Hello Ralfy. Greeting from Bulgaria. I will be heading to my 3rd whiskey festival at the end of October and just wanted to thank you for you are the one who got me into whiskey and wish you good luck with your speed records and all the best :)
i purchased this exact expression years ago, but i couldn't drink it, with or without any amount of water. it smelled AMAZING, but the taste i couldn't get over. it sat and sat and sat, occasionally i would try it over the few years I had it as the level went down, but it did not develop well in my opinion. it is what it is!
What a story arc you had! 😄 Saw your comment posted 8 yrs ago about you buying it, then you posted this 6 years later, nice! Sad to hear it didn't work for you 🥃
Hey Ralfy, You obviously drink a lot of different whiskies, and have a lot of experience. I was wondering, for interest sake what is your favourite malt? your go-to everyday dram?
Ralfy: Have you had the Laphroiag 200 Anniversary whiskey bottling. I picked up a bottle the other day and wanted to know if it was more of a collectors bottle. or should I go pick up another one to drink? Thanks.
Ralfy, in teasing your next review you mentioned Irish Whiskey. What do you think of Kinahan's 10 Year Old Single Malt? The price is right, at least it is here in the US. Have you tried it?
I learn much from every review about the particular offering being critiqued ... but the review has brought home something I was experiencing but didnt have a particular name or word for . Bliss point ... thank you Ralfy for passing on a bit of a skill that cant really be taught ...
Dear Ralfy, I recently heard about so-called "single-estate" whiskies, where the distilleries produce everything themselves including growing the barley etc... What do you think about this? Is it just a bit of marketing to raise the prices or could it really be better than a regular single malt?
I used to drink whisky for a few years, but haven't drank spirits for probably 3 years, but I still enjoy watching every ralfy review, more entertaining than the crap on the television.
I tasted a 24yr old Mortlach from Signatory (Cask 4240) last year for Christmas. All I can say is, it was crazy hot neat! It literally tasted like someone had stuffed my mouth with a box full of matches and lit them all. Like a boiling, sulfur, fire water. I assume by the amount of water you're adding, this one was along the same lines?
A very fun review. I'm watching all the Mortlach reviews by Ralfy to learn about the distillery character. The only bottling available to me here is "rare old", but at least it's 750ml and a discount price. And I find it very pleasant, but too mainstream (very apparent JW character). Ironically I actually love "difficult" malts, with rough edges, like Ralfy is reviewing here. I absolutely agree with ignoring the official bottlings. Very sad that Diageo neuters such authentic malts. Alas, no independent bottlings in my area at all.
Interesting review. Food banks need help and are very busy these days in the USA as well Ralfy, very sad! Greedy bastards indeed! I watched the live broadcast this past week from Islay and the 200th celebration of Laphroaig. I was hoping to see you there. Best of luck with your auction and hope you raise the needed funds. Be safe on that bike!!! Sincerely, Ossie
In the market is there any other single malt that cant be lost in such a vast amount of water? After 3rd spoon max 4rth all whiskies (99%) start to fade their nose really bad. If i put that amount of water in my Macallan Sienna it will end ina whisky wine...:p
I just finished with a bottle of Montgomerie's Rare Select Ben Nevis. 46%, non colored/non chill filtered. 17 years. Same thing. I was adding a TON of water to this. It was so woody without it, it was a pine taste! Very strong and sharp. I didn't quite double it with water but maybe 2 parts whisky to 1 water ... and it was a totally different drink. I know exactly what you mean. I'm on to a Yoichi 15 right now and its, its amazing @.@
50% water seems abit much. then again, the pained look on someone's face when they choke it down neat is very entertaining! twenty years ago i bought a Signatory bottling of a Macallan. and when i opened the tube, low and behold it was alot lighter than i expected, and it was cloudy. it was in my greenhorn days, I thought Oh My God i made a bad choice. it was the best i had had to that point. Since then I have given independent bottlings more than a passing glance, particularly Signatory, Gordon MacPhail, and my goto, Douglas/Laing.
Ralfy: Have you ever read Republic of Pirates by Colin Woodard? It concerns the pirate republic that sprung up in Nassau, Bahamas. I bet you would enjoy it.
Hello, Ralfy. I need your advice. I bought a bottle of Highland Park 12 whisky in Greece. Old version in a round bottle (like Balvenie). Where can I find images of this whisky to compare level of the whisky in a bottle? I suggest, that level is a bit lower, than it shoud be. And I decide to open this bottle to celebrate my birthday.
