ralfy review 702 - Auchentoshan 12yo @40%vol:(Re-reviewed 2017)
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- Опубликовано: 17 окт 2024
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This video represents a personal opinion and perspective only.
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I've never seen ralfy so heated over the caramel! But has good reason. I'd rather have a pale color with more flavor.
I was raised in impression, that proper whisky is relativly pale and slightly green ... that gold/amber colour is for cognac and rum :-O and still live by this ,,, (of course, there is red wine or port cask maturation, which changes a lot, but still)
It needed to be said Ralfy! My whisky budget is tight so I won't take a chance on these "orange" whiskies bottled at 40%. I'm lucky to have many non-chill filtered, natural color whiskies with an age statement bottled at 43% or higher to chose from. They are expensive, but "less is more" sometimes. Take care, Ossie
Rally needs to give up the drink for a few months. He's getting emotional over it. There's more to life Ralfy than caramel whiskey.,
Few can see beyond the coloring of whisky and the chill filtration as well as Ralfy, it's like a metaphor for the state of the world as "we" bow down to the multinational corporations ruling the world. Ralpy is a philosopher my friend, hence over 95 thousand subscribers. Yet those suffering severe myopia only see the whisky, sad really. Be well, Ossie
I totally agree!
Ossie Weinert
Words of wisdom. Thanks!
Regardless of price or ABV I do not buy suspect looking bottles. Perhaps for 2018 Ralfy should abstain from fake-tan bottlings akin to his NAS ban, just a thought.
Ralfy,
Thank you so much for honest opinion regarding to marketing short cuts and tricks.
My pay check gets riff off enough by the government and the banking system. Don't need any more riff off from purchasing scotch.
Well said Ralfy well said. The passion you show for malts is unparalleled.
Hello Ralfy,Auchentoshan is actually in Clydebank,it’s in a place called Mountblow although it says Dalmuir on bottles and boxes,I live there and overlook the Distillery,yeah and agree with the Irish connection as it was actually founded by Irish.The new Glasgow distillery 1770 has also a triple distilled whisky aswell,which was released in the last couple of year.
Learning so much from your reviews. I'm just getting started on my Scotch journey. I just purchased this one today. I can tolerate it more than Jonny Walker Black. Beginners journey, Cheers😊
Hey Ralfy great review as always! My question however is something unrelated. What's your opinion on
'Uisge Source' water for whisky?? Is it worth it or a bit of a gimmick?
Ralfy, I'm a whisky beginner, and I need to thank you for all the information that you provide. 90% of the my whisky knowledge comes from here, but I also study other sources. I've tried so far Glenfiddich 12, Strathisla 12, Glengoyne 10, BenRiach 10, Clynelish 14 (here I cheated - this is not for beginners). Even as a beginner I am impressed by the difference in taste between the BenRiach 10 and some of the others that are chill filtered! The taste and the aromas are much more amplified on the BenRiach, others are good too, but not like the BenRiach. I totally share your thoughts on natural presentations and I strongly feel that natural presentation beats everything!
My next on the list are Glendronach 12, Highland Park 12, and maybe a BenRiach Curiositas - I really felt in love with the BenRiach distillery.
. . . good luck with your future malt-moments !
Might want to try Old Pulteney 12 yo, though 17 yo is amazing.
Hoyet Hemphill thank you, it's on my list!
I have recently experienced similar dissatisfaction giving Old Pulteney 12 another go. Falls short owing to caramel added, chill filtered and bottled at 40%. Have resorted to blending it with higher standard malts to try to improve the experience.
I got my hands on an indie 21 year old. Natural colour, cask strength.
WHY are they buggering around with what they have?!
Just bought a bottle and overall I'm happy with it. The citrus is strong for me, so I tried your astringent experiment and had a little lemon juice with vodka on my second tasting and the toffee notes popped to the forefront. Sad about the caramel color and the mouth feel for a 12 year feels slightly weak. So if that is the culprit, I'm with you Ralfy. Thanks for your posts, I learn a lot.
