REACTION | My OSWA Rankings for 2023
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- Опубликовано: 27 июл 2024
- I'll be looking back at all the nominees and winners of this year's Online Scotch Whisky Awards. I'll rank each nominee and pick my own winners for each category. Cheers!
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'Respectfully... whatever' is also my sentiment ;-)
😂😂😂
I am new and like Rare Breed so don't exactly get what Geoff means
interesting list Geoff. In truth I have got my script noted down for this exact video and have a VERY different order to yourself. Hope to get it out soon but don't worry, there won't be any whipped squirrels in it! Cheers
Very keen to get your take on this one, man. Lying if I said I wasn't disappointed in the lack of rodent whipping though... 🥃
@@GwhiskyThose Rodents really pissed you off somehow I can tell😂
Little Campbeltown killing it! The hipsters are right this time:)
Would I ever skip to the end of your vids, ye of little faith?
Haha the sneaky dig at Macallan 18
Last time i came this early my gf cried. Great video, it was a really good event with all the “cameos” they had popping up! And yeah, definitely dont agree with everything, especially the massive lack of Kilchoman :(
I was thinking the same, Kilchoman going under the radar.
Lol. Kilchoman is such a good brand... I'd have included it myself. Cheers, buddy!
Yeah, that Kavalan price in Europe puts it not just bottom of my list but removes it entirely when there are so many Scotches to get through that I suspect will be much better anyway (bias alert!).
No. You 101% correct 👍😁🥂🙋🏻♂️
It will be interesting next year with Arran and Springbank having to sit it out!
Agree! Nice to take that measure to eliminate too much repetition. 🥃
I bought a bottle of Kilkerran 12 this weekend for €56. I was blown away by the complexity adn richness. It is really good stuff.
Spot on
Absolutely epic stuff. Good price, too! 🥃
Thanks for your take! The OSWAs and of course Ralfy!!
I’d like to see his collection!! Let’s all thank Ralfy for his Utube’s as well and all he does for this OSWA
Cheers!!
Ralfy is indeed the GOAT! 🥃
Man, right on🤘Kilkerran 12.
So nice to have found a channel my opinion resonates with.
And I love the fact that Kilkerran is still overlooked (relatively )😉
Great video Geoff!! I just can't believe the Craigellachie 13 gets no love in the OSWA's.
Right? Definitely deserves it! 🥃
Great jokes, as usual😁
I’m sour grapes on Arran 10 year winning again because by me it’s risen in price to $56 when a couple of years ago it was $41. It started winning OSWAs and now it’s where it’s at. Funny how that works. Going to try Kingsbairn and get the last Orchard House at my local store.
Arran is fantastic. However, I think any previous winner should be excluded for 3 years.
You need variety to come to the surface.
@@eoinoconnell185 I like that idea. After a win or consecutive wins you should be taken out of the running.
I agree with you on Orchard House as best malt blend. It is delicious, and Compass Box set the standard for transparency and communication with customers. They have excellent products and stand behind them.
I only realized Killeran 12 when the bottle ran out, and now we don’t have enough of it.
I really want to try Aberlour abunha
This should be good! I desperately need to get on Springbank
Compass box my winner too ) Geoff good job . Cheers !
Cheers to you too, buddy! 🥃🥃🥃
Mate, I love your deadpan humour. Going to build my own collection of budget single malts, using your videos as guidance. Keep up the good work!
Hah that's awesome, and thanks so much for the kind words! Cheers! 🥃
Hi Geoff ,best value whisky I voted for kilkerran 12
Best single malt ,Benromach CS
World whisky was powers John lane 12,
Best IB, Van Wees the ultimate
Best blend , I skipped
Best blended malt, orchard house
Best distillery, Benromach
Best new distillery, Ardnamurchan
Best non malt, rare breed.
Slàinte Geoff
Some we agree and some we don't. As it should be. Cheers David! 🥃
Hi Geoff,
I really appreciate the format of your videos: simple, direct, ironic and sincere, also the length (around 10 minutes) is good to be enjoyed online.
