Talisker 10 for me. Complex, with perfectly balanced sweet, spicy, smoky and briny flavours. 45.8%ABV doesn't hurt either. But, if the range in this video my favourite is Laphroaig 10. I can't really say much about it other than that I like the medicinal smokiness. And just like Talisker, it never gets boring.
Overall, Balvenie DW12 is a good dram. Whiskies don’t need to be extremely complex, etc. to be excellent. If I could only have one certain bottle of scotch for the rest of my life, under 50 bucks, it would be the Doublewood. And honestly, compared to many in the same age/price range, it is pretty complex and delicious. I am pretty biased though. Balvenie is my favorite distillery. I haven’t had a single expression of theirs that I didn’t like.
I just started Scotch this past month. I tried Famous Grouse, Balvenie 12, and Highland Park 12. Of the 3 I liked the Highland Park the best. I look forward to more Scotch in ‘21!
Super glad I ended 2020 with A Tale of Cake. Paired that with a Kahlua dipped cigar, and I got nothing but chocolate cake in the glass. I’m really excited to get more into scotch this year, as bourbon and rye have been tasting way too similar lately.
Love pineapple upside down cake! My mom made the best. Very important to place a pecan half in all the remaining blank spaces on the cake! Appreciate the video! The only bottle of scotch I have purchased was a gift for my scotch living ex. It was recommended by the expert Scottish guy in The Celtic Shop in Weston Missouri which has hundreds or more bottles of Scotch and Irish whiskey. It was Craigellachie 13. We haven't opened it yet.
Very good and interesting list. I'm glad you are pointing out a lot you haven't tasted. You get the feeling with other reviewers that they've tried every whiskey in the world!
Sometimes its useful to put that thought out there, but I've always liked to be the average guy exploring whisky with a goal of teaching. I often feel like I am still a novice+
I'm a big fan of the Classic Laddie. I bought a bottle a few months ago and it's currently in my top 5 favorites. That being said when I bought it I had both my dad and brother try it. My dad because he is a bourbon drinker and does not like the peaty taste of scotch. The Classic Laddie is unpeated so I figured he'd like it. He did enjoy it, but still prefers his bourbons (no problem). My brother is a scotch guy and the first thing he said when he nosed was, and I'm not even joking, "it smells like poop". I went back and nosed it, sure enough within that Earthy note, I could smell what he was talking about. It didn't ruin it for me, but I just have to laugh that it's what he picked up the first time he nosed it.
Fun review! Thank you! Probably everyone would rank these differently, and I found myself re-ranking them in my head. For example, I love The Balvenie 12 and Springbank 10. Still, your ranking is completely fair. Have a great 2021!!!
You mentioned trying the Balvenie 14 so I will say that I liked the 14yr Caribbean Cask over the Double Wood 12 yr. Both bottles are empty on my shelf, but if I bought another one it would be the 14!
It is amazing that all the top whiskies shown online by different reviewers do not like the same ones, just goes to show you every bodies taste is different, no body likes the same thing.
Bill, good rundown. I didn't taste many new scotch this year, mainly enjoyed the ones I had opened in 2019. For new, my favorite was the Kirkland 22 year Speyside. Very good balance with the malt and sherry. My favorite overall still is the Deanston 9 year in Red Bordeaux casks at almost 60% ABV. On my third bottle. CHEERS!
Every whisky I’ve tried this year is my favorite! Lagavulin 11 Guinness, Laphroaig Caideas 2023, Bunnahabhain 12 & Port Charlotte. Classic Laddie arriving this coming week!
I agree that the Lagavulin 8 is better than Laphroaig 10, but you really need to try Lagavulin 16. It is the best, in my opinion. Last Christmas, my wife couldn't find it and settled for Lagavulin 12 - pretty darn good.
Bill, I have the Balvenie Double Wood and the 14. I don’t like either. Not sure what it is, but for me they’re not pleasant and I feel like they’re over hyped. I’ve been hoping they would grow on me, but I’ve had the 14 for a year now and I still don’t care for it.
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary I went back and had the 14 again tonight. I have come to the conclusion what I don’t like about both the 14 and the DW is that (to me) they have a strong black pepper taste. They even make my gums tingle as if I’ve eaten something super spicy. Just not pleasant at all to me.
