whisky review 537 - buying scotch whisky in 2015 

A wonderful video, Ralfy, with many words of wisdom. Number one whisky blogger for a few years running now, you are.

Great video Ralfy! I really enjoyed this one as I recently purchased six different bottles of 10 year old single malts and spent a lot of time researching and deliberating over which ones to go for, just as you advise to do in this video. After many years of just buying a bottle of Scotch every so often when I could afford it, I wanted to embark on a journey of learning! I'm going to start forming a collection so I always have different whiskies available and a range of choices. I've started making tasting notes for the first time and writing reviews online, making an effort to identify the distinct aromas and characteristics of each whisky. Over time I hope to improve my palate and my knowledge of whisky. Just wanted to say that your videos where a huge inspiration to embark on this journey and your reviews were the most insightful and informative that I came across when researching bottles. Keep doing what you do Ralfy, it's greatly appreciated by many of us!

Thank you Ralfy, again. For your clear words, outspokenness, honesty and your ongoing independence from anyone in the industry. You are someone who's opinion I continue to trust in a world that spawns out new Whisky experts every day. Beside that, I doubt your anger comes from age. The industry is misbehaving and marketing instead of quality appears to be nowadays the guideline. Hence another thank you for your advice and support via your vlog. Please keep up your outstanding work.

The proper term is persuasion knowledge for what you are talking about in the beginning of the video. I really want to try that Islay Mist 12 at some time. I used to buy the basic blend when I didn't have the cash for malts.

I just subbed to Ralfy today and what I didn't expect is to hear the little gems of wisdom that he provides in regards to government, marketing, media and consumerism. Way to go ralfy!

Love these reviews, especially with larger selections like this one. Caol Ila from G&M has been a huge surprise and my biggest winner this year. Going to work my way through the Glenfarclas lineup this summer. About the peated blends, the Lost Blend from Compass Box might still be available. Lovely.

Well put Ralfy, thanks for always sticking up for us normal folks who just want to be able to drink some nice whisky.

Another interesting vlog, packed with a mixture of common sense, and great information. I have just renewed my membership to the, S.M.W.S. And got a great price on a, 26 year old bottle of, Glen Grant. Looking forward to it arriving and sampling the whisky.

Another fabulous VLOG Ralfy. I knew there was a reason why I enjoy your vlogs the most, you are a consumer advocate. WACA = Whisky Anorak Consumer Advocate!

Bravo! This is the best video I think I have ever seen of yours. I know it's somewhat older, I am not someone who always watches videos in order, but you pretty much said exactly how I feel. Especially being someone from the U.S. where whiskey/whisky has become ridiculously popular in the past few years, so now no matter what you do you most of the time feel like you're paying for B.S., or at least I do. If it's bourbon/American whisky you get some story about how they're running out and it's the last barrel ever, or you're paying for grandpa's traditional once in a lifetime recipe, or how they found the secret lost barrel stolen by pirates lol. Or if you're buying scotch over here they play on the fact that some of us are so removed from any historical/cultural/world knowledge that they try and tell us either 1. That magic elves made it, and show us a mix of clips from Braveheart, and Keebler Elf commercials lol. Or 2. That scotch is a drink for the rich and/or elderly aristocracy, and that it is beyond our reach as common people, and so we should be more than happy to shovel out loads of money to get a taste of wealth. And if we don't want to spend that kind of money we have to drink blends that are so bad that great blended Scotch producers like Compass Box didn't use them, because they were they weren't sure they were whisky, or if someone had too much to drink at the distillery, and used the cask as an outhouse lol. Well I'll leave it at that, but I just wanted to say thank you for saying how a lot of us feel, because I have no problem paying for a great enjoyable experience, but as you said there is nothing more disappointing than going to buy something you might have even saved for only to want to spit it out at the people who marketed it. So once again thank you, I do quite enjoy your reviews. :-)

Thus far I haven't come across the Islay Mist in America Ralfy, but I'm keepin' my eyes peeled!

You've been developing quite the talent for exposition with these vlogs.