This Auchentoshan 12yr is currently on sale ($7 off) here in Ontario Canada and I've been considering buying it just for the savings and curiosity around the triple distillation. I appreciate your review which may help in urging me to take the plunge.
Here's my take on the colouring issue: Auchentoshan obviously missed a HUGE marketing/branding opportunity here. Look at their packaging and labelling - it's somewhat modern (as Ralfy pointed out), austere and without old-school pretensions. If their triple distillation is a proprietor selling point and the colouring was somehow affected by it then that could have been part of the whole branding here. A pale whisky resultant of triple distilling in an austere package is what this could have been all about. Is that too hip? Too cool for whisky? I don't think so if the product is unique and of a good quality to back up the mystique. Ralfy, you may be correct, the colouring has in fact compromised the flavour. Time for Auchentoshan rethink this and allow their product to shine naturally and hence market it as such.
I am with you on the caramel colouring, Ralfy!
Ralfy, we like your personal opinions! That’s why we follow your vlogs.
And you are entitled to rant as a lot of people don’t understand what they are losing with chill filtered and watered down whiskies.
This honest review is fantastic. I'm glad you were exercised about the caramel. You truely care about your whiskey. I'm getting a bottle anyway so I know what your talking about.
Thanks, Ralfy, for the knowledge. I've recently enjoyed two excellent malts which do not suffer from colouring or chill filtering: The Arran, and Glengoyne cask strength. Very different but both fantastic.
I haven't tried Auchentoshan, and as a result of your passion in this review, I don't think I ever will.
I hope they read comments like this and get their shit together.
Great video, Ralfy! I hope your points are taken on board.
Hey Ralfy! There's a Auchentoshan 14yo Cooper's Choice at 46% unchill filtered!
Very well said. Your passion for whisk(e)y is appreciated by us Malt-Mates!
Couldn't agree more, Ralfy. And I learned that from you. Thank you for your wisdom. I was told by someone at W&M that they colour and chill filter Dalmore because of their market 'demanding it'. This person told me they don't want, for example, someone who adds ice to their Dalmore in a hotel in Singapore, complaining because it gets some Scotch mist.
. . . I simply do not believe that 'explanation' . It's just not true ! I have NEVER EVER heard of anyone complain about cloudy whisky.
That's what W&M seem to believe however. I find it ridiculous, and the person from W&M kind of agreed with me that they have a responsibility to educate consumers, and consumers have a responsibility to educate themselves. I had a good debate at the Whisky Show at the Wolfburn stand that they should have been been proud of their 3yo whisky, and stated it clearly on the label.
. . . glad you let Wolfburn know your opinion !
It possibly depends on who the target buyer of their products is. Chill-filtration and colour-adding are usually „demanded“ by non-whisky drinkers who buy a bottle every once in a while just to have another one in their bar. Those people are more interested in the „impact“ of the drams they consume and not in discovering the finer ways of presenting a whisky.
Unfortunately these people are numerous and therefore distilleries are tempted to give them what they long for. In terms of substantial hangovers with a „quality“ price-tag chill-filtered and coloured whiskys at 40% work wonders.
I agree if your stuff is good be proud and loud ! Hazelburn is another triple distilled dram and quality through and through, mind you it's Springbank one would expect nothing less, their sales and global following are going bonkers 'good on them' I say.
Watching this on the way home after work. I find this one in its own category - one that has taken me a long time to come around to. I feel like I can taste it as you give your impressions! I have had this one at home for months - haven’t quite wrapped my head around it so no review from me yet. Ralfy I love your honesty and frankness here at 8:47 - I think we all do. Maybe things will move on the right direction...but we’ll pay for it, won’t we?
Mark
When I first bought Auchentoshan, I bought on a whim because I originally wanted to try Old Pulteney, but they were out. When I tried the 12, I found it very mild and I was disappointed.
Throughout the months, I found myself constantly going back to it - and I started appreciating it more with the cling and the oiliness to it and it slowly became my every-day sipping whiskey. Now hearing this review, I am interested in trying something without the chill and caramel coloring as Ralfy was so disappointed in.
