whisky review 431 - Caol Ila 25yo single malt @43% 

Ralfy, your enthusiasm is infectious. Thank you for taking us on your journey.

Hello Ralfy, I found your whiskey reviews completely by accident. Your reviews and commentary have opened my mind to the world of Whiskey. Thank you for all the great reviews and all the knowledge you share. I am sure you have hundreds of malt mentions but I would like to add one. Malt Mention: Mesmerizing Minxs. From: Anaheim, California.

I just finished my first bottle of this and then watched this review again. I'm always interested in your views of a whisky, but this vlog impressed me with its depth, tact, and rational perspective. Like you, I enjoyed the bottle, but it seemed very ... safe. And subdued. Like a castrated lion that's so heavily drugged, it poses no threat when you walk up and pet it. It had neither the fireworks nor the flavorful sophistication that old Caol Ilas can have. I blame the chill-filtration which really just cuts the legs out from under a whisky. Still, even a hampered and hobbled lion remains somewhat of a lion, so while it wasn't a very memorable experience, it was enjoyable and I'm glad I tried one bottle.

Thanks again for your objective and in formed opinion on these remarkable whiskeys. Down here in Australia you are regarded as one hell of a malty marsupial !! You are a trail blazer mate. Cheers . Kurt W F

Ralfy, I made an amazing malt blend that worked beautifully, and I wanted to share with you the malts I made it with. I blended a good sherry single malt (Grangestone highland single malt 12 year $35) with a good American oak whisky (Glenmorangie Original 10 year 35$" (about 2 parts Grangestone to 1 part Glenmorangie). The results were absolutely stunning!! It took the good sherried whisky in Grangestone which was fruity and had lovely tannins, with a citrusy honeyed malt cereal whisky in Glenmorgangie and became greater than the some of it's parts. You could do this with the bottles fresh from the store and end up with a whisky I would put close to the level of flavor of a Glengoyne 17 $80 and 1000ML of it!!!! (not to mention 2/3s a bottle of Glenmorangie Orginal left over)! Yay! Not bad for a malt head on a budget! Just sayin! ;)

Hi Ralfy. Thanks for using my malt mention - intrigued by what went wrong first take - especially seeing as you got my surname wrong in take two - no hard feelings between malt mates though :-). Like yourself I'm a Caol Ila fan so I'm enjoying this little series of vlogs. I'm currently pacing myself towards the end of a lovely bottling by Hunter Laing of 16yo Caol Ila - lovely stuff. They now have out a 17 yo to replace it - I'm tempted but I think I may try another indie this time around. Keep up the good work Ralfy - you're a winter warmer!!!

You're certainly right about Australian pricing! For example this is around the $400 aud Mark here, too much for 43% ! I picked up a 29yo Duncan Taylor caol ila (cask strength) for under half that, and it's amazing. Far better way to go, in my opinion. Great advice!

Really looking forward to hear your opinion about 12y and of course thx again malt mate.

That's it, I'm definitely going to buy a Caol Ila now. I'm quite keen on independent bottlings of whisky because of the variation from the official bottlings and I have to say I've never been disappointed yet, I particularly like the Old Malt Cask range of offerings. On another note has anyone tried kippers with a glass of Benromach 10 YO? Fantastic!!!!

I understand you have a liking for rum since you keep bringing it up all the time! I'd have calvados, cognac or even akevitt over rum, any day.

Hello Ralfy, thanx for the video. I've purchased a MacKillops Choice Caol Ila 1981 (30yo) two years ago. I was very much blown away by it - reminded me of the great Port Ellen 9th release. Would you say, this Caol Ila 25yo is anything like it? Or should I keep on searching? Thank you very much!

oh, are we ever going to get to the distillers edition? the suspense is killing me

Gud sho mate! u r a funy guy Ralfy. yor vry natur out weighs the comentary! Thnx4tht! L8r

Interesting how pricing varies so much around the world. Here in California, independent bottlings are always more expensive than official versions. For example, Caol Ila 12yo official bottling costs $55. A Gordon & Macphail 10yo costs $100. In this case, the G&M is cask strength and non-chill-filtered, so people are willing to pay extra for that, even though it's younger whisky. But higher prices exist even when the independent bottling isn't so special. A spirits shop here currently has the Clynelish 14yo official bottling (at 46%) for $50. A Signatory 14yo Clynelish, also at 46% and no mention of chill-filtering (so I assume it is), costs $55. Why should I pay extra for that seemingly equivalent independent bottling?