Look you want to give your whisky a name as a way of marketing it - fine - I do not care. But why not include an age statement too or state the age profile on the bottle (if it is 10% 5 year old, 50% 6 year old, 20% 7 year old, 10% 10 year old and 10% 13 year old, just put that on the bottle or even just on the packaging. I am much more likely to buy if I have a better idea what I am buying. I think that some kind of statement of age should be compulsory. If they don't include some info, I think we should make it law to print 3 YEARS OLD in huge letters over their pretty label.

my whisky store has always about 30-40 open bottles, once a week they give their clients the possibility to drink several drams of every whisky you like to try since then i never bought a whisky i did not like

Islay Mist 8 year old is the only whisky I've bought twice. It's available here in Canada for $29.95, and given the fact that, yes, we definitely "get screwed for tax", I wasn't expecting much. I was quite impressed. The cost to taste ratio is a bargain. Aberlour 12 is my favourite so far in the experience of an enthusiastic newbie.

Looking forward to the ardbeg re review Ralfie ! I just bought my first ardbeg bottle this week . . I just took a sip...and it blew my socks off. It's a great (winter) dram. Eager to hear your thoughts this malt.

Greetings from Canada your channel is an gold mine !!! It s a shame we are restricted by government monopoly on spirits, we can't do online/independent orders....

Excuse me, Sweden get screwed for taxes? Have you ever heard of Norway? We travel to Sweden to get cheaper whisky, and alcohol in general!

Thanks for the malt education Ralfy! Enjoying a bottle of 12 year-old Grand Macnish blend. It's a sherry bomb of a blend!

Hey Ralphy, enjoying a bottle of Longrow 11yo from their Rundlets and Kilderkins series at the moment. Superb stuff and I suspect it'd be right up your alley.

I really enjoyed this video ! I'm from France and now I'm able to buy/ discover good whisky thanks to your videos. Thank you very much for doing this ! Just bought an Ardberg 10 years old hop i will enjoy it :)

Ralfy, great video. I think 'Great King St Glasgow Bllend' is a competent peated blended scotch by compass box. Maybe a good substitute for BB

Great stuff ralfie, love your no nonsense manner, straight to it, no messin. 👍

Thanks Ralfy for your reviews! They've been very informative. I found a Balblair 2002 the other day and snatched it up. Its been quite enjoyable and refreshing here after a nice hot day in Kentucky.

Ralfy you are pure gold! Keep on rocking!

Ralfy; I don't have an educated palate, so I was inspired by your videos, to go out and try some Scotch. The best value for money I found, was Monkey Shoulder, by Glen Grant, at $50 U.S. Per fifth. I live in Washington State. I went to the local liquor store for this price. Then, I saw the same bottle online, from Malt Masters, for $24.95. I definitely feel ripped off now. Thanks for the heads up on marketing!

you have to try the the hidden Jewel of the Caribbean El Dorado 21 Year Old Special Reserve Rum

Ralfy is a wealth of knowledge! looking forward to the next review!

Canadian checking in. Yup, screwed for tax is a nice way of putting it. And the taxes keep going up year after year. No wonder people brew their own beer/wine and smuggle whisky. Anyhoo, thanks for another nice vid, Ralfy !

You should list the products you have in your video in the description. Love your stuff

great man great (said in Scottish accent), just found you ralfy, will be following you closely as I intend to build up a wonderful collection of whisky once more. many thanks chris

Happy New Year Malt mate Ralphy as always great entertainment while i sip and swell the new Year in have a good one ye ol whisky dram

Good point on the free market! All I can say to that is Amen! Brother, you're preaching to the choir here.

Dear Ralfy SIR, this was really one of the most enjoyable videos ,,,and you have had "many" thank you very much...not only have you provided me that "extra reward" , but you may have - if this is possible - a much better single malt enjoyer. Never buckle, keep reviews coming as I look forward to them here in the states. Loved your comment -in relation to the price,,this is shit. Thinking about a T-shirt with something like that on there.Thanks Ralfy,,,,,

I'd love to try the Benromach 10, but in my country it costs 80 dollars, it's to much for a 10 year old single malt in my opinion

Can you do a summary list in your videos of the lineups of whiskey. I sometimes do not have time to watch through the whole video and a breakdown of all them in worded format would be nice!

Very honest and real talk.

you know you have a whisky problem when you can see a bottle of Glenfarclas and say, "that's not a regular bottle, I bet it's the TWE exclusive!" please review that one soon Ralfy, I've been dithering on whether to buy it or not.

ooh, you bought a G'farclas 15 cs from the whisky exchange as well, looking forward to that review!

Ardmore traditional cask peated. Also heard good things about that one.

the most enjoyable thing about your videos is the little addition of economics and forays into the 5th dimension!