Is there another whiskey that you (or he) might recommend to come to a similar style as Auchentoshan but without all the detracting factors? (Something affordable, I looked up some other lowland whiskies(like Ladyburn) and they're 20-30+ years old and cost way too much and are far too rare to find)
It's nice to see someone who tells the truth.. Keep it up Ralfy..
If you want to know what E150a tastes like, try their Three Wood. That is all it is.
I stopped buying anything at 40% or that does not state no color added and non-chill filtered.
I love that you’re fighting the good fight, Ralfy! We should demand higher standards in our single malts. Such a small market buy single malts just to consume and not experience.
Maybe an odd comparison...but would Auchentoshan 12 single malt and the ordinary blended Ballantine's be comparable in terms of quality?
. . . depends which Ballantines, older versions, yes !
In the Whisky Snobbery category, ralfy’s angry indignant rant in “ralfy review 702” wins the Academy Award !
you mark auchentoshan 12 and glenfiddich 12 the same of 82. Do you believe they're of the same calibur? It seemed you prefer Glenfiddich largely over this.
Thanks for the review Ralfy!
I myself have found Auchentoshan much too contrived as a whisky brand and tend to steer away from them.
This is just another confirmation that I will not be buying any official bottles from them until this practice stops.
There is just to many great spirits to try that are not a factory presentation.
Ralfy, if you're drinking whisky when it's that cold inside, does it mute the flavors in the same way that adding ice would?
. . . it's not so much cold as damp !
One more thing. I was able to obtain a bottle of the Canadian blend "Red Blend" from Canadian newcomer Stalk & Barrel. I have yet to crack it open. Have you tried this one? It's relatively inexpensive and is said to contain a fair portion of Stalk & Barrels own single malt. My curiosity is piqued. This particular distiller and it's offerings seem to be non-existent/hard to obtain outside of the general Toronto area. If by chance you have tried this one, what are your impressions? I know little enough about it to to weigh in until I've taken some time with it. It's about $30 Canadian. I may add my impression after spending some time with it. Best wishes.
Love your passion! I've only been appreciating whisky for a year so I'm still learning. I can't really tell the difference in flavor and mouth feel due to chill filtration and caramel color. I have had several of both non and color/caramel added. I just know if I like it... only one bottle that actually looked like it glowed and was sickening sweet! Here in the States, it was called Lost Distillery... awful! I am a fan of the Auchentashen line. Who knows, maybe some day I will get what you're saying.... keep up the great videos! Cheers! John
"but see your triple woods and your heartwoods and american oaks and your.... thingy"😄 Almost killed me!!!😄
I don't want to have to do any guessing what my scotch would be like non-chill filtered and non-colored. Nor do I want to try and guess what age it is either. I'm an amateur scotch drinker/taster and a purist too! Thank goodness for Scotch!
Oh I like angry Ralfy! Color added, minimum ABV, short minimal taste at a premium price no thank you. I’m with you and I make it a mission when looking for a new bottle that it’s Non-Chilled filtered, 46% or better and no color added and I’m not afraid of a subtle whisky as long as it’s complex and interesting. Thanks Ralfy!
excellent rant. this is why the boutique distillers are making headway here in the US.
please re-review some of the more common and available whiskeys that you reviewed early on... for example, Glenmorangie Original... we haven't seen a re-review of that since 2009! Since it's so available it would be great to have an up-to-date review.
One of my favorites, clean, citrus notes but robust
Whoo-hoo, don't hold back tell us what you really think. Quick question ..... has this review been made at the end of a series of consecutive reviews?
. . . no, all reviews are seperate !
Passion! Feel like my day is wasted if I haven't expressed passion over an issue. Going to die, hand on chest and waving finger expressing my displeasure. Thumbs up Ralfy.
One thing I've been meaning to ask you is, why do you not hold the whisky in your mouth for longer when you taste it? You can't possibly experience all the notes and aromas the way you just have a drop and then swallow?
. . . I dont want the vlogs exceeding 30 minutes.
