Regarding the use of Gaelic. I noticed on my travels around Scotland that driving north of Inverness, all the signposts turn into Gaelic. You hear it spoken in places like Kinlochewe and Ullapool. Being quite noticeably an Orthodox Jewish family, we stood out somewhat. People were coming up to us in shops and the street and singing David's Psalms in Gaelic and pelting us with all kinds of questions. They all seemed very excited to meet us. On one occasion, after filling the car up at a petrol station along the A835 I went into the shop to pay and they had seen me coming and brought in the whole family who then started singing Psalms in Gaelic to me. Not to be outdone, I got all my kids out the car and we sang some in Hebrew for them. They wouldn't let us go.
Great to see you Ralfy looking so young! The store I patronize was out of the Bunnahabhain 12 which is my favorite. This one is about ten more dollars and the line was getting long so I passed. Thanks for the review and since it's over $70 think I'll pass.
Thank you Ralfy for your work and all those 500 whisky reviews. Learning while enjoying, yeah, that's what is happening with me every time I watch one of your videos.
At 17:00 - great point Ralfy. I am 2 years into this journey, maybe a little less. Curious to Nervous is accurate. I love the adventure, but not willing to be wrong and for that reason, I do not trust anything that looks like it is being over-marketed.
Thanks for reviewing this one Ralfy! (I was one of those who had been requesting a review.) I've found the Toiteach for about $65 here in the USA, but some stores charge upwards of $80-$90 per bottle.
This is one of my favorites, Ralfy. Ever. The note I was actually expecting here was that it's distinctively more salty than other peaty Islays. I alternate between Ardbeg 10 and this, mostly, when I'm in the mood for heavy peat. Thanks!
Thanks for the informative review on non age stated whisky. Am looking forward to Review #500, Ralfy. I went back and checked out some older reviews and watched every centenary post. So hope it is as special as the others. Congratulations!
Thank you Ralfy for the great review. I spotted a bottle of this at the local liquor store today and I became very curious. I also appreciate and respect your opinions and insight on the current trends in the whisky industry. I happen to think your assessment is spot on. Getting back to the Bunnahabhain Toiteach, my curiosity may get the best of me and I may give it a shot. I do enjoy my peated whisky and I would like to experience a more peated Bunnahabhain. Thanks again.
Great story Rulfy. thanks for all your effort in your reviews,from a person who had not a clue about Whisky and now is one of its biggest fans. lot of that is because of you mate, no wanky carry-on just your learned opinion. thanks mate and congratulation on the up and coming 500th review. if your ever in Brisbane I would love to shout you a wee dram or two. Chris Bruce
BBR has a relatively heavily peated 7 yr Bunnahabhain that is bottled at 57%(cask strength). I liked it well enough that I bought the only other two bottles I could find to have for later.
Great review Ralfy. Love that story! Regarding the smaller quantities, they began that here that I can remember with Hershey's Chocolate bars, then I noticed it on coffee cans...no Lb of coffee but 13-14oz, then the 5lbs of sugar became 4lbs of sugar! Why not whiskey?... because it smacks off more of the same underhanded techniques to fleece the consumer! They're lierally killing the golden goose!!
Great review Ralfy! I would be very interesting in your opinion of the new and limited Ceòbanach bottling. I have tasted it at a festival lately and was quite impressed. Very young, but taste-wise very reminiscent of the famous 1997 Signatory and Ultimate botlings. It is quite expensive though...
Have you tried the Ballechin 10 yrs ( with age statement haha!)?? Very nice for a honest price I think. Good option for a slightly different peat moment. About 45 eu here in the Netherlands .
I agree completely with your assessment of the 'no age statement' marketing approach and the utilization of "a borrowed language" in order to drive prices up. I don't have a high opinion of most marketing done in the US and it would seem that the practice is used abroad as well. I feel for as you feel a bit cheapened by this approach to sales. Were I a Scot, it would piss me off also. As it is, I share your irritation on their ability to boost prices for unfinished and non-matured single malts simply to move stock off the shelves. It's a sure sign of the times. Happy Holidays Ralfy! And Happy Holidays to anyone who may have read this.
