottled at 46% ABV and is beginning to show up in overseas retailers for at least $60 a bottle. Official tasting notes for this natural color, non-chill filtered whisky are below from the distillery:

Sparkling gold in colour and full of character, this expression displays the classic Balblair house aromas of green apple, ground spices and honey on the nose with hints of sweet toffee and a deliciously spicy long finish on the palate. Furthermore, its notes of ground spice and oaky vanilla make it the perfect accompaniment to the traditional Burns Night supper of haggis, neeps and tatties.