Where can you get A Tale of Cake? I can't even find it online anywhere in EU, all sold out. It's aged in ex-Tokaji Azsu wine casks, which is one of the sweetest wines in the world from Hungary. There are only a handful of whiskeys that have same feature like Eradour, Arran, Hobart, BenRiach. But they are also extremely rare and unobtainable and mostly very expensive being limited and over 20 years old. I learned a lot about wine checking out different cask finishes XD All the rest I can easily find in my local store, except for Ardbeg Wee. I'll be going to Sweden for that one, Arrrrrdbeg and Scorch.
Surprisingly good showing for Islay. I think your top pics look very good, I haven't had the AnCnoc though, I'll be looking our for that. Happy new year :)
Disappointed I can't get that bottle anywhere around here, Canada's awful (specifically my province) for scotch selection. All government run in this province.
Don’t worry about the Springbank 10, as you become more experienced with Scotch you’ll start to love it. You’ll probably look back in a few years and be embarrassed about preferring something like the Glenmo tale of the cake at this stage. 😂 The current batches of Springbank 10 are as good as they’ve been in recent years.
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary yeah, it took me about 8 years to try and get into Campbeltown whisky. It’s hard to reach past it now. Springbank 12 cask strength and Longrow Red are absolute musts. Highly recommended
i must say my whisky collection got bigger this 2020. Just got one scotch tho, but might be the whisky of the year for me, Ben Bracken 8 years Islay single malt. Its a Lidl brand whisky but i loved the peat and smoke of this thing, as a Portugese guy i must say that buying a Islay smokey whisky for 15 euros its amazing, and i would buy again for sure!
Love the Laddie! Tbh, I love Bruichladdich. Fantastic distillery. Highly recommend the Port Charlotte, halfway through a bottle now and an Octomore coming tomorrow! Really enjoyed the wee beastie, but not as much as I was hoping. I usually really like a young, potent scotch but I found this to be a little too harsh and more “off” notes than on. Would probably still buy it again though, for the money it’s great. Not sure i agree on the Laphroaig being a test for if someone likes peat. As a big lover of peat, I find the Laphroaig a little too vegetal and grassy than the classic peaty/smoky flavours that comes with your usual peat dose.
I watched your globe whiskey decantor piece after buying for my friend. You had made the video a few years ago but just wanted to thank you for making the video. I had already purchased it but you helped to solidify my thought process towards buying it. Thanks man and will subscribe
I have the Glenfiddich XX and enjoy that. Will be picking up a 2nd or 3rd bottle before they run out. The Winters Storm is not available in Ontario, Canada so I wish you best of luck finding it and I look forward to the review. Cheers!
Great video. I can't tell you how I appreciate the fact that you say the the bottom 5 are good, but just ok. I can only get a few of your top five here in Ontario, Canada, so will definitely give them a try. Thanks again.
You mentioned trying higher age statement Campbelltown whiskies, my advice is try the Springbank 10 local barley (2020). It is phenomenal. I tried it back to back with a Springbank 21 and it came out on top. Amazing. Other amazing whiskies from Campbelltown are the Longrow Red series and Glen Scotia Victoriana and Kilkerran Heavily Peated.
If you want the best sherried whisky you need to try Glendronach 18, the 12, 15 and batch cask strength are great too but the 18 is king. Aberlour A'Bunadh is another good shout.
U need to try Glendronach 15 year / glendronach 18 year , glendronach 21 year , glengoyne 18 year / glengoyne 21 year , kilkerran 8 year cask strength , compass box hedonism , compass box spice tree , johnnie walker green label , glenmorangie quintaruban , ardbeg uigeadail , glenfarclas 15 year / 21 year /25year , balvenie tun . These are notable and honourable mentions in scotch . I bet u will like em.
Bill) VERY interested to find out that you pocked Wee Beastie over Ardbeg 10! I haven't had Wee Beastie yet, but I suspect that I will also pick it over the 10; we shall see 🤔🤷♂️
Springbank 10 is an absolute gem. It is spirit forward and not everyone loves the Springbank funk. But to me its the most complex and balanced non-cask strength 10 on the market. It takes water extremely well.
@@rostislavtraps7148 you're talking about Springbank 10? 100 bucks is a marked up price, it's a ~$65 whisky in the U.S. Also one of the last small operations left so is going to cost a little more than something equivalent than from say the Diageo line.
