Balblair Distillery, Edderton: Whisky by Vintage

Overview

Balblair, at Edderton near Tain, is one of the oldest working distilleries in the Highlands, in a district so studded with prehistoric standing stones it is called “the parish of the peats”. Its elegant, rounded malt is unusual in being released mostly by vintage — by year of distillation rather than age statement.

The history

Balblair was established in 1790 by John Ross, and the Ross family ran it for over a century, until 1894, when it was rebuilt on its present site nearby. It has worked quietly ever since, latterly under Inver House, and made its name in the 21st century with its distinctive vintage-dated releases — and a memorable star turn as the fictional “Ledaig” distillery in the film The Angels’ Share.

The water & the land

Balblair’s water is the Allt Dearg burn, rising in the Struie Hills above Edderton — soft, untreated water fed in via an open ditch, which the distillery deliberately kept over a nearer supply when it was rebuilt.

Balblair carries a genuine family link: its founding family, the Rosses, held it for its first century, and it stands at Edderton in Easter Ross, the historic country of Clan Ross. The surrounding parish, rich in standing stones and the great Pictish cross-slab at nearby Edderton, gives the old distillery deep roots in its ground.

Visiting

Balblair has a visitor centre and offers two levels of tour, which can be booked online. It generally opens Monday to Saturday 10–5 from April to September, and Monday to Friday 10–4 in winter; check the website. It pairs naturally with nearby Glenmorangie for a day around Tain.

Nearby & more whisky

• Its near neighbour at Tain: Glenmorangie
• Also in Easter Ross: Dalmore
• The whole picture: Scotch whisky — regions, distilleries & the oldest of all

Sources

• Balblair distillery — Wikipedia.
• Balblair / Inver House; Whiskipedia.