Being a bourbon drinker it took me a long time to believe in adding water, i simply liked it straight, but lately you have me convinced, it really does open up the flavor if you're patient, cheers Ralfy!
Had a notion you would score both glasses separately, very we'll done. No video popped up after you concluded FYI. Hope you have a Bonneville Good Time too, nice for you to be there. Keep us posted as this develops, please. Nice blog, very interesting to compare/contrast development after the pour !
"It needs time to be sublime!" Thanks Ralfy! This review was really interesting - I would not have believed that those two whiskies where from the same bottle!
Ralphy, you sure are one suave YoTuber. Always immensely enjoy your reviews, even if it's a spirit I'm not particularly interested in. I have also been known to watch some of my favourite Whiskey Reviews more than a couple of times. Segue to... I don't know if I'm supposed to "drop" Malt Mentions in the comments section like this, but here's one I would be honored if it made it into an episode: Hi there all you Malty Messianic Myth-busters. Hope you like it, and thanks for another great review.
Excited to hear you say lemon meringue pie. I have that same note down for a bottle of 1963 Aberlour that I had the outrageous luck to find, but never again since.
Hello Ralfy, hope you're doing well & enjoying your stateside stay! Me?!, wellI'm sitting here on a beauty afternoon with a warm smile sipping on a fine Bourbon & puffing on a splendid Cohiba Robusto. Simply one of the Best Combinations on Gods Green Earth. We miss ya Buddy, stay safe. Peace
Hello Ralfy. Welcome to the USofA!! Whilst in "Lost Wages" I mean Las Vegas please remember that this particular city is not representative of any other city in any other state. What you basically have in LV is a very good example of la-la land!! A place where dreamers go to uncover nightmares. The odds of "hitting it big" is akin to a 99/100 single malt. But like anything else there are the odd-ball exceptions and those exceptions my friend keeps 'em coming back. Roulette ($$ on either black or red) is the only game w/any semblance of fairness...served with a healthy side order of luck, that is!! Have a blast Ralfy. Peace
My last bottle of twelve year old Bowmore became less phenolic and more like heather honey as it got closer to being empty over a six month period. I enjoyed the transformation...
Hi Ralfy! Cork dust is in my experience a common companion in SigVin CS bottles, some have slight edges/a burr due to production tolerances. Fortunately no whisky got tainted so far, contrary to some a'bunadhs, where the cork looked kind of rotten/mouldy and imho negatively influenced the whisky.
I am yet to try a Bowmore which has impressed me, though I must admit I haven't tried their 18yo or older. They just dont have the wow factor of all the other islays, for me at least.
Hiya Ralfy. I just had a dram of Bowmore Small Batch. I know you aren't a fan of Bowmore generally speaking but I'm wondering if you've tried this? I thought it was delightful. I'm also very inexperienced with Islay Whisky but was so satisfied with this. Felt like I was on vacation in Scotland!
I'll be turning 21 in about a month or so and I want to start trying out whiskey due to the increasing interest of whiskey from my 3 year involvement,as a viewer, with this channel and other whiskey channels.(This is the best channel) What would you suggest for beginners whiskies? I've seen your video on beginner whiskies,but seeing it's been about 2 years now has any of those choices changed?If so,what would you suggest now,because Highland Park 12yo has been catching my eye since your first review on Highland Park 12yo.Thank you Ralfy and Maltmates.
Ralfy, On your way back from Utah, make a stop back east at a small distillery in St. Michael's Maryland called Lyon's Distillery. I was there not long ago and while there is a ways to go they do offer some great spirits! That's St. Michael's Maryland ....just a short trip from BWI or Baltimore Washington Airport. Mike
Hi Ralfy--Here's a question I haven't seen you address: What's your opinion of older Bruichladdich whiskies? I've seen 1989-distilled Laddie that's quite expensive. Is it worth a try? Thanks for the great whisky information, you've taught me a lot!
Hey Ralfy - longtime lurker here. This video got me thinking about the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Wondering if you've thought about doing a video with your opinions of the society and maybe a bottle or two of theirs...