My won’t buy again from 2020 are the following: Lagavulin 16, love peat, just find that this one doesn’t excite me Balvenie 12 DW is on my list as well Bladnoch 10 just not in my wheelhouse
Hi, thanks for the list. I had the Pulteney as well and was disappointed also. Mine is at 40%, I know that are other bottlings. Others you mentioned here also have different abv bottlings, it would be good if you mention which one you had tried.
Thanks again for a great run down of the years Scotchs (the Irish review was great also) at the moment I am sipping away on a Singleton masters blend non-age statement its a great one easy going long legs on the glass at a reasonable price. Keep up the good work!
I really love the classic laddie. It was my first scotch and I love it. I made the mistake of buying Glenfiddich 12 after The Classic Laddie and it tasted like fruity, oak water in comparison.
I honestly wouldn't bother with the Caribbean Cask if you weren't thrilled with the Doublewood 12. Go straight to the Doublewood 17 or the Portwood 21, I believe the latter is David Stewart's favourite and is amazing.
@@grahamjonathan762 Oh it's definitely expensive, but in a world where money isn't a problem and you're interested only in taste I think the Caribbean Cask isn't different enough to the 12 to be another video in itself. In the real world however money is definitely a factor, it's why I haven't had Macallan in years.
Can't think of a lot of new ones I tried last year. Glendronach 15, the newest Macallen special edition (Purple or blue I can't remember?) and I finally got a double of Johnny Walker Blue Label. I would say JW Blue Label is the only JW I truly enjoyed but not worth the price. Macallen probably takes first for taste and abv, Glendronach 15 #2 for taste and price compared JW.
Balvenie 12 tastes good untill I swallow it. Then there is nothing. No finish, no aftertaste, nothing. I like Glenfiddich 12 much better. I have to try Laphroig 10 soon although I think it´s not gonna be pleasant probably. I´m a bourbon guy so I lean toward sweeter flavors but I want to know some Scotch and Speyside is simply not enough LOL That Glenmorangie looks very attractive to me.
I never was a Scotch drinker, strictly Bourbon, but your video will make me at least try, especially if it’s non-peated. What would you recommend for a complete newbie?
@@ginopagnani7286 if you are into cask strength Bourbon, I recommend Aberlour Abundah. To me glenlivit 12 is weak and watery for an experienced whisky drinker.
Since I started drinking whisky I have noted that my hair has fallen out !!! I once had a full head of hair like a lions main !! And now i look like a cat that has the mange !!!! But not to worry because I have it on good authority that if I rub raw egg on my head then rinse it of with gin it will grow back !!! And once more I will have a full oasis of hair again and not have to worry about people shouting BALDY! as they drive past in there cars !
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary make sure they are free-range or it won't work !!! I like the video by the way and agree with alot of what you say as I have drunk most of these in the last two years or so !!! It's always good to have more whisky reviews on line as its such a good subject 👌 Keep it up ! 🇺🇲🇬🇧🇺🇲🇬🇧🇺🇲🇬🇧🇺🇲🇬🇧🇺🇲🇬🇧🇺🇲🇬🇧🇺🇲🇬🇧🇺🇲🇬🇧🇺🇲🇬🇧🇺🇲 P.S I just subscribed
well... interesting guy, but they you lost ma at Springbank is in the Glenfiddich 12... seeesh.... Lagavulin 8 is a meh compared to the 16 and again... on top of the Springbank? BTW the Claccis Laddie is never the same blend of cask, so each time is a different bottle so to say.
Yea, this is 100% a my tastes thing... I'm trying REAL hard to learn to love Springbank. I bought the 10 and the 13 so far, and I keep drinking it hoping I'll like it.
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary Well, go for the 15, if it does not give you a strainght up love for them you'll never like the house. That said, this would make you a an untrustable person ahahaha (never trust some one who does not like Springbank, just like never trust a child that does not like spagetti lol_
What was YOUR favorite Scotch you tried this year?
The Glenlivet 18 years and JW Blue Label.
Loch Gorm 2019, Laphroaig Lore, Tomatin 18, Càirdeas Triple Wood, Port Askaig 100°Proof, Ardbeg 10, Quinta Ruban 12, Aberlour A'Bunadh 65, Highland Park Valknut, Glendronach 12 (2013 Bottling), (no particular order... but mostly heavily peated preferred & Tomatin 18+ plus heavily sherried).... Wolfburn Northlands & Ledaig 10, Bunnahabhain 12 & Ceòbanach....does the list ever end?!?
