whisky review 465 - Advice on Scotch whisky liqueurs 

I hear a lot about how drinking alone is unhealthy but every time i drink socially i end up drinking too much where as if i have a malt moment by myself at the end of a long day i only have one or maybe two drinks. So don't be ashamed people, i think a quiet moment by yourself with a dram is a good thing!

Great video. Learned a lot. Will keep my eyes open for a 15 yr Drambuie. Thanks for expanding my horizon, again!

Ralfy your whisky and fine spirits knowledge is truly amazing. You deserve more credit than you get. Thanks again for all your work.

Loved the fresh topic. Thanks for keeping it interesting, Ralfy! In the USA, scotch mixed with scotch liqueur is called a "Rusty Nail". Not my favorite cocktail... but to each their own. Drink what your like, and like what you drink.

Thanks Ralfy! I was struggling with a bottle of Ardbeg, seriously considering giving it away to someone, when I saw this video. I got a mini of Drambuie and 50-50ed it with the Ardbeg, per your directions .... wonderful! I won't be giving away the Ardbeg now :)

You're my hero, Ralfy.

I had my first Drambuie years ago when i was only enjoying beer, now it has changed and i am more interested in more strong alcohol. i am very impressed with your video and what you explain and how you talk and express yourself, so i have subscribed on my main account :)

Scotch whiskey and Drambuie is a drink called "Rusty Nail". It is some times served with ice (ugh) so a "Rusty Nail" without ice is often called a "Straight Up Nail" I love one (with a single malt) to complement a nice dark chocolate dessert after dinner if I can get it. :D Nice to see you talk about it. It really can be a wonderfull experience for whiskey lovers.

Thank you so much-really enjoy your advice in all your clips-now really want to try the Drambuie 15

A few nights ago, I made up a working man's Munro Bagger/Rusty Nail. It contained 3 parts McClelland's Islay Single Malt Scotch & 1 part regular Drambuie, served neat, no ice. I'm not big on sweet drinks, and this cocktail meets my tastes: not too sweet and nice Scottish peat/smoke. This was good stuff. Thanks, for the advice, Ralfy.

A dram of the single malt and the longest day of the year..just perfect combination! Have a nice day of the solstice malt mates.

Malty manowar here, my grandma is a Mackinnon. Making a rusty nail hip flask for Arthur's seat today!

Great video, Ralfy, very informative! For what it's worth, I wouldn't mind at all seeing a formal review of the Drambuie 15. You made it sound quite intriguing! Cheers!

+ralfystuff Hey Ralfy the AbV on Jacquins Rock n Rye is 27% a rather anemic run-of-the-mill R&R.(with very little actual rye whisky) What I do is find some descent Rye @50% and into a quart Mason Jar with it you add: Rock Candy ~ 1/4-1/2 cup (to preference) 2-3 slices of fresh cut orange 1 slice of fresh lemon 3 cherries *(add or subtract to your tastes!) Makes for a terrific gift, A nice foul-weather/winter elixir (cough/cold) Even a tastly little after dinner appartife dram. The R&R's out there on the local shelves cannot match your own hand crafted blends of Rock & Rye. Peace

I'm not sure of this ralfydotcom, but I believe it might be "fennel" that could add that overtone of complexity in the Drambuie.

9:00 Pouring spirits down the sink (toilet, actually) is what may have saved me from becoming an alcoholic, 4 years ago. I was deeply depressed back then... doing much better today! . . Edit: Oooh, hillwalking! I know a few things about yer Scottish hills. Those above 4,000 ft are indeed Munros, and the discerning altitude actually is down at 3,000 ft. There are 280+ of them, the exact number changing every so many years. There are only about a handful above 4,000 ft, found in the areas of Lochaber and the Cairngorms. I´ve walked, scrambled, climbed, sloshed, trudged, soldiered, fought, erred and crawled my way up and down about 35 of them now, and I keep returning for them. Cheers, and have a good ´un today!

Enjoyed learning about munros and hill walkers...thanks for adding interludes in your reviews for that kind of stuff.