G'day Ralfy, Sam from Australia here, I've searched your youtube channel and your website but couldn't find a whisky review on the Glenfiddich 14 year old Scotch whisky. I'de be very appreciative if you were able to give a review on it, i'de be very interested to hear your thoughts on the double cask. Cheers mate, Sam
Beautifully presented, the Signatory Cask Strength Collection. Not that that makes a difference to what's inside. Similarly the SMWS...any prospects of a review of their wares Ralfy? Keep up the good work...
Hi Ralfy. Thanks! We like the occasional Bowmore! Say, when you visit the States for the Bonneville, will you be visiting any distillery's like Stranahans in Colorado?? or further east into Kentucky to engage any of the Bourbon behemoths?! ...any itinerary?? cheers
I am in Utah at the moment as Bonneville Speed week has been cancelled due to flooding ! only the second time this has happened in 100 years. Bad luck but our racing team are in good spirits !
***** you're missing similar tantrum of mother nature back in bonnie scotland. here's hoping the speyside area won't become part of the inner hebrides! have fun in USA and if you change your itinerary, there are a few drams waiting for ya over in NJ! ;-)
You said fiftysix to the 20min glass. Great video. Why does a whisky change so much from open first time to the following experiences? it's only because oxidation?
Very nice review, and interesting aside about cork. The importance of opening time shouldn't be underestimated, particularly with any whisky which isn't chill filtered. For more on whisky chemistry, check out A Whisky Tour by Victoria Gill, of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
As far as is know, bad cork taste is nowadays being caused by a chemical called TCA, produced by fungi (not bacteria!). Luckily none of my whiskies has been ruined by it so far!
I've never been able to enjoy whiskey because can barely stand the taste of any alcohol. However I want to start enjoying the finer things, and that means enjoying the flavour of good whiskey. I don't know how to enjoy the taste of whiskey, is there some way I can get used to the taste and eventually get to enjoy it?
I just started as well, and it helps to focus on the taste besides the alcohol. I've got a bottle of Glenfarclas 10yo, which has much more depth and complexity than for example a glenfiddich. I taste a lot besides the alcohol. And little sips help.
Are you right about most people being lazy in their appreciation of spirits? For sure. Pretty sure it applies to everything else too. It's only us thinking types that get into... well, thinking, and we're a minority. Us "anoraks" as you often say. It's a shame sometimes, but at least we can feel special and largely have our interests unadulterated; It's nice to have reliable niches.
Aye aye Ralfy. Anyone drinking off a tumbler is not that interested in squeezing out every bit of enjoyment out of their whiskey. I can't smell anything from a tumbler!
I have to say, I'm not convinced by your theory about lazy or impatient whisky drinkers. Surely those people who aren't that interested in discovering depth, don't drink single malts. Why would they bother when they can get a palatable and pleasant blend for half the price?
Not on topic, but Ballantines tell me via email that according to their brand ambassador that caramel can't be tasted in whisky, as also asserted when I spoke to Richard Paterson. And there's a study on one of the whisky sites (Malt Maniacs?) where it couldn't be detected in a blind tasting in water and yet Jim Murray has a whole two pages in the 2014 whisky bible railing against its taste and cloying effect. I swear I can taste it in many cheap whiskies eg. JW Red Export Blend 45.8%, Dewars White Label, Whyte & Mackay Double Matured etc. Would be grateful for your opinion on Who The Heck Is Correct??
coslifehurts it's a big issue. but you will find that colour ALWAYS gets used on Chill-filtered whisky and this adds to the effect. Ultimately, it's down to our sense of perception. Anything fake is usually not good.
Hey Ralfy sory2 hear bout th bad racin conditions :( bumer. wel yur ryt nex door2 Coloradotrip so u myt hav a gud chanz @ getn2c Stranahans...cudnt b closr. givn th circumstance it cud b a gud tym4 a road trip. hav fun eithr way. Gods speed.
For a sherrynut like me absolutely sublime stuff nutty and plummy - whiskybase.com has it at about 88/100 with 300 votes. And when considering the drought of good affordable 15+ yo old school speysiders if you see it buy it!
i think when your whisky is corked you will have no doubt about it. this fungal, stale taste is so obvious, and will ruin your palate for the entire day. that is one of the fears i have. i buy bottles by the motto "buy now, drink later". and when you open an expensive bottle maybe 2 years later and find out its corked, the retailer's guarantee will have expired long ago.