Furthermore, I greatly appreciate your choice to favour official vs independent bottlings, since are easily available (even if not all) to a wide range of people and can be compared and judged by many enthusiasts.
I must say that in general, I agree with your opinions and scoring, and I see that you are not influenced, s many other commentators, by the hype that surrounds some brands.
I like almost all Islands whiskies, not only from Islay, but also from Mull, Harris and Skye (a little less those of Orkney), and most of the Highland whiskies.
I like all versions of peated whiskies, while I don't really appreciate sherry bombs or excessive wine cask maturations, because they often bring an excess of sweetness and sometimes hide the real nature of the spirit.
On the OSWAs whisky ranking I have still tasted too few bottles to express myself (I've only been in whisky for two years), even though I love Bunnahabhain, I found some inconsistencies between the different batches of Benromach, which otherwise would be among my favourites, and being a peathead, I appreciate Port Askaig, Finlaggan, The Ileach Peated which I place alongside the versions of Caol Ila, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, to which I recently added Ledaig. I was not very impressed with Port Charlotte, too expensive where I live.
Many greetings to you and your pal Phil of the"First Phil Whisky" channel from Italy.
I found two good and balanced commentators, and I hope to meet you and exchange some comments in one of the next vPubs live.
Very kind words, Frances. Thank you. 🙏
I tend to agree with your statement about sherry bombs. Not really my cup of tea at the moment either. Meanwhile I absolutely love a good peaty kick, too. Cheers and thanks for sharing your thoughts! 🥃
I love your thoughts on these categories. I haven't had most of them, as I'm still learning what I like and what I should purchase next.
Those early days of exploration are some of the best. Enjoy!
Good choice with McLean's Nose as the mystery pour, I was wondering which Lindores bottling you have sampled?
I had an STR wine cask release called "The Casks of Lindores," I believe. Not bad. Not great. I'll have to try more from them. 🥃
@@Gwhisky Ah yes, not the best introduction to the brand or representation - your sentiment is understandable.
Hi Geoff, i did a blind tasting with the nominees for Best scotch whisky and I landed on Ledaig 18 as my winner, followed by Bunna 12 CS, so i agreed with your choices. Nice video bud 👌
Great minds think alike, eh? 🥃
Great vid. Ontario hard got half of these offerings, so forget about participating. For bourbon, try HIGH AGE above 15y and HIGH ABV above 62% and see.
Sadly a lot of the better bourbons are nowhere to be found in my market. 🥃
Great video as usual.😊
For anyone who has been on the block for some time, Campbeltown whiskies have an inherent bias , both because of the quality of their liquid and the cult status that they have achieved in recent years. I am a proud owner of 2 Springbank 10s, a Longrow heavily peated and a Kilkerran 12. For me, Longrow is a close second 🥈, followed by Kilkerran.
Guess I'm doubling down on my commitment to get/try the Chivas 18 with next years budget. The Ledaig 18 just hasn't shown up in central California yet.
Loved seeing your rankings on the online sand worm awards. the spice really flowed.
I mean I don't want to oversell Chivas. It's not a mind-blowing whisky. But I do prefer having that nice age statement over the bulk of the other options. Worth trying if the price is right for sure, though. Cheers!
Online Sand Worm Awards. Nice. 😉🥃
Great video :)
The two most important categories at the OSWAs for me are Best Value Whisky and Best Scotch Whisky. In the Best Scotch Whisky category any random ordering of the nominees would have been perfect. In the Best Value Whisky category I haven't had the Classic Laddie, but the winner for me has always been Arran 10. It's just significantly cheaper in Bulgaria than every other entry which should mean something in The Best Value Whisky category, at least the way I see it. I can have it for roughly 31 euros whilst Ledaig 10 which happens to be the second cheapest in the category will cost me around 39 euros. Taste wise Kilkerran 12 and Ardnamurchan are easily my favorites, but the former is not even imported in Bulgaria and the latter is priced north of 50 euros.
Cheers!
