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Balblair 1997 2nd Release 16 Year Old, Bourbon Cask, 2013, 46%
Balblair

Balblair 1997 2nd Release 16 Year Old, Bourbon Cask, 2013, 46%

4.7/5Expert Rating

Catalog product detail, market evidence, tasting notes, reviews, and collection actions.

TypeSingle Malt Whisky
MRI
MRI 17
Average Score
Avg 89
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Description

Balblair is owned by InverHouse Distillers and boasts one of the oldest histories of any distillery in Scotland. The distillery owes a huge debt to lawyer and energetic businessman Robert "Bertie" Cumming who purchased the distillery in 1948 after years of silence and went on to expand and modernise the distillery. Part of this modernisation includes a contemporary visitor centre running excellent ...

Overall Rating
87.1/100
Great87.1 / 100

Based on 7 published Maltiply reviews.

Maltiply Tasting Profile
Nose
Abundance of tropical fruits like bananas, pineapples, green apples, oranges, and apricots, with hints of honey, vanilla, and butterscotch. Also crisp, herbal, and nutty.
Palate
Initially sweet, spicy, and full-bodied, with tropical fruits, vanilla, caramel, and well-integrated oak. Notes of marzipan, cinnamon, and ginger are also present.
Finish
Long and spicy, with notes of espresso chocolate mousse, cinnamon, oak, and cedar. Also refreshing mint and vanilla.

Reviews

Write Review
meadowkit avatarmeadowkit9 Oct
87 / 100

Bourbon-cask detail, with tropical fruit and spice for balance.

Nose: Tropical fruits including bananas, pineapples, green apples, oranges, and apricots, Hints of honey, vanilla, and butterscotch, Crisp, herbal, and nuttyPalate: Sweet, spicy, and full-bodied, Tropical fruits, vanilla, caramel, and well-integrated oak, Marzipan, cinnamon, and gingerFinish: Long and spicy, Espresso chocolate mousse, cinnamon, oak, and cedar, Refreshing mint and vanilla
cedar.postcard avatarcedar.postcard25 Sept
87 / 100

The oak influence seems to fit the sweet side well: vanilla and butterscotch sit alongside tropical fruit, while the palate is described as spicy and full-bodied. That balance works for me.

Nose: Banana and pineapple, green apple, orange and apricot, Honey, vanilla and butterscotchPalate: Initially sweet, spicy and full-bodied, Fruit, vanilla and oak influenceFinish: Long, spicy and balanced, Complex, gently warming character
afterglowwren avatarafterglowwren6 Sept
88 / 100

The tropical fruit and green apple sound inviting, with honey and vanilla keeping the sweetness familiar. Spicy oak and mint on the long finish add a little lift.

Nose: Tropical fruits including bananas, pineapples, green apples, oranges, and apricots, Hints of honey, vanilla, and butterscotch, Crisp, herbal, and nuttyPalate: Sweet, spicy, and full-bodied, Tropical fruits, vanilla, caramel, and well-integrated oak, Marzipan, cinnamon, and gingerFinish: Long and spicy, with espresso chocolate mousse, cinnamon, oak, and cedar, Refreshing mint and vanilla
Bbookshop_pebble18 Jul
87 / 100

Tropical fruit meets gentle warmth!

Nose: No tasting notes yetPalate: No tasting notes yetFinish: No tasting notes yet
MapleRover avatarMapleRover17 May
88 / 100

The fruit-led nose, from banana and pineapple to green apple and apricot, has a pleasing counterpoint in honey, vanilla and butterscotch. The palate brings sweetness and spice together with fruit and oak, then carries that balance into a long, gently warming finish. For anyone checking the smoke question, this is documented as unpeated; the appeal here is firmly in the fruit, spice and oak interplay, rather than a smoke-led character.

Nose: Banana and pineapple, with green apple, orange and apricot, Honey, vanilla and butterscotchPalate: Initially sweet, spicy and full-bodied, Fruit, vanilla and oak influenceFinish: Long, spicy and balanced, Complex, gently warming character
Ppocket_notebook8 Apr
87 / 100

The fruit and vanilla sound appealing, while spice and oak keep the sweetness from seeming one-note. Full-bodied and long is a substantial character, but the balanced finish gives the description some restraint.

Nose: Banana and pineapple, Green apple, orange and apricot, Honey, vanilla and butterscotchPalate: Sweet, spicy and full-bodied, Fruit, vanilla and oakFinish: Long, spicy and balanced, Complex and gently warming
Hhoneycombwren25 Jan
86 / 100

The fruit and vanilla sound inviting; the spicy finish adds a thoughtful edge.

Nose: Banana, pineapple, green apple, orange and apricot, Honey, vanilla and butterscotchPalate: Sweet, spicy and full-bodied, with fruit, vanilla and oakFinish: Long, spicy and balanced, gently warming
Change-5.9%
LatestSGD 121
HighSGD 187
LowSGD 121
SGD 195SGD 167SGD 140SGD 113Price (SGD)Observed dateDec 1May 10Jun 8Dec 1 - SGD 128 - Whisky Auctioneer - Dec 1, 2025Mar 8 - SGD 187 - Scotch Whisky Auctions - Mar 8, 2026May 10 - SGD 139 - Scotch Whisky Auctions - May 10, 2026May 10 - SGD 159 - Scotch Whisky Auctions - May 10, 2026Jun 8 - SGD 121 - Whisky Auctioneer - Jun 8, 2026

Recently Sold

Listed value is based on sold auction prices and inclusive of auction fees (not including tax and shipping).

Whisky AuctioneerAuction Sold Price - Jun 8, 2026SGD 120.67
Scotch Whisky AuctionsAuction Sold Price - May 10, 2026SGD 138.91
Scotch Whisky AuctionsAuction Sold Price - May 10, 2026SGD 158.76
Cask type
Bourbon Cask
Bottling
Official Bottling
Peated
Unpeated
Single cask
No
Non-chill filtered
Yes
Cask origin
N.A
Cask no.
N.A
Batch
2nd Release
PPM
N.A
Barley
Unpeated barley grain that grows on the Black Isle
Fermentation
62 hours
Master distiller (bottling)
John MacDonald
Master distiller (distillation)
N.A
Limited edition
Yes
Bottle count
N.A
Has box
Yes
Closure
Screw Cap
Presentation
Box
Series highlights
2nd Release of the 1997 vintage
Historical context
N.A
Special release
N.A
Allocation
N.A
Nose
Abundance of tropical fruits like bananas, pineapples, green apples, oranges, and apricots, with hints of honey, vanilla, and butterscotch. Also crisp, herbal, and nutty.
Palate
Initially sweet, spicy, and full-bodied, with tropical fruits, vanilla, caramel, and well-integrated oak. Notes of marzipan, cinnamon, and ginger are also present.
Finish
Long and spicy, with notes of espresso chocolate mousse, cinnamon, oak, and cedar. Also refreshing mint and vanilla.
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