JUST to pick ONE: Ceòbanach...or Loch Gorm 2019- geez
tough choice, but I have to second the Bunnahabbhain Ceòbanach. Given your fondness for peat, I think you should check this one out!
Talisker 10 for me. Complex, with perfectly balanced sweet, spicy, smoky and briny flavours. 45.8%ABV doesn't hurt either. But, if the range in this video my favourite is Laphroaig 10. I can't really say much about it other than that I like the medicinal smokiness. And just like Talisker, it never gets boring.
The Ardbeg Wee Beastie was a very pleasant surprise to me as well. Like it a lot, and fairly affordable.
Overall, Balvenie DW12 is a good dram. Whiskies don’t need to be extremely complex, etc. to be excellent. If I could only have one certain bottle of scotch for the rest of my life, under 50 bucks, it would be the Doublewood. And honestly, compared to many in the same age/price range, it is pretty complex and delicious. I am pretty biased though. Balvenie is my favorite distillery. I haven’t had a single expression of theirs that I didn’t like.
Port Charlotte 10 is my best discovery of the year. Did not know it, saw it in a retailer, bought it, love it.
I just started Scotch this past month. I tried Famous Grouse, Balvenie 12, and Highland Park 12. Of the 3 I liked the Highland Park the best. I look forward to more Scotch in ‘21!
Try Glenmorangie 10 for the taste of fruit and Ardbeg 10 if you like peated. 😎
@@pghphred2102 I was considering the Glenmorangie 10 for my next taste. Thank you 🙏🏼
I like The Balvenie 12
@@northernninety7 I enjoy it as well
The Pineapple Upside-Down Cake part was a master stroke. Who TF else is giving you that type of effort on YT?!? 🔥 🔥 🔥
Damn right! I bring the cake!
Thank you so much for listing your choices on your show notes. I enjoy your shows.
Try Clynelish 14 when you get the chance, how it's not more coveted/popular is beyond me when the ratings are through the roof :)
Clynelish is amazing!
I agree... good juice
Super glad I ended 2020 with A Tale of Cake. Paired that with a Kahlua dipped cigar, and I got nothing but chocolate cake in the glass. I’m really excited to get more into scotch this year, as bourbon and rye have been tasting way too similar lately.
Happy New Year! Nice list and great review of all your selections.
Thanks!
Love pineapple upside down cake! My mom made the best. Very important to place a pecan half in all the remaining blank spaces on the cake! Appreciate the video! The only bottle of scotch I have purchased was a gift for my scotch living ex. It was recommended by the expert Scottish guy in The Celtic Shop in Weston Missouri which has hundreds or more bottles of Scotch and Irish whiskey. It was Craigellachie 13. We haven't opened it yet.
Sounds good to have the pecan in there. Mmm
I just picked up a bottle of Ancnoc 18 yesterday. It is wonderful. It may even overtake the Glenmorangie 18 as my favorite.
I got a bottle of Balvenie 14 year Caribbean Cask for Christmas! I haven't opened it yet, but am really looking forward to it!!
Did you open it? I'm curious about it...
Very good and interesting list. I'm glad you are pointing out a lot you haven't tasted. You get the feeling with other reviewers that they've tried every whiskey in the world!
Sometimes its useful to put that thought out there, but I've always liked to be the average guy exploring whisky with a goal of teaching. I often feel like I am still a novice+
I'm a big fan of the Classic Laddie. I bought a bottle a few months ago and it's currently in my top 5 favorites. That being said when I bought it I had both my dad and brother try it. My dad because he is a bourbon drinker and does not like the peaty taste of scotch. The Classic Laddie is unpeated so I figured he'd like it. He did enjoy it, but still prefers his bourbons (no problem). My brother is a scotch guy and the first thing he said when he nosed was, and I'm not even joking, "it smells like poop". I went back and nosed it, sure enough within that Earthy note, I could smell what he was talking about. It didn't ruin it for me, but I just have to laugh that it's what he picked up the first time he nosed it.
I’d have to go with Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength for my 2020 favorite. Tons of flavor!!
My favorite Scotches of 2020: Longrow 14 Sherry, Springbank 15, and Kilkerran 8 Olorosso.