Thank You Ralfy. I Love Scotch and do enjoy Drambuie for over 30yrs Too.

i find your hill walker tradition interesting. Here in Colorado, USA; our locals have a similar quest. That is to walk/climb (most are hike-able to various degrees) our fourteeners. That refers to Colorado’s 52 mountains that are between 14,000’ and 14,999’. We don’t have any thing higher, but the lowest spot in the state is in the 4,200’ area. Not sure if there is any official tradition upon reaching each summit.

I tend to be more for sweet drinks...I like Sherry, Bourbon, Cognac and Benedictine...and never really liked the dry smokiness of Scotch whiskey. Now, the Drambuie 15, with its added honey and spices, is a cool drink. The honey and herbs really make the smokiness taste great. It's like a butterscotch and toffee drink. Really nice.

Here in the states we would call that a Smoky Nail but I like Monroe Bagger has a kind of mystery to it. I have tried standard Drambuie not a fan, but I am always willing to try something new so I may have to give the Drambuie 15 a try. Thank you for your opinion and insight Rafly always appreciated.

This review was quite enlightening and even more so, opinion and tasting broadening. Thanks, excellent presentation. Without your review, I would have looked down on a cocktail such as a Monroe Bagger, or most any cocktail. However, with your explanation, I'm going to try a Monroe Bagger and other cocktails, with Scotch and other spirits. Indeed, it is good to expand one's tasting horizons. Do more reviews such as this one. Thanks.

Ralfy malt mention..... Malt metal heads! I'm a huge malt and heavy metal fan and love your videos! Mike lee in bournemouth

love it!! you'll say "to finish off...." with ten minuets left in the vlog!!! thanks again Ralfy!!!

Please don’t forget to try the Glayva whisky liquor.

I don't like new bottle design old one is much better...

Thank you Sir...Nice vid

HAPPY NEW YEAR RALPHY !

I tried to get the taste for whisky by forcing down a few bottles. Alas, no.... and it's a shame as I had acquired a bottle of Bushmills 1608. But I'll tell you the best whisky liqueur I've tasted is Lochan Ora. No longer made by Chivas but I crushed a dram short of an entire bottle one night last summer. It's amazing.

Cheers for this video. I have been mixing my drambuie with single malts lately. It is a relaxing and enjoyable dram.

To those who might be wondering like I was - "what to expect, what does it taste like?". You definitely taste quality malt, but the flavor I would describe as "vermouth-y". Likely similar herbage used with malt instead of wine. So if you like vermouth-based cocktails you will likely enjoy this and/or cocktails based around it. But if your idea of a cocktail is "looking at a bottle of vermouth while sipping Scotch" then perhaps spend the money on a single malt. Glad I tried it. Wish I could trade mine to someone ;) Hot toddies with this might be quite effective to soothe a sore throat.

Great information as usual.. and without Drambuie, one couldn't enjoy a 'Boilermaker' from time to time!

Funny you mention dumping spirits down the sink. I felt very shameful the other night as I dumped half a dram of Grand Old Parr down the drain. Ive been trying to like this blend with no luck. Most scotch starts to taste better as the bottle goes down, this stuff just gets worse! Smoky cardboard is a profile I'll avoid in the future! To be honest though, I only bought the stuff because it makes me think of my grandmother. She always had a bottle of Old Parr on her shelf. Seeing it on mine makes me feel nostalgic. Money well spent I suppose.

Drambuie is a favourite of my fathers. I use to like it but since starting my Whisky journey i find Drambuie far too sweet. Another great video Ralfy!

Interesting!

I enjoy Drambui with coffee, after a meal and before a serious exploration of my favorite single malt. The sweetness compliments the coffee and the scotch 'essence' is also refined. I agree with you that a little, controlled sweetness. It has been what has made Bourbon so popular with barbarians :)

Ralfy, as you approach whiskey review 500 Look go back and do a "best of" series.

As always, a fascinating whisky review and will most assuredly take up your suggestion on the Monroe Bagger using Drambuie and my most recent phenolic Scotch purchase, an Ardmore Traditional Cask. Regarding your upcoming Scotch blend reviews, here's hoping you will do one on Cutty Sark Prohibition, a blend that purports to be identical in formula to the Scotch that was smuggled into the U.S. during the years of prohibition. It's 50% (!) ABV, unbelievably high for a blend and Hansel at Whisky Advocate gave it 90 points last year. Recently visited family in New York City where I was able to purchase a couple of bottles and bring 'em back to Florida where it's totally unavailable. Would really love to get your take on it.