+ralfystuff thank you, this is what I looked for. Level is good. It's really precious to have an experienced whisky mate. By the way, I saw in Greece, on Rodos island in Rodos Castle an old bottling of Teachers, Famous Grouse cask strenth and old Strathisla bottlings. Probably this information will be useful for someone. I think it could be even a good idea for you, to publish places, where people could buy out of stock or rare whiskies in the world.
Ralfy, it seems that if the whisky is non-chill filtered, cask strength, no color added, and preferably single cask, you are going to like it. Is that safe to say?
+jgisbo007 I'd go out on a limb and say he'll like a whisky if it is delicious, and filigree like non-chill filtering and no color added'ing and single casking all suggest that a whisky would be worth trying but don't determine the outcome. After all, non-chill filtering means more barley-oils in the drink, and cask strength means more spirit without extra added water, both of which just mean more flavor -- it doesn't mean that the flavor in question will be good, but if the flavor -is- good, then you're getting more of it, which is a good thing. On the flip side, ralfy has warmly reviewed numerous products that have been matured in multiple casks, or 'complicated cask arrangements' I'll say. He has positively reviewed many chill filtered products. He has positively reviewed some things with colorant added, though more than the other two that has always gotten some wry comment of disapproval out of him. For fairness sake, go watch his reviews for the chill-filtered non-cask-strength whisky of the year 2014 / benromach 10 year old, and follow with the review for benromach cask strength 10 year old. reviews #511 and #529
sum Gr8 universl famly philosphy thre Ralfy 💿! I'm guesin its how yur ol fav was handled. cared4, sourced, etc that makes such a huge dif Btween th same numake & an American cask. hmmm that is intristim tho! Gr8 vid BTW. cheers
I had the 1991 (cask 7708 53.9%) which was mildly disappointing; perfectly decent whisky, just not commensurate with the price and previous Mortlach experience. It was much better after twenty minutes in the glass, though still less than exceptional.
I would applaud any bottler that decides to release 50cl bottles if only they weren`t much more than 70% of the price of a 70cl. I guess thats sadly not the case with most who sell 50cl bottles. Wow, a 50cl Mortlach 25yo is almost 500 pounds on MoM. Ill stick to Glenfarclas.
Ralfy, I wonder, have you ever contemplated that, in some cases, a positive review from yourself might cause increased demand for a whisky and result in declining quality a few years down the line?
+Chris Carter Reviews and general customer awareness actually are a driving force in many industries, but it doesn't lead to the decline of quality in products, it drives quality up (provided that the reviews are viewed by enough people to make a dent). This is especially true when people care about quality, which is a problem for whisky because as you know, for many people, whisky is either to get drunk or for the "prestige" of having an old fancy bottle. Nonetheless what happens is that by showing which products are worth your money, the sale of good products make the sale of bad products less financially viable. I personally doubt that ralfy's few thousands of views per videos make a massive difference in an industry that moves hundreds of millions of liters of whisky. And so it's more of a personal tool, use it to your advantage.
+Chris Carter if anything it increases demand for quality stuff. whether the Whisky is really that good or whether the reviewer (Ralfy, Serge, Whiskybase) had the Whisky on a good day is open to interpretation. one thing it definetly creates is hype and the negative effects of hype are of course increased prices, sometimes to ridiculous lvls. this leads to retailers completely losing their minds and whisky that used to cost say 69 Euros last week, cost 120 the next week. German retailers especially are notorious for raising the price within a few days. they do read Whiskyfun, Whiskybase and they watch Ralfy. they know whats getting hyped. which in the end means: you as a buyer are put under extreme pressure to buy the stuff quickly, meaning as soon as it hits the market. the other option you have is to pay unjustifiable prices if you hesitate. that is the negative effect of review hyping. or you stay strong and get over the fact that you "missed out" on something.
+Chris Carter The aforementioned conditions we have occurred without Ralfy, in fact, Ralfy is one of the few if not the only whisky "critic" who have sounded the alarm against declining quality. For that, he deserves our gratitude.
+Chris Carter Thank you all for your replies. I have been watching and enjoying Ralfy's reviews for many years and an deeply indebted to him for for the knowledge and advice he offers. He has enhanced my experience of whisky immeasurably. I had in mind a small producer who under the pressures of demand compromised quality in blending to meet demand after an expression gains popularity. Perhaps I have overestimated the great man's influence.
