Hey Ralfy, greetings from Canada! A great review as always, though this time 'round your splurge about money spent and where the products we buy come from has really stuck with me. It is good to hear such humble yet meaningful advice with regard to money. Thanks again!
I always get excited when Ralfy starts talking politics. But alas! It's always cut short with a familiar "moving on!" Keep it up Ralfy! Best channel on RUclips.
lol lapsang souchong is AMAZING, I saw it in the shops and bought it, I knew you once talked about a tea, and I always wondered if it was lapsang souchoung! I could not watch all 266 video's all over again! now I know sure ! hehe :)
brilliant, honest and entertaining reviews and videos. not to nitpicky with whiskies and one of the few people i've seen/met to like high quality tea with nice spirits. i really enjoy this channel. thank you ralfy
Another good lesson, Ralfy. However, the yarn about the shot glass originating in the Civil War does not hold water, no pun intended. Tho' some of the soldiers had the new fangled cartridges, the overwhelming majority were shooting muzzle loaders. Powder was wrapped in paper. Among those lucky few who were using cartridges, the diameter was about a third of an inch. And the officers did not tote larger caliber guns. The shot glass may have started with the jiggers of the canal diggers.
Cuervo is pretty bad stuff. I wouldn't say it tastes clean and honestly, given the number of decent 100% agave blancos, and even repos, that can be found for $25 or less in many places in the US, I wouldn't even buy the stuff for a mixer-centric tequila. FWIW, El Ultimo is a terrific value (sub-$20) for mixing drinks, and Don Eduardo blanco is a terrific sipper and only around $25 in my area...of course it also works great in a Margarita. I'd also add Milagro as well; their repo is very good.
Very enjoyable and informative. Unfortunately most people haven’t the solitary person’s time, temperament, inclination, or desire to learn and reflect. Look what happened to Socrates for simply asking them to ask questions. 👍🏻🏴🏴
Like you said, cap and ball firearms was the norm. Here is a pretty good list of the cartridge shooting guns of the Civil War. They were all rare. Henry rifle shot the .44 Henry Spencer carbine .56-56 rimfire cartridge. Maynard cartride .50 and .52 cal rimfire. Billinghurst Requa Battery gun Billinghurst .58 cal cartridge. Ballard Carbine shot the Ballard .44 rim fire cartridge. Spencer carbine shot a .56 cal rimfire cartridge. Burnside carbine shot a weird brass cartridge of .54 cal.
Hey Ralfy...hi. Rob-o here. After viewing this particular review, I'd enjoy sharing an 'ol family recipe that u may find quite comforting if not interesting at the least. Its a bit of a take on the 'hot toddy', for those cold damp feelings that occasionally rear their heads...a nightcap,etc. It goes like this: 3/4 cup of milk 1/2 to 3/4 tsp sugar a 1/8 of a fingernail size of butter [that being a very small amt :] & a conservative amt (to taste) of your favorite Speyside SM. Sip & Enjoy.
In terms of using good tequila for cocktails, I gotta agree with 1keickhoff, it's a terrific drink that does benefit from a good tequila. For the triple sec, I'd say stick with Cointreau or Creole Shrub. That said, I think there is a diminishing return in terms of the level of tequila quality in a margarita. Blancos really seem to work the best as well as some of the less tannic repos. I don't think anejos are the best choice for a 'rita nor do I think a 'rita is the best use for anejos.
Very nice messages in this video; Delicious deviations as usual. In relation to shot glasses, I find that those far east designs are perfectly sized when appropriated for my gongfu tea drinking.
I have recently started watching and enjoying your channel. Interesting idea with the tea! A M-mentioning addition (if it hasn't already been added or used) Malt Musketeers ;)
Glad this popped up in my recs. Thanks Ralfy. Couple questions for you: 1) Will you consider doing an Extras on tea alone? Or perhaps a Rapid Review? I began drinking tea regularly several months ago and it's helped me refine my palate which has in turn helped me in whiskey tasting. 2) Would tea make for a good alternative to coffee in a Scotch Cream? Irish creams and I think bourbon creams both use coffee, but I wonder if a good quality tea (a Ceylon black for example) would be a good substitute.