Yeah Arran and Ledaig are the cheapest in my market, too. I know not everyone was happy with Arran taking it for the third time, but I still love the stuff, and as you said, incredible value. Cheers! 🥃
@@Gwhisky People vote for what they can get so availability and affordability are factors to be considered in every category of OSWAs. The only thing that bothers me (just a little) is the Springbank 10 win in the Best Scotch Whisky category. I'm not convinced that most of the people who voted for it have even purchased a bottle in this year😀
Well done Geoff! As always thanks for your sincerity. My only quable with the winners is with Springbank 10 as the best SMW. Before it became scarce, I was able to buy three bottles at 50 euros. After two bottles, I admit it is good, even very good 👍 but I am not going to buy it again because it costs 80 euros now in Italy. I am much happier buying Port Charlotte 10 at 65 or 70 euros or Ledaig 10 at 48 euros.
Regarding your videos, well I am sure I echo many by thanking you for the humour and laughs. 😊much needed in today’s world. Kind regards, S.
Your consistently kind words of support are truly appreciated, my friend. Thank you. 🥃
It's hard to rank cause I haven't tried many of them. I love wild turkeys and Arran 10 ❤ maybe cause I can get it most of the time. They taste great and they don't cost 200 $
Hi Geoff, great work on another entertaining video. Didn't have the chance to watch the actual awards yet this year, but this was a nice, quick synopsis.
We're totally on the same wavelength when it comes to Bruichladdich distillery and Orchard House, they'd be my winners too in their respective categories. My main disappointment with the awards this year was that Glencadam 10 did not make the nominations for best value whisky. Tried it last month for the first time along with Glencadam 13 release 5. Both were mouth-coating, with some nice peach and apricot notes reminiscent of Speyburn 15. Absolutely delicious! Easily 2 of the best pours I've had this year. I actually had a chance to meet Iain, the master blender for Glencadam when I attended a wine and spirits festival here in Montreal called La Grande Dégustation. Iain is super approachable, great to talk to, passionate about his craft and puts together some stunningly good whisky.
Hey Peter! Very cool that you got to meet Iain! Absolutely love his work. I still haven't tried the Glencadam 13, but hopefully I can get my hands on it at some point. No luck at the SAQ last month when I went home. Totally with you on the 10 being a great pour. It would have fit nicely in with the nominations this year. Cheers buddy! 🥃
Great stuff Geoff, as always. Can I just say Lindores is pronounced Lindoors. Regards
I didn't know that. Thanks! 🥃
"But honestly... Whatever... Respectfully". LOL!
😂😂😂
I'm a big fan of Dailuaine and the only way to satisfy my love of Dailuaine is to purchase IB. Additionally I find OB Caol Ila to be lacking while IB of Caol Ila are some of my favorite. You are missing out on some fantastic whisky.
Just purchased my Christmas bottle online Geoff. It will remain sealed until Christmas Day. Edradour 12 year old, cask strength, Batch 1..........here's hoping 🙏
Nice one. Hope you enjoy! 🥃
suggestion/question @Gwhisky - so I've been ruminating on my next purchase, and two of my favourite drams this year have been the MIGHTY PC 10, and the Ledaig rioja cask finish (lovely, only thing missing is the depth you'd get with an older spirit - praying they release a 10 year iteration). Both of these are peated whiskies with a wine cask finish...
...what are the best peated Scotch whiskies with wine cask finishes?
Great video, as always, it is was nice to see your personal choices, I have to agree with you with regards to Springbank 10, how on earth that beat Bunnahabhain 12yr CS is beyond me, the Bunna's depth, character and richness is second to none, I don't mind Springbank, though I have never got the hype, the 15yr is a wonderful dram, but the 10 and 18 are bang average in my books, but that's just my personal view 👍🥃
Gotta try that Blue Spot it is fantastic
Yeah tough to find and quite pricey when you do, unfortunately. It's definitely on the wishlist, though! 🥃
@@Gwhisky yeah, the price is getting stupid with Midleton products after their insane price increase. RB27 doubling to $1200.
I was lucky to have gotten a case of Blue Spot for under $100 a bottle
KIlkerran 12 is a great choise👍 It’s hard for me to decide which one i like better, the old one or the new one (the fat bottle). They’re very different, but they’re both excellent.
