ralfy review 881 - Ben Nevis 10yo @ 46%vol: (Signatory)
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- Опубликовано: 15 сен 2024
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I have a few bottles from signatory and I'm very happy with all of them. Particularly a Blair Athol 11 year from the un-chillfiltered collection. I hadn't heard of Blair Athol but I was so impressed I went back and bought the store out of the dust covered bottles.
I also posted this in the Pat Pals
I have not long finished off a Carn Mor bottle of Laphroaig its a Sherry cask Hogshead 10 year old it is beautiful. I managed to get two bottles thanks to the wife ordering me 1 more from Arkwrights Whisky and Wines, and I am glad I did it is probably the best whisky I have tried to date really well balanced and still true to form that distinctive Laphroaig smell and taste. Only 1052 bottle made. Wish I never opened the second bottle because its all I seem to grab when I want a Whisky.
I bought the Glen Elgin Signatory for about 40 quid in March and only came back to finish it a week ago or so - fantastic stuff. I have been really impressed with what Signatory are serving up and will definitely being go back to them.
Great review as usual Ralfy. I love Ben Nevis. The price comparison seems a bit unfair, though. That official bottling is cask strength, which will naturally come at a higher price. The official 10yo 46% also came at around 50 pounds I think.
I have to disagree that Signatory still offers great value, that was 2 years ago, similarly, Gordon and MacPhail before they rebranded 3-4 years ago. Yes select bottlings like the Ben Nevis or Linkwood bottlings and a couple other Flora and Fauna Malts have still good value when bottled by Signatory, but for the vast majority of Malts you are paying a 10-20€ increase for a integrety ex-bourbon version from signatory. When they do sherried versions they charge even more ~65-70€ no matter the destillery (for 46% versions). I don't wanna start to talk about cask strengh Signatory botllings because the price jump in the last 12-15 months has been more than 50% across the board. IMO it has become a lot less appealing to buy independent bottlings as they charge a fast increasing premium currently.
There are still value for money independent bottlers but I do agree that Signatory has been losing the tag of "affordable" as time goes by. The big IBs in particular have raised prices a fair bit, I can no longer recommend them. Instead, the mid size IBs are probably where the value is right now. Small IBs are way too risky imo.
Quite true, never finish a bottle of spirits without taking breaks. I recently came back to a bottle of rum I had started autumn of last year and then intermittently on and off had drunk small drams out of, never really finding it to my liking. And only as of late I found out I quite liked it when I added water to it in a generous fashion. This didn't come across me as the rum is young and only 40% ABV.
It is 10 years and 15 days old - not nearly 11 years old.... :-) Nice review of a great whisky!
Ya, barely even 10yo. Lol
Right. Lol
"There has to be a point when you look at the price of whisky and say no sale" --- YES! Agreed. It's a problem here in the US with bourbon. Too many are willing to pay 2x, 3x, or more from MSRP. And so many people are rushing to buy non-distilling producers marking up random blends of bourbon. There seems to be a new one every other week.
@Marc agreed and that is why I walked away from bourbon with a few exceptions just to have for friends who are bourbon-ites. It has become dishonest with the pricing and frankly the value to price ratio on most bourbons has turned me off. Long live Scotch whisky.
We don't have a choice in Australia. What are 30 dollar bourbons in the US are like 80-100 AUD (60-80 USD) here. Single malt scotch is even worse.
@@TasmaniaIsAHole that's awful. I'm in NY so some prices are a bit higher here due to taxes but not that much :(
Yep. Let the whiskey millionaires pay for the names. I can be happy with quality scotch and boubons in the 40-50 dollar range. Plenty of products in that range that I can enjoy without contributing to the price games.
I have tried as a beginner, here is cheaper than in Scotland, one of the best that I have tried. Very rich and intensive on smell, on taste for me seems "oily".
I bought 3 bottles of signatory Ben Nevis today vintage 2011: 9 years however, at 46% distilled 04032011 bottled 10062020 casks 146+155, sipping bottle no 196. I find in very small hidden independent scheme stores. Ralfy it’s great stuff. I have quite a few other Signatory. I have also purchased Signatory where they just say this is a I.e Speyside bottled in 2005 basically teasing you to buy and work out what distillery the whisky comes from. Thanks for the Indi reviews great stuff.
