Hard to argue with that choice ... (I just had a major cork problem with a high age statement bottle from this distillery, and I've learned that this is pretty common from them... Happy to see you enjoying your intact bottle). Cheers!
Alan what a list man and it's good to see the delicious drams we had past year. I can't argue with your pick, it is a fantastic whisky for sure. I'm super curious about that Talisker though, let's see if I can spot it anywhere. Cheers and here's to a fantastic new year!
You nailed it. I have 2 bottles of the Bunnahabhain 21 and had the Deanston 18 earlier in the year. I wish I would have saved a bit for a head to head.
Thanks for sharing Alan I agree with the Ardnahoe inaugural that made my top 3 also. Great to see Deanston 18 make the top 3 also it's a permashelf for me.
Alan, great to see you back after a busy holiday season. That Deanston 18 price is UFR!! I thought grabbing one at 100 was a great deal. CHEERS and all the best in 2025!
Hi Alan. Out of your top five I’ve got the Deanston 18, Ardnahoe 5 and the Ardnamurchan sherry cask and I can honestly say all three are belters. Slàinte Alan HNY 🥃
Obviously delighted with your pick, Alan! 😁 Your notes were spot on for me, and when you took your initial taste I saw that same face you made in Warehouse 9 with yon Moscatel Cask! 😂 I also have to say I loved Deanston 18 getting on your list too,… for me, it’s THE best bang for buck 18 on the market. Slàinte, David. 😁👍🥃👊💥
Great selection! I enjoyed the taste of the Bunna 21 you gave me at the Bon Accord in Glasgow last November but at the moment its out of my price range.
Alan, love your work! A few years ago you did a series on Glenfarclas. We know you loved the 30yo. Have you done the vertical tasting comparison 12, 15, 21, 25, 30, 35, 40 ?? Even a 12, 15, 30 would be special. I think that would end up being one of the most sought after RUclips posts ever. Price/quality/value is always fascinating as age always plays an 'artificial' power to rrp. For example: Bunna 12 CS 2022 (70-80 Eu) fantastic stand-out/ Bunna 21 CS 2023 (180-240 Eu) fantastic ...but worth the extra 200Eu??
Rumors say the TB/BSW is the 12-year old Macallan Sherry Cask, accidently mixed with a little bit of Famous Grouse in a tank. For me it makes sense as it tastes very similar to the Macallan 12 Sherry, and on the label is not written that it's blended at Dornoch as it is written on the label of the SRV5 for example.
Very interesting choices. I have only tried the Ardnamurchan Sherry Cask which is wonderful stuff. Love the Bunna 12yo CS but the 21yo is out of reach financially. Must explore the Thompson Bros expressions and the Turntable. Will definitely go for an Ardnahoe too but have to spend wisely. Hoping prices don’t go up too much in 2025!!!
I did at the time fella, however the ardna is getting better the more i go back to it fella...that ardbeg was so unlucky nit to make my top five....lovely drop...
Great line up Alan than Deanston is fantastic, Here is a question for you. The whisky integrity discussion over recent years re colour etc to my mind has an enormous hole in it big enough to drive a road train through. So its not ok to chill filter which may effect flavour, its not ok to add colour which factually it does not effect flavour yet somehow integrity fanatic think its ok for a distiller to add water which fundamentally effects every facet of flavour. Its diluted to arrive at a flavour profile that the blenders deem fit for release. I mean is it not the hugest amount of hypocrisy for the integrity police to say added colour is an issue which has zero effect on flavour yet a 46% whisky which has been knocked down by 10-20% in ABV by the addition of water is somehow ok? How can on one hand integrity driven people for a second believe that is ok but the addition of colour is not? We buy a lot of cask strength whisky and know very well as you do the addition of a small amount of water can dynamically change the flavour, mouthfeel and experience so in short should the integrity police instead of chasing colour addition actually be chasing water addition to whisky a far greater alteration of a whisky experience? Thanks again great video. PS having tasted the Deanston luck enough to find two today in Tokyo to haul home! Glad you put it up as one of the best Deanston have been doing great things over the last 7 years or so maybe longer!
Water is generally added to the spirit coming off the still prior to putting it in barrels, and then possibly again prior to bottling if it's not being released at cask strength. Some in the industry claim e150a does not alter the taste, but there are lots of people who feel on the contrary that it does.
@ hence my point with water being added to arrive at values like 46% and 50% arbitrary values that unlike E150 is absolutely 100% verifiably changing the flavour. The debate over E150 is opinion driven not factually driven as a blind test of water with e150 added to sample cannot be detected.this is why it is allowed. However looking past E150 how can anyone claiming to want “integrity” value any whisky which has been knocked down by as much at 30% abv.. Now i drink ALL whisky my point is directed at ALL and sundry like Ralfy who get on their high horse preaching integrity then goes on about a certain 46% which which has been diluted by up to 30%changing its flavour dramatically. Sure its still good or even great whisky my point is it is incredibly hypocritical to say adding E150 is a breach of integrity yet adding water is not as one irrefutably changes flavour, mouthfeel and paleete experience. How is that integrity?