Thanks for making these videos,
I really enjoy taking part in your expertise! Though I think you're too generous with your malt marks.
Ralfy: In most re-reviews, the marks are getting lower. Do you know a (affordable) whisky which got better after re-review ?
He really likes Ardbeg 10 (his whisky of this year I believe). Reviewed it a few times and I think he gave it a higher mark than previously. Possibly the same with the Laddie 10.
Auchentoshan is one of the few distilleries I've had the fortune to visit (early last year) and enjoyed a nice tour with a group of friends, and then went on to bottle myself a bottle in the maturation warehouse. The bottle I got was tremendous - cask strength of course and not just a sherry bomb, but a full on sherry nuke! It even puts Aberlour A'Bunadh in the shade in terms of the sherry flavour.. it's amazing and I felt pretty reasonably priced at £75 including drawing it from the cask yourself. It just shows what that distillery is capable of but unfortunately seems preoccupied with volume products suitable for Duty Free, rather than truly interesting expressions. Hopefully that will change in time.
Well said Ralfy. Not sure how much e150a affects the taste but I am not enjoying this bottle of Auchentoshan 12. Most of the single malts I have been enjoying have been non-chill filtered and natural colour so that's where I will spend my hard earned money in the future.
Brilliant if someone in power at Auchentoshan was to see this and took it on board what you say......I keep my fingers crossed.
. . . they will notice, but I doubt will change presentation until sales decline due to superior-presented competition malts from other Countries !
12:19
"is as good as Glenkinchie when Glenkinchie is ... left alone..."
hahahaaaa
Woohoo! My Malt Mention gets mentioned with a Ralfy Rant. It's a good day!
Wow, now that was some serious winter-blues review there. You need some vitamin d to cheer you up ;) helped me a lot recently.
I reviewed the very same whisky about four months ago and gave it a C- in my own rating system (for reference, no single malt I've purchased has rated below a D). I'm far less experienced than Ralfy, but when I unboxed the bottle and saw that orange tint, and at 40%, my heart sank a little. I like to taste whiskys in pairs, and I'd already opened an Irish whisky, bottled at 46% which was a much lighter straw colour, but had so much more depth of flavour. Putting them side by side was comical.
How about the Auchentoshan Three Wood Single Malt which is bottled at 43% ? Havent got age statement tho. But which one would be preferable to be bought?
Ooops, apparently you already answered that on the end of the video. Thank you.
Hey Ralfy. do you only reply to your patrions??
More craft presentations would be better for me! Speaking of which, I've tried but you've not reviewed Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength yet..... I'm on my third bottle, it's delicious!
He will be reviewing the Blackbreast 108 soon.
Hello you Mississippi Music Makers
(Excellent review. Preach on.)
. . . now on the M-mention list, thanks !
The extra bits of opinion. I live for.
Thanks for the warning. I was about to get a bottle.
I only trust your scoring for my preference of scotches
I agree with your views on E150a, Ralfy, I also find myself avoiding whiskies with it added, I consider it to be a lack of respect to me, the customer.
Ralfy
btw u shud b a wee proud of bein 1 of a historic few who"d b abl to pul off usin the words- 'extra information' as adjectivs 2 th olject "malt moments"
Bravo😎
Keep your pants on folks, this is just an old man yelling at the clouds! 😁
Or at the lack of clouds in his chill filtered dram! 😀
Carry on Ralf, keep em coming like this, great review 👍👍... and a nice new haircut by the way 😁
Genuine question for malt mates here, whisky at a high fill level that was opened five years ago. Still good to drink? I've read some accounts that whisky oxidizes past the point of being drinkable after 1-2 years and others that even opened whisky stored correctly can last nearly indefinitely. It was stored in a cupboard away from sunlight and forgotten about, only just uncovered during a cleaning. Do other people have experiences with such long-since opened bottles?
rvfharrier drink it. Oxidization may have impacted flavor and intensity. That's all
Many of my bottles have been open for 2+ years and I have had very few problems. Finished an Octomore 5.1 yesterday in fact which was bought 5 years ago. As long as the stopper sits tight most whiskies remain in very good shape. Taste changes to different degrees through oxidization depending on the bottling. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse and sometimes (subjective) quality remains the same. I'd say though that young Islays/heavily peated malts are generally affected more as the phenols compounds break down. Also if it's one of those 40%, E150a, chill-filtered with a low bottle level I've seen them simply collaps at some point.