Great review Ralfy. I had a 7 year old independent bottling of Ben Nevis from the Maison Du Whisky is Paris a few years ago and it was brilliant.
Opened a Signatory Ben Nevis last week. Distilled on the same day as this one, bourbon barrels, but bottled 14.12.2020, Casks 144 + 147. Lots of similarities with yours in what I'm finding. Maybe some custard/cream instead of vanilla. Quite good, but not 90 good, IMO.
If you can find (and afford!) one the Signatory Vintage Cask Strength 23+ year old versions are gorgeous. The 10 year olds are a totally different beast and a bit bitey.
@@discordia013 I have some older sherried ones from various IBs, so it was nice to find one matured in bourbon barrels. I find this one good, and I'm in a phase where I like bourbon maturation over wine maturation.
Great review Ralfy. I think my only reservation with indies is the heavy sherried potentially over sulphured bottles. Found it more often than I’d have liked. Cheers my friend.
If we accept the youthfulness of many independent bottles, as well as the value from a lower price, then a loser here and there are to be expected.
Most of mine are bourbon except for the 8 year old Ben Nevis from Single Cask Nation. It's resting now, but it's a very flavorful whisky. I don't think it was a sulfur pungency but we'll see when I go back to it. SCN seem to like strong and funky casks.
Other brands have been underwhelming or just off. So the hard part is blaming the bottler or the distillery for the next purchase.
Hello my magnificent, merry, malt mate!
I have started collecting spirits about a year ago and discovered your channel through your brother's channel. I just wanted to say say, thank you. Not only have I found these reviews very informative, I also very much enjoy your presentation style. I especially like the videos where you take the time to address various issues, questions and learning points. I look forward to many more fascinating reviews.
Very enjoyable review. Wish there was more Ben Nevis out there.
"MGP Mash Mislabelers" is the greatest malt mention of all time lol
A classic Ralfy review. I 100% agree with you that the Signatory bottlings are simply superb! I have never had a Signatory I didn't like and most I loved.
I have never had Japanese whisky as it is almost all Sherry cask matured. Your opinion of it is well noted.
BYW, These Signatory bottlings are about £60 here in Israel which represents good value for money compared with official bottling prices here.
Star-K lists six Japanese whiskys as approved.
@@DovidM Hi Dovid. You started writing directly to me by email and now I see you have popped up here in the comments. Japanese Whisky in general has few regulations so trying to find which type casks they used from one batch to the next, is next to impossible. They don't even tell you which whiskies go into their blends or from which country.
However, if we look at Japanese Single Malts listed on The Whisky Exchange or Master Of Malts or other online stores, we see that almost all Japanese Single Malts are Sherry or wine cask matured. There are a very few exceptions (some costing around $1000) and even those may possibly have actual wine in them. (Remember, few regulations).
I'll send you an email with a fuller reply, bli neder.
@Ralfy your knowledge is incredible thank you for what you doing, and too all Happy Bourbon Day!
My bottles of signatory "edradour" is most treasured.
Great review.
You and me both...the latest 10yo one I got...holey moley...DARK and rich sherry taste. Love it! Cheers!
@@AndyCigars 10 4. cheers!
This was the first Ben Nevis I tried, and boy do I agree with your recommendation to try with an official bottling first. This one scared me off, I found it a little nippy with the savoury element almost tasting sour. It's joined GlenCadam on my "preserving gas and leave for later" shelf, hopefully I'll appreciate it better next time I open it.
Got a bottle today in Luvians Cupar (last one) Excited to try this weekend.
You are correct about difficulty to find. Even in the States it’s not so frequent that you see an official bottling or independent. Other spots in the world you may as well forget about it. The only option is to overpay and have it shipped. I used to see Ben Nevis more at better shops but not so much now.
