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Balblair

Distillery
Edderton, Tain, Ross-Shire, Scotland

Whiskies (842)

842 Balblair whiskies are currently listed on Whiskybase.

Highest rated whiskies

About Balblair

Balblair Distillery, founded in 1790 near the village of Edderton in the Northern Highlands, is one of Scotland’s oldest active distilleries. Overlooking the Dornoch Firth, it draws water from the Allt Dearg burn, contributing a subtle mineral and earthy character to its spirit. While its production paused during much of the 20th century, it was revived in 1949 and later acquired by Inver House Distillers in 1996.

Timeline

Andrew Ross
After the death of John Ross his son Andrew took over the distillery.

1836

James Ross
Andrew Ross has died and his son James took over the distillery.

1873

Because of economic problems the distillery is mothballed.

1911

Occupation by the army during the Second World War.

1939

Production resumes

1949

A third still is installed.

1970

Vintage Releases
It is decided to bring only vintage releases to the market in 2007

2007

Distillery expansion
New warehouse are build and the stills are now steam heated.

2017

Railway opened
The Highland Railway Company build the Inverness to Ardgay line.

1862

Alexander Cowan

1894

The last drop of whisky leaves the warehouses

1932

Robert James Cumming

1948

The local railway station closes

1960

Inver House Distillers

1996

Hiram Walker
New own is Hiram Walker, which became Allied Distillers later on.

2017

New core range
Vintage bottlings indicating the year of distillation are being replaced with four core age expressions - 12, 15, 18 & 25 years old.

2019

Timeline

1836

Andrew Ross
After the death of John Ross his son Andrew took over the distillery.

1862

Railway opened
The Highland Railway Company build the Inverness to Ardgay line.

1873

James Ross
Andrew Ross has died and his son James took over the distillery.

1894

Alexander Cowan

1911

Because of economic problems the distillery is mothballed.

1932

The last drop of whisky leaves the warehouses

1939

Occupation by the army during the Second World War.

1948

Robert James Cumming

1949

Production resumes

1960

The local railway station closes

1970

A third still is installed.

1996

Inver House Distillers

2007

Vintage Releases
It is decided to bring only vintage releases to the market in 2007

2017

Hiram Walker
New own is Hiram Walker, which became Allied Distillers later on.

2017

Distillery expansion
New warehouse are build and the stills are now steam heated.

2019

New core range
Vintage bottlings indicating the year of distillation are being replaced with four core age expressions - 12, 15, 18 & 25 years old.

Distillery Details

Capacity ~1.6 MLPA
Water Source Allt Dearg Burn
Grain Type Unpeated barley
Distillation Type Pot still
Whisky Produced Single malt
Malt Mill Porteus
Number of Mash Tuns 1
Mash Tun Capacity ~4.4t
Mash Tun Material Stainless steel
Mash Tun Type Semi-lauter
Number of Washbacks 6
Washback Capacity ~215,000L/each
Washback Material Wood(Douglas-fir, Pine Oregon)
Washbacks (Open/ Closed) Closed
Yeast Type Mauri MX liquid yeast
Fermentation Time 48-62h
Wash Stills 1
Wash Still Material Copper
Wash Still Shape Classic/stumpy pot still (flat shape)
Wash Still Capacity ~19,000L
Wash Still Heating Steam heating
Spirit Stills 1
Spirit Stills Material Copper
Spirit Stills Shape Classic
Spirit Still Type Pot still second distillation
Spirit Still Capacity ~11,500L
Spirit Still Heating Steam heating
Condensor Type Shell & tube
Maturation on Site? Yes
Cooperage on Site? Yes
Warehouse Type Dunnage
Warehouses 8
New Make Strength ~68% ABV
Cask filling strength ~68% ABV

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KVK: 60207205
VAT: NL853809112B01