Welcome to Whisky on the West Coast! Greetings from the west(wet) coast of Canada. My name is Matt and I am simply someone out here in British Columbia who loves to taste and talk about Whisky, in particular Single Malt Scotch. My passion for Whisky started while I was in University working at a liquor store and has lead me to tasting and collecting Whisky for over 10 years. Thanks for checking out the channel and I hope you come back for more soon!
Wow, great price in Canada. I paid $80.99 US. That’s considerably more than the 14 Quinta ($55-$60) but worth a shot. Honestly, I’m never going to see the Springbank Palo Cortado at retail, so this is my consolation. I have been enjoying the Glen Scotia 12 (mermaid), so Palo Cortado is definitely on my radar now. I’ll try to look for that “ginger” note next time I sample it. Great review. Cheers.
Great video! In regards to the extra years on the label, I had a 14 Port and was not impressed. My theory is they have to go longer in the cask because they aren’t getting the impact they want in that time with inferior wood. The port I had was over cooked. Maybe the other bottles will suffer the same? I had been very curious about this bottle and almost bought it a few times, but held off. I’m with you about not being super enthusiastic about Glenmorangie. Cheers, Matt!
scotch bubble bursted . . . countries recommend to drink less . . . market saturation . . . peeps buy more than they drink . . . silly prices . . . wine-sk(e)y are hit + miss , not so hot . . . Scotch interest may levelled off / or plateau : sounds like a trend.
Hello, I live in Red Deer and purchase most of my Scotch ftom Wine & Beyond in Red Deer and from Kensington Wine Market in Calgary. I quick question, why do anomalies exist such as whisky prices a that are the same in both BC and Alberta markets? With our lower taxes, the only way would be for these whiskies to be entering BC at a lower cost. How would this happen? 🤔
Great and honest review Matt. I actually do rather enjoy this one. I do not pick up that overwhelming Ginger note that is so predominant for you. I only get a bit of it on the nose, and in a pleasant way. One interesting note on the nose for me is Nutella - nice. It is a good dram and definitely you have a SUPERIOR price!
Something a big house can do. They have a lot of whisky and certainly have enough to sell older! Glad it came out at 46% too. I don't think I've ever had a Palo Cortado cask Scotch. Almost always the key ... give it time, drink below the shoulder, just relax with it. I enjoy a bit of spice with a rich Scotch. I may pick it up. Thanks for your thoughts.
Hi Matt, I'm a Glenmorangie fan, historically, since 2002 & my first visit there, but not a big fan of current core range, once passed the 10 yo (decent) & the 18 yo (too reduced but sophisticated) & the 25 yo I never tasted, but for me some of their "Tale of..." are bit more interesting than core range finishes, plus, obviously for me too, in my experience, more than a half of their now stopped "Private Edition" limited releases range, showcasing a lot of different finishes or other elements changing from core range. Plus, on top of that, they are most often 46 % or more (51,2 % for the "'Allta" I have) & non chill filtered. These were, for me the range made for us whisky geeks, and I regret that it has ended (you're gonna struggle to find them & probably pay too much on secondary market, but I'll tell you more in DM about those I have, liked, etc...I've reviewed some of them only. I tried some other great releases from them (some old & or rare ones) including at the distillery only, but your notes for this expression, I have to say, are disappointing regarding what I'd like to hear from a Palo Cortado finish in my modest experience with it. My favorite Palo Cortado release remains a stunning Deanston 1997 limited official release a few years ago. I'm also enjoying the Caol Ila 11 yo Cadenhead with this finish & have reviewed it within my latest live show...Cheers & thanks for this review !
@@pepebruno1672 no idea. Im Not Glenmo fan,its just not my piece of cake. Maybe is good but far to pricy. If i want good PC finish or maturation there is realy good Old Perth at 55.9% for aprox. £55. Glenmo is £75. Sorry but for that price i have Speyburn 18yo so 🤷♂️
I think the main problem people have with saying "Glenmorangie" is where the stress falls (and the new label design doesn't help!): if you think "glenmORANGE-y" (or even "glenMOR'ngee") you might fare better... Definitely not "glenmorANgie"! I've currently got 4 Palo Cortado finished whiskies, though I've not had the chance to try the Glenmorangie one yet: a 1997 Deanston 21-year-old, an 18-year-old Dunville's Irish, a 2005 Bladnoch 15-year-old and a Mosgaard Organic from Denmark. All very nice indeed!
Hi Andrew, well done for the Deanston, it's awesome (I have a sample somewhere I'll include when I'll do a Deanston overview, I'm late to do it I know, Cheers !
Great video! I would also love to get my hands on one of these. I did just find the Hazelburn 13 from Cadenhead on a shelf in Edmonton last week. So I’ll take a win when I can get it 😀 Cheers, Matt!
Great review, as usual! Speaking of batch variation, I have an upcoming review that really highlights that… and not in a good way 😅 I have been eyeing that KWM bottle and may go for it now. Cheers, Matt!