Ordered and now I'm excited - never had Ben Evis until now! Dràm Mòr has independent bottles too - the PX finish looks fantastic but for now, I like to learn about BN through Signatory. Thank you Ralfy! 🥃
Hi Ralfy, thanks again for sharing your thoughts and experience. It is always a pleasure to watch your videos. Yes, Ben Nevis is a fine old styled whisky. Everyone should have a bootle in their stash. It is a shame that it is hard to find official bottlings in the market. For sure no guzzling and gulping. It needs time to understand a whisky. Cheers from your malt mate in Bonn
I really can't stand the taste of whisk(e)y but I can't stop watching these videos haha.
Same. I have no idea why I'm interested. Its like asmr to fall asleep to.
Whisky is a a spirit that has almost infinite tastes. An argument that will certainly put you to sleep is the hunt for the quintessential whisky.
Ralphy has the amazing capacity to be both a fascinating speaker and nicely soporific.
Im 43 years old and the thought of Whisky, im afraid makes me wanna puke . Shame really as Ralfy makes it sound so nice. Is it a case of sipping Whisky with water, over time i may take to the filth?...lol
Welcome to the Ralfy Zone.
. . . thanks for watching.
I recently had the Linkwood in this Signatory presentation and found it delightful.
Living in Utah, I will never experience any of these type of bottlings unless I leave either the state or the country. That is a sad whiskey reality.
Take a road trip to Vegas or California and make some liquor store stops and you should be good to go!
I do love Signatory and currently have one of their excellent Edradour bottlings on the go. Their honesty in packaging and presentation is to be commended. They even produced a small range called 'Very Cloudy' bottled at 40% specifically stating that it might be cloudy. I've seen two from this range which were Mortlach and Cragellachie. Who would have thought it, someone openly bottling at 40% and NCF
. . . wonderful, I will look out for the 'cloudys'
Charming review for a very good whisky but unfortunately can’t find it anywhere in London.
I love your videos, I have learned so much about whiskey, I have to tell you, whiskey is one of my favourite drinks. It is something that you have to learn.
Hello malty. Just wanted to say a few words about this whiskey. I bought 2 bottles of it, but before ever I knew it was reviewed by Ralphie. Last week I opened a bottle. What can I say. I don't agree with Ralphie. In my opinion this whiskey should score for 84 points. Because it doesn't posses such properties that Ralphie explained.
It also little harsh on palate. This one is after same Signatory but Caol Ila, That also was not very successful. In my opinion this whiskey Ben Nevis 10 should be bottled at 43abv. Not every whiskey will benefit for 46 avb just because of trend.
4th March 2011 - 19th March 2021 makes it 10 years and 15 days surely, so nearer 10 years, not 11 years Ralfy. Or have I missed something ? Great review by the way.
Good stuff thanks 🙏
Agree Ralphy. The over pricing of over marketed whisky is getting ridiculous. So many great liquids out there compared to NAS whiskies asking £150 due to a marketing clutch
That's one of the best malt mentions ever! Congrats to you, Alex K!
I might have missed it but can you please explain active vs. inactive casks like you mention affecting coloring? I couldn't find anything with a quick internet search
. . . active casks provide flavour and colour to whisky, inactive casks simply offer less and less till there is nothing for 'maturing'.
How interesting : i have a 1992 Vintage, 10yo (similarly 11yo actually) Signatory Ben Nevis 46% . . . thks for the great video
Ralfy, when ib dilutes their products, where do they source the water?
. . . bottling plant domestic supply. Usually filtered.
Do a Hart Brothers if you are willing and able, please!
Have a 12yr old bottle like this from a couple of years ago. Unfortunately its from two refill hogsheads. ex bourbon casks sound better.
Hi all, hoping for some help. I love peat, when i die bury me in the stuff! What are some less well known peated whiskys? Obviously i love Ardbeg, Lagavulin, Coal ila, (Laphroig less so), I've tried some others but with limited success. Certainly I'm struggling to find a reasonably available standard bottle that would keep me coming back
What about Kilchoman?