Wonderful review from start to finish!

Hi Ralfy, I think that Chateau de Come is a French wine, rather dry than sweet. Perhaps you had Tokay, a possibly VERY sweet Hungarian wine in mind? 7 puttonyos Tokay can have really high gravity.

Hi Ralfy. There is an off licence near me that sells an older bottling of Highland Park 12 for £36. Is this worth picking up? By any older bottling I mean the older round bottle as opposed to the newer tulamor dew style bottle.

Sorry, Ralfy. I'm sure I wouldn't like whisky liqueurs... I can't stand things like Southern Comfort and American Honey. I have a bottle of Glenkinchie Distiller's Edition, and will never make that mistake again! Of course I won't pour it down the drain, but maybe if I add some Ardbeg to it...

Got me the wee 15 today. Initially it was going to be a Rusty Nail, now I may just enjoy it.

Sounds delicious the Munroe drink - that would go down well here in Tasmania on some of the big hills, snow topped. Have you tried the Tasmanian single malts yet Ralfy?

Thanks Ralfy, for the review, us Yorkshire lads are tight buggers! Not Canny that's a Geordie word.

So waited for this review, thank you!

Hello Ralfy. you never really explained the composition or breakdown of liqueurs. Other than different sugars what "spices" do you detect in these curiosities?? Is there a method how to turn our own Single Malts into versions of said liqueurs. what few additives would you suggest to approach liqueur status?! Thanks maltmate. Peace

Thank you Ralfy for introducing me to the independent bottlers of single malt. I actually prefer blended scotch and I have tried a number of excellent blends from the independent trade. Why not undertake a mini series on these much neglected whiskies.

Isn't a Munro Bagger a Rusty Nail?

Santa Teresa orange is a great rum liquor. ST is, IMHO opinion, the best Venezuelan rum producer!

no mention of Glayva? That's my favourite and beats Drambuie, hands down, in my opinion

Dear Ralfy, Do you recommend mixing the Drambuie 15 yr with Glenfiddich 12, 15 or 21 yr single malt?

Hey Ralfy do one on Irish whiskey liqueurs

"and it must be tasty cuzz this my 3rd bottle!" lol

Hi Ralfy, do you know the reason why Drambuie stopped using the clear bottles and went back to using the old style bottles?

Hi Ralfy. Do you know if Whisky liqueurs keep as well as whisky? Reason I ask is i have a Glenfiddich Liqueur (40%) that has been opened for many years, and I don't know if it is drinkable. I kind of don't want to risk it at the same time as I do, but wondered if you had any thoughts on it. Thanks again for all the awesome reviews! :) J ps. Malty Medicated Maroon Monsters

I love the Tardis on your shelf ;p

You certainly know your spirits, but as a Scotsman you really should get your facts about the hills correct or they might not let you back in ;) 4000 ft, 300 metres, 100 Munro's ?!? It's 3000 ft and 282 hills for the record. Love the reviews, keep up the great informative work.

We live and learn!

Ralfy, what are your thoughs on the referendum on Scottish independence coming up in October? Care to share? (If you don't that's fine.)

What happened to Lochan Ora....??? Cant find it anywhere.

Hi Ralfy... can you pleas add glen mansion / mansion house whiskey in your blended miniseries

Drambuie is sweetened with heather honey. I live in the United States and I want to buy heather honey from Scotland. Can anyone recommend a merchant other than Amazon?

Excellent video Ralfy. During my visit to Glasgow I tried a recently released Auchentoshan whisky liquor only available at the distillery. I was very impressed. Have you tried it?

Great vlog dear malt mate. Which whisky/ies is/are traditionally used in (excellent) Drambuie? What is the producer of the Limoncello mentioned in this vlog? Tosolini? Thx Ralfy.

Drambuie is better than sex!!

Ralfy ¿what's up? In this vid i've learned how much of a noob i am, when it comes to whisky. But i'm glad about it. ¿Can you give me some advice to spot Whisky Liqueurs, so i can tell the difference between a real Malt Scotch Whisky, and a Whisky Liqueur?