Ralfy,hey! hope your not woofn back 2many stx of pancakes w/mapl syrp!! :)~ btw...shr we wish 'em gud luk but darn isn't it a wee sting n th pants 2hav held such great Xpectashns 4Bruchladdich only2wach em take such a serius suthrn dyv n2 NAS terirory?! (& Gin) Wasn Brchldch 1's a Ralfy whisky pic of th yr? yea thos wer sum gud botlngz m8! [ahgg, sed th sadnd gentlmn] L8r
Being a bourbon drinker it took me a long time to believe in adding water, i simply liked it straight, but lately you have me convinced, it really does open up the flavor if you're patient, cheers Ralfy!
Had a notion you would score both glasses separately, very we'll done. No video popped up after you concluded FYI. Hope you have a Bonneville Good Time too, nice for you to be there. Keep us posted as this develops, please. Nice blog, very interesting to compare/contrast development after the pour !
"It needs time to be sublime!" Thanks Ralfy! This review was really interesting - I would not have believed that those two whiskies where from the same bottle!
As always, terrific information! Sipped a nice single malt with that full moon last night, wonderful! Stay well, Ossie
Great review ralfy and thank you for you many great reviews, which I watch all the time.
Another great review thanks a lot Ralfy.
I love your videos, its a pleasure to learn from your experience. Thank you.
Ralphy, you sure are one suave YoTuber. Always immensely enjoy your reviews, even if it's a spirit I'm not particularly interested in. I have also been known to watch some of my favourite Whiskey Reviews more than a couple of times.
Segue to...
I don't know if I'm supposed to "drop" Malt Mentions in the comments section like this, but here's one I would be honored if it made it into an episode: Hi there all you Malty Messianic Myth-busters.
Hope you like it, and thanks for another great review.
Excited to hear you say lemon meringue pie. I have that same note down for a bottle of 1963 Aberlour that I had the outrageous luck to find, but never again since.
Hello Ralfy, hope you're doing well & enjoying your stateside stay!
Me?!, wellI'm sitting here on a beauty afternoon with a warm smile sipping on a fine Bourbon & puffing on a splendid Cohiba Robusto. Simply one of the Best Combinations on Gods Green Earth. We miss ya Buddy, stay safe.
Peace
Hello Ralfy. Welcome to the USofA!!
Whilst in "Lost Wages" I mean Las Vegas please remember that this particular city is not representative of any other city in any other state.
What you basically have in LV is a very good example of la-la land!!
A place where dreamers go to uncover nightmares. The odds of "hitting it big" is akin to a 99/100 single malt. But like anything else there are the odd-ball exceptions and those exceptions my friend keeps 'em coming back.
Roulette ($$ on either black or red) is the only game w/any semblance of fairness...served with a healthy side order of luck, that is!! Have a blast Ralfy.
Peace
Fantastic review as always Ralfy.
Finished one bottle and have another on the shelf for another time.. I enjoyed this dram.
Thanks for the advise, great review!
Welcome to the state! Hope you have a great stay!
My last bottle of twelve year old Bowmore became less phenolic and more like heather honey as it got closer to being empty over a six month period. I enjoyed the transformation...
Hi Ralfy! Cork dust is in my experience a common companion in SigVin CS bottles, some have slight edges/a burr due to production tolerances. Fortunately no whisky got tainted so far, contrary to some a'bunadhs, where the cork looked kind of rotten/mouldy and imho negatively influenced the whisky.
Fantastic vid'.
I am yet to try a Bowmore which has impressed me, though I must admit I haven't tried their 18yo or older. They just dont have the wow factor of all the other islays, for me at least.
Hiya Ralfy. I just had a dram of Bowmore Small Batch. I know you aren't a fan of Bowmore generally speaking but I'm wondering if you've tried this? I thought it was delightful. I'm also very inexperienced with Islay Whisky but was so satisfied with this. Felt like I was on vacation in Scotland!
I'll be turning 21 in about a month or so and I want to start trying out whiskey due to the increasing interest of whiskey from my 3 year involvement,as a viewer, with this channel and other whiskey channels.(This is the best channel) What would you suggest for beginners whiskies? I've seen your video on beginner whiskies,but seeing it's been about 2 years now has any of those choices changed?If so,what would you suggest now,because Highland Park 12yo has been catching my eye since your first review on Highland Park 12yo.Thank you Ralfy and Maltmates.
