Balblair

Balblair 2003 Vintage 1st Release 12 Year Old, Second Fill Bourbon Cask, 2014, 46%

3.7/5Expert Rating

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

TypeSingle Malt Whisky
MRI
MRI 21
Average Score
Avg 82
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Description

A Highland single malt whisky from the Balblair distillery, distilled in 2003 and bottled in 2015. The box exterior describes it as 'something quite special about a perfectly matured, Highland single malt whisky. About the essence of a Vintage year, captured in a bottle.' [3]

Overall Rating
87.2/100
Great87.2 / 100

Based on 5 published Maltiply reviews.

Maltiply Tasting Profile
Nose
Floral and fragrant, with notes of citrus fruits (lemon, orange), apricots, honey, vanilla, and pear drops. [2, 3, 6, 10, 14]
Palate
Full-bodied with oranges, lemon, honey, spice, peppery notes, fresh mint, and oak. Creamy and smooth. [2, 3, 6, 10, 11, 14]
Finish
Long-lasting, sweet yet spicy, with hints of ginger, pepper, and oranges. [2, 3, 6, 11, 14]

Reviews

Write Review
Ccanal.sparrow11 Oct
86 / 100

The bright citrus and floral notes keep this from feeling heavy, while honey and spice add a warmer edge. The fairly spicy finish sounds more forward than my usual preference, though the fruit gives it a welcome counterpoint.

Nose: Bright floral notes and delicate lemon and orange blossom, Apricots, honey, vanilla, malt and applesPalate: Oranges and lemons with honey and spice, Vanilla, malt, white wine acidity, pepper, fresh mint and caramelFinish: Fairly spicy and long-lasting, with ginger, pepper and oranges
wildmintkit avatarwildmintkit19 Sept
88 / 100

The fruit gives this a welcoming, easy-to-picture character: apricot and apple on the nose, followed by clear orange and lemon on the palate. Honey and vanilla soften the citrus, while the white wine acidity and fresh mint add a livelier edge. The finish brings ginger and pepper, so it doesn’t simply fade into sweetness. I’m drawn to that balance of familiar fruit and a gently spicy close; it sounds characterful without leaning on obscure tasting language.

Nose: Bright floral notes, Delicate lemon and orange blossom, Apricots, honey, vanilla, hints of malt and applesPalate: Oranges, lemons and honey, Vanilla, malt and white wine acidity, Spice, pepper, fresh mint and caramelFinish: Fairly spicy and long-lasting, Ginger, pepper and oranges
mossy_socks avatarmossy_socks9 Sept
87 / 100

Full-bodied citrus and honey bring a lovely bit of richness.

Nose: Orange, lemon, honey, spicePalate: Full-bodied citrus, honey, spiceFinish: Spiced citrus, honey
MMossySoda8 Sept
87 / 100

Bright citrus meets spice.

Nose: No tasting notes yetPalate: No tasting notes yetFinish: No tasting notes yet
sundialrambler avatarsundialrambler22 Aug
88 / 100

The bright citrus and honey give this a warm sweetness, while the pepper and ginger bring a lively edge. That sweet-and-spicy balance sounds especially appealing, with enough freshness to keep it from feeling heavy.

Nose: Floral notes, Lemon and orange blossom, Apricot, honey, vanilla, malt and applePalate: Orange, lemon and honey, Vanilla, malt and caramel, White wine acidity, pepper and fresh mintFinish: Fairly spicy and long-lasting, Ginger, pepper and orange
Change+53.0%
LatestSGD 108
HighSGD 178
LowSGD 71
SGD 191SGD 147SGD 102SGD 58Price (SGD)Observed dateAug 4Jun 8Sep 13Aug 4 - SGD 71 - Whisky Auctioneer - Aug 4, 2025Oct 6 - SGD 72 - Whisky Auctioneer - Oct 6, 2025Apr 12 - SGD 128 - Scotch Whisky Auctions - Apr 12, 2026Jun 8 - SGD 178 - Whisky Auctioneer - Jun 8, 2026Sep 7 - SGD 128 - Whisky Auctioneer - Sep 7, 2026Sep 13 - SGD 108 - Scotch Whisky Auctions - Sep 13, 2026

Recently Sold

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

Scotch Whisky AuctionsAuction Sold Price - Sep 13, 2026SGD 108.33
Whisky AuctioneerAuction Sold Price - Sep 7, 2026SGD 128.06
Whisky AuctioneerAuction Sold Price - Jun 8, 2026SGD 178.03
Cask type
Second Fill Bourbon Cask
Bottling
Official Bottling
Peated
Unpeated
Single cask
No
Non-chill filtered
Yes
Cask origin
N.A
Cask no.
N.A
Batch
1st Release
PPM
N.A
Barley
Scotland
Fermentation
50-52 hours
Master distiller (bottling)
John MacDonald
Master distiller (distillation)
John MacDonald
Limited edition
Yes
Bottle count
N.A
Has box
Yes
Closure
Driven Cork
Presentation
Box
Series highlights
Vintage, 1st Release
Historical context
N.A
Special release
UK Market
Allocation
UK Market
Nose
Floral and fragrant, with notes of citrus fruits (lemon, orange), apricots, honey, vanilla, and pear drops. [2, 3, 6, 10, 14]
Palate
Full-bodied with oranges, lemon, honey, spice, peppery notes, fresh mint, and oak. Creamy and smooth. [2, 3, 6, 10, 11, 14]
Finish
Long-lasting, sweet yet spicy, with hints of ginger, pepper, and oranges. [2, 3, 6, 11, 14]
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