I'm so glad you included the bits about personal preferences - other reviewers (I think) lose sight of the fact that it can be intensely irritating being told what whiskies I am or am not allowed to enjoy... You have not only presented a very even-handed guide, but explained why certain characteristics might be worth looking for. Well done!
Andrew, thank you so much for that encouraging feedback. You summarized exactly what I was hoping to do, and I'm glad I was able to pull it off. I knew I could make a shorter, more concise video of the same nature that would get more views, but wouldn't be as fullsome. I didn't want to do that. Thanks again for the comment. Cheers 🥃
Who said there is anything wrong with that?😆 I feel the same way as you when I'm at the gym on a lunchbreak at work, watching a video thinking, I don't want to wait 5 hours to try that! 😅
Excellent video, and I have to agree I would rather have the kilkerran over the Macallan also. For me it's a no brainer. Natural integrity presentation wins every time in the flavour and experience department.
Cheers to one & all, I get by with some under value but flavourful blends & cheaper single malts : ) I pay the wedge & take the choice cuts( In Your Opinion ) You haven't let me down so far :)
I keep hearing that Thompson Bros SRV-5 is quite the hit for a budget blended malt. Same with Loch Lomonds Glass House Blend. We don't get those on this side of the Atlantic but they sound like great budget stretchers.
Great video, very informativ and amazing introduction for whisky lovers. Also cheers to show Blackadder raw cask, sadly they are very expensive, and cheers to macallan diss. Sadly unchillfiltered nowadays often doesnt mean what it used to, often they get then cool filtered or still heavy filtered. Some CS/higher proof whiskies turn just a bit cloudy but some nice IB they are so milky, and thick in texture. Also the sherry casks nowadays are so... sad. Often using american white oak, hogsheads, fill sherry for 6 months-2 years, empty an fill the whisky into the wet casks, then you get cola whisky with vanilla and sherry flavour. But not these nice, coffee, little sour, dark, woodfloor notes from an european oak sherry cask. so much vanilla out there lately^^
What a fantastic comment, and thanks for the compliments on the video. It is true that there is a level of "Grey" with "non Chill-filtered." To what extent is it filtered? Always good to test floculation with water. And yeah, nearly everything seems to be "sherry seasoned" American oak. I am targeting older bottlings or dusty old bottles that still promise to include more European oak. Not that I don't enjoy the new school sherry casks, but it's just a different level of enjoyment. Cheers 🥃
I guess that's all part of the process isn't it? Something about it not being the destination that counts, but rather the journey getting there. Still a more economical journey is appreciated. 9 and above sounds like a cap that could stay in the rotation. Cheers as always Sandy 🥃
I've got a soft spot for the Habs, but you guys are having almost as bad a season as my Canucks this year. At least the Habs are rebuilding instead of becoming the soap opera of the league like the Canucks 😄
Really enjoyed this video Matt and look forward to watching more of your reviews. I've just relocated from the UK to Victoria, BC so just getting used to the peculiarities of Canadian liquor laws (man, how I took it for granted that I could buy great scotch on Amazon in the UK!).
James, welcome to the West Coast and Canada 🇨🇦 Thanks for checking out the channel. Yeah the liquor laws here certainly leave something to be desired. Couldn't make it much more difficult. Luckily Victoria is a great place to be. If you haven't already stopped in, Adam at The Strath has a great selection and an awesome whisky club called the Dram Association. I'm on the mainland sadly otherwise I'd be there everyday 😄 Cheers 🥃
Thanks for the warm welcome Matt. Much appreciated sir! I do indeed know the Strath and Adam, but only in the last month or so. It's basically my new favourite shop, ever! Adam was kind enough to sell me one of three tickets he had left for last weekend's Consumer tasting evening at the Victoria Whisky festival, which was awesome! Really enjoying discovering the distilleries that are on the island, in BC and the rest of Canada. The future is unbelievably bright for Canadian whiskey I feel. Talking of the Strath, I cannot recommend the Benromach Cask Strength batch 1 release highly enough. Only came in a day ago and Adam nabbed all 35 of the bottles allocated to BC. A screaming deal for under $115, then ten percent off of that if you're a premium Dram Association member. I bought a second the moment I cracked open the first bottle 👍
Excellent to hear you are well acquainted with Adam and the shop! Very jealous that you were at the festival. I'm already penciling in getting to my first Victoria Whisky Festival next year, it's gotta happen! Also, everytime someone mentions Benromach or Ledaig I feel like I just became best friends with another person. Can't get enough, and that's a fantastic deal on that Cask Strength. Hope you got to try the Strath Benromach Single Cask from last year 😀 Cheers James! 🥃
Great vid, Matt. I'm a huge Scotch fan, and I love Campbeltown in particular. Quick question for you. I've tried to get into bourbon a couple of times now, but so far I can't. It just tastes weak & like burnt sugar. Should I bother trying any more, or is it pointless? I see tons of videos pointing to Scotches for bourbon lovers, but absolutely nothing convincing pointing to great bourbons for Scotch lovers! I'm guessing that's not a fluke.
That is a great question! I'll answer the best I can but the "coles notes" would be that it is down to individuals preferred tastes. Personally I do find there to be less variety in flavour profile in Bourbon than Scotch. I mean to say that there are more noticeable nuances and differences in Scotch. I also find there is a real schism between Scotch and Bourbon enjoyment. My friends who love Bourbon often times detest Scotch and vice versa. Personally, I currently have about 5 bottles of Bourbon. I keep trying to appreciate it more, but malt is my wheelhouse. If I find an affordable Bourbon that converts me I'll let you know. What Bourbon have you tried so far? I do have an apprceiation for Eagle Rare 10 year old and Michters 10, but it truly just doesn't light the same fire under me that Scotch or Single Malt does. Thanks for the question. Cheers🥃
@@whiskyonthewestcoast That's a well-crafted answer-- thanks so much. I've tried some basic bourbons like Makers Mark, and I also bought a bottle of Wilderness Trail Single Barrel by mistake (I thought I was getting Rye). And I've tried Sazerac Rye too. So far I really don't like the flavor profile of any of these. I know taste preferences run all over the map, but I hate to keep wasting money on bourbons and ryes when they seem to disappoint me.
Macallan is a sad shadow of its former glory. Glenfiddich is a good place to begin, most certainly. Macallan is at a premium these days, and for no good reason. Cheers 🥃
