Great video! I’m happy that I made the right choices for visiting Benromach, Glenfarclas, and Glenlivet distilleries during my upcoming visit to Speyside.
Never bothered with Glenfiddich, but the Glenlivet Nadurra 16 and the illicit still 12, both righteous whisky. The Benromach Peat Smoke is a beautiful thing....not sherried. It's a shame that we are still having to manuever around low ABV, chill filtering and E150.
I can't argue with your reasoning. Some of mine may be different but, as you say, it is YOUR top 5. All good stuff. And yes, the GlenDronach cask strength batches are wonderful. Cheers mate.
Your selection is as always quintessential no brainers. Picking top five from Speyside is difficult but you did a good job. Can't go wrong with the Glen's.
My first single malt was Glen Elgin 12, 43%abv but "worm-tubed"😅. I still love it besides all of the great stuff that came before. Cheers for Speyside!
👍 You like what you like. While I don’t have the same top five as yours I can totally understand your choices. I like integrity expression as much as the next guy but ultimately taste and personal fondness trump abv and nfc, so I don’t auto rule out the big Glens. Keep them lists coming mate.
The Glenlivet 12yo is available in the North American markets. The 1824 Founder's Reserve is also available there, but mainly as a replacement in other markets.
Isn’t Glendronach a highland distillery? Shame the núderra 16 has been discontinued, such a good glenlivet, Just bought the Benromach CS batch 1, 2009/2019(the older bottle). For me its down to ones experience which are the top speyside distilleries. Good choices nonetheless and as always an enjoyable video 👍
Your list so no need to explain. I am really starting to dig BenRiach as they are putting out quite an extensive range. Glenallachie is probably my favorite Speyside distillery at the moment but Aberlour A'bunadh is the whisky that has my heart.
This was a great though provoking list! I see we have some favorites in common, like the Glenlivet 15 and the Balvenie 17 Doublewood, great drams. You absolutely must try more Mortlach whiskies. Not the classic Speyside flavors, but an amazing whisky. I think I can tell from your list, that you are a fan of sherries whiskies. Try Gordon&Mcphails 15 year old Mortlach. It is still available and affordable. You are gonna love it :) Cheers.
Good stuff. I really enjoy the content and your delivery on the channel. Well done! I will however throw in with the others on Glendronach. I’m pretty sure it is actually a Highland so it can’t win this Top Five! :) Love the 15 Revival though. Haha.
You're right. Just shows how much research I actually do. I think I should do a Top 5 Highland and have a Speyside whisky win it. That's the only way I can redeem myself.
Regarding Balvenie: I tried the 21 Port wood, which was disappointing, the 15 French wood better but still not special. You mentioned the 17 sherry oak as your favorite, which is quite unaffordable, but what do you think of the 17 double wood? How does it rank in the Balvenie lineup? Thanks!
Glendronach is good stuff but its the only distillery that gives me acid reflux and I don't know why. I have the 12 and Batch 11 Cask and I struggle to drink them. Add the fact they have started chill filtering....
It's your show and your list and we love it. But...I'm going to comment. Benromach is a yes but it's a weird Spey. Glenfiddich is yes but I hate myself and you for this. This is well-integrated hate. Great distillery and that 40% stuff is just sooooo depressing. However, I think we have to sometimes get out of the high proof box and enjoy certain whiskies for what they are. Nevertheless, those age statements would be so good at 46% and whilst I understand why they do it it's old fashioned. The world can go to 43 or 46% these days. Glenlivet are a great distillery but have sold out. They still produce great distillate but bottle at 40% and the best way of tasting them is with the independent bottlers. Glenfarclass. Good prices but those knackered old casks? I like the 25 because it's knackered casks have had a little time to leach some flavour. Glendronach are a great distillery but we are all aware of the future problems. Can't call it a great distillery if you have to have deep pockets. I hate that. God, I'm sending you so much hate. I'm angry and hateful. Okay, Balvenie, Aberlour and Benriach should all be on the top of that list so what's the problem? The prices suck. Three great distilleries that should be the top of the list have blown it because of the greed of their owners. Cheers mate. I love Speyside really but most of it is blend filler and that is its financial purpose. I guess that's why you left out Macallan - lol.
I agree 100% re the ABV on both Glenfiddich and Glenlivet. The only reason I had them on is because they're unavoidable to the masses and I think they're a good entry point into the world of whiskies for the novice drinker. The more of us there are the better the world it will be.
I totally agree. I think they were the first whiskies I had given me as presents a long time ago. I'm actually rather fond of Glenfiddich 12 which is a decent dram at the right price. Both distilleries are so successful that they don't need to pander to the whisky nerds. We're not their market.
Come on, MA. Not sure which bottle you are holding there. You should try Parliament again, its a tremendous whisky. Btw, I have an inkling you love Macallan but you decided not to pick it. Smart move 😉
@@MaltActivist ha ya I know. But it’s fun for a-holes like me to chime in 😆. I couldn’t do it. There are just too many great Speyside distilleries to pick a top five. I’d need at least a top ten to include some made primarily for the blends like Cragganmore, Linkwood, and Dailuaine. Also it’s hard to ignore the classy, rich elegance of a great Macallan or a 1960s Glen Grant.
Glenlivet shouldn’t be on this list, just IMO, 90% or more of what they make is 40-43%, I’m sure chill-filtered and heavily colored include XXV, which very overpriced. Cheers MA!