Hoping to find a bottle of Caol Ila where I live in Canada. Love the reviews Ralfy!

I'm just having my first ever dram of Caol Ila 12, should have waited for one more review, then! Although I did watch your old review of the 12-yo before this one. Enjoying this, Laphroaig, for instance, is too peated for me. Although I find this 12-yo get a bit too sweet in the mouth, but a very well-rounded palate all in all. Looking forward to the re-review!

Yes, the fact that Caol Ila is not matured on Islay means that the seaweed taste cannot come from the maturation environment. Now add the fact that the seaweed taste is missing from the unpeated versions shows me that the seaweed character must come from the salted earth of the peat.

Hello Ralfy. one has to wonder why the maturation location at Caol Ila is pushed up near Perth?!! With land a plenty on Islay how difficult would it be to throw up four walls and a roof. interesting because of the elements that set Islay apart could make for a stronger providence and needless to say a more "natural" offering. I can only guess its all about the covenant of the quid! good day...(night) my friend. Peace

Wonderful as always!

Ralfy, you looked as if you were really enjoying this 25 YO so it came as a surprise when you only marked it at 88. Were you being a bit too harsh because of your anoyance that they had bottled it at only 43%? I agree that Caol Ila would be dramatically improved by bottling at 46%+ and I admit I have never tasted the 25 YO but come on, isn't this Caol Ila still, in terms of complexity of taste and pure enjoyment, deserved of a better mark?

Thanks for the review ralfy. On the subject of, independent bottlers, have you ever reviewed whisky., from the scottish malt whisky society ?

Ralfy, never reacted so far but big fan of your video's. Do you by any chance have plans to review the Port Askaig 25yo? Keep up the good work! Cheers!

Ralfy here's a little (newly discovered) tip if you wanna get a good (better) nose from a neat, cask strength SMS. I have here a 55% G.Nadurra (G has recently bumped up AbV a wee tad) and its just too overpowering for a pleasing discernible nose. (Try this first before adding water) This may sound bizzaro but pour your dram let it sit a few min. and before you nose it blow across the top of the glass. The heavier concentration of alcohol vapors go away and the composition of the malt remains. The pleasant notes are now plenty and identifiable! "...Oh the unintentional wonders of serendipitous malt moments" Peace

Any plans on reviewing more Glenmorangie Ralfy?

Ralfy, don't think I've heard you mention Ian Macleod's "Chieftain's" bottlings, do you have any experience with them? Local shop where I lucked into a Kilkerran "work in progress" bottle carries some Chieftain's options and I've been wondering about their Ardmore.

Call me a naysayer, but I'm pretty leery about buying Diageo products these days. I still haven't quite forgiven them for that business with Brewdog a while back, which is as blatant an example of corporate bullying as I've ever seen. For me (as a lover of Caol Ila, Lagavulin, etc.) giving up those malts hurts a bit, but not quite so much when there's plenty of Port Charlotte, Ardmore, Ledaig, Longrow, peated Bunnahabhain etc. to go around and when they're usually just as good (if not better) for the price.

What is the best whisky you have ever tasted ralfy just wondering if any stand out cheers keep up the good work

Need advise on good Caol Ila in the €40-80 range. The ones I've tried before (IB CS 21, OB CS and OB 12) have been okay, but somewhat boring compared to Laphroaigs, Ardbegs, Lagavulins and Bowmores. Smoke was too clean, few iodine, disinfectant or even fruity notes. The malts tasted too one-dimensional for me, they lacked a certain depth. But I know, good ones are out there. ;-) Any suggestions?

Hello why not one Linkwood after...in I.B.? Not yet this Whisky in your vlogs... Ciao

Hi Ralfy, It's not easy to get a bottle of Caol Ila 12 yr 2000 (G & M). Next time broadcasting your tasting vlog nearer a good malts entry on the market would be appreciated. Many thanks.

I am trying to pick out two bottles for NYE. One of them is going to be a Caol Ila, but I'm torn between the 18 & 25. Any recommendations? I absolutely loved the oily/buttery mouth feel of the 12 for reference.

Hey Ralfy any chance of reviewing Balvenie 21 year old Port wood??? any time soon?? thanks

I'm very surprise is not a 90/100. well.... Ralfy Knows better. lol

Ralfy Ralfy. You haven't did any reviews on Glen Ord. Its not a good whisky? Would love to see some reviews on it.

How do you taste all those different things?

@43%. Did I hear that right?

CAN YOU DO REVIEW OF BUSHMILL 21. I LOVE YOU :)

£130 this is Bloody hell Ralfy

First?