Balblair

Balblair Distillery is situated at the idyllic coast of the Dornoch Firth. It’s here that Balblair is producing award-winning Highland Single Malt Scotch whisky, since they rolled out their first barrels in 1790.

 

The history of Balblair Distillery

Balblair Distillery is established in 1790 by local man, John Ross, although the first known records date from 1749. John Ross is joined in 1824 by his son, Andrew, and thereafter the sons and grandsons of John Ross operated the Balblair farm and distillery until the last years of the 19th century.
The Highland Railway Company build the Inverness to Ardgay line which opens on 1st June 1862.
In 1894 James Ross gives up the tenancy of Balblair which is transferred to Alexander Cowan, an Inverness wine merchant. Cowan brings Balblair into the 20th Century by building the present offices, still house, mash house, kiln and barns. By now the railway had come to Balblair bringing coal for the still and boiler and barley for the malting. To take advantage of the railway line the Distillery is moved half a mile north to its current location in 1895.
Tough economic times led to the distillery ceasing production. In 1911 it was mothballed. The last drop of whisky leaves the warehouses in 1932. It is probably just as well that the Distillery was dry, as the next occupants were the army, who commandeered the buildings at the outbreak of the Second World War until 1945.

Robert James “Bertie” Cumming, a solicitor from Banff, purchases the distillery for £48,000 in 1948. In 1949 production resumes for the first time since before the First World War. The Edderton Railway Station closes in 1960.
In 1964 Balblair Distillery expands with extra warehouses and the first steam boiler. In 1970 Cummings sells Balblair Distillery to Hiram Walker, the company that later becomes Allied Distillers. Extensive development happens throughout the 1980's. A new roof is put on the mash house where two new steel grist bins are installed.
In 1996 Balblair Distillery is purchased by Inver House Distillers and so begins the newest chapter in the history of this timeless distillery. In 2007 the bold move is taken to only release Balblair as a Vintage Whisky. Every bottle of Balblair captures the essence of its Vintage year, the year in which it was distilled and laid down in casks.
Since then every Balblair cask is sampled, judged and hand-selected by Distillery Manager John MacDonald, to find its optimum maturation point, the point at which each Vintage says its ready. The first Vintages released are 1997, 1989 and 1979.

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