Water is also added to the barley in the field, as it's growing, and to the grains, during the malting process. In both cases some of that same water is then removed, e.g. by drying via sun or kiln. It takes a lot of water to make a good whisky... not unlike how it takes a lot of beer to make a good wine.😉
Loved the list and appreciated all the notes and conversation throughout. Great whiskies and a great year, thanks for sharing it with us!
Hard to argue with that choice ... (I just had a major cork problem with a high age statement bottle from this distillery, and I've learned that this is pretty common from them... Happy to see you enjoying your intact bottle). Cheers!
I saw it buddy glad you sorted that bunna 25 my friend...
Alan what a list man and it's good to see the delicious drams we had past year. I can't argue with your pick, it is a fantastic whisky for sure. I'm super curious about that Talisker though, let's see if I can spot it anywhere. Cheers and here's to a fantastic new year!
I'd love to grab the Bunna 21, but at that price... a very reluctant Nah. Enjoy it! Happy 2025!
We love you 🎉🎉🎉
I love you too...
You nailed it. I have 2 bottles of the Bunnahabhain 21 and had the Deanston 18 earlier in the year. I wish I would have saved a bit for a head to head.
Thanks for sharing Alan I agree with the Ardnahoe inaugural that made my top 3 also. Great to see Deanston 18 make the top 3 also it's a permashelf for me.
Spot on Bunna 21 best whisky of 2024 💯 Top whisky🥃🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Its a real banger ...such a quality whisky....yes its pricey....but its worth it...
@ Agreed 💯🥃👌
I have a 5 year old in my best of 2024 too, the Sutherland blend, a banger as ever
Just had one delivered fella...
👌
Alan, great to see you back after a busy holiday season. That Deanston 18 price is UFR!! I thought grabbing one at 100 was a great deal. CHEERS and all the best in 2025!
Hi Alan. Out of your top five I’ve got the Deanston 18, Ardnahoe 5 and the Ardnamurchan sherry cask and I can honestly say all three are belters. Slàinte Alan HNY 🥃
I actually think the '23 Ardna Sherry was better than the '24.
Thanks for sharing Alan.
Interesting picks on your list where there is a whisky for every whisky lover.
Slàinte mhath
Cheers Frank and yes i enjoyed all of them a lot my friend....
Great choice Alan, was one of my favourite drams at the Glasgow Whisky Festival 👍🥃🥃🥃
Dry January for me, WF….saving it for February!
The Ardnahoe is phenomenal, especially given it's only 5 years. In 5, 7 and 13 years time we are in for real treats.
Happy New Year, Fella!
Wonderful list wonderful vid Alan!
Cheers Chaz...
Obviously delighted with your pick, Alan! 😁 Your notes were spot on for me, and when you took your initial taste I saw that same face you made in Warehouse 9 with yon Moscatel Cask! 😂 I also have to say I loved Deanston 18 getting on your list too,… for me, it’s THE best bang for buck 18 on the market. Slàinte, David. 😁👍🥃👊💥
2 bunna whiskies of the year David, just keep doing it exactly the same way fella and ill be z happy man....hope your well my friend....
Brilliant picks. Keep the awesome content rolling for 2025. Cheers!
What a wonderful review Alan. Happy new year.
Cheers Cliff...happy 2025 to ya my friend...
I wold be ever so lucky if I could come across this one, or a 12 cast strength for that matter!
Solid list my friend! Hope you have a great 2025 🥃
Cheeers Wade..
Great selection! I enjoyed the taste of the Bunna 21 you gave me at the Bon Accord in Glasgow last November but at the moment its out of my price range.
Great video my friend 👍🏻
Excellent choices Alan. Thanks for a fine review. Cheers and happy new year 🥳 ciao Sandro
Thanks Sandro im so glad you enjoyed it my friend and i hope your well....
A 21 bunna. Nah. I preffer to keep my kidney!
Alan, love your work! A few years ago you did a series on Glenfarclas.
We know you loved the 30yo.
Have you done the vertical tasting comparison 12, 15, 21, 25, 30, 35, 40 ?? Even a 12, 15, 30 would be special.
I think that would end up being one of the most sought after RUclips posts ever.
Price/quality/value is always fascinating as age always plays an 'artificial' power to rrp.
For example: Bunna 12 CS 2022 (70-80 Eu) fantastic stand-out/ Bunna 21 CS 2023 (180-240 Eu) fantastic ...but worth the extra 200Eu??
