Provenance – Balblair 8 Year Old, 70cl
Brand: Douglas Laing | Category: Highland Single Malt Scotch | ABV: 46% | Origin: Highlands, Scotland | Vol: 70cl
Cask Type: Single Cask (typically refill hogshead) | Age Statement: 8 Years | Edition: Provenance Series

Intro/Heritage:
From the windswept northern Highlands, this single cask expression from Balblair distillery captures youthful vibrance with unexpected depth. Bottled by Douglas Laing under the Provenance label, it’s an 8-year-old Highland malt that surprises, bright, citrusy, and layered with texture, all presented without chill filtration or added color.

Tasting Profile:
Nose: Fresh and zesty. Lemon peel, white grapes, malt biscuits, and soft heather drift over a light mineral backbone.
Palate: Crisp and malty. Orchard fruits, shortbread, vanilla bean, and a touch of green spice glide across a light-bodied yet energetic palate.
Finish: Clean and refreshing. A gentle fade of citrus, honeyed grain, and Highland breeze lingers just long enough to call you back.

Production Details:
Aged for 8 years in a single refill hogshead and bottled at 46% ABV with no chill filtration or coloring. This release is part of the Provenance series, Douglas Laing’s collection of cask-forward, regionally expressive single malts showcasing distillery character in its most natural form.

Perfect For:
Exploring the lighter side of Highland whisky. Ideal as a pre-dinner dram, an introduction to single casks, or for those who appreciate clarity over cask-heavy influence.

Expert Notes:
Though young in age, this Balblair proves that youth doesn’t mean lack of complexity. Its vibrant fruit, cereal warmth, and clean finish reveal a distillate with structure and Highland grace, a brilliant display of cask transparency.

Customer Reviews:
🗨️ “Bright and easygoing — like a summer day in the Highlands.”
🗨️ “A whisky that shows off distillery character more than cask. Subtle, fresh, and delicious.”
🗨️ “Don’t let the age fool you. It’s clean, crisp, and perfectly balanced.”

Interesting Fact:
Balblair is one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries, founded in 1790. While their official releases focus on vintages and long aging, this Provenance bottling offers a rare glimpse of the spirit in its youth, energetic, honest, and full of promise.

Serving Suggestions:
Sip neat or with a small splash of water to brighten the fruit notes. A natural fit with light cheeses, lemon tarts, or salted almonds. A chilled highball is also a refreshing way to enjoy its clean profile.

Distillery Background:
Located near the Dornoch Firth, Balblair is known for producing fruity, complex single malts with a gentle Highland style. While their own releases focus on maturity, this 8-year-old indie bottling reveals the charm of the spirit at an earlier and more vibrant stage.