Ralfy if u can find th wherewithal wen celebratin yur win @ the flats, jump ovr bout 4 states n c the Kentucky Distillerys n maybe even do the bourbon trail! ...sumpin 2 thnk bout! gr8 opertunity 4 bourbon behemoths🍷
Cutty Sark Probition is trendin Ralfy... I bleev its 50%abv, sum heat, peaty, fruity sweety 4 bout 28USD w/,very lil e140a! Day/nite up against th orig. ("which we WON'T b reviewn"...wink wink) EZ maltmate
u want 2grab up sum Donegal doublewud IrishW admirers!!....gr8 value ~23USD n charactr 4 n Irish blend yup! really juicey spirit! evr try it Ralfy? jus as gud @ th las drop🍷
Up 3 marks…I love it! LOL and enjoying alongside. Thanks for the fun, Ralfy! Best from New Mexico (we’re neither, btw) USA!
Hello Ralfy. Greeting from Bulgaria. I will be heading to my 3rd whiskey festival at the end of October and just wanted to thank you for you are the one who got me into whiskey and wish you good luck with your speed records and all the best :)
+Stanislav .Bratushkov . . . . happy to help with your malt-moments !
i purchased this exact expression years ago, but i couldn't drink it, with or without any amount of water. it smelled AMAZING, but the taste i couldn't get over. it sat and sat and sat, occasionally i would try it over the few years I had it as the level went down, but it did not develop well in my opinion. it is what it is!
What a story arc you had! 😄 Saw your comment posted 8 yrs ago about you buying it, then you posted this 6 years later, nice! Sad to hear it didn't work for you 🥃
Hey Ralfy, You obviously drink a lot of different whiskies, and have a lot of experience. I was wondering, for interest sake what is your favourite malt? your go-to everyday dram?
Ralfy: Have you had the Laphroiag 200 Anniversary whiskey bottling. I picked up a bottle the other day and wanted to know if it was more of a collectors bottle. or should I go pick up another one to drink? Thanks.
Ralfy, in teasing your next review you mentioned Irish Whiskey. What do you think of Kinahan's 10 Year Old Single Malt? The price is right, at least it is here in the US. Have you tried it?
Thanks for the review Ralfy. You are right, patience is a virtue when it comes to Malt Whisky. Give it time!
I learn much from every review about the particular offering being critiqued ... but the review has brought home something I was experiencing but didnt have a particular name or word for . Bliss point ... thank you Ralfy for passing on a bit of a skill that cant really be taught ...
Dear Ralfy,
I recently heard about so-called "single-estate" whiskies, where the distilleries produce everything themselves including growing the barley etc... What do you think about this? Is it just a bit of marketing to raise the prices or could it really be better than a regular single malt?
I watch your videos since 2013 but never drank whiskey in my life...
I used to drink whisky for a few years, but haven't drank spirits for probably 3 years, but I still enjoy watching every ralfy review, more entertaining than the crap on the television.
+Motorhead Agree!
+Motorhead . . . has the Telly really got that bad !
+ralfystuff It has, mate.
+teixeira amaral Damn, after all those videos it never peaked your interest?
I tasted a 24yr old Mortlach from Signatory (Cask 4240) last year for Christmas. All I can say is, it was crazy hot neat! It literally tasted like someone had stuffed my mouth with a box full of matches and lit them all. Like a boiling, sulfur, fire water. I assume by the amount of water you're adding, this one was along the same lines?
A very fun review. I'm watching all the Mortlach reviews by Ralfy to learn about the distillery character. The only bottling available to me here is "rare old", but at least it's 750ml and a discount price. And I find it very pleasant, but too mainstream (very apparent JW character). Ironically I actually love "difficult" malts, with rough edges, like Ralfy is reviewing here. I absolutely agree with ignoring the official bottlings. Very sad that Diageo neuters such authentic malts. Alas, no independent bottlings in my area at all.