I wouldn't really say that cocktails are designed to completely mask the taste of the spirit. I mean look at an Old Fashioned, made properly the sugar and bitters act more like seasoning than a way to hide the comeplexity of the whisky. Gonna have to try this Ralfy, cheers! Also loved the little snigger when you said "dobber" :p
A tequila and tea long drink is a superb combination. Intriguing and sophisticated. On the other hand, I recognize white tequila (un tequila blanco) is exceptionally suited to drinking with lime and/or salt. White tequila combination chasers exist that are not trying to conceal anything. White tequila cocktails need a bit of loving too. From Mexico, I suggest trying a Bandera. Superbly refreshing and a great tantalizer to the senses. Bandera means "flag." The "3 shot" drink reflects the colors of the Mexican flag: White, green and red. Look up the recipe. Make sure you use the correct glasses, squeeze tasty key limes and use a good and fresh bottle of Mexican sangrita. Various sangrita recipes exist if you live in an area that does not sell a quality Mexican brand. The drink is not great unless you source quality key limes, above average tequila (blanco or reposado) and sangrita. "No soda or fizzy stuff" here. I enjoy celebrating the extraordinary quality of Mexican produce. Mexican limes and tomatoes should not be missed.
Hey ralfy, excellent video as always! Could you possibly recommend a good starter sherry? I've never tasted it and would like to better be able to identify subtle sherry notes in my whiskys. Thanks ralfy!
Good luck, sir! :) Just joking. It is actually unforgetable experience. I tasted it with my norwegian friends (they've brought me a bottle of it once). From being just average european drinker (vodka, brandy) that time, I was shoked because of intensity of smell and taste. Islays are far behind :) But actually, although I didn't understand it - a lot of my friends appreciated it, and even some girls which are more cocktail-types. So it would be quite interesting to hear your experienced notes:)
When are you making that video about the Shot Glass and why its used??? Thanks Ralfy, always like your reviews and your thoughts. Thanks again From Canada
Hello, Ralfy. I think, that cocktail will be more interesting with the elderflower syrup. That's a rare, but a really interesting component for mixing.
Yes, do it! We've got a fantastic version made right here in Chicago, in fact. I don't know if they send it overseas, but if you see North Shore Aquavit (or anything at all by North Shore, really - I've yet to try anything from them that wasn't excellent), grab it and try it.
Great vlog, wonderful history and never a dull moment on Ralfy TV...I need to say I am sorry because I described you as an anorak...then I looked up the definition, you are not socially inept. There you have it.
It would be interesting to see a couple of reviews of good quality gins. Foxdenton 48 for excample is a great gin. 48 percent alcohol and a real treat.
No, no, I like that. I never heard of it before, and it's way more believable than Ralfy's story. I'm easy. Wikipedia claims the first time the term "shot glass" occurred was in the 1930's, and that's hard to believe, too.
I did some tequila shots Halloween night here in the US. Lick the salt, slam the tequila, bite the lime. Gave me hell of a buzz. Then proceeded to go to my buddy's house and play multiple drinking games with beer. Worst hangover of my life. Felt more like heroin withdrawals. Anyway, subscribed. I love your whiskey reviews along with all the information you provide.
You should try Samichlaus beer (14%, actually a beer liquor). It is quite amazing, and, in my opinion, has the same overwhelming taste a good whisky can give.
Ralfy, with respect, your use of JCE and references to salt, slammers and cocktails covering up the base spirit suggest you're thinking "cocktails" in the lowest common denominator bars (think Spring Break college crowd). Classic and finely crafted cocktails from pre-prohibition or modern interpretations are often fine, delicious marriages of spirits. It's a different calibre of experience, in my view.
Ralfy, don't sell the margarita short for tequila use. Fresh squeezed lime juice, triple sec (any citrus liquor), fine tequila, and simple syrup. Shake and serve over ice in a salt-rimmed glass. Really fantastic on a hot summer day. I love it strait too, but a great margarita is almost as good as a fine malt moment, to be sure. Thank you so much for your fantastic opinions and reviews. You do great work, Ralfy. Keep it up!
You don't like the theory of the glass maker Friedrich Otto Schott making this style of glass in 1884 and the name Schott Glass was mutated by Americans to "Shot glass."