. . taste and try before you decide on keepin' or ditchin' !
I have a very sensitive palate: but to me many spirits lose their flavor nuances and start to taste bitter after only a few weeks of being opened! (Others remain stable, while a smaller number, I find, improve.) Ralfy, of course, is right: taste before making a decision! Generally, however, here's my advice: place a strip of electrical tape gently but firmly around the seam of the cork or screw cap. This I find goes a LONG way in preserving the whisky and extending the shelf life. Ralfy goes further & squirts a dose of Private Preserve into his bottles to keep them going for years. But add the tape as well if you go that route, as I find the gas tends to escape quickly without it. The quality of the seal of modern corks and screw tops used for whisk(e)y is shite IMHO.
I'd second that, either electrical tape or laboratory film (e. g. Parafilm) and if you want to get rid of oxidization apart from potential evaporation, you could try "wine" preservation gas. There should be a video of Ralfy's reg. the latter. :-)
Had a bottle of Auchantoshan, from the s.m.w.s. It really was superb, not tried the distilleries own releases, after that review Ralfy. Don’t think I will bother.
By using chill filtration and caramel color they are appealing to people who only drink whisky occasionally. The problem is that it pushes experienced whiskey drinkers away.
Ralfy, I always have a soft spot for Auchentoshan my first favorite malt, it is one bottle I always keep. The Auchentoshan 12 has overdone the caramel, looks like marmalade. That is too bad because Auchentoshan is one fine distillery. I am beginning to enjoy smoky Islay Whiskies. I also have a new appreciation for American whiskey especially Bottled in Bond.
I will add that I enjoy the NAS entry level Auchentoshan, it is one of my guilty pleasures.
Behold, a rare raging Ralfy malt moment.
Dear Ralfy and fellow malt mates,
Recently I've finished a bottle of Aberlour 12yo double cask matured. I loved it. But now I'm looking for my next sherry matured experience, but I can't make up my mind. I've tasted Dalmore 12yo a few weeks ago, but wasn't as blown away by it as the Aberlour 12yo.
Any suggestions?
. . . Glenfaclas 12yo !
Edradour 10....Glendronach 8 The Hielan...
Yep, Glenfarclas 12yo. Independent maker, directly fired stills, natural color and full bodied scotch for a great price. I enjoyed it even more than their 18yo offering wich costs twice more than 12yo
Another tick for Glenfarclas 12 (though, where I am, the 15 is cheaper - go figure!).
Glenfarclas 12yo a year ago was 22 € for a one litre bottle (43%ABV by the way) where I live so I snatched last three bottles. But not anymore, prices have gone up. Great dram, even better when you leave it in the glass and warm it in your hand, goes little bit syrupy, dried fruits, sherry, not to complex but still a half hour blast from one 25-30 ml dram.
#MALTMENTION Oy RalfydotCom! Don't know if you'll see this: "Mumbling malt-muffled Montgomery Scott Scotch Mustachios!" well, there's another one.
Very satisfying rant review by the way. Needed to see it again.
And good morning.
Yeah I don't understand the caramel coloring craze, as a relatively inexperienced single malt drinker. I'm enjoying a dram of Glenmorangie original and I don't see how my experience would be at all improved if the pale, straw gold color was cranked up to an atomic glowing orange like that bottle of Auchentoshan. Who are they even trying to appeal to with this presentation?
Any chance you could review some brandys? There are almost none up on RUclips. In particular Kammer Williams Pear Birne.
I'm not a great oracle whisky wise but I tried the Auchentoshan American Oak. It was easy going and agreeable. There was a hint of something in the back of the finish - marmite, Bovril but it just was too polite. Muted.