Interesting review. Food banks need help and are very busy these days in the USA as well Ralfy, very sad! Greedy bastards indeed! I watched the live broadcast this past week from Islay and the 200th celebration of Laphroaig. I was hoping to see you there. Best of luck with your auction and hope you raise the needed funds. Be safe on that bike!!! Sincerely, Ossie
In the market is there any other single malt that cant be lost in such a vast amount of water? After 3rd spoon max 4rth all whiskies (99%) start to fade their nose really bad. If i put that amount of water in my Macallan Sienna it will end ina whisky wine...:p
I just finished with a bottle of Montgomerie's Rare Select Ben Nevis. 46%, non colored/non chill filtered. 17 years. Same thing. I was adding a TON of water to this. It was so woody without it, it was a pine taste! Very strong and sharp. I didn't quite double it with water but maybe 2 parts whisky to 1 water ... and it was a totally different drink. I know exactly what you mean. I'm on to a Yoichi 15 right now and its, its amazing @.@
50% water seems abit much. then again, the pained look on someone's face when they choke it down neat is very entertaining!
twenty years ago i bought a Signatory bottling of a Macallan. and when i opened the tube, low and behold it was alot lighter than i expected, and it was cloudy. it was in my greenhorn days, I thought Oh My God i made a bad choice. it was the best i had had to that point.
Since then I have given independent bottlings more than a passing glance, particularly Signatory, Gordon MacPhail, and my goto, Douglas/Laing.
Ralfy: Have you ever read Republic of Pirates by Colin Woodard? It concerns the pirate republic that sprung up in Nassau, Bahamas. I bet you would enjoy it.
+Robert Rogers . . . sounds like a good read !
Hey Ralfy, have you tried Lot 40 Canadian whisky. I've heard a lot of good things but would definitely like to know your opinion on it if possible.
Hello, Ralfy. I need your advice. I bought a bottle of Highland Park 12 whisky in Greece. Old version in a round bottle (like Balvenie). Where can I find images of this whisky to compare level of the whisky in a bottle? I suggest, that level is a bit lower, than it shoud be. And I decide to open this bottle to celebrate my birthday.
+Wayfarer8 . . . try the archive at scotchwhiskyauctions.com
+ralfystuff thank you, this is what I looked for. Level is good. It's really precious to have an experienced whisky mate. By the way, I saw in Greece, on Rodos island in Rodos Castle an old bottling of Teachers, Famous Grouse cask strenth and old Strathisla bottlings. Probably this information will be useful for someone. I think it could be even a good idea for you, to publish places, where people could buy out of stock or rare whiskies in the world.
Hey Ralfy, have you ever had Clontarf 1014 Irish Whiskey?
Good review as always. I've been eyeballing a few Signatory CS bottlings...
Ralfy, it seems that if the whisky is non-chill filtered, cask strength, no color added, and preferably single cask, you are going to like it. Is that safe to say?
+jgisbo007 I'd go out on a limb and say he'll like a whisky if it is delicious, and filigree like non-chill filtering and no color added'ing and single casking all suggest that a whisky would be worth trying but don't determine the outcome. After all, non-chill filtering means more barley-oils in the drink, and cask strength means more spirit without extra added water, both of which just mean more flavor -- it doesn't mean that the flavor in question will be good, but if the flavor -is- good, then you're getting more of it, which is a good thing.
On the flip side, ralfy has warmly reviewed numerous products that have been matured in multiple casks, or 'complicated cask arrangements' I'll say. He has positively reviewed many chill filtered products. He has positively reviewed some things with colorant added, though more than the other two that has always gotten some wry comment of disapproval out of him.
For fairness sake, go watch his reviews for the chill-filtered non-cask-strength whisky of the year 2014 / benromach 10 year old, and follow with the review for benromach cask strength 10 year old.
reviews #511 and #529
+jgisbo007 . . . . yes, IF it's good to start with. the lack of 'interference' before bottling most certainly helps
+ralfystuff seems to me that Benromach is the best at keeping 'interference' at a minimum. At least, from what I've seen.
ralfy is it safe to say that since your first video in 2009 you have drank 554 bottles of whiskey lol?
+thesinaclwon . . . Started them all, but only finished a few.
Ralfy , remember we need footage from Bonneville !
Not even tenth but thanks for wonderful malt moment Ralfy.
How thick should scotch glasses should be?
That “meaty” note is a green musty putty note that comes from peat if I had to guess.
G'day rally! Please do a french Whisky review 👍🏻
Ha! There is more than one deja vu moment here - you've reviewed 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 24, and 26 year old versions.
+degmar . . . well spotted, and all are indi-versions.
My bottle with this beauty just arrived today.
Ralfy, thanks for appreciating my find. By the way, I am in the middle of enjoying whisky review 350 Springbank 18 for the umpteenth time :)
Haha! Ralfy, do I sense an entreprenurial still somewhere under the bothy? :-P
+Ownedyou . . . that would be very naughty ! stillin' is illegal in the U.K.
sum Gr8 universl famly philosphy thre Ralfy 💿!