Thanks for being honest, Ralfy.

Subject: Why do some otherwise fine whiskies smell like barf? Hi Ralfy, DuSky from Vancouver in beautiful British Columbia. Thanks for all your Malty Majesty Matey! Your reviews are an essential part of my technique for avoiding disappointment. But as you point out, nothing quite matches the experience from the glass. I would like to get your feedback on a particular aroma profile that ruins an otherwise fine whisky experience- bile or vomit smells. Once I pick up these notes the rest of the experience becomes more of an effort to choke the rest of the bottle down, often a real (expensive) shame!

Yes! preach free market economics! It really bugs me how much a good scotch cost in the U.S. a bottle of Lagavulin 16 is $80

I could listen to you talk all day long.

GREAT JOB RALFY!!!

Just bought my first bottle of Ardbeg 10 last weekend; it was delicious!

@ralfystuff, I agree 100% that it's important for your bottle shops to know what they are selling. If that means they get gratuities from the liquor companies, so be it. Better still when your local shop has a dedicated staff that travel the globe looking for quality product. So I'm going to plug K&L wines. If you ever find yourself in San Francisco, be sure to swing by and introduce yourself. I'm sure they'd be thrilled. K&L have a decent selection of brandies, which is refreshing because we are a bit malt-happy in SF. If it's not beer, it's bourbon, or scotch. Pitty the poor plumb, pear or grape. Currently sipping on a lovely little blend, one of their exclusive imports. Details below. It's reminiscent of an Islay Single malt, but definitely it's own thing. One of their staff recommended it, and while it was against my intuition, I took the plunge, and I have to say, they have a point. Unique, and delicious. But I don't have your gift for teasing out the different flavors and aromas. I can only say that I like it better even than Springbank, which I adore. Springbank was the first peated whiskey I actually enjoyed, so hats off to them. On the bottle: Michel Courveur Meldrum House Old Meldrum Scotland Peaty Overaged Malt Whisky "Distilled in Scotland, Vatted from various over 12 y.o. whiskies traditionally ennobled with sherry oak casks and bottled in our French Burgundian caves" It all sounds a bit pretentious, but it's really worth a look.

Hi Ralfy just wondered if you had any thoughts on the current state of Lagavulin 16? I just picked up a bottle & poured a dram & perhaps it's my memory or possibly I haven't taken enough time with it yet but the last bottle that I got (which was a couple of years back now) seemed more rewarding and prolonged in the finish than the bottle that I have now.

Glad to see Glenfarclas is back on Ralfystuff, I really like that distlillery.

Gr8 stuf Ralfy...thanx!

Ralfy, I've come across an independent bottler, Alexander Murray & Co., of Dalmore 15, bottled in 1999. Price is $90.00. Are you familiar with this product? Thanks, john in Dallas, TX. PS Thanks for your intro regarding honest money......

Would like to see you do a piece on how to blend whisky. What to factor in on what to consider for flavor profiles that will work together and that sort of stuff.

In the equatorial tropics?! If you want mosqitos try the Canadian Boreal. They will eat you alive, no joke. I remember last time I was up there, I woke up to go for my morning run. I soon found I wasn't running for leisure I was pushing my pace to stay ahead of the damned blood suckers. I distinctly remember looking behind me and seeing a dark cloud in hot pursuit. Nasty business. Beautiful mix of forest and rocky terrain along the shield though.

I've started on search for independent bottlings. One independent bottler I have discovered is Douglas/Laing. they adhere to unchilled filter and no added coloring and age statements. They have bottlings from some obscure(at least to me) distilleries. Braeval, Blair Athol, Auchroisk, Fettercairn, and Inchgower. Most of those are 12 year or younger. Perhaps the older I get, the younger I like my malt. With the list of independent bottlers out there, is trial and error the only way to mukluk through the less than desirable ones? I read that GM's bottling of Scapa 10 year was pisswater, but I found it delightful, does that mean my palate is in the gutter?

Fast forward to 2022, this video is every bit a gem ! . . . we are double-screwed in Kanata, at least u have choices, we " aint got none " ! ! . . . just saying. . .

Ralfy, Nice & quite useful review. Thanks. For the regular, working person distilled spirits tasters, such as myself, these are the most useful of reviews. Similarly, your Whisky Review 536, Scottish Leader, fits into this category. Sc Leader (which I have had) is a good & relatively inexpensive base grade Blended Sc Why that regular people can afford & still receive a good, neat, sipping experience. Keep it up. Slainte, Richard (Ray Raymond is an email only name.)