Following the general "don't buy nas"-agenda, I had the opportunity recently to try Auchentoshan's Blood Oak @46% abv. and I quite liked it. Slap an age on the bottle and you probably got me, but being nas and higher priced I leave it at that.
Don't listen to them Ralfy.... If you want to get emotional and angry -= go for it. It's much better to let it out than suppress it - and what better venue than with your Malt Mates :)
Please rereview Bowmores core range. Love them but my drinking experience suffers dramatically. I do not claim to taste e150 but it constantly knocks on my head "fake, fake, fake"
I'm surprised you don't drink more craft American whiskeys! Most distilleries in the states are beginning to abandon the old fashioned ways of coloring and chill filtering! Even major brands like Jim Beam have started a new chill filtration trend, such as all the absolutely tasty Bookers and the new Jim Beam Distillers Cut!
Well said. I still go for the Valinch 2011 . Cheers.
Just heard there is a bottling of Balvenie 21yr Portwood at 47.6%ABV, un-chill filtered. Hope that is in the cards soon! It sounds absolutely incredible
Was planning on getting a scotch that was under $50 since I had Dewar's 15 year, which I liked, and was $50. Auchentoshan was $48 and I heard about it here and there. Overall disappointing. The caramel coloring bit was interesting. This stuff could pass for cheap spiced rum based on color alone. Flavor I wasn't impressed with either. Kind of flat, some smoke but overall forgettable, especially for the near $50 price tag. I liked Glenmorangie 10 and Glenfiddich 12 much more.
Ralfy where can I get that blue shirt you’re wearing? I like it. It looks warm.
. . . e-bay ! happy shopping !
Hi Ralfy, I just started appreciating whisky and you are by far my favorite RUclips channel. Very informative I love how you present in all your videos.
Are you able to do more reviews on travel-exclusive or distillery-only bottles? For example Dalmore Valor/Luceo/Dominium/Regalis, Aberlour 15yo Double Cask, 12yo Sherry Cask? The official bottling are quite easy to come by and some retailers offer tasting but I find myself hesitant to get travel-exclusive bottles since online reviews are so rare on these bottles!
. . . Distillery-only bottling reviews planned for next year, spo long as they ahave an age statement.
thanks Ralfy, I can't wait!
@ralfydotcom I've tasted quite a few Auchentoshans and the only memorable one was the Three Wood, which I likened to some heavily sherried bourbon.
Any chance to see a review of knockando 21???? (I heard it is natural color)
I don't buy the chill-filtering justification that "people don't like cloudy whisky," but I might buy "people don't like to see sediment floating in their whisky." I've bought many non-chill-filtered whiskies, and nearly all were sediment-free, but a few did have visible cask particles at the bottom. Most people would understandably shy away from such "dirty" whisky. And it also invites a marketing catastrophe if an uninformed news reporter discovers a hot scoop about "Tainted Whisky!!!"
You're getting close to 100K subscribers. Will you celebrate with a 100yo whisky?
Well said.
I give lectures on whisky in wine and whisky shops and you very often come across people who buy a lot of whisky but say that non-chilled filtered whisky puts them off. I've heard comments like "it looks like dirty washing up water". These are usually the same people who turn their noses up at natural Colour Ex-Bourbon malts that have a pale straw yellow colour such as Glencadam 10, Tomintoul 14, Bruichladdich Islay Barley and Kilchomans 100% Islay. It does not matter what I say, if it doesn't look caramel toffee brown then they won't touch it!
In my opinion, every distillery, even if it thinks that most of its whisky will be bought by the type of punter who prefers whiskies that don't cloud and look like orange-brown Irn Bru, they should have at least ONE expression which is NCF and Natural Colour and bottled at 46% abv or better still, natural cask strength, just to show what the distillery is really capable of. I for one would really like to know what a natural Talisker tastes like for instance.
. . . I will celebrate with a rare and delicious whisky that's not 100 years old !