I know you don't want to get too deep into politics, but when you said, (paraphrasing) "The process of democracy always leads to autocracy." Did you use the word autocracy as a negative or a positive?
Ralphy, do you have to abide by ireland or england liquor taxes? I'm sorry to say that the absolute highest liquor tax in America is in my home state Washington at an average of 21 USD per gallon. Ireland is 64 USD per gallon and England's is 47 USD. Very sorry your country takes advantage of you so, please move to America as soon as possible.
i disagree with that (im mexican) if you ever came to mexico, you WOULD know what a good tequila drink is, and i can asure you, jose cuervo, although very commercial, is among those!
Jose Cuervo Gold is a Mixto; it's only 51% Tequila. The rest is grain/sugar/filler. Always go with Tequila that says 100% Agave/Blue Agave.
Your passion for Spirits is Other-Worldly. I'm paying much more attention to what I drink since watching your videos.
very educational.... best whiskey reviewer on the web!!!!!!!
Hey Ralfy, greetings from Canada!
A great review as always, though this time 'round your splurge about money spent and where the products we buy come from has really stuck with me. It is good to hear such humble yet meaningful advice with regard to money.
Thanks again!
I always get excited when Ralfy starts talking politics. But alas! It's always cut short with a familiar "moving on!"
Keep it up Ralfy! Best channel on RUclips.
lol lapsang souchong is AMAZING, I saw it in the shops and bought it, I knew you once talked about a tea, and I always wondered if it was lapsang souchoung! I could not watch all 266 video's all over again! now I know sure ! hehe :)
brilliant, honest and entertaining reviews and videos.
not to nitpicky with whiskies
and one of the few people i've seen/met to like high quality tea with nice spirits.
i really enjoy this channel. thank you ralfy
Another good lesson, Ralfy. However, the yarn about the shot glass originating in the Civil War does not hold water, no pun intended. Tho' some of the soldiers had the new fangled cartridges, the overwhelming majority were shooting muzzle loaders. Powder was wrapped in paper. Among those lucky few who were using cartridges, the diameter was about a third of an inch. And the officers did not tote larger caliber guns. The shot glass may have started with the jiggers of the canal diggers.
Very informative review, Ralfy. Thanks!
Exelent job Keep up you are the best!!!!!
Cuervo is pretty bad stuff. I wouldn't say it tastes clean and honestly, given the number of decent 100% agave blancos, and even repos, that can be found for $25 or less in many places in the US, I wouldn't even buy the stuff for a mixer-centric tequila. FWIW, El Ultimo is a terrific value (sub-$20) for mixing drinks, and Don Eduardo blanco is a terrific sipper and only around $25 in my area...of course it also works great in a Margarita. I'd also add Milagro as well; their repo is very good.
Very enjoyable and informative. Unfortunately most people haven’t the solitary person’s time, temperament, inclination, or desire to learn and reflect. Look what happened to Socrates for simply asking them to ask questions. 👍🏻🏴🏴
Like you said, cap and ball firearms was the norm. Here is a pretty good list of the cartridge shooting guns of the Civil War. They were all rare.
Henry rifle shot the .44 Henry
Spencer carbine .56-56 rimfire cartridge.
Maynard cartride .50 and .52 cal rimfire.
Billinghurst Requa Battery gun Billinghurst .58 cal cartridge.
Ballard Carbine shot the Ballard .44 rim fire cartridge.
Spencer carbine shot a .56 cal rimfire cartridge.
Burnside carbine shot a weird brass cartridge of .54 cal.
love these videos
Great stuff ralfy! really enjoyable reviews to watch, and I'm drinking some Laphroaig 10yr with some Earl Grey tea. Cheers
Nice hat and spoon sensei! Good show with great tips!
Hey Ralfy...hi.
Rob-o here. After viewing this particular review, I'd enjoy sharing an 'ol family recipe that u may find quite comforting if not interesting at the least. Its a bit of a take on the 'hot toddy', for those cold damp feelings that occasionally rear their heads...a nightcap,etc.
It goes like this:
3/4 cup of milk
1/2 to 3/4 tsp sugar
a 1/8 of a fingernail size of butter [that being a very small amt :]
& a conservative amt (to taste)
of your favorite Speyside SM.