Great review! So true! Lot of young whiskey mark at high prices, but don't measure up to the cost!

Dear Ralfy, Thank you for the insights. I wanted to take the opportunity of watching this to see if you have any plans to review Highland Park's "Dark Origins" NAS whisky one of these days. I've heard mixed things about it, but the tasting notes I've read tend to sound appealing. Thanks!

Great stuff ralfy

Ardbeg 10 is $90 here... I can't buy it. I refuse to pay that much for that -_-

Hi there rally! I've been a fan of your videos for the way you annunciate and its well put together content. Do you happen to use any exercise techniques that you do before these videos to loosen your word integration? If it doesn't trouble you, could you provide me with a feedback on how I could improve my videos in terms of sentence fluidity? Thank you!

Hi Ralfy , As a fellow malt mate, Would you mind recommending a scotch that is the most similar to Springbank 12 year old cask strength? It is currently unavailable where I live Thanks a Bunch

Ralfy, been looking into some Single Malts that I can order from the LCB site in my state. Would you happen to know anything about Hazelburn 8 year old Sauternes Finish? Its at a reasonable price ($70 plus tax, and shipping), and I've seen your videos on Springbank's offerings so I'm confident they make good stuff, just want to know if you've come across this bottling.

Cheers Ralfy. I love your reviews keep at it! You are mistaken however on the nature of a free market economy and its relationship to government issued currency. A government's ability (and desire) to issue and dictate value of currency is contrary to free market principles. A true free market would not allow the government to have a monopoly on currency. A free market would demand that currency’s value fluctuate based on demand in the market. Think of the Soviet Union; the very antithesis of a free market economy. In that society people could be thrown in prison for even utilizing barter as a means of transaction! Such was the extent that the government controlled the usage of currency.

Awesome work Ralfy!!

So I'm new to Single Malt Scotch (started drinking it 4 months ago). Since then I have purchased the flagship expressions from each of the active Islay distilleries, except Kilchoman because it is not available where I am. I have purchased the "Classic Malts". And a few others I have had my eye on, Craigellachie 13, Tomatin 12, Auchentoshan American Oak and Springbank 10. I am caught between wanting to continue along the lines of the "Classic Malts" range and focusing on particular distilleries and purchasing their range (affordable expressions) to add to my collection. One particular concept that has my eye are the distilleries that still malt their own barley (The Balvenie, Laphroaig, Bowmore and such.) Good idea, bad idea? Good start above or spreading too thin?

Love the videos. Love benromach 10. Like to try the peated version

hey ralfy, im super-curious about what you do with all those bottles after reviewing. do you drink them all?

Is that Glenfarclas the "103 Proof" bottling for the Whisky Exchange? I guess so, though you don't mention the retailer by name. If so, I'm looking forward to that review: I have a bottle of that, as yet unopened!

I have heard that due to the increased cost in producing american oak barrels the cost of bourbon will be increasing. Do you see this having an effect on the cost of scotch as some distillers use old bourbon barrels?

As spirits, blends are different from single malts, but so are single malts from pot stills, and pot stills from bourbons, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be measured on the same scale of quality. Age and casking all even, the average blend is inferior to the average single malt as a neat experience, which isn’t surprising as the average blend is composed using generally inferior materials with its being used in mixed drinks specifically in mind rather than as a neat experience, as single malts are - and this is reflected in the pricing of each; if blends were just as good, they would/could command the same prices at the same ages. Blends do dominate the whisky world, but only at the lesser prices at which they are offered. It mostly comes down to the intensity/depth of flavour, and most blends, made partly of malt and a lot of column-still grain whisky, can’t compete with products composed of 100% malt. The sales niche for blends is based upon generally lower quality for generally disproportionately even lower prices than single malts, and so offering a better value overall. The day that blends say “we’re just as good, just different” and try to go dollar-for-dollar against single malts is the day that most blends will disappear.

Great videos. You have a great vocabulary. U must have a cool daytime job

Hello Ralfy, excellent vlog as usual! I really like your style. Question: Have you seen the new Haig Club single grain? Seems like they're going for the premium club market that is now dominated by fancy gins and vodka's. Is there a decent whisky behind all the marketing or should it be avoided? The idea of an aged grain whisky is appealing to me. Writing this brings me to the following question: You'll review blends with no age statement, and single malts only with age statements, but what about single grain? Under what category does that fall in your opinion?