Finally you reviewed Toiteach think ive had Two of theese as it is pretty affordable here in Norway. I like it. It maybe is abit young and fresh, but it fits Well for A peatmonster. Of the peatmonsters like Supernova and Octomore then this Toiteach is bang for the buck...
Hey Ralfy...thanks for reviewing this whisky. As it happens im currently enjoying a 15 year old peated version of Bunnahabhain bottled by signatory. I recommend it. I was wondering if you could recommend some "bad whiskies". For academical reasons I am really interested in exploring the other end of the spectrum. Thanks
True...Probably money better spent on better things. Thanks for the input Ralfy. What are your thoughts on the MacBeatha bottlings of kilchoman, particularly the 7 year old caol ila. I bought it dirt cheap in the US and wondering if I should open it or gift it. Not much on forums about these. Thanks
Hi Ralfy, have you tried the Bunnahabhain Cruach -Mhona yet ? Agree with you whole hearted about the price of NAS whiskys, sad we have to pay premium prices for relatively young whisky. I just picked up a bottle of the Cruach - Mhona and have to say after several disappointing Ardbegs this is a miles better whisky that the Uigeadail I also had very recently.
Ralfy, I have sampled this Bunna as part of the 3 pack of miniatures (12OY, Durach Ur and Tioteach) and when I tried it I was immediately reminded of the Dun Bheahgan 8 YO Islay, which is probably the same thing. You should do a comparison of the 2 single malts, and I'd bet the Dun Bheaghan version is cheaper (while it's still available).
Ralfy. Great review. Your story reminded me of a Foyle’s War episode where the story revolved around an illicit still at the back of a pub during the war. Just came back from London. I brought back home with me some of your recommendations. Caol Ila Cask Strength 61.6% 70cl Caol Ila Cask Strength 58% 20cl Lagavulin 12 Year Old Limited Edition Cask Strength. 70cl Kilkerran Work in Progress 6 Bourbon 70cl Glen Moray Classic 70cl Looking forward to opening them up with friends and family. You mentioned that there was no Whisky boom but here in Israel there certainly is due to the government’s new TAX laws which basically makes all the cheap spirits very expensive and dramatically reduces the price of more expensive spirits. This means that Single Malt whisky has more or less halved in price and generated a huge interest. I have never seen so much variety in the wine stores. Whilst I was in London I compared the prices. To my amazement, some whiskies such as The Glenlivet, Tomintoul, Tobermory and Glencadam…are actually cheaper in Israel!
In South Africa we seem to have a similar situation, depending on where you shop you can pick up some premium malts for a LOT cheaper than you would find them in the UK. Maybe due to a general lack of appreciation for good whisky here, I don't know. For instance I can pick up a pre-2008 bottling of the Ardbeg 10 (my absolute favourite dram) for as little as the equivalent of £25, or a bottle of Lasanta for about the same. Usually the most I need to spend on a really decent bottle would be about £35. Even Nadurra is generally below £50 here. I have also found Uige and Corry for as low as £55!
JP Lewtak Hi. I don't know about Bloem, but here in JHB there are a number of options. I try to shop online, there are some good deals to be found at bottleshop.co.za, aficionados.co.za, and at the moment Makro have some great promotions running til end december. But whenever I'm on the road I will stop at almost any bottle store, especially those in out of the way places, because they often don't seem to know the worth of the whisky in those areas. It helps to know roughly what you should be paying, and then it's easy to find good deals, even at places that are normally not so cheap, like Tops. I found the Lasanta there for R480, as well as AnCnoc 12 for R320. Definitely don't shop at high end malls, etc. You won't find any decent prices there. Just shop around and keep your eyes open.
I purposely didn’t mention any stores in Jerusalem as I was concerned about upsetting Ralfy who writes at the top of his vlog that he does not link to any product sales but as you’ve mentioned stores in South Africa I may as well do the same for Israel. Recommended Whisky stores in Jerusalem: HaMesameiyach in Machene Yehuda, Rechov Agrippas and Aleph Aleph Piup, Rechov Machanayim 4, Jerusalem as well as Mishor Adummim Industrial Zone.
Recently bought a Bunnahabhain, 14yrs, "heavily peated", from Signatory. Probably one of the most amazing bottles I will ever have tasted in my life. However, I find the quality of Signatory bottles varies greatly, guess I was just very lucky. Ralfy I'd love to know: what's your experience with Signatory? Some are astonishingly cheap (at least here in Germany), often cheaper than regular bottlings of similar age... why? Due to the variance in quality? EDIT: At least Signatory gives you an age on the bottle.
