whisky review 203 - Advice about whisky hip-flasks 

You're like the awesome Scottish uncle I never had.

When I was in junior high school, we'd occasionally have a substitute teacher who was an elderly retired math teacher about 80 years old. He carried his whiskey in a brown glass prescription cough syrup bottle in his jacket pocket. He'd take a little sip from time to time during class. All the kids loved him, for regardless the subject he was supposed to teach on a particular day, he always entertained us with mathematics! One day he showed how the Romans multiplied and divided in Roman numerals, another day he'd explain ancient Egyptian math. He'd demonstrate non-Euclidian geometry, and seemingly had an endless supply of math puzzles with unexpected results. He told of paddling a boy in school back in the 1920s who happened to have a box of matches in his back pocket, the friction caused by the paddle set the matches afire! Nowadays, all this woke culture wouldn't allow this brilliant old man on school property.

Thank you for looking out for my arse.

"...it will go foosty, and it's amazing how a little bit of foost, even if you can't smell it on your nose, will taint the next drop of whisky that you put into your hip-flask". Excellent advice, sagely delivered. :D

My dad gave me a 2 liter flask for my twentieth birthday. He thought it was a funny gift because I was talking about wanting a flask so I could bring liquor anywhere for me and my friends. As soon as I saw it I said "Jesus Christ that's enough to get me my friends my neighbors and their dog absolutely shitfaced." He laughed. Jokes on him cuz I'm actually gonna use it.

I'm 19 and have a old English pewter 4 ounce round hip flask from 1883 that was passed down to me and it is great for when your out walking to take a bit of something for the top of the hill

10 years later and still informative and entertaining

Im more comfortable with Ralphie's advice than wondering if im right about my drinking choice's because the detail's on the whisky i never knew & is so educational that nobody was never taught in school ☺ Ralphie #1 advice on whiskey its a win win!!........

They are legal to own, but carrying a hip flask in a public place is illegal in many locations in the United States due to open container laws which prohibit possession of an unsealed container of alcohol in public, or within the passenger compartment of a vehicle. They are considered 'open containers'. Great videos, Ralfy, love ya!

Pewter is a malleable metal alloy, traditionally 85-99% tin, with the remainder consisting of copper, antimony, bismuth and lead. (Wikipedia) While there are now lead-free pewter hip flasks, one main issue I've noticed is that they are expensive compared to the stainless steel versions. Now there are also even more expensive silver hip flasks but I'm not familiar with how they stack up.

Thank you sir...ive learned my lesson of leaving whisky in a flask for a week. You are very infromative and i appreciate the knowledge you share👍👍👍👍

Once again ralfy, coming through like always! An OG veteran in the malt whiskey community! Great self explanatory video! Very great review and knowledge! Been following your channel for many years, Thank you!

When I was a kid, and turned 18, I bought myself a pewter hip flask from a little key cutting shop that also sold a bunch of random small metal gift trinkets and things, not realising it was pewter (or that that mattered). I was just excited that now I was drinking age I could finally enhance my favourite activity of hiking and spending time out in the bush by packing a flask full of whiskey. I went on a camping trip and left some whiskey in my pewter flask and at first it was fine, but I went to sleep and the next afternoon I went to pull my flask out of my swag and have a drink. The whiskey inside tasted like metal. I poured some out and it had gone completely black. I was disappointed because my flask turned out to be crap, but being a fresh 18 year old I'd packed way more whiskey than I'd ever needed on that trip so the loss of a few hundred ml of whiskey wasn't too sad for me at the time. I ended up getting a stainless steel flask and taking proper care of it. Gone through plenty of them in the decade since. I now go for the Stanley branded stainless steel 8oz flasks. They aren't of a very traditional style, and that's a con for me cause I like old fashioned things, that's the kinda person I am, I like things old timey and traditional wherever possible. But it's undeniably very functional, easy to clean, easy to fill, and it's the only flask I've ever had with a hinge on the lid where the hinge does not rattle at all! You can shake it all day, it won't make a sound. It's so sturdy I reckon you could stomp on it and not dent it, I never feel like I have to baby it. If I hand it to a mate and they drop it, I'm never worried, it's just a good little flask.

I am looking for a hip flask for my over night fishing. your advice was fantastic and you stopped me making a mistake. many many thanks James

I collect antique flasks and my favorite is a thin antique glass "shoo fly" flask with a cork stopper. To help protect against breakage you can wrap it in tape or plastic film. Also have a glass flask that looks like a cigar, and a ceramic flask that looks like a large salted pretzel. There's some really interesting ones out there.

so since i thought your channel was going to be down forever, I carried my flask with me all day today. Laphroig 10 and Drambuie. What a wonderful day it was. Oh, and glad ur back.

