Been watching you for quite a few years now Ralfy, all I can say is please don’t change the way you do things,with bloopers as well its perfect, love the Xtra info’s as well. Maybe a video of whiskies that didn’t quite make it would be interesting.
Ralfy you are the standard by which all reviewers of Spirits should strive to be and certainly of envy. Woe to them that attempt the malty majesty. Thanks for what you do. So educational and appreciated.
What a marvellous drop. I am raising a glass of Craggenmore 12yo in your direction! From the warming summer of Australia (Tasmania in particular) to the chilly northern areas, have a great Christmas.
00:42 truer words have not been spoken =D although saying that, my wife found out I have a whiskybase account where I keep a wishlist and she was kind enough to track down one of the bottles I had on there last year. Bless her, it was a very nice surprise.
Another great experience. Keep it old school Ralfy. Keeping it slow gives us time to savor it. Going to fast risks getting there to soon. It like the difference between driving on the highway in a car, vs riding the back roads on a bike.
Came across Ralfy a month ago and watched about 30 blogs since. Also seen a couple of other whiskey bloggers. They got nothing on Ralfy for warmth, wit and presentation. Also, great values, skills and knowledge that I have learnt from. Developing into a lovely interesting hobby with plenty of opportunity for growth
I have to say the Bunnahabhain 12 year old is my whisky of choice for the christmas period. Reasonably priced and a wonderful presentation for a 12 year old whisky.
Cheers Ralfy. Your reviews over the past couple of years have really got me thinking differently about how I approach choosing my whisky and whatva revelation its been. All the best for Christmas
Great vlog Ralfy . I agree a whisky needs to breathe to really reveal itself. As you recommend minutes in the glass I’d add days open. A 21 year needs to be open and breathing for 21 days before it really reveals itself. The best advice I received from you was to open more bottles as opposed to having fewer open and not giving them time to reveal their character. Slainte!
Amazing surprise : a friend of mine brought from Holland a bottle of Gold Islay 10 Year Old, distilled by the Ian Macleod Distillers. Bottled at 40% ABV only but you can feel it as a 43% or even a higher ABV. Amazing cheap price of Euro 24.50 (70cl bottle). Delicious, rounded, balanced, powerful, clean. Salty oysters, citrus, bacon, used band-aid, everything we like to find in Islay whisky is present in this single malt... much better than other Islay whisky selling for 2, 3 or 4 times the price. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year with Peace and Health dear Master Ralfy; Patrick, from Rio - Brazil
the strongest out of those is defiantly bladnoch 10. 2nd is the glen turret as its rebrand is good. i was at bladnoch the week before lock down and its the only distillery i got to visit this year and ive been to 65
I get a bit frustrated when I see people say on social media how they don't like a whiskey they just bought and they practically took one sip. Ya gotta give it a chance. A "neat" experience I just had, I poured something I haven't had in several months, maybe even a year. It was so much better than i remembered. Shockingly had different flavor sensations than I remember.
Another exceptional video, I'm still a malt mate beginner, only 6 months in but have already purchased and tried a few of the reviewed malts. And my enjoyment is largely buoyed by ralfys guidance. Also just ordered an edradour 10yr signatory to test the taste buds. Keep it up Ralfy!
Hi Ralfy! Don't worry about the quality of the content, it's exactly how we like it! Look forward to seeing the review of the Arran 21, I've got the 10 myself and that has developed nicely as its been open over the several months👍 cheers mate, take care.
Ardbeg is a bargain at £37 atm in a certain British supermarket - unbelievable really for the quality. and Ralfy, your suggestion of mixing it with with the Queen Margot 3 year old from Lidl is an absolute winner!
You’re brilliant! I love your suggestion of having viewers comment on price hikes!!! This could create a great impact... Though I’m sure you will have additional trolls hating on you because of the army you have created. Take care Ralfy... I’m sure most will respect whatever decision you make.
It won't have an impact. Only two scenarios with increased demand: higher price or none for you. Free market forces cannot be stopped, they weren't even stopped in USSR or in prison. Anti-price gouging laws and efforts result in shortages. Price itself is the best rationing force. I say that even though I can't afford some whiskies.
I've had two Arran's. the port finish and The Bothy quarter cask. Both are excellent. I love what Arran is doing right now wish i could get more in Ontario Canada 🇨🇦🇨🇦. One of my favorite reviewers is Foodquig he always gives 1st impressions with a sealed bottle and will come back with a another review several months after opening with certain bottles. Cheers Ralfy
Your 'Old School' technique comes over the ether perfectly well Ralfy; we'll always be watching for a notification when the hamster wheels at Manx Telecom chug the next video out to us.
sorry to be so offtopic but does someone know of a trick to log back into an instagram account?? I stupidly lost the password. I appreciate any assistance you can offer me
@Hudson Marcus thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm in the hacking process now. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.