Fun review! Thank you! Probably everyone would rank these differently, and I found myself re-ranking them in my head. For example, I love The Balvenie 12 and Springbank 10. Still, your ranking is completely fair. Have a great 2021!!!
I agree Shawn. One thing that's been interesting has been seeing everyone's reranking of these.
Balvenie is delicious and complex.
A few tips for this year.....Kilkerran 12yo, Deanston 12yo, Edradour 12yo Caledonia, Arran 10yo, Springbank 15yo, Glencadam 13yo, Glenallachie 12.....
You mentioned trying the Balvenie 14 so I will say that I liked the 14yr Caribbean Cask over the Double Wood 12 yr. Both bottles are empty on my shelf, but if I bought another one it would be the 14!
It is amazing that all the top whiskies shown online by different reviewers do not like the same ones, just goes to show you every bodies taste is different, no body likes the same thing.
Bill, good rundown. I didn't taste many new scotch this year, mainly enjoyed the ones I had opened in 2019. For new, my favorite was the Kirkland 22 year Speyside. Very good balance with the malt and sherry. My favorite overall still is the Deanston 9 year in Red Bordeaux casks at almost 60% ABV. On my third bottle. CHEERS!
Every whisky I’ve tried this year is my favorite! Lagavulin 11 Guinness, Laphroaig Caideas 2023, Bunnahabhain 12 & Port Charlotte. Classic Laddie arriving this coming week!
I agree that the Lagavulin 8 is better than Laphroaig 10, but you really need to try Lagavulin 16. It is the best, in my opinion. Last Christmas, my wife couldn't find it and settled for Lagavulin 12 - pretty darn good.
Bill, I have the Balvenie Double Wood and the 14. I don’t like either. Not sure what it is, but for me they’re not pleasant and I feel like they’re over hyped. I’ve been hoping they would grow on me, but I’ve had the 14 for a year now and I still don’t care for it.
Good to know
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary I went back and had the 14 again tonight. I have come to the conclusion what I don’t like about both the 14 and the DW is that (to me) they have a strong black pepper taste. They even make my gums tingle as if I’ve eaten something super spicy. Just not pleasant at all to me.
Where can you get A Tale of Cake? I can't even find it online anywhere in EU, all sold out. It's aged in ex-Tokaji Azsu wine casks, which is one of the sweetest wines in the world from Hungary. There are only a handful of whiskeys that have same feature like Eradour, Arran, Hobart, BenRiach. But they are also extremely rare and unobtainable and mostly very expensive being limited and over 20 years old.
I learned a lot about wine checking out different cask finishes XD
All the rest I can easily find in my local store, except for Ardbeg Wee. I'll be going to Sweden for that one, Arrrrrdbeg and Scorch.
I have two favorites
Ardbeg Corryvreckan & Ardbeg Uigeadail
Surprisingly good showing for Islay. I think your top pics look very good, I haven't had the AnCnoc though, I'll be looking our for that. Happy new year :)
Excellent list Bill! Keep up the interesting work. Love the videos and really enjoy your channel. Continued success!
Thanks Bill!
For me this year it was the Glenallachie 12 !!
Glenallachie 12 cask strength batch 4. Was out this world 🙌
Of the few I tried, Ardbeg Uigeadail, without a doubt!
Uigeadial is my favourite Scotch. It was my first Peated Scotch in August, 2019 & changed my life
I drank it for the first time last night and I was blown away by how good it is. Glad I still have three quarters of a bottle
Disappointed I can't get that bottle anywhere around here, Canada's awful (specifically my province) for scotch selection. All government run in this province.
@@JCooK2007 LCBO/Ontario, I take it?
That Laddie is outstanding
Don’t worry about the Springbank 10, as you become more experienced with Scotch you’ll start to love it. You’ll probably look back in a few years and be embarrassed about preferring something like the Glenmo tale of the cake at this stage. 😂
The current batches of Springbank 10 are as good as they’ve been in recent years.
Its funny though, I've been doing this channel almost 6 years. I love peated whiskies but need to convert my tastebuds to enjoy Campbelltown
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary yeah, it took me about 8 years to try and get into Campbeltown whisky. It’s hard to reach past it now. Springbank 12 cask strength and Longrow Red are absolute musts. Highly recommended
i must say my whisky collection got bigger this 2020. Just got one scotch tho, but might be the whisky of the year for me, Ben Bracken 8 years Islay single malt. Its a Lidl brand whisky but i loved the peat and smoke of this thing, as a Portugese guy i must say that buying a Islay smokey whisky for 15 euros its amazing, and i would buy again for sure!