I actually lean more toward the newer bottlings. 🥃
That’s definitely more funky and sherried. More Campbeltown I would say.
I only got two right in all those categories so yeah I do disagree with a lot of the votes but hell democracy right! I agree more with your list actually so if we can get a few more youtubers out there maybe we can organize a coup or something, let me know :)
The rebellion starts here... 😂
Campbeltown Loch. I tried 4 different batches. Really different whiskies (well, a blended malt with different balance of each batch). I loved the June 2023 one the others were OK but couldn't compete with this one.
Yeah I've heard it's an incredibly batchy whisky. My buddy's bottle is about twice as dark as mine. 🥃
My killerran 12 took a looong time of resting as half bottle after a splitt untill it open open. It was at start a meh whisky, but now its kinda nice. Recently got the 16 and got damn, thats a nice whisky!
Love the 16! 🥃
Geoff thats why there is a peoples vote, however we all knew who would win most category's.
I would hate to loose the OSWA's though
Whip it good ;-)
Bunna 12 CS should have walked away with the big one ;) or the Benromach or the Ledaig 18... I cried about that for days. 🥲
Absolutely!!!
Congrats to Springbank but I just have no idea how any voters are getting their hands on it. Been to various parts of the States, Canada, Scotland, Ireland, England, and other European countries in the last few years and haven’t found a single bottle anywhere. Quite frustrating how exclusive it’s become….
@Geoff, which Ardnamurchan bottle expression is the best in your opinion? And which other distilleries' taste profile are they similar to? （If any)
I like the CS, the regular AD, and if you want to get fancy, the Paul Launois. I think they're at their best without too much cask influence so we get more of the spirit. If you like them, try some other west coast highland expressions. Oban and Talisker come to mind. 🥃
Kingsbarns is, indeed, underrated. If i had more money and two livers, I would have tried something beyond their Dream to Dram.
have you ever tried monkey shoulder? It's the best bang for buck scotch I've ever tried
Hoping to see Torabhaig make it into the oswas next year. Great quality whisky, more than transparent, and it is the only other distillery on the isle of skye. It was mentioned by Ralfy, so fingers crossed.
I've only had the standard Allt Gleann, and I really enjoyed it. Young, but loads of potential. I would have put it on the list this year, myself. Cheers! 🥃
@@GwhiskyI agree, young but still very enjoyable. I just got my hands on their batch strength bottling! Haven't cracked it yet but cant wait to try it, cheers! 🥃
New subscriber, but been enjoying the content!
I moved from Irish to Scotch and been heavily into the American whiskey scene now for several years, but trying to get back into Scotch/Single Malts/Blended.
Saw the Springbank for 95 and 130, is it worth it?
Thanks for subbing, Terrence! I'm guessing the SB10 is the one priced at $95? It's on the high end but it's as good as you can expect from them these days, I suppose. Worth trying once if you're curious. Cheers! 🥃
Quite a few of the whiskies nominated in the various categories are either not currently available in my market or are really expensive and beyond my budget. However, all the nominees for best value are available and I have tried them all except the Classic Laddie. I've tried the Laddie 8 though. Kilkerran 12 and Ledaig 10 were my picks for best value, Kilkerran at #1 and Ledaig at #2.
Yeah it kind of broke my heart to put Ledaig so low on the list, but this category is just winner after winner... 🥃
Compass Box Orchard House was my pick, and Glen Scotia for best distillery. Cannot find Springbank anywhere. Kilkerran 12 is a good choice.
Well done ..superb oversight ...very good ..no excellent style of presentation
I just had a stroke reading this. 🥃
4:48
I'm not quite shure, what author was trying to tell us there.
Are you saying that the oswa’s took longer 😅
Not always, but usually we share the same taste and opinion. For this list, I am 100% with you. Well almost! I rate Loch Lomond higher than you do.