My whisky journey this year resulted from the Covid shut down. Couldn't go anywhere, couldn't spend any money, so ordered whisky online for delivery. Of the seven whiskies I tried, the two that I will order again (or already have) are Bladnoch 10 and Ardbeg 10. They are very different styles, perhaps I could justify something in between, a sherry bomb? I await the WOTY with interest.
Opened one of the old bottles of pulteney 12 i have stored away yesterday, first taste it was very subtle and odd tasting, after leaving it in the glass for 2 hours it started to come alive, first time i've felt such a big improvement from leaving a whisky to oxidize for a while.
Ralfy what you said about leaving a whisky to sit is so true, I purchased a bottle of Dalmore (not my usual choice as I love peated) and upon the initial tasting was NOT impressed, I corked it up and put it into the collection and ignored it for 6 months, I remembered it one day and dug it out and had a dram and was blown away at the improvement, and as the bottle went down it kept getting better to a point. I learned after that to let whisky rest if its not good initially. Look forward to your choice for "whisky of the year".
Of the candidates you named have only had the Hazelburn 10. It's a fine dram and often overlooked by Springbank fans but to me it is a important choice for those people. Being able to taste the Springbank spirit unpeated and aged in Bourbon casks presented simply but in a quality way gives perspective of the base flavor profile that Springbank is building upon in their other products. Cheers Ralfy
Couple hours before this video I ordered a Kilkerran 12! Can’t wait to taste it! Also my vote would go to Hazelburn, but nowdays I can’t find it anymore :(
I have bottles of Bladnoch 10, 17, and Samsara. The 17 is absolutely phenomenal. WAY better than the 15, which I thought wasn't great. 10 is great too. Samsara is middle-of-the-road.
I learned this here and do it very often: when not finishing my night drum, cover the glass and leave it for the next day's lunch desert.. And many great whiskys do improve above expectation.
Thanks for the input on the experts who manage the casks to create the whiskies we love and we don’t give so much thought on how much work and experience goes into the management of maturation and right choice of casks. It must must be taking decades to learn this job and I am sure not all who take up this job reach up to that mark ? From your talks in reviews one knows that you have lot of friends in this job. Request you to do a interview with one of them in your extras so we get more knowledge !! I am your patron subscriber but commenting here !! Cheers !!
I'm perfectly fine with having no age statements at all. 3 of my most-beloved whiskies do not have an age statement: Uigeadail, Machir Bay & A'Bunadh. And since all 3 of them are pretty successful, I guess it's not that much of an issue anymore anyway.
@@tobi8676 There is a place and a time for NAS, but age statements are extremely important, if you're spending $200 on a 20 year old single malt like that Arran 21, that age statement is a contract that there's no shenanigans going on and you are actually getting what you paid for. Additionally, age statements are information that help malt mates make informed decisions. Not everyone enjoys NAS random blends. Wee Beastie is wildly successful with a 5 year age statement. It is still important. It tells you what to expect.
I have looked around but have yet to see a bottle of the sherried 8 year old Kilkerran. Very disappointed. I'm in the Chicago western suburbs if anyone knows a place that has some.
@@SuperAWaC I would rather spend 100 bucks on an A'Bunadh without an age statement than 300 bucks on a 18 years old Macallan Double Cask with ridiculous 43% and chill-filtration. What kind of "contract" is the age statement anyway, since the maturation could have taken place in overused casks. A'Bunadh is matured in first fill casks, is natural coloured, non chill-filtered and bottled at cask strength. _This_ sounds like a contract to customers. Much more than some age statements who don't say _anything_ about the quality at all.
I tasted a sample of Arran 21 just a few days ago and it was amazing. It easily surpassed the Glenfarclas 25 that I tried just before. Really looking forward to your full review.
I bought a bottle after his review. It was so good I went back to the shop and bought a second. Honestly might be the best dram I've ever had, and over some far older whiskys I've tried.
I was given a special edition Arran 21 bottle for the Ontario market through the LCBO. It says it's entirely aged in Sherry Hogshead and 50.9%abv. Distilled 02/03/1998 and bottled 09/05/2019. There were only 280 bottles produced. It's the 'best' bottle of Scotch I own.
Ralfy my friend, I don't get to watch very often as my neuropathy (idiopathic/non-diabetic/don't know WTF caused it) keeps me limited in my whisky tasting - BUT I LOVE to watch you!!! I will continue as I can. Peace out brother!! Harold in o-HI-o, US. Just another malty melodical mixed up musical messenger. ;{)
I wanted a Christmas malt this year, so I bought the Highland Park 16 selected single cask, cask strength, an extravagance I never tried before, but I did it in spite of the fact that I don't have a good history with cask strength. I seem to have difficulties in diluting them the right way.