"Oily rag whisky" hahaha, only us geeks could love a description like that (and want to go buy it!).
... or anyone that loves Springbank!
Rumors say the TB/BSW is the 12-year old Macallan Sherry Cask, accidently mixed with a little bit of Famous Grouse in a tank. For me it makes sense as it tastes very similar to the Macallan 12 Sherry, and on the label is not written that it's blended at Dornoch as it is written on the label of the SRV5 for example.
By the way good choice of the whiskys of the year 2024!
Ive heard that too...the srv5 solera vat is in Dornoch...
Good vid Alan. Which retailer for the Deanston 18! I had a dram in a pub in Harrogate and loved it. I've been on the lookout since Xmas.
Amazon fella...
Interesting Alan but a £200 plus whisky is beyond my reach. Even if I could, I still wouldn’t hand over that much. Still I’m glad you liked it.
Very interesting choices. I have only tried the Ardnamurchan Sherry Cask which is wonderful stuff. Love the Bunna 12yo CS but the 21yo is out of reach financially. Must explore the Thompson Bros expressions and the Turntable. Will definitely go for an Ardnahoe too but have to spend wisely. Hoping prices don’t go up too much in 2025!!!
I would be keen to see how the Bunna 21 stacks up against the Bunna 18.
70,000 bottles of Ardnahoe... and I can't get my hands on just one. I feel like Willem Dafoe at the end of Platoon.
Where do you live?
@@thewhiskyfriend Chicago.
@triktrak_1451 been a bit of red tape. Ardnahoe should land in the states in Feb....keep your eyes open my friend....🖕🤞
@@thewhiskyfriend Thank you!
I thought you loved Ardbeg BizzareBQ more thn AD sherry … so should’ve been number 3.
It scored 89
I did at the time fella, however the ardna is getting better the more i go back to it fella...that ardbeg was so unlucky nit to make my top five....lovely drop...
Cant get Thompson bros in Republic of Ireland unfortunately
Better opt buna 12 cs 2 instead of buna21 in my view.
Have you ever worried about the shelves behind you collapsing and losing all or some of your expensive stash? 😂🤣😂
Glad im not the only one thinking this
No need to worry my friend there is plenty of steel in there my friend...😜
Great line up Alan than Deanston is fantastic, Here is a question for you. The whisky integrity discussion over recent years re colour etc to my mind has an enormous hole in it big enough to drive a road train through.
So its not ok to chill filter which may effect flavour, its not ok to add colour which factually it does not effect flavour yet somehow integrity fanatic think its ok for a distiller to add water which fundamentally effects every facet of flavour. Its diluted to arrive at a flavour profile that the blenders deem fit for release.
I mean is it not the hugest amount of hypocrisy for the integrity police to say added colour is an issue which has zero effect on flavour yet a 46% whisky which has been knocked down by 10-20% in ABV by the addition of water is somehow ok?
How can on one hand integrity driven people for a second believe that is ok but the addition of colour is not?
We buy a lot of cask strength whisky and know very well as you do the addition of a small amount of water can dynamically change the flavour, mouthfeel and experience so in short should the integrity police instead of chasing colour addition actually be chasing water addition to whisky a far greater alteration of a whisky experience? Thanks again great video.
PS having tasted the Deanston luck enough to find two today in Tokyo to haul home! Glad you put it up as one of the best Deanston have been doing great things over the last 7 years or so maybe longer!
Water is generally added to the spirit coming off the still prior to putting it in barrels, and then possibly again prior to bottling if it's not being released at cask strength.
Some in the industry claim e150a does not alter the taste, but there are lots of people who feel on the contrary that it does.
@ hence my point with water being added to arrive at values like 46% and 50% arbitrary values that unlike E150 is absolutely 100% verifiably changing the flavour. The debate over E150 is opinion driven not factually driven as a blind test of water with e150 added to sample cannot be detected.this is why it is allowed.
However looking past E150 how can anyone claiming to want “integrity” value any whisky which has been knocked down by as much at 30% abv..
Now i drink ALL whisky my point is directed at ALL and sundry like Ralfy who get on their high horse preaching integrity then goes on about a certain 46% which which has been diluted by up to 30%changing its flavour dramatically. Sure its still good or even great whisky my point is it is incredibly hypocritical to say adding E150 is a breach of integrity yet adding water is not as one irrefutably changes flavour, mouthfeel and paleete experience.
How is that integrity?
Water is also added to the barley in the field, as it's growing, and to the grains, during the malting process. In both cases some of that same water is then removed, e.g. by drying via sun or kiln.
It takes a lot of water to make a good whisky... not unlike how it takes a lot of beer to make a good wine.😉
@@jbar6284 very true mate! Lol
A very nice list up until the number 1. Sorry Alan , cant see the value for money at 250 for a 21 year old no matter the caskstrength.