I know you're not much of a Bowmore fan, Ralfy. But one of my top five whiskys is the Bowmore Darkest, a fine waypoint between smoke and sherry.
Ralfy,
On your way back from Utah, make a stop back east at a small distillery in St. Michael's Maryland called Lyon's Distillery. I was there not long ago and while there is a ways to go they do offer some great spirits! That's St. Michael's Maryland ....just a short trip from BWI or Baltimore Washington Airport.
Mike
. . . too late, I'm now in Vegas till Saturday.
I emphatically second that vote you adjust your itinerary to swing thru to the east coast!!
***** Ralfy, I am so sad now......... Won't be a problem, I'll pick you up! I have friends who work at Southwest Airlines they can get you to BWI!
hyped for bonneville
I had this problem too with the last bottle I had from signatory cask strength collection aswell, their corks suck!
I have bottle number 14 from that run. Does your tin say the wrong dates but the bottle says the correct date as well as mine?
Hi Ralfy--Here's a question I haven't seen you address: What's your opinion of older Bruichladdich whiskies? I've seen 1989-distilled Laddie that's quite expensive. Is it worth a try?
Thanks for the great whisky information, you've taught me a lot!
Hey Ralfy - longtime lurker here. This video got me thinking about the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Wondering if you've thought about doing a video with your opinions of the society and maybe a bottle or two of theirs...
G'day Ralfy, Sam from Australia here, I've searched your youtube channel and your website but couldn't find a whisky review on the Glenfiddich 14 year old Scotch whisky.
I'de be very appreciative if you were able to give a review on it, i'de be very interested to hear your thoughts on the double cask.
Cheers mate,
Sam
56/100? you've had too much Ralfy :P
Beautifully presented, the Signatory Cask Strength Collection. Not that that makes a difference to what's inside.
Similarly the SMWS...any prospects of a review of their wares Ralfy? Keep up the good work...
chrisphillips916 . . . no spoilers !
My bottle of Signatory Vintage Glen Ord 15yr is the same, lots of cork dust, and I did panic at first haha.
You are right on that fact.
Hi Ralfy.
Thanks!
We like the occasional Bowmore!
Say, when you visit the States for the Bonneville, will you be visiting any distillery's like Stranahans in Colorado?? or further east into Kentucky to engage any of the Bourbon behemoths?! ...any itinerary??
cheers
I am in Utah at the moment as Bonneville Speed week has been cancelled due to flooding ! only the second time this has happened in 100 years. Bad luck but our racing team are in good spirits !
***** High West Distillery would be a great one to visit. Just outside Salt Lake City. I hope your trip ends on a brighter note, Ralfy!
***** you're missing similar tantrum of mother nature back in bonnie scotland. here's hoping the speyside area won't become part of the inner hebrides! have fun in USA and if you change your itinerary, there are a few drams waiting for ya over in NJ! ;-)
I'm so curious about this one now.
You said fiftysix to the 20min glass. Great video. Why does a whisky change so much from open first time to the following experiences? it's only because oxidation?
just the way raw scotch behaves.
hi ralfy from oz where to you keep all your booze mate storage etc.
Very nice review, and interesting aside about cork. The importance of opening time shouldn't be underestimated, particularly with any whisky which isn't chill filtered. For more on whisky chemistry, check out A Whisky Tour by Victoria Gill, of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Any thoughts on reviewing the bowmore darkest 15y old? If not. Any thoughts on it you care to share in a comment response?
Six weeks to go? I vote yes!! Err....I mean no! Or is it yes? Yes it is Ralfy :)
great review as usual. do you have any plans to review midleton whiskey? tried some recently cost me 9 quid per shot but it was amazing.
it's on the List !
cool
As far as is know, bad cork taste is nowadays being caused by a chemical called TCA, produced by fungi (not bacteria!). Luckily none of my whiskies has been ruined by it so far!
I've never been able to enjoy whiskey because can barely stand the taste of any alcohol.