I just discovered you and your channel yesterday Ralfy. Love all your videos. I am just starting to get whole heartedly into scotch whisky collecting and drinking and am learning a lot from you. I am from Scottish descent but was born and live in Canada. I plan on visiting Scotland someday soon. Cheers

"nice pish... but pish" hahahaha

I've just discovered the "Ragproper" glass hip flask which is encased in either leather or silicone. There are a few videos on here reviewing it which include some destruction tests it seems to hold up pretty well.

This advice already has the age of a really good Whisky, and it doesn’t get old. When I take a walk in the forest I still like to carry a little bottle/flask filled with “Munro Bagger”. I really like the taste of a little sip from the bottle. I also like to drink a variation of the Munro Bagger as a long drink with Ginger Ale (1 shot of each, Whisky and Drambuie, with ice cubes and a good ginger ale like Fever Tree). So thanks for this advice. As I said, it doesn’t get old 😊.

Actually the best. newest advice for flasks is to go for Titanium. It is the only metal that does not change the taste, it will never rust, and it is super light weight. Although Snow Peak is very expensive, Vargo is coming out with an 8 ounce version for about 75 bucks, or you can go for one from Ebay, where you can get a 3.5 ounce for 55 bucks, new. You really should look into Titanium. Never get stainless steel, it destroys the taste, and the seams are welded with non-steel and will degrade and break. With titanium you can keep the whiskey in there forever. My titanium flask has Jack Daniels Number 7 in it, and has for months (I only use it for settling the stomach, so rarely) and it never goes bad, and doesn't hold odors so i can choose another bourbon.

Thanks uncle Ralfy. Good tips... also enjoyed the info on the hills and mountans. Cheers! 🇨🇦

for cleaning I would recommend not using any soap, but just a bit of vinegar and baking soda if it starts to develop a bit of a smell. But just a thorough rinsing with water should do most of the time. My thoughts.

Ralphy I completely understand the point about spirits tasting flat over time, So i try never to leave any in the flask for longer then 2 days unless Im camping or something. My father always taught me certain rules for life and 2 of the simpler rules are "Never give a wallet as a gift without atleast a dollar in it" and "Never give a flask as a gift without filling it".

Ralfy... you're just too much. I appreciate your authenticity, and the unvarnished truth you bring. I'm a far removed Scott, looking to cling to a bit of history, and to enjoy some wonderful malts. Your videos make me believe that I belong to an amazing culture.

Thanks for your info on flasks I also twisted the top right off mine the 1st time I used it...LOL! I learned quickly you have to put it on softly and not 100% tight. Your right they flasks are stupid cheap on ebay I got a 8oz for $3.14 shipped new!!! I couldn't find a cup like the one you showed under the name you used but I found some under collapsing cup on ebay plastic ones are about $1 w/ stainless steel $2.50-$4 depending on size. they don't get any bigger than about 240ml(8oz) and even those are rare.

Great video! Thank you for your words of wisdom and experience. I am going to get myself a steel hip-flask and a bottle of Laphroaig and Drambuie to have on my next hiking vacation now. :)

A Laphroaig based rusty nail sounds like great motivation to get to the top of that mountain. Great review Ralfy

love your videos ralfy thank you for being on the internet

The Rusty Nail has always been my favorite cocktail, but I've never thought to try it with Laphroaig, one of my favorite single malts. Amazing idea.

@ralfystuff I got confused for a moment there because I was sure you had reviewed the Laphroaig 10 year old until I realized you had reviewed the cask strength version. I guess with 200+ reviews, one can start to believe you've reviewed them all.

you have a fantastic voice

love you, Ralfy! and i love Scotland too! :)

21 years old and about to become an aspiring alcoholic with my new flask!

i consulted this video before buying my flask!

Excellent information here. Only one minor issue I have though... there are many Pewter flasks that contain NO LEAD whatsoever. And there are many Pewter flasks that are well constructed and very strong, not to mention nicely designed. I have stainless steel flasks but also a couple of gorgeous, elegant, and strong pewter flasks that contain no lead. So I would not rule out purchasing a lead flasks. You should simply check with the manufacturer to see that there is no lead in them.