Great minds think alike, buddy! 🥃
Guess for the mystery pour before continuing to watch: Lagg. Edit: wrong!❌
I like the list and agree with most of the choices. Figured you would pick Ledaig 18 as the best scotch whisky 🥃🥃😁😉
Hah Ledaig 18 is a killer. Highly recommend it as your next pop. 😉🥃
#1 whisky yt 4me atm
My only real gripe this year was that dang Kavalan which was a repeat of last year. Hardly anyone is talking about it on whiskytube and it is a $200 whisky where I live. Nope, nope and just nope. I'm not sure why it keeps getting nominated. 🙄
It's really damn good. But I get it. Given its price it sticks out like a sore thumb in that category. 🥃
Not a bourbon fan then, eh? (You’re allowed to like both:)
I do like both. I just prefer one. Silly to think a side needs to be chosen. Go with what you like! Plenty of bourbon lovers and channels out there. More power to them. Cheers! 🥃
Sipping the orchard house right now, but it’s soo damn spicy. I really don’t understand all the praise?
Will any whiskies on this list help Peyronie’s disease?
Yes. All of them.
@@Gwhisky😂😂😂😂😂
What's so great about Independent Bottlers ???
What's not to like about them? Pretty much any distillery you like, almost always craft presentation, and more room for experimentation. Like everything else in whisky there are hits and misses, but it's 100% a scene worth exploring. 🥃
@@Gwhisky Ohh ..ok Thanks for the info
At what price does Springbank 10 become overpriced?
Anything over £65-70 IMO. It’s good, but not worth empowering the price-gougers and flippers.
I'd agree. Depends not just on markets, which vary considerably, but income, budgets, etc. But yes, about £65 seem to be a fair threshold. 🥃
Thanks to you both!
Killer ran 12
I have recently started my whisky journey, and I bought a bottle of Bruichladdich, the Classic Laddie, and I do not like it. Maybe it will grow on me as my palate gains more experience. Even Ardbeg 10 is an easier drink for me to like. Odd, I know.
Not odd at all. The Classic Laddie is a very divisive whisky. You like what you like! 🥃
Can’t disagree with most of your choices Geoff….
I’m nearly exclusively in the IB world these days, there’s maybe only 3 distilleries I’d actively chase OBs from now.
A bit of criticism this year on te Oswas, but I can only commend all involved. However- I prob feel quite strongly that Irish deserves a catergoy of its own, not fair for it to be dumping in with ‘world whisky’…
Good thinking. I'd agree that Irish could be a category on its own. However, then you'd have to do American, Japanese, Canadian, and it would just start branching off... 🥃
Hot take…Loch Lomond 12 is better than Kilkerran 12…and I’m not a fan of the LL12
Nothing but respect for hot takes on this channel, sir. Cheers to you. 🥃
Bizarre that they homed in on Rare Breed, which is a fantastic pour, but but by no means elite. Easily 100 others that would beat it in blinds.
Global availability is in play here I think. We in Virginia can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a high quality bourbon, but that’s not at all the case overseas.
@@utoobiaFair point but it is a major competition. You'd think the voters would have better access than the avg consumer. Geoff, any thoughts? : )
@@philc1884 They might. And they might have a little more awareness too. But I think the OSWAs are naturally dominated by scotch drinker voters, so not folks who are generally chasing bourbon. So I guess that the award is what Scotch folks think about the more affordable world whiskies they’ve managed to try. Limited in scope. I totally agree with you that there is a LOT of bourbon that’s better than RB, as good as it is.
Tbh I'm not really in that world, so I don't know what other options are out there, elite or not. It's not my favourite bourbon, but I have such limited experience. Eagle Rare 10 and Woodford were always my go-tos, but I know they aren't like top-tier...
@@utoobia yes, I took the 'mostly scotch drinkers' in to account which doesn't absolve them esp if they are spread out around the world where selections vary. If you're asked to determine the best of a category you need a varied sampling or it shouldn't be included. It's as if they had 10 to choose from while hundreds exist.
LMAO! I guess you don't like American Whisk-E-ys..... (Me, neither!)
🫢
Fine blended list... but JW black? This one definitely does not belong here