Great review of Glenfarclas Matt. I love the 15 as it offers nutty chocolatey not overpowering sherry to my palate and it's at 46%. Great story on that KWM doorcrasher. I always wanted to grab a 25 year old for stashing it so I cringed forking over $275 for it pre-pandemic and now it's at $500 in Ontario but looking back it seems, it was a great purchase.
Who knew we needed a higher abv 15... but we absolutely do! This is similar to my TWE Glenfarclas 15 video where I pick the higher abv one as well, Shocker I know! Great head to head Matt and cool story about the doorcrasher. Cheers!
I have not had that door crasher, but I continue to enjoy the regular 15. Just hits where I enjoy it, especially at the price I can still get it. Thanks for sharing
It's pretty intense - the fiancee prefers the regular 10. She says it loses the creamy notes that she likes from the 10. I enjoyed it, not sure I'm throwing $300 at it though =)
Great H2H.There are a few stores that have the 15 for $105 to $108. The last one I got there was 71 and very good. Farclas has turned into Macallan in Ontario price wise so I have moved on. I wish the shipping option from KWM was not such a logistical pain in the butt.
Great episode. GFC-15 used to be very oily with that "pencil shavings" aroma, darker late Summer fruits . . . better cask for sure. Some time 2018 depleted stocks of GFC-17 and -21 allows GFC to concentrate on the 15 and 25, and 17/21 may not return until 2025-26... In Ontario, GFC15 2021 batch sold for 105$, then ... whoop ... 175$ now with new 2024 release, sadly. I prefer the 17, but the 25 (270 $CA) was best : it has a similar nose to the GFC-40 , donkey years ago (2004) at 600$CA/bottle !..
When it comes to "gimmicky" releases, I think this and Laphroaig's Cairdeas are doing it right. Keep them interesting and affordable so that people can take a chance on them without breaking the bank.
15 is definitely a fav of mine. I am really getting upset with all the price increases. My only thought is that they are cutting supplies into Canada and USA to focus on the EU. The prices don’t seem to be spiking too much in the UK and Germany and they are push out multiple special releases each year. My answer is the 105. Still sub 100 in Alberta and able to stretch the cask strength with water. I find it as good as the 15 with a bit of a kick. The KWM 15 is something I would love to try out if you know anyone who can help a brother out. Awesome shoot out Matt. Cheers and great review of both. Cheers man.
15 was never available in the US. You can still find the 15 for $105 in Alberta, but those stores charge Ontario tax and we all know the shipping costs are brutal to Ontario. KWM is a bit of a pain when it comes to shipping .
It’s actually not at KWM it is at Craft Cellars and yes, it is quite a lineup. Hopefully will be able to pick up a bottle or two, but there is another tasting for spring bank on Wednesday at zyn the Wine market, which I’m also going to figured if I got the chance I might as well do it I regret it if I don’t I think there were two spots left on that one as well
I'm looking forward to watching your comparison of the Machir Bay Cask Strength and the Fino Jon! I've got a soft spot for this distillery after visiting. Cheers Neighbour!
I'm from Scotland dude I am lucky islay makes best whisky in Scotland and I have had them all. I am a peat head and ocatamore is best in its class genius whisky making skills.
I loved the 3rd charred oak one and after watching a couple of reviews I just ordered this one. Like my whisky to be a bit higher in ABV too, 46 or 48. And those fresh citrus notes intrigue me.
I'm hoping you enjoy this edition of the Offerman as much as that charred oak one. I do love that they bump the ABV up to 46% for these, it really helps. Thanks for watching. Cheers eh! 🥃
Don't mind me ask some questions. For sake purposes referring Laphroaig Offerman as just Offerman. Would you say Offerman Rum is better than Ardbeg Drum? I know Ardbeg peated whisky is different than Laphroaig. I know there different regions of scotch, is the Offerman better than Balvenie Carribean cask. Only reason I ask because a local store here is offering Balvenie Carribean super cheap 65 US. Opposed to me ordering this only for 90 plus shipping. Last if you had a choice between Offerman Rum or Glen Scotia Victoriana which would you chose to purchase? I know they are different scotches.