When looking for a stainless steel flask there's something you didn't mention that is very important, it should be a FOOD GRADE steel. The really cheap eBay/Amazon ones are not necessarily food grade. Look for a guarantee that it is 304, 18/8 or better stainless. Also look for a guarantee that the lid is leak proof. Also modern pewter for flasks cups, jewellery, etc in the UK and probably other Western nations is now lead free and safe to use. Antique flasks should only be used to look at. Another option for a flask, albeit expensive, is titanium. I've even seen a plastic one but I'm not sure I'd like that.

Interesting cocktail! I'll have to try that one tonight

Excellent as always Ralfy.

“..plenty of fresh air, no television, no news, no propaganda, no bollocks” Lol

It's an enjoyable experience in it's self when your friends face lights up with joy when you whip out the old hip flask with some single malt in it. :)

I like rum aswell. I would rather call it an addition to a well-maintained spirit library than an option. Next to whisky, I feel rum is the next best spirit if you like complexity, good nosing and volume.

hey ralf i took ur advice and tried ardmore in the mix such a fine day i had with this rasty friend

13:10 2 parts Laphroaig 1 part Drambuie

The three legged brass figure on your wall is the symbol of my ancestors on the Isle of Man, descendant of Olaf Godfredson

Pewter is an allow from tin with a little bit of copper. Which is the opposite of bronze which is copper with a little bit of tin. That being said I wouldn't drink out of pewter and would always recommend stainless steel.

A slight improvment can be had with glass flasks, if you prior to falling over, wrap in well in ducttape. Musicians tip there. Everything can be solved with ducttape. If that doesn't help. Wrap it in more ducttape.

'Malt Mavens' should be your next mention. Thanks for the great videos!

This is the first of your videos that I have ever watched. I'm subscribing and I will check out your website rite after I hit post on this message. Great video man, well done. You gave me the information that I needed to make my mind up on what type of flask I want to get. Also being a bit eccentric myself I can say for sure that there never was a great man in history that wasn't a little eccentric himself.

"It's not about subtlety" you got me laughing there!

Interesting. My parents always had a bottle of Drambuie in the house when I was a kid.

Ralfy, it strikes me that there's a niche for flask evolution here: why not use wood, say the cask wood from casks no longer used for maturation, so the whisky you put in the flask is in wood (a familiar territory for any mature whisky, right?) and wood is durable too, more than glass and arguably as good as metal. I find that avoiding metal contact with my dram is always best. Or the wood could be fresh, either way. The novelty of using cask wood would be easily marketed. Just a thought.

thanks Ralfie, you have answered one of my questions in one-i was going to ask you what you thought of Drambuie, or Lochanora which i have always enjoyed in winter myself-the combo with Lapgroiag is a winner!

Pewter is 85-99% tin with the rest being copper

I can't help but chuckle every time. :) Thanks ralfy!

wonderful episode 🙏🙏

Just picked up a new flask today. 5oz, I suppose that's about 150ml. Has a saying etched on the front; ""Alcohol, taken in sufficient quantities, may produce all the effects of drunkenness." Oscar Wilde" It was 10 bucks at Cole's, so decided to pick it up. Got a slightly smaller 4oz flask as well that I bought a year and a half ago, both have my initials and the date I bought them semi-neatly scratched into the bottom with my pocket knife. It's unfortunate that the hinges are plastic, the one on my 4oz'er bust months ago, possibly a year. Hopefully I can make the 5er last longer, not that I'm throwing out my older one. The more the merrier, eh!

hey uncle ralfy.. i need your advice.. i've got a new stainless steel leather coated hip flask.. how do i clean it, to make sure i avoid bacteria, without compromising future alcohols i'll put in

I was given a hip flask as a kid from a pub-supplies shop that was going out of business (otherwise RRP about £15), and went to the effort of decanting Coke into the thing. The steel - if it really was steel - ballooned out from the original kidney/sausage-shape with such a sudden *PANG* that it sounded like a gunshot, which combined with an equally sudden blow to the chest was a bit unnerving.

Very educational. I would like to see you include even more Scottish cultural information for us foreigners, in subsequent videos.

great vid.do you recommend put the whisky and Drambuie in the flask? i was told that liquers shouldnt be put in flasks but that mix looks good :)

Stainless steel works best with cheaper whiskey in my opinion and I just bought a titanium snow peak flask to carry higher end whiskey. Titanium has no odor and will never change the taste of whiskey like glass flasks. thanks for the review and I will soon do reviews on flasks and whiskeys as well.

Seems there are many researches which contradicts this video..................... " Pewter serves as a conductor and hence contains low melting points keeping your alcohol cooler for greater lengths of time. I addition, pewter unlike other metals does not react with alcohol changing the taste of the drink. NB: Only historical pewter flasks contained lead, modern day pewter contains no lead whatsoever! " Quod Erat Demonstrandum...............

