Balblair - attention to detail.

Balblair has, as might have noticed, should you have visited a whisky-selling shop the past year or so, had a total make-over on their design and product-range.
With the focus being moved to vintages, they now release various years production - and after a visit to Copenhagen, I picked up a 12yo expression bottled in 2009.
Yes friends, that makes the vintage 1997.
Not having had that much experience of the Balblair previously, apart from the occasional independent bottling, and mostly older ages, I wasn't quite sure what to expect.
The new packaging looks good, and I quite like the square box, I must admit. The accompanying letter with the "ye olde attention to tradition and detail" bull went straight to the waste-bin, but after pooring myself an initial dram, I stand corrected.
This is one great malt.
10-12yo is the age most (read: almost all) distilleries bottle their standard single malt at, and it is with that in mind I compare the whisky.
The nose is intriguing: a whiff of peat followed by exotic fruits. A nuttiness with malty overtones followed by sweeter vanillas and a hint of toffee. Very very pleasing.
On the palate, the fruitiness takes over, reminding almost of a young Glenugie. The exotic fruits are there, as well as the bourbon-wood influences and the peat rears it's smoky head slightly.
A nice, warming aftertaste that stays on longer than your average malt makes this well worth looking at as your everyday whisky.
It's not too expensive, and kicks serious butt with most other 12yo malts. What's not to like? me thinks.