Balblair Connoisseurs Choice - Cask Strength 1997 26 Years Single Malt Whisky

anCnoc and Balblair are two renowned single malt brands under Inver House Distillers, which launched entirely new series in 2003 and 2007 respectively, featuring new bottle packaging and label designs. anCnoc's sales subsequently increased dramatically, and the brand introduced a peated series. Balblair Distillery has experienced only modest sales growth over the past decade. The company had been promoting this series as vintage-dated rather than age-statement whiskies. This change, however, did not drive sales growth, as consumers are not accustomed to whiskies identified by vintage year. Only Glenrothes Distillery employed a similar strategy, and last year they abandoned vintage-dated sales, reverting to age-statement whiskies. Consequently, in April 2019, Balblair Distillery also launched a completely new series of age-statement expressions. Balblair's whisky style remains unchanged, and the company hopes their new products will be embraced by more consumers. In 2012, Balblair Distillery opened an exceptionally refined visitor center; although small in size, it still receives approximately 4,000 visitors annually. Balblair Distillery is equipped with one 4.4-ton stainless steel semi-lauter mash tun, six Oregon pine washbacks, and two stills. Starting last year, the distillery increased operations from five to seven days per week, significantly boosting production capacity. With 21 mashes per week, the annual target production is 1.53 million liters. In 2019, fermentation time was standardized to 66 hours. The distillery also has eight traditional dunnage warehouses with a total capacity of 22,500 casks. In 2015, the distillery began using gas instead of heavy oil as fuel, substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Balblair's core age-statement range includes: Balblair 12 Year Old, 15 Year Old, 18 Year Old, and 25 Year Old. Balblair 12 Year Old is matured in twice-charred American oak bourbon barrels. Balblair 15 Year Old and 18 Year Old are matured in bourbon barrels, then finished in Spanish oak sherry casks. Balblair 25 Year Old is matured in bourbon barrels, then finished in Oloroso sherry casks.