I Hope you take bladnoch because the quallaty is high and I think lowland whisky is so overlooked and just as good and somtimes better then the exspensive high land whiskys
I just started a whisky channel as a second channel. For reviews, what Ive decided to do is mirror what I do on my main channel: do a first-impressions review when I first get the item (on my main channel) or open the bottle (on Dribs & drams), then revisit it a month or so later to see if my first impressions held up/how the whisky has developed/so on. I've shot a few reviews so far but only my first review is up, so I don't know if I'll be doing it that way long-term. I'm going to see the first year as an experiment, I guess.
I was surprised not to see Arran 10 on the list 🤔 aside from the completely reasonable price and classy bottling/packaging, the whisky is a work of art.
Absolutely. I'm slowly working my way through the various expressions, and so far ive had 10yo, bodega cask, and am currently on the amarone, all are great and at a fair price, there's lots of flavours to explore in the glass, love them
Bought the Arran 18yo two weeks ago... couldn't fathom the flavours and notes- but it's pretty much gone so enjoyed it... have just ordered the nas sherry cask c55% - looking forward
On the subject of slowing down, I feel that the language of 'delivery, development and finish' could be applied over a longer period of time as a good whisky can provide a story (beginning, middle, end). The spirit of a short but intense poem might be a better literary analogy since the first reading of a poem can leave a reader gasping and then returning to the same text later to appreciate/understand it on another level. I've certainly enjoyed returning to Aultmore 12 recently (a good example in my view).
Hi Ralfy, I have never learnt so much and enjoyed listening to you these past few years. Still enjoying your whiskeys but can’t taste or smell what you do but certainly enjoy the drink. A thought came to me while you were talking about your nomination for 2021. I think it would be great idea for you to gather a group of your favourite whiskeys and ask the distillers to promote their whisky by helping you compile a Ralfy miniatures collection for the new year. I would certainly buy it to promote both you and your recommendations. All the best for Christmas and look forward to your next show. Roy
I do follow a number of whisky reviewers. But my new-buy decisions are all made here with Ralfy. Happy Holidays to you and yours mate. Apologies for the multiple comments but unlike Bill Clinton I inhaled.
we are willing to change our bad habits, but Ralfy, can you talk more about how the practice of "leave the whisky in the glass overnight" teaches us anything? Precisely, in what ways it reflects the quality of the cask or the maturation condition to us in the overnight practice? Perhaps, good cask leads to heavier and fresher aroma in the overnight empty glass? I found decent whiskies like Springbank 10 and Glen Scotia 14 Tawny Port finish leave great floral and fruity aroma in the glass overnight. Best wishes to all of you maltmates around the world in such a tough year.
Ardbeg 10 is the only one of the contenders widely available where I am at the moment. It’s still a damn good dram for its age and the price, maybe selecting it again as the malt of the year is reasonable. Yet I totally get the idea of diversification and it’s perfectly fine by me. P.S. I am 100% certain that most of the malt mates would appreciate an extras with a list of whiskies you’ve tried in 2020 which turned out not good enough for a review! That’s a useful information!
I just received the presents I ordered for myself today: A bottle of A'Bunadh (a long-time favorite of mine) and a bottle of Arran's "the Bodega". Oh my, "The Bodega" could become my new muse... oh, it's so good! But when I realized you have no review about it online, my first thought was: "Oh! Ralfy doesn't make reviews about whiskies he really doesn't like... I hope it's not one of them..."
@@zamarcha I'm surprised, since he did reviews of whiskies like Corryvreckan, Uigeadail, A'Bunadh, Machir Bay and others... I actually didn't knew about his "ban" of NAS-whiskies - but he talks about it in his NAS-special... I guess I'm pretty different when it comes to this. I take the brand as a guarantee. If a distillery or an independent bottler fails to deliver a good quality whisky, it's canceled from my list - no matter if there is an age-statement on it or not. If a distillery puts out bad whiskies under their name, I don't care about them anymore. On the other hand: I don't hesitate to buy a NAS-bottling from a distillery I trust. And with "the Bodega", Arran just got really high on my list of trusted distilleries.
Three Ships; no not widely available or affordable. Ardbeg 10 and Hazelburn 10 both worthy but I doubt it. Glenturret maybe but again availability is a challenge whilst retail price reasonable. Bladnoch 10 gets my vote. Outstanding quality. Available. Can be had for $80 and that’s a deal. Get it while you can lads.
Hello Ralfy!! I wanted to buy me a Glendronach 18 years bottled in 2015 or 2017, but when i went to my site tonight, they all where sold out. It seems like Glendronach is becoming a collectors whisky for the people with money to invest. I just wanted to buy one for 75 Euro to have something nice to toast to at 2021. If it is stil sold out tomorrow, i am going for the Glen Garioch 15 years sherry cask. Can't say nothing about your whisky of the year now, because i just start watching, and i am not gonna stroll the comments. Keep it up in 2021!!!
The big online liquor stores in holland have it for 99 euro's, with a max of one bottle per order(drankdozijn) and 115 euro's without a max(drankgigant).