'In my opinion, that's a fact.' Love that.

i had questions about scotch and realized that 3/4 or 1/2 of the way down a bottle the flavor is Lost. I won't be buying scotch anymore, what is the point so only 1/4 of a bottle is to be enjoyed and after that the flavor gets Lost, no more, what a waste of money, but i guess the only way it would work is if you find 2 or 3 other pple that can enjoy the bottle on the same night and everyone just pay a 1/4 of what the scotch is going to cost???

what can you tell us about claymore wiskey? do you have a review about it?

Thanks to ralfy, I'm a very happy malty imbiber. I make my own peaty blend by adding a little Ardbeg 10 to Glenmorangie Original. 3 excellent whiskies from two bottles. No peat, some peat and peaty peat peat. Always with a splash of water and a little patience. California, Ardbeg 10 $50, Glenmorangie $30.

Thing is Ralfy, even a good/great 'single malt' gets, how should I say this, well boring and singular. Laphraoig 18, a very tasty malt predictable w/not much of a change with time/O2. Talisker w that mineral distinction throughout becomes uneventful after a few sessions. I think the answer may lie somewhere between "blending/quality" and learning what our palettes want. Using our favorite SMs it may be for us, plausible and perhaps quite possible to accomplish, discovering these desired new hidden profiles (morphing w/every subsequent ratio) We'll see, We've decided and We're taking that journey. cheers

Ralf when I come down to Scotland can we meet up for a wee dram and discuss this wonderful nectar of the gods.

Sir! I have a serious question to ask. Is it easy or not to send you a bottle of something? There are some outstanding....in my opinion...distilleries here in Washington State. (If I have asked this before I apologise....busy times here) I would like to possibly see a revue of something people send you. That would be fun for us Maltmates.

Hi Ralfy! I was curious if you've ever had Inchmurrin? And if you have what your opinion is on it? I'd never heard of it until today and there's very little about it on the internet comparatively.

Is there a good online retailer for us Canadians?

hi Ralfy. can you recommend one or two sherry matured single malts, independent bottlers, that are still available? what do you think abou Murray McDavid, and in particular Bunnahabhain 18yo 1992 Sherry Cask by MM? thanks. cheers

ralfy, good stuff, but I just notice J&B on the shelf. Why?

This year will be interesting indeed and I really enjoy your reviews. I just bought blend whisky. Usually don't buy them but I stumbled across with Sheep Dip. It was quite cheap and interesting blend with 16 single malts in it. Have you ever tasted that?

BenRiach is a darn good destillery..

great review. thank you sir!

Just rode down to Campbeltown this week. Great road for motorcycles but the place has seen better days. Reason for message is my Tesco is selling Ardbeg 10 yo for £30 which seems a bit of a bargain. I like Ardmore traditional cask but not Laphroaig.10yo. Is it worth a try do you think?

Hi Ralfy, I am really enjoying a bottle of Old Perth at this time a bottle of vatted malt and at a great price .

Hello Ralfy. But parents bought me a bottle of Irish whiskey. It is a German supermarket brand called "O'Connor". It is made by Cooley. Have you heard of it? Where can I find more info about the "contract-made" whiskeys that are not advertised on the distiller's website?

No Bowmore? Or is it to lightly peated?

Ralfy, looking for a lovely single malt for a Christmas gift for an experienced whisky fan. Would be willing to spend $100 USD but less is okay too. Can you recommend a few please?

Proper review mate, and that's coming from an American. Cheers!

4:36 probably the best thing ill ever hear on this channel

It might be helpfull if you would pass on some of your sources where you go for reviews or reviewers. Finding trusted reviewers like yourself who give an honest review can be difficult on times. I speak from experience in the rum world but the whisky world is no different in this age of the internet and blogisphere.

The Ardmore is non chill filtered. 46%

Campbeltown loch. Blend with some peat. Never tried it. Any opinions?

The Glenlivet 18 is a great example of poor quality whisky with a high price

I love your videos, but I do find it funny that you praise Ardbeg for avoiding "Flatulent Marketing." Maybe not with respect to the 10 year, but surely with respect to the rest of the line. I mean, they flew whiskey into outer-space...