Sip & Enjoy.
In terms of using good tequila for cocktails, I gotta agree with 1keickhoff, it's a terrific drink that does benefit from a good tequila. For the triple sec, I'd say stick with Cointreau or Creole Shrub. That said, I think there is a diminishing return in terms of the level of tequila quality in a margarita. Blancos really seem to work the best as well as some of the less tannic repos. I don't think anejos are the best choice for a 'rita nor do I think a 'rita is the best use for anejos.
awesome!
I like the connection with tea(instantly linking to my tea-friends&tea drinkers).
Very nice messages in this video; Delicious deviations as usual. In relation to shot glasses, I find that those far east designs are perfectly sized when appropriated for my gongfu tea drinking.
I have recently started watching and enjoying your channel.
Interesting idea with the tea!
A M-mentioning addition (if it hasn't already been added or used) Malt Musketeers ;)
Glad this popped up in my recs. Thanks Ralfy. Couple questions for you:
1) Will you consider doing an Extras on tea alone? Or perhaps a Rapid Review? I began drinking tea regularly several months ago and it's helped me refine my palate which has in turn helped me in whiskey tasting.
2) Would tea make for a good alternative to coffee in a Scotch Cream? Irish creams and I think bourbon creams both use coffee, but I wonder if a good quality tea (a Ceylon black for example) would be a good substitute.
I wouldn't really say that cocktails are designed to completely mask the taste of the spirit. I mean look at an Old Fashioned, made properly the sugar and bitters act more like seasoning than a way to hide the comeplexity of the whisky. Gonna have to try this Ralfy, cheers!
Also loved the little snigger when you said "dobber" :p
I went to Mexico recently and brought home some exotic liquors made using Jobo, lychee, and a passion fruit called Maracuya.
I would love to see you do a series on Brandy.
A tequila and tea long drink is a superb combination. Intriguing and sophisticated.
On the other hand, I recognize white tequila (un tequila blanco) is exceptionally suited to drinking with lime and/or salt. White tequila combination chasers exist that are not trying to conceal anything. White tequila cocktails need a bit of loving too. From Mexico, I suggest trying a Bandera. Superbly refreshing and a great tantalizer to the senses. Bandera means "flag." The "3 shot" drink reflects the colors of the Mexican flag: White, green and red. Look up the recipe. Make sure you use the correct glasses, squeeze tasty key limes and use a good and fresh bottle of Mexican sangrita. Various sangrita recipes exist if you live in an area that does not sell a quality Mexican brand. The drink is not great unless you source quality key limes, above average tequila (blanco or reposado) and sangrita. "No soda or fizzy stuff" here. I enjoy celebrating the extraordinary quality of Mexican produce. Mexican limes and tomatoes should not be missed.
Hey ralfy, excellent video as always! Could you possibly recommend a good starter sherry? I've never tasted it and would like to better be able to identify subtle sherry notes in my whiskys. Thanks ralfy!
Good luck, sir! :) Just joking. It is actually unforgetable experience.
I tasted it with my norwegian friends (they've brought me a bottle of it once). From being just average european drinker (vodka, brandy) that time, I was shoked because of intensity of smell and taste. Islays are far behind :)
But actually, although I didn't understand it - a lot of my friends appreciated it, and even some girls which are more cocktail-types. So it would be quite interesting to hear your experienced notes:)
Haha, skulle til å si det samme! :) It would be an interesting review!
Hey, can you include links in the video description please. Love the video, very interesting, thanks.
When are you making that video about the Shot Glass and why its used??? Thanks Ralfy, always like your reviews and your thoughts. Thanks again From Canada
Hello, Ralfy. I think, that cocktail will be more interesting with the elderflower syrup. That's a rare, but a really interesting component for mixing.
Yes, do it! We've got a fantastic version made right here in Chicago, in fact. I don't know if they send it overseas, but if you see North Shore Aquavit (or anything at all by North Shore, really - I've yet to try anything from them that wasn't excellent), grab it and try it.
Avid viewer-first comment. I think your history lesson here is a bit fictional regarding the "shot". No worries...love your reviews. Cheers!