Actually modern pewter made in England for flasks does not contain any lead and is safe for use. (I collect flasks and prefer the stainless kind, but have some very nice pewter ones) I also prefer flasks made in England or Germany, they are the best. (in my humble opinion)

Are there any hipflasks that can be filled once and carried around just in case without having the precious whiskey spoiled?

Awesome video man, not too into whiskey but I love your style.

The best flasks I own (two of them) were part of a Cutty Sark gift packaging from about 20 years ago.

I usually use Titanium flasks, it works well. Don’t buy Snowpeak titanium flasks(Japan) it’s extremely difficult to fill whisky in it.

Ralfy, it would interesting to see you review some liqueurs such as Drambuie. Liqueurs are a large, diverse, and, subjectively, interesting class of alcoholic beverage. I'd love to hear your perspective on a few, as well as pick up a few useful bits of knowledge!

Thanks for these videos Ralfy. I'm just entering the world of whisky and wanted to know what a good one was to start with? I've read at various places that the Glenmorangie 10 year old was a good starter and wanted to get your opinion on it. Thanks in advance

Don't know how I ended up here but I definitely learned a thing or two!

You're the man Ralfy!

Pewter is Tin and Silver or Tin with Bismuth.90% Tin and the rest Silver or Bismuth ..Very soft ,easily cast and shaped and solder.Has a good ageing patina.There are different alloys of pewter not for food use .Stainless is good .Just make sure you take care of it ,clean well and let dry completely .You can use a paper towel to help wick the water out .Just make sure it's dry !

love that you're a little bit bonkers ralfy! have a good one mate!

Someone gave me a bottle of Drambuie some time ago. Now I know what to do with it. Thanks Ralfy!

Starting off with Scotland The Brave is never a bad intro. ☝🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💯👊🏻 🥃

Hey Ralfy. Just heard about a company called Vapur that makes a "Incognito Flexible Flask" (basically a plastic bladder). They also make general receptacles for water and some for wine, seems like it might be a sensible alternative if you don't mind a less old fashioned look.

Nice to see this hip flask one. Still waiting for a nice series on whiskies for a nice proper cup of tea.

My advice is to stick to the sturdy little glass bottle. Nobody needs to carry whisky in their back pocket. A bottle is perfectly safe in a pocket of a ruck sack or wrapped in a scarf or something. Easy to wash, there is no tainting and the dram will taste great even after a few days. The 200ml JD bottles (with the labels scrubbed off!) do the job perfectly!

Family friend, Ali Randolph, sang her original song about Popcorn at his Memorial Service in the USA. She has now posted a video of the song played with her band, The Outta Luck Band. Moonshiners - Popcorn Sutton - Ali Randolph & The Outta Luck Band - Music Video - Moonshine

Ralfy, what are your thoughts on a Titanium hip flask?

awesome advice in an awesome accent!

Excellent stuff, as always Ralfy. But I want to make sure I get them spelled right...a munro, a corbett and a graham?

Thumbs up for that Lidl remark ... it cracks me up that you got that stuff in Briatin too :-D However, I rather prefer several small 5cl glass bottles -- with these one can have greater Whisky variety than one or two big hip flasks. Plus a hip flask is generally hard to smuggle into concert venues etc...

I always use Southern Comfort & Drambuie for my rusty nails.

What's in the keg behind you it's very nice looking

Thank you Ralfy!!

Ralfy this is a golden opportunity for you to launch the first-and-only whisky distillery on the magical Isle of Mann. If Jura can be touted as "superstitious" by Richard Patterson (is it one t or two? I can't tell i see it both ways but I digress). So if Jura can sell based on superstition then heaven knows the charmed Isle of Mann is absolutely bursting with well-established historic connection to mystic tradition. Just a thought. Surely you have more ability and insight than anyone else.

Some states have open container laws that prohibit alcohol being carried in unsealed containers in public areas so this is probably illegal in some states. Which ones I don't know.

been looking forward to this one

you are awesome. subbed

How much you drink in a week

youtube really hates me it still doesnt update your vids but ill keep checking myself

Oy, Gov......good day sir!

You are the most Scottish person I've ever seen.

Brilliant!

I seriously think this guy is a legend!

how do you recommend to clean your flask? (sorry if he said it in the video)

i've been waiting for this......SWEET

If they don't have any decent Malts at the small pubs here in the US i get a rusty nail, Black Label & Drambuie