Thank you.
I didn't try the 25yo but tried the 12 (not good), 15 (nice), 18 (very smooth) and the Hand bottled (beautiful). I couldn't justify buying a 25 at £500 a bottle when the festival release is 22yo and £205.
I visited the distillery with the distinct purpose of trying to aquire a 90 1st release. This is my all time favourite whisky. I've had two, but cannot get another. Balblair don't have any for sale either as they have now (since March) stop doing dated specials and will stick with the always on sale 12, 15, 18 and 25 and a couple of specials, which I bought that are only available from the distillery shop.
Fun fact#1 - Balblairs capacity is 1.5m litres per annum (1.8m max). They only use 10% and sell the other 90% of the distilled wash to other brands, notably Chivas
Fun fact#2 - Monkey Shoulder's name comes from the process of turning the malt every hour for 48 hours straight. The turners arm would flop down after doing so and resemble a monkey's swinging arm.