As a scotch fan in USA Hope tariff drops on single malt. My vote for best sherry malt would be aberlour or bunnahaben. Maybe multiple drama of year by region
For me the disappointment after spending money for me happens even while getting chill-filtered, technically high quality (but also high price) whiskies like glenmorangie 18. Rarely happens when getting cask strength or 46% whiskies even for NAS.
Ralfy, it's not negativity when you are warning us of how to not waste our money! Give us the list and allow us to reference with the whiskies that you deemed as below the market standards for their prices. For example, when it comes to a port wood maturation, if Tomatin is the above average bottling for this year, what falls below it and is charging us beyond it? This would be a great reference for us as I doubt any of us have as much, drink as much and know as much as you. Thanks in advance!
Kilkerran prices have been raised on everything here in U.S. and so has Springbank products because they are high demand. I would pick the Hazelburn 10 on your list for #1 but it's under 35 pounds in UK and $70-ish or more in U.S. yeah it's gotten ridiculous here with high demand whisky and the price gouging. It's not the tariffs or tax because other stuff is still priced the same. The same stuff going on with bourbons and it's worse
This might not be a whisky of the year, but Caol Ila' 12 appears to have maintained consistency similar to Ardbeg 10 throughout the years, albeit without being bottled at 46% and non chill filtered etc
December 19, 2020 - I AGREE 1000% about not reviewing a whisky until you have have spent time with it and AT LEAST gotten the bottle below the top of the label (1/3 to 1/2 way down). Far too many Whisky Tubers are giving Scotch whiskies what I call a "Wham, Bam, Thank You For the Dram" review from a neck pour. While they may have an entertaining channel and be very nice people, I don't value their review at all. In fact, I often think they really don't know what the hell they are talking about. I know that can sound arrogant but experience has taught me that reviewing a whisky requires PATIENCE, a lot of thought and meditation.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on any whisky. Good or bad. Age statement or no. Chill filtered or no. Coloured or no. Evil happens when good men do nothing 😉👍
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
Been watching you for quite a few years now Ralfy, all I can say is please don’t change the way you do things,with bloopers as well its perfect, love the Xtra info’s as well. Maybe a video of whiskies that didn’t quite make it would be interesting.
Ralfy you are the standard by which all reviewers of Spirits should strive to be and certainly of envy. Woe to them that attempt the malty majesty. Thanks for what you do. So educational and appreciated.
What a marvellous drop. I am raising a glass of Craggenmore 12yo in your direction! From the warming summer of Australia (Tasmania in particular) to the chilly northern areas, have a great Christmas.
I was on the island of Arran June 2019 with a group from Canada. Lovely island, lovely folk and of course lovely whisky.
Your content and quality of vlog is spot on! It it pure, precise, provenance laden and authentic. Please don't change a thing, Ralfy!
00:42 truer words have not been spoken =D although saying that, my wife found out I have a whiskybase account where I keep a wishlist and she was kind enough to track down one of the bottles I had on there last year. Bless her, it was a very nice surprise.
Who hasn't woken up at 4am on the sofa with half a whiskey just in time for the deterioration, and exactly on time for the experience.
Been with you since episode 2 (Talisker), looking forward to many more years of virtual friendship
Another great experience. Keep it old school Ralfy. Keeping it slow gives us time to savor it. Going to fast risks getting there to soon. It like the difference between driving on the highway in a car, vs riding the back roads on a bike.
Came across Ralfy a month ago and watched about 30 blogs since.
Also seen a couple of other whiskey bloggers. They got nothing on Ralfy for warmth, wit and presentation.
Also, great values, skills and knowledge that I have learnt from.
Developing into a lovely interesting hobby with plenty of opportunity for growth
. . . aw, thanks !
I have to say the Bunnahabhain 12 year old is my whisky of choice for the christmas period. Reasonably priced and a wonderful presentation for a 12 year old whisky.
Cheers Ralfy. Your reviews over the past couple of years have really got me thinking differently about how I approach choosing my whisky and whatva revelation its been. All the best for Christmas
It’s not the quality of the video that counts but the quality of content which is excellent as always!
Interesting point about how refill casks can play a much bigger role in older whiskies. Always learning new things. Thanks Ralfy.
Great vlog Ralfy . I agree a whisky needs to breathe to really reveal itself. As you recommend minutes in the glass I’d add days open. A 21 year needs to be open and breathing for 21 days before it really reveals itself. The best advice I received from you was to open more bottles as opposed to having fewer open and not giving them time to reveal their character. Slainte!