Great vlog, wonderful history and never a dull moment on Ralfy TV...I need to say I am sorry because I described you as an anorak...then I looked up the definition, you are not socially inept. There you have it.
The Extra Black is very good.
Hey ralfy, I just saw an article about ardbeg doing zero gravity whisky maturation experiments! it sounds rather intriguing!
cactus tea really goes great with tequilla!
As a Belgian viewer, I'd like some P.Bruggeman distillers reviews ;)
It would be interesting to see a couple of reviews of good quality gins.
Foxdenton 48 for excample is a great gin.
48 percent alcohol and a real treat.
No, no, I like that. I never heard of it before, and it's way more believable than Ralfy's story. I'm easy. Wikipedia claims the first time the term "shot glass" occurred was in the 1930's, and that's hard to believe, too.
I like ralfy's version of the shot glass, he did say don't hold him to the period of the civil war. We must listen to his disclaimer.
I did some tequila shots Halloween night here in the US. Lick the salt, slam the tequila, bite the lime. Gave me hell of a buzz. Then proceeded to go to my buddy's house and play multiple drinking games with beer. Worst hangover of my life. Felt more like heroin withdrawals. Anyway, subscribed. I love your whiskey reviews along with all the information you provide.
what are you thoughts about Drambuie?
have any plans on reviewing Usquaebach?
You should try Samichlaus beer (14%, actually a beer liquor). It is quite amazing, and, in my opinion, has the same overwhelming taste a good whisky can give.
Make that Danish and Swedish too SayidShazeen... but only the good lokal quality ones :-)
How about a review on pulque?
Assam is awesome!
Ralfy, with respect, your use of JCE and references to salt, slammers and cocktails covering up the base spirit suggest you're thinking "cocktails" in the lowest common denominator bars (think Spring Break college crowd). Classic and finely crafted cocktails from pre-prohibition or modern interpretations are often fine, delicious marriages of spirits. It's a different calibre of experience, in my view.
Last month Ardbeg introduced a new whiskey named 'Smokehead'. Have you tried it already?
Why tea?
Wouldn't water and a little sugar + lemon & lime work to lengthen your spirit?
Thanks
Oh and yes... heated to a boil ;)
Cheers!
Do NOT use any tequila that does not say "100% Agave" on the label
I like to drink bourbon with tea.
I doubt the “shot glass” is derived from bullet cases. I think rather came from some random-ass item from the kitchen.
Actually, I think the shot glass has invented for use in a bar. No fancy history, just slingin’ drinks.
Why is JC Gold sitting up there?
an example of generic bar tequila-style spirit
Generic is being nice...love your reviews!
+ralfystuff Please poor it down the drain.
+John Grindey some people dont mind it, thats fine.
Ralfy, don't sell the margarita short for tequila use. Fresh squeezed lime juice, triple sec (any citrus liquor), fine tequila, and simple syrup. Shake and serve over ice in a salt-rimmed glass. Really fantastic on a hot summer day.
I love it strait too, but a great margarita is almost as good as a fine malt moment, to be sure. Thank you so much for your fantastic opinions and reviews. You do great work, Ralfy. Keep it up!
You don't like the theory of the glass maker Friedrich Otto Schott making this style of glass in 1884 and the name Schott Glass was mutated by Americans to "Shot glass."
Ralfy Please do a review about Sri Lankan Coconut Arrack.
www.jacobgrier.com/blog/archives/6443.html
thanks :)
I know you don't want to get too deep into politics, but when you said, (paraphrasing) "The process of democracy always leads to autocracy." Did you use the word autocracy as a negative or a positive?
Nice TEAquila, tiger :-)
Ralphy, do you have to abide by ireland or england liquor taxes? I'm sorry to say that the absolute highest liquor tax in America is in my home state Washington at an average of 21 USD per gallon. Ireland is 64 USD per gallon and England's is 47 USD. Very sorry your country takes advantage of you so, please move to America as soon as possible.
Oh noo, don't do it) It's only for Norwegians :)
i disagree with that (im mexican) if you ever came to mexico, you WOULD know what a good tequila drink is, and i can asure you, jose cuervo, although very commercial, is among those!
jose cuervo sucks, 1800 is way better.... in the us we get good tequila