Balblair 12 Year Old Scotch Whisky
Balblair 12 Year Old Scotch Whisky is a 46% ABV (92 proof) Highland single malt matured 12 years in American oak ex-bourbon and double-fired American oak casks, bottled at natural colour without chill filtration in this 750mL bottle. The entry point of the age-statement range Balblair launched in 2019, it leads with the distillery's bright side: elegant lemon peel and crisp green apples on the nose, ground spices and dried orange wrapped in set honey sweetness on the palate, and a creamy, leathery vanilla finish. Order it online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 46% (92 proof) — natural colour, non-chill filtered
- Size: 750mL
- Age: 12 years — ex-bourbon + double-fired American oak casks
- Distillery: Balblair, Edderton, Ross-shire — founded 1790, Inver House Distillers
- Style: Highland single malt, bright and citrus-forward
The Bright Door Into Balblair
No sherry casks here — the 12 shows what Balblair does with American oak alone: double-fired barrels (heavily charred, in plain terms) building vanilla and spice around the malt's natural citrus and honey. It's the clearest window into the distillery's house character, and at 46% it drinks with more weight than most entry-level malts. Start with the Scotch whisky shelf, browse all whisky, or compare the Balblair range side by side.
Tasting Notes
Elegant and bright: lemon peel, creamy vanilla, crisp green apple on the nose; ground spices and dried orange slices folded into intense honey sweetness on the palate. The finish is creamy and leathery with lingering sweet vanilla.
How to Enjoy
Neat first — the 46% carries it. A drop of water releases the orchard-fruit side. It's also a fine highball whisky: soda and lemon over a tall pour lets the citrus character run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Balblair 12 sherry cask finished?
No — unlike the 15 and 18, the 12 is matured only in American oak (ex-bourbon and double-fired casks), which is why it drinks brighter and more citrus-forward.
What does "double-fired" mean?
It refers to heavily charred American oak casks — the deeper char adds vanilla, spice, and structure to the whisky.
Is Balblair 12 chill filtered?
No — bottled at natural colour, non-chill filtered, 46% ABV like the rest of the range.
For the brightest expression of the Edderton distillery, order Balblair 12 Year Old Scotch Whisky online from Del Mesa Liquor — 750mL, ready for pickup or delivery in San Diego, CA.