Amazing surprise : a friend of mine brought from Holland a bottle of Gold Islay 10 Year Old, distilled by the Ian Macleod Distillers. Bottled at 40% ABV only but you can feel it as a 43% or even a higher ABV. Amazing cheap price of Euro 24.50 (70cl bottle). Delicious, rounded, balanced, powerful, clean. Salty oysters, citrus, bacon, used band-aid, everything we like to find in Islay whisky is present in this single malt... much better than other Islay whisky selling for 2, 3 or 4 times the price. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year with Peace and Health dear Master Ralfy; Patrick, from Rio - Brazil
Interesting : the name of the Distillery is not mentioned......
the strongest out of those is defiantly bladnoch 10. 2nd is the glen turret as its rebrand is good. i was at bladnoch the week before lock down and its the only distillery i got to visit this year and ive been to 65
I get a bit frustrated when I see people say on social media how they don't like a whiskey they just bought and they practically took one sip. Ya gotta give it a chance.
A "neat" experience I just had, I poured something I haven't had in several months, maybe even a year. It was so much better than i remembered. Shockingly had different flavor sensations than I remember.
Another exceptional video, I'm still a malt mate beginner, only 6 months in but have already purchased and tried a few of the reviewed malts. And my enjoyment is largely buoyed by ralfys guidance. Also just ordered an edradour 10yr signatory to test the taste buds. Keep it up Ralfy!
. . . will do !
Don't worry about the clarity of your videos Ralfy, we come for the wisdom of your words...
Great videos this year, something to look forward to in this rather boring year. Best thing on RUclips 👍
Hi Ralfy! Don't worry about the quality of the content, it's exactly how we like it! Look forward to seeing the review of the Arran 21, I've got the 10 myself and that has developed nicely as its been open over the several months👍 cheers mate, take care.
Ardbeg is a bargain at £37 atm in a certain British supermarket - unbelievable really for the quality. and Ralfy, your suggestion of mixing it with with the Queen Margot 3 year old from Lidl is an absolute winner!
You’re brilliant!
I love your suggestion of having viewers comment on price hikes!!!
This could create a great impact...
Though I’m sure you will have additional trolls hating on you because of the army you have created.
Take care Ralfy... I’m sure most will respect whatever decision you make.
It won't have an impact. Only two scenarios with increased demand: higher price or none for you. Free market forces cannot be stopped, they weren't even stopped in USSR or in prison. Anti-price gouging laws and efforts result in shortages. Price itself is the best rationing force. I say that even though I can't afford some whiskies.
I've had two Arran's. the port finish and The Bothy quarter cask. Both are excellent. I love what Arran is doing right now wish i could get more in Ontario Canada 🇨🇦🇨🇦. One of my favorite reviewers is Foodquig he always gives 1st impressions with a sealed bottle and will come back with a another review several months after opening with certain bottles.
Cheers Ralfy
Nice short list, Ralfy. I have half of what’s on the list and I agreee!
Your 'Old School' technique comes over the ether perfectly well Ralfy; we'll always be watching for a notification when the hamster wheels at Manx Telecom chug the next video out to us.
sorry to be so offtopic but does someone know of a trick to log back into an instagram account??
I stupidly lost the password. I appreciate any assistance you can offer me
@Lewis Brantley Instablaster :)
@Hudson Marcus thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm in the hacking process now.
Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.
@Hudson Marcus it worked and I now got access to my account again. I am so happy!
Thanks so much you really help me out :D
@Lewis Brantley Glad I could help xD
My whisky journey this year resulted from the Covid shut down. Couldn't go anywhere, couldn't spend any money, so ordered whisky online for delivery. Of the seven whiskies I tried, the two that I will order again (or already have) are Bladnoch 10 and Ardbeg 10. They are very different styles, perhaps I could justify something in between, a sherry bomb? I await the WOTY with interest.
Taking lemons and making lemonade! Smart. And Ardbeg 10 is a pillar of the Church of Malt.
Person of the Year - Ralfy Mitchell
Opened one of the old bottles of pulteney 12 i have stored away yesterday, first taste it was very subtle and odd tasting, after leaving it in the glass for 2 hours it started to come alive, first time i've felt such a big improvement from leaving a whisky to oxidize for a while.
Precisely my experience! I hated it at first, but really loved it after I came back to it. Won't buy the new rebranded 40%.
Ralfy what you said about leaving a whisky to sit is so true, I purchased a bottle of Dalmore (not my usual choice as I love peated) and upon the initial tasting was NOT impressed, I corked it up and put it into the collection and ignored it for 6 months, I remembered it one day and dug it out and had a dram and was blown away at the improvement, and as the bottle went down it kept getting better to a point. I learned after that to let whisky rest if its not good initially. Look forward to your choice for "whisky of the year".
Your old school is second to none, Ralfy,🏝🌴
I bet its gonna be bladnoch 10, it would be my whisky of the year anyway :)
Of the candidates you named have only had the Hazelburn 10. It's a fine dram and often overlooked by Springbank fans but to me it is a important choice for those people. Being able to taste the Springbank spirit unpeated and aged in Bourbon casks presented simply but in a quality way gives perspective of the base flavor profile that Springbank is building upon in their other products. Cheers Ralfy
Couple hours before this video I ordered a Kilkerran 12! Can’t wait to taste it! Also my vote would go to Hazelburn, but nowdays I can’t find it anymore :(
I have bottles of Bladnoch 10, 17, and Samsara. The 17 is absolutely phenomenal. WAY better than the 15, which I thought wasn't great. 10 is great too. Samsara is middle-of-the-road.