I'm guesin its how yur ol fav was handled. cared4, sourced, etc that makes such a huge dif Btween th same numake & an American cask. hmmm that is intristim tho!
Gr8 vid BTW.
cheers
&/or Sherry cask char?
I had the 1991 (cask 7708 53.9%) which was mildly disappointing; perfectly decent whisky, just not commensurate with the price and previous Mortlach experience.
It was much better after twenty minutes in the glass, though still less than exceptional.
salt "flats" Ralfy! unless it rains & rains uncontrollably for days on end... then its a salt lake (hehe)
+PeatSmokey . . . as it was this year, forcing the cancellation of the event.
I would applaud any bottler that decides to release 50cl bottles if only they weren`t much more than 70% of the price of a 70cl. I guess thats sadly not the case with most who sell 50cl bottles.
Wow, a 50cl Mortlach 25yo is almost 500 pounds on MoM. Ill stick to Glenfarclas.
Your pours a getting a bit heavy ralfy. Too much of a good thing?
+Anderson Cooper . . . I only ever pour as much as I can comfortably drink. Nothing goes to waste, especially time and whisky !
Ralfy you're sounding a bit like Adam Smith!
Ride safely malt mate!
Heres to you mate. cheers.
Ralfy, I wonder, have you ever contemplated that, in some cases, a positive review from yourself might cause increased demand for a whisky and result in declining quality a few years down the line?
+Chris Carter Reviews and general customer awareness actually are a driving force in many industries, but it doesn't lead to the decline of quality in products, it drives quality up (provided that the reviews are viewed by enough people to make a dent). This is especially true when people care about quality, which is a problem for whisky because as you know, for many people, whisky is either to get drunk or for the "prestige" of having an old fancy bottle. Nonetheless what happens is that by showing which products are worth your money, the sale of good products make the sale of bad products less financially viable. I personally doubt that ralfy's few thousands of views per videos make a massive difference in an industry that moves hundreds of millions of liters of whisky. And so it's more of a personal tool, use it to your advantage.
+Chris Carter if anything it increases demand for quality stuff. whether the Whisky is really that good or whether the reviewer (Ralfy, Serge, Whiskybase) had the Whisky on a good day is open to interpretation. one thing it definetly creates is hype and the negative effects of hype are of course increased prices, sometimes to ridiculous lvls. this leads to retailers completely losing their minds and whisky that used to cost say 69 Euros last week, cost 120 the next week. German retailers especially are notorious for raising the price within a few days. they do read Whiskyfun, Whiskybase and they watch Ralfy. they know whats getting hyped. which in the end means: you as a buyer are put under extreme pressure to buy the stuff quickly, meaning as soon as it hits the market. the other option you have is to pay unjustifiable prices if you hesitate. that is the negative effect of review hyping.
or you stay strong and get over the fact that you "missed out" on something.
+Chris Carter The aforementioned conditions we have occurred without Ralfy, in fact, Ralfy is one of the few if not the only whisky "critic" who have sounded the alarm against declining quality. For that, he deserves our gratitude.
+Chris Carter Thank you all for your replies. I have been watching and enjoying Ralfy's reviews for many years and an deeply indebted to him for for the knowledge and advice he offers. He has enhanced my experience of whisky immeasurably. I had in mind a small producer who under the pressures of demand compromised quality in blending to meet demand after an expression gains popularity. Perhaps I have overestimated the great man's influence.
+Chris Carter . . . yes, a little bit, but also it remains a reminder to producers that quality matters and is appreciated . . . . and bought !
Ralfy if u can find th wherewithal wen celebratin yur win @ the flats, jump ovr bout 4 states n c the Kentucky Distillerys n maybe even do the bourbon trail! ...sumpin 2 thnk bout!
gr8 opertunity 4 bourbon behemoths🍷
How can you call it young?..its 24 years old!!
I don't know if its me or has Johnnie Walker Black lost a little something
Cutty Sark Probition is trendin Ralfy... I bleev its 50%abv, sum heat, peaty, fruity sweety 4 bout 28USD w/,very lil e140a!
Day/nite up against th orig. ("which we WON'T b reviewn"...wink wink)
EZ maltmate
u want 2grab up sum Donegal doublewud IrishW admirers!!....gr8 value ~23USD n charactr 4 n Irish blend yup! really juicey spirit!
evr try it Ralfy? jus as gud @ th las drop🍷
second
Wow... way too fast
First!
first
+Florian Sutter . . . verified First !
Too fast
First!