Here in the USA we call a Munro Bagger a Rusty Nail.

I used to like sweet cask matured whiskies but almost a year ago I just got sick of them. I tend to stick to the Bourbon barrel matured now. Maybe I should try one again now that I've had a time to rest to taste buds.

Ralfy any chance of reviewing Compass Box Orangerie?

Hey Ralfy! what's the name or where can i buy the kind of shirt that you wear?

Please, make a review of Mirto liquor from Sardinia

Great video, very interesting - I'll have to pick up some Drambuie 15. I was wondering if you have ever tried Stag's Breath? It's well-reviewed on websites I frequent but your opinion is the most highly valued among my circle!

do you not like or recommend Glayva? I like to sip glayva at christmas, it's like liquid gingerbread.

Not Scottish, but whats your opinion of Dubliner Irish Whiskey liqueurs? I could not find a YT video.

Laphroaig has been replaced by Lagavulin since Whisky Review 203!

Quick question, is drambuie the sweetest one? I want to know which whiskey liqour is the sweetest

Interesting stuff Ralfy. Indeed! would you classify a home crafted Rock & Rye (@50%AbV ) a liqueur?? Peace

Just purchased Santa Theresa Rhum Orange. It's got a great abv-40%.

Any chance of a lagavulin 16 re-review? Rumors are it's not as good as it used to be, but serge says its different but still the same high quality. I'd like to hear the ralfy take.

Ralfy, question on your subject matter of Scotch Whisky liqueurs: When Drambuie says 15 does that follow the rules on the youngest age of the spirit in the bottle is in fact 15 years in the barrel? Thank you sir and a faithful follower.

Ralfy. Thank you for the advice. Maybe I should buy a bottle of Drambuie 15 YO and pour some in my Laphroaig QA? I did some Googling to try and determine which distillery (or distilleries) supplies Drambuie with its Malt. Despite the fact that the marketing says that it's a "Speyside Whisky Liqueur" I could find only two distilleries connected with it, both Highland malts. Up until 2009, Glenmorangie was heavily involved in Drambuie production and then Morrison Bowmore took over supplies. www.scotsman.com/business/morrison-bowmore-seals-deal-to-make-drambuie-1-1031774 Now Morrison Bowmore produce Auchentoshan, Bowmore and Glen Garioch (pronounced "Glen Geerie"). By powers of deduction it is unlikely to be Bowmore as the Islay taste is too far removed from Speyside/Highland style. Auchentoshan as well does not seem to match the taste profile. That only leaves Glen Garioch which is fruity sweet with heather, ginger and dry spices notes. Sounds like Drambuie profile to me? Futhermore, The London Beit Din Kashrut authority gives Drambuie kosher certification along with, yes you guessed it, Glen Garioch. All circumstantial evidence I would admit but cannot be far from the truth me thinks.

Is Tatlers any good?

Balblair 90'.

At 16:28 he finally drank some.

I know the munro-bagger under the name of rusty nail!

I was about to go then you stop me

"Yes OR No"

Drambuie is rubbish. I've been an aficionado of Lochan Ora for thirty years but you have to be extremely lucky to find a bottle now because it's been out of production since 2010 It's now possibly the rarest alcohol on Earth I was most fortunate to acquire a bottle for sixty dollars in Adelaide, South Australia in 2017 for my fiftieth birthday In 2018 I went searching for another bottle for my birthday and after much disappointment I started to search online only to discover that it was out of production I then resorted to ebay and have been able to secure two bottles after being thwarted by being outbid or the seller ending the listing due to not receiving offers of sufficient amount The two bottles I acquired were two hundred and seventy dollars but understandable considering just how rare it is now

What are those bottles labelled with 'Yes', '?Or' and 'No' at the back? malty mermen and mermaids!

I just found a Bottle of LOCHAN ORA that I have had un opened for over 50yrs. It won’t make it to 51 ! ! !

Don't be such a charlatan, Ralfy, and analyze please this sweet compound drink, where the analysis is due. And reveal us its secret recipe. But you can't.

BLASPHEMY!! hahaha

First 'first comment'.?

Bye