. . . it's a growing topic that there are in fact several whisky Industries for different whisky customers, some who are open-minded and have good taste, and others who want pretty looking stuff !
ralfydotcom Agreed, it would be wise to cater to all markets from OBs
First time I've seen Ralfy phissst!, I'm glad he did this pissed in it. It has to be said and done. I'd rather spend my money that I know will do something. You vote with your wallet folks, no words will ever do anything to change, because BIG companies only speak and listen to the words profits all the time. Anything Big says it has a soul with donations to sympathize to your brain is a false premise to make you "trust" them- they have no soul and only care about money.
I'll say this again- the quality liquor you buy is whom you support. Just like the Native american story of two wolves who fight each other in the mind. Who wins? The one you feed.
Speaking of Irish whisky, can you review one of the special 12 years from West Cork.?
Close to getting your 100K play button!
82/100 is being kind. My opinion is 65/100. This expression is subpar and to be avoided unless one wishes to mix with a Coca Cola.
and the colour, mfgs need to be sent a clear message that we don't like it
I wouldn't mix it (or any single malt) with Coke, but otherwise, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I was really surprised when I saw that Ralfy was reviewing this, as he only reviews drams that he scores at 80 or above. And this is definitely not an 80+ scotch in my opinion.
Personally I'd feel that a bit of sediment would be a sign of being handcrafted rather than just churned out on some big machinery
Could do better.......I recently done the tour here, fabulous tour, totally agree this could be magnificent. Interesting tasting it blind I picked the bartenders dram as my favourite they gave us....others being the 18, triple wood, and even a cask sample drawn the day before. Might invest in a wee independent bottle to see what it could be. Keep entertaining ☺
Love you Rafly! :D Great review.
Bring back the valinch- one of the best single malts ever. I'm sure even Toshan man would agree!
How is the street food in Scotland? Any haggis?
. . . lots of Haggis !
Ralfy, will you be doing a review of the new Cotswold Distillery whisky?
. . . no plans at the moment !
I couldn't agree more. Too many distilleries (well, the big brand above them) are seriously damaging scotch whisky reputation by using methods of production that are total non-sense! How would someone présents something under a form that's not its best??? But that's what they do, and I totally understand why it makes you angry. It makes me too, because it's so idiot! Many others distillers in the rest of the world have understood that, and are more "craft" oriented.
Wild Turkey 101 at only $28 USA kicks its ass.
I get this at 43% ABV but even so the mouth feel is much thinner than any other Scotch I have had so far. It is interesting and something different though.
Has anyone tried the signatory bottling of Auchentoshan 2000? NCF, doesnt look like its E150 and its bottled at 46%. It looks like it might be everything Auchentoshan could/should be. Would anyone recommend it?
Yeah. I was wondering the same...
This whisky is excellent.
Auchentoshan 12 is relatively expensive in the states-$40 and it's only 40%.
You have a very tight numbering system, ralfy. You rightly criticised the caramel addition and vociferously so. However, when it came to giving the final mark, it only dropped it 6/7 points down. Based on your body language, I would have expected a drop of around 20 points or even more. I also notice that you rarely award a mark of over 90. Just observations, ma man.
Doesn't it cost money to chill filter and add coloring? Unless the distilleries are stupid, they must have some solid data showing that doing those things would sell more bottles, right? Not only that, it sells better than putting stuff in a dark glass bottle, right?
if that's true, it only means one thing: most people who buy whisky unfortunately don't drink it the same way we do.
Now if they're only doing the chill filtering and coloring out of "tradition"... it's ironic that such "tradition" is barely 100 years old
. . . it does cost money, and is simply for 'cosmetic' purpose !
Hey Ralfy, Have you tried the Auchentoshan Three Wood? I would love a review on it from you.
You won't see a review on this one. First and foremost, it doesn't carry an age statement, so unless and until Ralfy changes his policy, it wouldn't fit the criteria to be reviewed. And secondly, IMO, he probably wouldn't review it anyway, as it's not that good. Certainly not above an 80 (the cutoff for reviews) in my book.
. . . correct !
Hey Ralfy, have you had a chance to try Deanston 10yr Pedro Ximinez Finish Cask Strength 57 .5 abv. I would love a review on it from you. Keep up the good work!