Balblair 1969 releases to 'focus' markets

14 November, 2012

International Beverage Holdings unveiled Balblair 1969 Vintage in London yesterday, one of the oldest vintages ever released by the Highland distillery.

News that the distillery was planning the bottling was first reported on Drinksint.com in July.

First available in the US for $3,500, the vintage expression will be rolled out the brand’s other “focus markets”: the UK, France, Russia and countries in south east Asia.

The 1969 Vintage numbers just 999 bottles and, as is the house style, is un-chill-filtered and naturally coloured.

Bottled at its natural strength of 41.4%, the whisky has matured for the 43 years in American oak, ex-bourbon remade hogshead casks.

International Beverage Holdings said that in 1969, spirit at the distillery was made from coal-fired stills and barley was malted on site.

Distillery manager John MacDonald said: “This extraordinary, venerable vintage has spent several decades slowly maturing – it has taken enormous discipline to wait this long to bottle it.

“I’m confident whisky enthusiasts around the world will agree when I say it has been worth the wait.”





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