Love the Laddie! Tbh, I love Bruichladdich. Fantastic distillery. Highly recommend the Port Charlotte, halfway through a bottle now and an Octomore coming tomorrow!
Really enjoyed the wee beastie, but not as much as I was hoping. I usually really like a young, potent scotch but I found this to be a little too harsh and more “off” notes than on. Would probably still buy it again though, for the money it’s great.
Not sure i agree on the Laphroaig being a test for if someone likes peat. As a big lover of peat, I find the Laphroaig a little too vegetal and grassy than the classic peaty/smoky flavours that comes with your usual peat dose.
Pineapple Upside Down cake is my annual Birthday cake of choice. Def. have to try . 😀
I watched your globe whiskey decantor piece after buying for my friend. You had made the video a few years ago but just wanted to thank you for making the video. I had already purchased it but you helped to solidify my thought process towards buying it. Thanks man and will subscribe
Its a cool decanter for sure! Good choice
I appreciate the dialogue and further reassurance. Yeah it looks like a great piece for most settings, thanks again Happy New Year brother.
Happy New Year!
My favorites would be Port Charlotte OLC:01, Glenmorangie Tale of Cake, Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask. Hmmm not sure what others to add.
I'd add Lagavulin 8 too.
I have the Glenfiddich XX and enjoy that. Will be picking up a 2nd or 3rd bottle before they run out. The Winters Storm is not available in Ontario, Canada so I wish you best of luck finding it and I look forward to the review. Cheers!
Great video. I can't tell you how I appreciate the fact that you say the the bottom 5 are good, but just ok. I can only get a few of your top five here in Ontario, Canada, so will definitely give them a try. Thanks again.
Of the New Ones I tried the Port Charlotte takes it, but Wee Beastie is a close second
You mentioned trying higher age statement Campbelltown whiskies, my advice is try the Springbank 10 local barley (2020). It is phenomenal. I tried it back to back with a Springbank 21 and it came out on top. Amazing. Other amazing whiskies from Campbelltown are the Longrow Red series and Glen Scotia Victoriana and Kilkerran Heavily Peated.
If you want the best sherried whisky you need to try Glendronach 18, the 12, 15 and batch cask strength are great too but the 18 is king. Aberlour A'Bunadh is another good shout.
U need to try Glendronach 15 year / glendronach 18 year , glendronach 21 year , glengoyne 18 year / glengoyne 21 year , kilkerran 8 year cask strength , compass box hedonism , compass box spice tree , johnnie walker green label , glenmorangie quintaruban , ardbeg uigeadail , glenfarclas 15 year / 21 year /25year , balvenie tun . These are notable and honourable mentions in scotch . I bet u will like em.
Agree about Old Pultney 12. Needs a bit more.
Monkey Shoulder was my go to whisky for 2020!
Would love to hear your opinion on the 100 Pipers 8 years old blended malt whiskey.
Gotta try the Balvenie 15 sherry cask it’s fantastic!
Great list. Gonna be looking for Ardbeg! Sounds right up my alley.
The balvenie is fantastic. Its sweet honey note is amazing.
Agreed. It has a bit of a strawberry jam note imo. Very good.
Very easy to drink, always a favourite of mine to direct new whiskey drinkers to.
@@northernninety7 I have yet to pick up strawberry from my whiskies, I better go back to try. Yumm
@@JCooK2007 absolutely. I would start them off with the balvenie over glenfiddick, which is also very good.
Dry fruits, almonds. It’s like drinking Christmas.
That pineapple upside down whiskey sounds delicious. Next time I want a drink, I’m going to look for it.
It's very good. At this point it'll likely be a bit tough to find
My favorite of 2020 is Kilkerran 8yo Cask Strength Olorosso cask, the 2019 release...Really good stuff
Bill) VERY interested to find out that you pocked Wee Beastie over Ardbeg 10! I haven't had Wee Beastie yet, but I suspect that I will also pick it over the 10; we shall see 🤔🤷♂️
Picked*
It's better and affordable!