@@VFJ-kk4mk thanks for the name, i will give it a go :D
Very weird. I bought this very bottle today 🤔
if it's multiples of Ben Nevis does that make it Ben Nevi or Ben Nevises ? It's like the tree falling in the forest question if know one is there to hear it. Ben Nevis is very good stuff. Kind of in a league with Edradour and Springbank.
I would suggest it would be "Bens Nevis", as "Ben" is the noun! Bit like "courts martial".
@@sambrewster8556 relax Colonel !!! That is a crazy word
I fully agree with the overbranding and over priced whiskies that are below the quality mark for their price. I actively search out good independent bottlings. I snatch them up every chance I get
"That's the easy bit, just the pooring of it".
I really struggle to poor without spilling a drop. There are always at least a couple of drops dripping from the side of the bottle. What's the secret?!
Ralfy, have you heard anything of the "Jack & Victor" Whisky?
. . . yes, now on sale, and 'allegedly' a Loch Lomond blend.
Cheers.
Japanese whisky needs to add Single Malt Scotch to add depth and character. It may be your opinion, Ralfy but we malt mates know it as the truth!
Just because you like Signatory? It is not bad, maybe 83-85. But not 90. It is regular ex burboun. Kavalan Solist is a winner
Is the Ben Nevis "McDonald's Celebrated" NAS worth a try?
. .. it's 'young' !
Hi Ralfy, what are the cask numbers of this bottling ? Thx
I also bother about color, so I refuse to pay more than €30-€40 for a colored whisky.
Ralfy, can you upload videos at 1080p 60fps, it would make them more immersive/sharper for us, ofc if it's technically/economically possible, regards from Kosovo.
Pickled vinegar. Taste notes bank updated. 🤣😎
2013 vintage is quite different from this one. It initially has a definite smokey note followed by spirity smell with some shy fresh fruits. No signe of vanilla. On the taste initially strong, intense, peppery, some sweet fruit type notes, very fast killed by oak tanins. Finish is bitter and nothing more than this. Disappointed with this one.
6:20.............its like common women! Their pasty white then turn a dirty yellow, when all war painted & sun tanned up. Ha ha ha, like the Whisky filters Ralfy refered to!...lol
As a MacDonald who traces roots to Glencoe I appreciate any Ben Nevis review!
Great review Ralfy (whilst sipping on a wee dram of Springbank 15 year old!)
im a master teaspooner
Their unnamed Orkney range is super cheap 15 year old at 46 pounds. Makes you pause and almost think what’s wrong with it!
Right now i have a glass Spey Tenné, but it one of my less favorite whiskies i bought. And that is in my eyes dangerous for a brand, bringing out non age state whiskies that are so so. It means for me, that i am not interested in the brand to buy other bottles, and that is dangerous for the brand in my eyes. But it is the only Port cask i ever had, so maybe other port casks are good, and maybe other Spey whiskies could be good.
I've been to my liquor store once a week and where I live in Canada I have a hard time finding anything but the manager says that if I wait until September I will have better choices. What is a good Whiskey for a beginner that is a mass market Whiskey.
Bulliet Bourbon, Wild Turkey, Bernheim Wheat Whiskey, Evan Williams 1783, Bushmills, Tullamore Dew.
@@kirbyculp3449 Tullamore dew it is . I've tried it 20 years ago my dad loved it so I know I will give it a proper try. I only drink once or twice a year as I don't go out anywhere and I don't have a lot of friends who drink so I will likely only have one or two ounces a month if that
I like pickled vinegar (he-he)
11 years old? 🙄
Look at the prices for a retail (not committee) bottle of Ardbeg Scortch. NAS and well over a hundred bucks. I hear its great but paying that much for NAS is just off putting.
SPOT. ON. 'NO SALE'. And that's why I have learned from you Ralf: to go the independent bottlers' way ever since you recommended it years ago. I haven't bought an official bottling of many certain brands for a long time since they are out of financial reach. Yet, I am happy! Those reputable independent bottlers are perhaps the only consistency in the market for value and reasonable pricing ALONG with getting relatively decent stuff. Thank you as always for your passion and insight.