I'll attempt to answer these as best I can! 1) I never had the opportunity to try Ardbeg Drum, but I feel like the difference would be felt in the spirit characteristic. I'll have to sit this question out. 2)Some people that I have a lot of respect for the palate of have said that when the Balvenie Carribean was a reasonable price(it's $150-$200 CAD here but used to be $80-$100) it was their favourite Rum influenced whisky. If I saw it at $65 USD I would purchase that Balvenie. And like you referenced they are very different styles of whisky, however I am finding that Rum casks play very nicely with peat as well as rye. 3)I really loved Victoriana. I have a back up of the batch #2 which I really enjoyed. Probably Victoriana over the Offerman by virtue that I have a back up of it but not yet of the Offerman. Hope these answers help you decide! Cheers eh! 🥃
Was expecting at least 93p after that review :D What are you missing to bring it up to 93 btw? :) I bought this second hand after a sample.. Damn good whisky :D
I agree, it really is a damn good whisky! Scoring is incredibly subjective, however a few things I considered. The cask and spirit really worked well together, but I did give up some of the things I love in my Hazelburn whiskies for that Sherry cask influence. If there was a way to keep the orchard/tropical fruit & creamy vanilla I get in the 10 year while picking up a lot of these wonderful sherried characteristics it would score higher. While it is undoubtedly delicious it is not as complex, rich and mind blowing as the G&M 1982 Glen Mhor 40 year old, G&M 1989 Mortlach 31 year old or the SMOS 1998 Imperial 22 Year old I've had in the last year that all scored between 92-94. Some of these are much more expensive, but on secondary I could buy that Imperial for less as an example. Scoring is an inexact science. As you rightly point out I was really loving this Hazelburn and would buy it if I could at a reasonable price. 90 is a big score. Honestly, there is only a handful of whiskies I've ever had that could score higher than a 94. So that's the high water mark... so far :) Hope you stretch this bottle out far, it's a good one. Cheers eh! 🥃
@@whiskyonthewestcoast aye, setting scores is really hard. What i meant doh is that in the way you expressed your self in the video. I felt it was building up to a really high score. Would be interesting to see what you think of the latest Springbank local barley 13 if you can get your hands on it. I was lucky to get to bottles and its the best sprei had so far.. Take care and keep up the good work :D
@shaddepadde I gotchya! Glad you got that Local 13 year, I've heard it's a wonderful edition of Local Barley. I've yet to try a Local Barley, even with visiting Springbank last year. I'm afraid if I got to try that 13 I might pass out haha. Enjoy it!
I've never tried any of the Offerman Editions, but I will be picking this one up for sure! Thanks for the review and I'm glad that the all mighty algorithm had this and you channel on my feed. Nice to see a fellow West Coaster. I would love to try the Guinness version if I can find one, not sure if it's even available anymore in BC at least. Subscribed and Cheers from Victoria!
I have a love/hate relationship with the all-mighty algorithm haha. always love when someone from B.C. finds the channel! Glad it brought you here! I haven't seen the Guinness Offerman in about a year, however, if it is anywhere in B.C. my bet would be Vancouver Island. The Mid-Island Co-op stores often times have surprising gems sitting on their shelves. This past January was my first time attending the Victoria Whisky Festival, if you haven't attended before, it's one hell of a time. Thanks again for watching and for leaving this comment! Cheers Waby 🥃
I still have yet to try a Hazelburn so something I definitely have to my a personal goal this year. Sound like an excellent dram and being a sherries whisky guy I am sure I would also enjoy. Cheers Matt and thanks for another great video.
Thanks for watching Tyler! You might have luck getting Hazelburn through the SAQ lotteries. I can't seem to get a bottle aside from the 10, which I do love and is where I'd suggest you start with Hazelburn regardless. Beauty whisky that is. Cheers buddy 🥃
Not a huge fan of this sherry cask series. I think Hazelburn is a very light spirit, probably the triple distillation, and I like it best with minimal cask influence. As you say, bourbon casks work well.
I can understand not being into this style as it leans heavily into an almost Sulphered Sherry character, which I find Kilkerran 8 CS often does as well. A Hazelburn that has quietly spent a good 21 years in ex-bourbon barrels sounds quite lovely to me. That feels like something that could only be good. Cheers Pete 🥃
Hey Matt. This bottle sounds amazing. I’ve only ever got my hands on 1 bottle of Hazelburn 10 and really enjoyed it. Sad that they are so hard to come by, but like you said, such is the way of things these days. Do you have any secondary market sources that you can recommend to track down one of these or even a replacement bottle for my 10?
You're kinda in the same boat as me with only really being able to get the 10, though I was lucky to get a replacement bottle. For secondary options Auctions near you are helpful. If you are in Canada Iron Gate in Calgary is a good one. Waddington's if you're in Ontario. There are some secondary facebook groups =, but again, super regional/localized. Right now I do not know a store in Canada that has Hazelburn 10 on the shelf at retail prices. Sad, but, the good news is that the Hazelburn 10 sticks on shelves a little longer than Springbank 10. Hope you find a replacement soon! Cheers eh! 🥃
Thanks for the review. I am enjoying it. I am looking forward to trying the Hazel burn 15 Sherry cast in a couple weeks. I’m doing a springbank tasting with seven in the lineup but the Hazel burn 15 is the 2022 release I think but there’s also a Springbank 15 a long grow 21 a spring bank 21 spring bank 10 pc a local Barley 13 and he killkerran 8 I am very excited as I have not tried any of these
That is one hell of a Springbank lineup Kirby! I think it is coming up this friday if it's the ones hosted by KWM. I'm sure you're going to fall in love with some of them. Knowing KWM they probably have some nice Springers to sell by ballot too. Hope you have a blast at the tasting! Cheers eh! 🥃
I actually paid $160 US for mine, so I can see why it's so hard for you to get up there if it's going for that cheap! I was fully expecting some Campbeltown funk on my first sip, but there wasn't any at all. Only now as air gets to it is that funk starting to poke its head up. Still great, either way.
I'm glad you were able to get a bottle of this one Andy. I was quite enamored with it haha. I feel like $160 USD is a pretty fair price for this one. Cheers Andy 🥃