However I want to start enjoying the finer things, and that means enjoying the flavour of good whiskey. I don't know how to enjoy the taste of whiskey, is there some way I can get used to the taste and eventually get to enjoy it?
Shlim GoldStein practice !
It takes getting used to. Maybe add water to the dram then sip a little at first. Don't start with Islays.
I just started as well, and it helps to focus on the taste besides the alcohol. I've got a bottle of Glenfarclas 10yo, which has much more depth and complexity than for example a glenfiddich. I taste a lot besides the alcohol. And little sips help.
Are you right about most people being lazy in their appreciation of spirits? For sure. Pretty sure it applies to everything else too. It's only us thinking types that get into... well, thinking, and we're a minority. Us "anoraks" as you often say. It's a shame sometimes, but at least we can feel special and largely have our interests unadulterated; It's nice to have reliable niches.
Aye aye Ralfy. Anyone drinking off a tumbler is not that interested in squeezing out every bit of enjoyment out of their whiskey. I can't smell anything from a tumbler!
hi Ralfy.
bein in bourbon county howz bout a 1 offf on-th-fly Ralfy Bourbon revu?? cud b intristn!
Ralfy: malty Moravian meddlers
From Jonty, Peter and David about to dram in whiskybar44 in bratislava
Ralfy does a Bowmore, is this the land of nod?
zzzzz !
I have to say, I'm not convinced by your theory about lazy or impatient whisky drinkers. Surely those people who aren't that interested in discovering depth, don't drink single malts. Why would they bother when they can get a palatable and pleasant blend for half the price?
Not on topic, but Ballantines tell me via email that according to their brand ambassador that caramel can't be tasted in whisky, as also asserted when I spoke to Richard Paterson. And there's a study on one of the whisky sites (Malt Maniacs?) where it couldn't be detected in a blind tasting in water and yet Jim Murray has a whole two pages in the 2014 whisky bible railing against its taste and cloying effect. I swear I can taste it in many cheap whiskies eg. JW Red Export Blend 45.8%, Dewars White Label, Whyte & Mackay Double Matured etc. Would be grateful for your opinion on Who The Heck Is Correct??
coslifehurts it's a big issue. but you will find that colour ALWAYS gets used on Chill-filtered whisky and this adds to the effect. Ultimately, it's down to our sense of perception. Anything fake is usually not good.
*****
I hate to be pedantic but not always. For example Macallan, Highland Park and Glengoyne are chill-filtered but no colour is added.
Hey Ralfy sory2 hear bout th bad racin conditions :( bumer. wel yur ryt nex door2 Coloradotrip so u myt hav a gud chanz @ getn2c
Stranahans...cudnt b closr.
givn th circumstance it cud b a gud tym4 a road trip. hav fun eithr way. Gods speed.
Radio Laboratory road trippin' round Vegas !
Tried Bowmore Surf... Wasnt really impressed, it felt like they used sea water to make the whisky.
Ownedyou I agree !
Hi ralfy! What are your thoughts about Glendronach Parliament 21 y.o?
decent but could be better.
thanks :)
For a sherrynut like me absolutely sublime stuff nutty and plummy - whiskybase.com has it at about 88/100 with 300 votes. And when considering the drought of good affordable 15+ yo old school speysiders if you see it buy it!
i think when your whisky is corked you will have no doubt about it. this fungal, stale taste is so obvious, and will ruin your palate for the entire day.
that is one of the fears i have. i buy bottles by the motto "buy now, drink later". and when you open an expensive bottle maybe 2 years later and find out its corked, the retailer's guarantee will have expired long ago.
cherbaty?
I thought I heard "sherbet-y", as in the frozen flavored ices folks slurp in warm months
6 weeks to do what ralfy? lol
Scottish Independence referendum.
First! :)
Ralfy,hey! hope your not woofn back 2many stx of pancakes w/mapl syrp!!
:)~
btw...shr we wish 'em gud luk but darn isn't it a wee sting n th pants 2hav held such great Xpectashns 4Bruchladdich only2wach em take such a serius suthrn dyv n2 NAS terirory?! (& Gin)
Wasn Brchldch 1's a Ralfy whisky pic of th yr? yea thos wer sum gud botlngz m8! [ahgg, sed th sadnd gentlmn]
L8r
First
. . . verified !