I learned this here and do it very often: when not finishing my night drum, cover the glass and leave it for the next day's lunch desert.. And many great whiskys do improve above expectation.
Thanks for the input on the experts who manage the casks to create the whiskies we love and we don’t give so much thought on how much work and experience goes into the management of maturation and right choice of casks. It must must be taking decades to learn this job and I am sure not all who take up this job reach up to that mark ? From your talks in reviews one knows that you have lot of friends in this job. Request you to do a interview with one of them in your extras so we get more knowledge !! I am your patron subscriber but commenting here !! Cheers !!
I'm just glad the Kilkerran is doing so well with the young age statement. Hopefully it encourages others to put more age statements on their whisky.
I'm perfectly fine with having no age statements at all. 3 of my most-beloved whiskies do not have an age statement: Uigeadail, Machir Bay & A'Bunadh. And since all 3 of them are pretty successful, I guess it's not that much of an issue anymore anyway.
@@tobi8676 There is a place and a time for NAS, but age statements are extremely important, if you're spending $200 on a 20 year old single malt like that Arran 21, that age statement is a contract that there's no shenanigans going on and you are actually getting what you paid for. Additionally, age statements are information that help malt mates make informed decisions. Not everyone enjoys NAS random blends. Wee Beastie is wildly successful with a 5 year age statement. It is still important. It tells you what to expect.
Ive only had 3 pours of the 12 so far and its nice. Will grab the 8 sherry cask if i ever see it.
I have looked around but have yet to see a bottle of the sherried 8 year old Kilkerran. Very disappointed. I'm in the Chicago western suburbs if anyone knows a place that has some.
@@SuperAWaC I would rather spend 100 bucks on an A'Bunadh without an age statement than 300 bucks on a 18 years old Macallan Double Cask with ridiculous 43% and chill-filtration.
What kind of "contract" is the age statement anyway, since the maturation could have taken place in overused casks. A'Bunadh is matured in first fill casks, is natural coloured, non chill-filtered and bottled at cask strength. _This_ sounds like a contract to customers. Much more than some age statements who don't say _anything_ about the quality at all.
Hazelburn 10 is amazingly good. It would be a deserving winner IMO. Cheers!
I am looking forward to the Whisky of The Year video! I want to see a PROPER fire in your stove!!! ;-)
Great and inspiring video again. Finding Arran great Whisky myself and look forward to get one of this 21Y old one now too.
I tasted a sample of Arran 21 just a few days ago and it was amazing. It easily surpassed the Glenfarclas 25 that I tried just before. Really looking forward to your full review.
Great video and insight as always, Ralfy! You are spot on.
my bet is on the Bladnoch
Yeah thought the same
I bought a bottle after his review. It was so good I went back to the shop and bought a second. Honestly might be the best dram I've ever had, and over some far older whiskys I've tried.
I picked up a Glen Scotia 15 for $95 down here in the colony last week. Great deal on that..! Glencadam 15 also another of your great calls.
For me the Glendronach 2006 UK Exclusive # 5538 was a stunner
I'm going for the Bladnoch 10.
Merry Christmas Ralfy! You are a true whisky gentleman. Happy 2021!!!! By the way, your "no...no..." sounds very Spanish :-)
I was given a special edition Arran 21 bottle for the Ontario market through the LCBO.
It says it's entirely aged in Sherry Hogshead and 50.9%abv. Distilled 02/03/1998 and bottled 09/05/2019. There were only 280 bottles produced. It's the 'best' bottle of Scotch I own.
Ralfy my friend, I don't get to watch very often as my neuropathy (idiopathic/non-diabetic/don't know WTF caused it) keeps me limited in my whisky tasting - BUT I LOVE to watch you!!! I will continue as I can. Peace out brother!! Harold in o-HI-o, US. Just another malty melodical mixed up musical messenger. ;{)
I wanted a Christmas malt this year, so I bought the Highland Park 16 selected single cask, cask strength, an extravagance I never tried before, but I did it in spite of the fact that I don't have a good history with cask strength. I seem to have difficulties in diluting them the right way.
I think a list of whiskies that didn’t make it is warranted. Do it.
I second that!
A list of duffers would help us weed out the lower quality malts that are being churned out at inflated prices.
I have had a wonderful year looking at your videos Ralfy. Wish you a merry Christmas and all the best for the new year.