Springbank 10 is an absolute gem. It is spirit forward and not everyone loves the Springbank funk. But to me its the most complex and balanced non-cask strength 10 on the market. It takes water extremely well.
Ssh let everyone just take his word for it, more of my favorite on the shelves for you and I...
@@roc20621 you are right. Springbank is horrible. So is Longrow, Hazelburn, Kilkerran, Arran, and Bunnahabhain
@@steveno7058 😂 eeeexactly
it’s $100 and I don’t see how it been justified
@@rostislavtraps7148 you're talking about Springbank 10? 100 bucks is a marked up price, it's a ~$65 whisky in the U.S. Also one of the last small operations left so is going to cost a little more than something equivalent than from say the Diageo line.
My won’t buy again from 2020 are the following:
Lagavulin 16, love peat, just find that this one doesn’t excite me
Balvenie 12 DW is on my list as well
Bladnoch 10 just not in my wheelhouse
I was disappointed with the last bottle of Lavagulan 16. I like Laphroaig 10 and 10 cask strength along with Port Charlotte 10 much better.
I agree with Balvenie 12 DW. It wasn't bad but nothing outstanding.
Hi, thanks for the list. I had the Pulteney as well and was disappointed also. Mine is at 40%, I know that are other bottlings. Others you mentioned here also have different abv bottlings, it would be good if you mention which one you had tried.
Thanks again for a great run down of the years Scotchs (the Irish review was great also) at the moment I am sipping away on a Singleton masters blend non-age statement its a great one easy going long legs on the glass at a reasonable price. Keep up the good work!
Nice vid. Agree re the Wee Beastie....but I personally love the Springbank 10. Cheers mate.
Yes Bill definitely get the project XX! my favorite scotch of the year is a tie with another. Kirkland 22yr and glendronach 18
I really love the classic laddie. It was my first scotch and I love it. I made the mistake of buying Glenfiddich 12 after The Classic Laddie and it tasted like fruity, oak water in comparison.
Winter Storm is amazing... can’t wait to hear your thoughts.
Maybe try the Balvenie 17 Double wood? The bottles I've tasted were very good, the improvement over the 12 was worth the higher price.
The Balvanie Doublewood 12, Aberlour both 12 and 16, Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve, Ardbeg , Langluvin 8,
Springbank 18 is a must try, agree on the Springbank 10, really pretty ok, but…
So right about balvenie 12...after drinking a bit of the bottle I thought it was way too simple tasting for the price.
You must be getting all shit bottles. They keep the best for the UK. 😂
I like Glenfiddich 12. I know a lot of people don't, but when you just want a nice, friendly, gentle whisky--it doesn't disappoint. ;)
I don't know anyone who doesn't. I'm totally with you, it's great for the price and great to get into scotch
Ardbeg Corryvreckan hands down!
Great list! Anything Bruichladdich is really great.
Oh. As I´m quite a new to the game I haven´t tried many but Dalmore 12 is my current favorite Scotch.
I honestly wouldn't bother with the Caribbean Cask if you weren't thrilled with the Doublewood 12. Go straight to the Doublewood 17 or the Portwood 21, I believe the latter is David Stewart's favourite and is amazing.
Hmm... could be fun to jump around. Maybe ill do both!
The DW 17 is not worth the price of £100 imo. Both the DW 12 and Caribbean Cask are far better drinks in relation to price.
@@grahamjonathan762 Oh it's definitely expensive, but in a world where money isn't a problem and you're interested only in taste I think the Caribbean Cask isn't different enough to the 12 to be another video in itself. In the real world however money is definitely a factor, it's why I haven't had Macallan in years.
You should review old parr 12 scotch?
Happy new year 🎆
That cake looked amazing!!
Thanks!
Glenlivet cognac cask for me. And balvenie we kinda know what they are or what the 12 is. But as i was nearly done, it kinda grew on me.
Haha, great. First ‘2020 favorite whisky’s video’ that contains only whisky’s that I drank this year!
Balvenie and Laphroaig. YES.
I concur with the Wee Beastie!
Don't forget to try deanston 12.. You won't regret 🙂
Can't think of a lot of new ones I tried last year. Glendronach 15, the newest Macallen special edition (Purple or blue I can't remember?) and I finally got a double of Johnny Walker Blue Label. I would say JW Blue Label is the only JW I truly enjoyed but not worth the price. Macallen probably takes first for taste and abv, Glendronach 15 #2 for taste and price compared JW.