I Hope you take bladnoch because the quallaty is high and I think lowland whisky is so overlooked and just as good and somtimes better then the exspensive high land whiskys
Thank you Ralphie I really enjoyed that just what I need to keep me going during the week spot on mate.sean
I just started a whisky channel as a second channel. For reviews, what Ive decided to do is mirror what I do on my main channel: do a first-impressions review when I first get the item (on my main channel) or open the bottle (on Dribs & drams), then revisit it a month or so later to see if my first impressions held up/how the whisky has developed/so on. I've shot a few reviews so far but only my first review is up, so I don't know if I'll be doing it that way long-term. I'm going to see the first year as an experiment, I guess.
I was surprised not to see Arran 10 on the list 🤔 aside from the completely reasonable price and classy bottling/packaging, the whisky is a work of art.
. . . I agree !
Arran is superb quality in most cases even the nas i am sorry to say Ralfy
Absolutely. I'm slowly working my way through the various expressions, and so far ive had 10yo, bodega cask, and am currently on the amarone, all are great and at a fair price, there's lots of flavours to explore in the glass, love them
Bought the Arran 18yo two weeks ago... couldn't fathom the flavours and notes- but it's pretty much gone so enjoyed it... have just ordered the nas sherry cask c55% - looking forward
your reviews have 15 bottles on my shelf and a grumpy wife lol
Good man Ralphy. Malt mentions merit a merciless massacre. Hazelburn is one hell of a whisky
On the subject of slowing down, I feel that the language of 'delivery, development and finish' could be applied over a longer period of time as a good whisky can provide a story (beginning, middle, end). The spirit of a short but intense poem might be a better literary analogy since the first reading of a poem can leave a reader gasping and then returning to the same text later to appreciate/understand it on another level. I've certainly enjoyed returning to Aultmore 12 recently (a good example in my view).
Hi Ralfy, I have never learnt so much and enjoyed listening to you these past few years. Still enjoying your whiskeys but can’t taste or smell what you do but certainly enjoy the drink. A thought came to me while you were talking about your nomination for 2021. I think it would be great idea for you to gather a group of your favourite whiskeys and ask the distillers to promote their whisky by helping you compile a Ralfy miniatures collection for the new year. I would certainly buy it to promote both you and your recommendations. All the best for Christmas and look forward to your next show. Roy
Bladnoch is nice, it blew my head off for some reason but my mum said it tasted like cloves.
I too love the Bladnoch. I think it is actually owned here in Australia.
I don’t like Bladnoch 10
Glenallachie 10 year cask strength batch 4. Affordable and getting better with each new release. A quality sherry explosion
Batch 3 👌
I do follow a number of whisky reviewers. But my new-buy decisions are all made here with Ralfy. Happy Holidays to you and yours mate. Apologies for the multiple comments but unlike Bill Clinton I inhaled.
I had my money on Bladnoch 10yo. x
Just got your book delivered last week! But I'm going to wrap it for Christmas so I'll read it soon!
Merry Christmas Ralfy!
. . . thanks for buying my book !
Bladnoch 10 is a great choice.
When you made Deanston 12 your whisky of the year, it was sold out in nearby liquor stores. But I haven't seen the price go up for it!
Please mention your 'potential' repeat whisky of the year. Sounds like it deserves the recognition even if you want to pick a new one
And the 2020 woty Deanston stayd affordable
Here in Canada, the best price/quality/availability ratio
Yeah but in my area they can never keep it in stock lol. I have literally tried for a year to get it!
A brand of consistent quality for years and well undervalued is Glencadam in my humble opinion
Couldn't agree more. Highly underrated.
Glencadam 15 is so unusual and lovely
@@natural1952 It has been WOTY a few years ago, Steve.
Yes, that's how I was introduced to it.
we are willing to change our bad habits, but Ralfy, can you talk more about how the practice of "leave the whisky in the glass overnight" teaches us anything? Precisely, in what ways it reflects the quality of the cask or the maturation condition to us in the overnight practice? Perhaps, good cask leads to heavier and fresher aroma in the overnight empty glass? I found decent whiskies like Springbank 10 and Glen Scotia 14 Tawny Port finish leave great floral and fruity aroma in the glass overnight. Best wishes to all of you maltmates around the world in such a tough year.
Ardbeg 10 is the only one of the contenders widely available where I am at the moment. It’s still a damn good dram for its age and the price, maybe selecting it again as the malt of the year is reasonable. Yet I totally get the idea of diversification and it’s perfectly fine by me.
P.S. I am 100% certain that most of the malt mates would appreciate an extras with a list of whiskies you’ve tried in 2020 which turned out not good enough for a review! That’s a useful information!
Always look forward to the peat fire.
I just received the presents I ordered for myself today: A bottle of A'Bunadh (a long-time favorite of mine) and a bottle of Arran's "the Bodega".
Oh my, "The Bodega" could become my new muse... oh, it's so good! But when I realized you have no review about it online, my first thought was: "Oh! Ralfy doesn't make reviews about whiskies he really doesn't like... I hope it's not one of them..."
He doesn't review everything. Can't get around to them all.