Yea... Blue is at the top of my most disappointing list
Ardbeg Uigeadail was my favorite of the year. So good with the smoke and Sherry. Scotch for dummies gave it a 3.68 out of 4.
Balvenie 12 tastes good untill I swallow it. Then there is nothing. No finish, no aftertaste, nothing. I like Glenfiddich 12 much better. I have to try Laphroig 10 soon although I think it´s not gonna be pleasant probably. I´m a bourbon guy so I lean toward sweeter flavors but I want to know some Scotch and Speyside is simply not enough LOL That Glenmorangie looks very attractive to me.
Awesome videos - do a whiskey collection video?
Sure!
The Glenfiddich Project Twenty is superb!
Interesting video Bill 🥃
Lagavulin 16, hands down !
Haven’t watched it yet and I’m going Ardbeg 10....
In 2021, Port Charlotte 10 year old has been named Whisky of the Year....
Ardbeg 10 is my go-to scotch
Tomatin 14. My favorite sherry scotch
Tomatin cask strength
Omg that's so funny back drop
I never was a Scotch drinker, strictly Bourbon, but your video will make me at least try, especially if it’s non-peated. What would you recommend for a complete newbie?
Glenlivet 12
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary Thanks! Will head over to Kappy’s tomorrow.
@@ginopagnani7286 if you are into cask strength Bourbon, I recommend Aberlour Abundah. To me glenlivit 12 is weak and watery for an experienced whisky drinker.
@@steveno7058 I usually go for higher proof in my bourbon, most of what I have at home is at least in the mid-90’s. Thanks for the recommendation.
@@ginopagnani7286 try Monkey Shoulder. FYI
$109 bucks for Belvenie here in New Zealand
Oof. Skip
It's fun using cheaper scotch in cocktails. You ever have a Penicillin?
Believe it or not. I never have
Tokaj is getting more and more popular :O
The Balvenie 17 year Double Wood is just amazing and my favorite scotch
So you love peated whisky...
Sure do
Since I started drinking whisky I have noted that my hair has fallen out !!! I once had a full head of hair like a lions main !! And now i look like a cat that has the mange !!!! But not to worry because I have it on good authority that if I rub raw egg on my head then rinse it of with gin it will grow back !!! And once more I will have a full oasis of hair again and not have to worry about people shouting BALDY! as they drive past in there cars !
... looks like I need to buy some eggs
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary make sure they are free-range or it won't work !!! I like the video by the way and agree with alot of what you say as I have drunk most of these in the last two years or so !!! It's always good to have more whisky reviews on line as its such a good subject 👌 Keep it up ! 🇺🇲🇬🇧🇺🇲🇬🇧🇺🇲🇬🇧🇺🇲🇬🇧🇺🇲🇬🇧🇺🇲🇬🇧🇺🇲🇬🇧🇺🇲🇬🇧🇺🇲🇬🇧🇺🇲 P.S I just subscribed
Thanks Dan! New video dropping within the hour :)
Where is uigeadail?
These are only whiskies I've reviewed this year
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary then you need to review uigeadail. it is amazing
I did it a couple years ago. I love it, although the Cory is my favorite
1:57 Good. More for me.
What are your thoughts on Bowmore?
I've only had the 12. It was good, but im eager to check out more
Try the Bowmore 15.
well... interesting guy, but they you lost ma at Springbank is in the Glenfiddich 12... seeesh.... Lagavulin 8 is a meh compared to the 16 and again... on top of the Springbank? BTW the Claccis Laddie is never the same blend of cask, so each time is a different bottle so to say.
Yea, this is 100% a my tastes thing... I'm trying REAL hard to learn to love Springbank. I bought the 10 and the 13 so far, and I keep drinking it hoping I'll like it.
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary Well, go for the 15, if it does not give you a strainght up love for them you'll never like the house. That said, this would make you a an untrustable person ahahaha (never trust some one who does not like Springbank, just like never trust a child that does not like spagetti lol_
My kids don't really like spaghetti... the distrust must be in my blood!
But for real, I'll pick up the 15. Thanks for thr recommendation
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary ahahahah clearly, there are some red lights here LMAO
Bunnahabhain 12?
I didnt review it this year