He doesn't review nas bottlings, so if it's that... And don't forget to love what you love unapologetically
@@zamarcha I'm surprised, since he did reviews of whiskies like Corryvreckan, Uigeadail, A'Bunadh, Machir Bay and others... I actually didn't knew about his "ban" of NAS-whiskies - but he talks about it in his NAS-special... I guess I'm pretty different when it comes to this. I take the brand as a guarantee. If a distillery or an independent bottler fails to deliver a good quality whisky, it's canceled from my list - no matter if there is an age-statement on it or not. If a distillery puts out bad whiskies under their name, I don't care about them anymore. On the other hand: I don't hesitate to buy a NAS-bottling from a distillery I trust. And with "the Bodega", Arran just got really high on my list of trusted distilleries.
A very pleasant surprise to see a video on a Thursday, Ralfy! Speaking of 21 year olds, any plans of reviewing the recently released Benromach 21?
Thanks Ralph.
I'm surprised not to see Alberta Premium cask strength as a contender this year.
Three Ships; no not widely available or affordable. Ardbeg 10 and Hazelburn 10 both worthy but I doubt it. Glenturret maybe but again availability is a challenge whilst retail price reasonable. Bladnoch 10 gets my vote. Outstanding quality. Available. Can be had for $80 and that’s a deal. Get it while you can lads.
Ralfy, we would LOVE to see that “didn’t make it” list... spades need to be called spades!
Hello Ralfy!! I wanted to buy me a Glendronach 18 years bottled in 2015 or 2017, but when i went to my site tonight, they all where sold out. It seems like Glendronach is becoming a collectors whisky for the people with money to invest. I just wanted to buy one for 75 Euro to have something nice to toast to at 2021. If it is stil sold out tomorrow, i am going for the Glen Garioch 15 years sherry cask. Can't say nothing about your whisky of the year now, because i just start watching, and i am not gonna stroll the comments. Keep it up in 2021!!!
The big online liquor stores in holland have it for 99 euro's, with a max of one bottle per order(drankdozijn) and 115 euro's without a max(drankgigant).
Malt Mention: "My mellow muchachos"
Better perhaps: "Maltchachos".
As a scotch fan in USA Hope tariff drops on single malt. My vote for best sherry malt would be aberlour or bunnahaben. Maybe multiple drama of year by region
Too much drama!
For me the disappointment after spending money for me happens even while getting chill-filtered, technically high quality (but also high price) whiskies like glenmorangie 18. Rarely happens when getting cask strength or 46% whiskies even for NAS.
Ralfy, it's not negativity when you are warning us of how to not waste our money! Give us the list and allow us to reference with the whiskies that you deemed as below the market standards for their prices. For example, when it comes to a port wood maturation, if Tomatin is the above average bottling for this year, what falls below it and is charging us beyond it? This would be a great reference for us as I doubt any of us have as much, drink as much and know as much as you. Thanks in advance!
I predict the glendronach 18 this year. because its to expensive sadly. Ralfy your a good guy really :)
Did you review the Kilkerran 8 cask strength sherry yet? Got mine a few weeks ago, really happy with it! It's already sold out here in Norway, haha! 😊
Well Ardbeg 10 had my humble vote, Cheers
Ralfy. When is the video for Whisky of the year? I want to get it for Christmas Day!! Cheers
. . . the video won't be released till the 26th, for the end of the year !
Kilkerran prices have been raised on everything here in U.S. and so has Springbank products because they are high demand. I would pick the Hazelburn 10 on your list for #1 but it's under 35 pounds in UK and $70-ish or more in U.S. yeah it's gotten ridiculous here with high demand whisky and the price gouging. It's not the tariffs or tax because other stuff is still priced the same. The same stuff going on with bourbons and it's worse
This might not be a whisky of the year, but Caol Ila' 12 appears to have maintained consistency similar to Ardbeg 10 throughout the years, albeit without being bottled at 46% and non chill filtered etc
Choose visely! hehe. Maybe I could help, I don't know..
December 19, 2020 - I AGREE 1000% about not reviewing a whisky until you have have spent time with it and AT LEAST gotten the bottle below the top of the label (1/3 to 1/2 way down). Far too many Whisky Tubers are giving Scotch whiskies what I call a "Wham, Bam, Thank You For the Dram" review from a neck pour. While they may have an entertaining channel and be very nice people, I don't value their review at all. In fact, I often think they really don't know what the hell they are talking about. I know that can sound arrogant but experience has taught me that reviewing a whisky requires PATIENCE, a lot of thought and meditation.
Can we have a Ralfy & Bigclive xmas/new year video please 🙏
As someone who watches both channels, we needs this to happen, especially this year!
I second that good sir! Here here
Yes, undoubtedly and most emphatically, yes! :D
I'd love to hear your thoughts on any whisky. Good or bad. Age statement or no. Chill filtered or no. Coloured or no. Evil happens when good men do nothing 😉👍
Cheers Ralfy