I have bought four different bottles from Signatory in the Vintage Cask Strength range and one of them was a Peated Bunnahabhain, I think 13yo. It was amazing. One of the best I have ever had as well. The other three I have bought, Mortlach 23yo, Bowmore, 16yo and Clynelish 14yo have been less exciting.
Chris Mills My personal experience so far with Signatory (tasted around 15 bottles over the last 3 years): The Islays ranged from pretty good to outstanding. However, the "rest" (Speyside, Highland) have often been disappointing in comparison to the regular bottlings. Guess I will go mainly for Islays in the future when considering Signatory.
Karl Lenasson might be due to the reason that almost everything from signatory is refill sherry. there are actually very few from SV that had some really active cask maturation. its different with peated ones. the peat compensates where the cask doesnt really impress. i had too many dissapointments with SV and the non peated ones. when i see SV and "sherry butt" at over 20 years with a bright yellow colour , i stay away from it.
500 Ralfy, the next one is 500, I've been waiting for this one since i was a child !!!!, oh my god you forgot it !!! Toiteach costs 61€ here in Spain, available for the moment. I bought Glenfarclas 105 60% last week superb stuff and 30€, my best purchase i think.
Great review (as usual) and great view Ralfy. Just a tip, you should really practice with "fade out" for your videos ;) Keep going, and best regards from a malt mate in Italy.
Can't wait to see what you review for 500, Ralfy. Planning to review the new Kilkerran WIP? I picked up a bottle of the bourbon wood and it's great. Also happened into a bottle of the Arran Devil's Punchbowl 3 and I'm curious whether I should open it or not.
I must admit i agree totally with your review, although this one i really like. A smaller batch also makes the price go up a bit, so i dont just think that the NAS whisky is more expensive because of the name(this one at least). I love a young fresh vibrant good quality Islay. Not as complex as the older ones but.... Just yummy. The 8 yo Laphroaigh (the perfect dram) is in my mouth much tastier than the OB 18yo. I think that its because of stupid regulations in Scotland that many ppl dont understand that quality is not the same as age. A dusty old malt sometimes benefits a lot with the addition of a small amount of young malt to make it less tired and more complex. But then they must put the young malt as the agestatement. So 95% 21 yo and 5 % 8 yo makes for a amazing 8 yo single malt....
Ralfy, do you think you will be reviewing the new Glenfiddich 1963 throwback? I don't know what the price is, but if it's reasonable I think would make a dram worth sharing with the malt mates
Great story at the end.. I was sniffing and sipping some Bunnahabhain 12 along with your superb review... I probably can't get this Toiteach in Canada, and at your CDN $127.33 it is a bit steep. It would probably cost us $180 after the tax man winked at it... How about some *malty mushroom meatheads* for a malt mention? :)
Master Ralfy ! Congratulations for all the reviews and help... for all of us hunters of the quality Malts out there! Wondering which Malt will you choose for the 500 review? Cherry?Port?Moscatel?Bourbon? best regards
I ought to have included the ridiculous taxes that get dumped onto our preferred beverage...that contributes substantially to the price to the end user. This additional fiscal weight is borne variously across the globe. The impression seems to be that the USA enjoys tremendous cost subsidies because our market is so thirsty. These prices I am paying are the best deal going anywhere else?
***** Seems a bit odd that here in Czech Republic they charge an equivalent of 41£ for it. Then again, I'm lucky to know a great retailer, others would sell it for much more.
A great review, with great comments - the reviews themselves DO keep getting better, and I mean that sincerely; too bad this Bunna lacks an age statement, because it sounds like it could easily survive an “8” or “9”. I've become convinced that Ralfy needs to do a 30-minute vlog with Laphroaig 10 by his side (a fine substitute for truth serum - “It’s starting to piss me off” - LOL), and the industry would really get an earful, as he says what he thinks, and knows, as an experienced whisky consumer rather than just - sorry - just what’s palatable at any given time. The problem with NAS isn’t that they can’t be good whiskies, or even that they’re young whiskies (because this can’t be proven), but that they aren’t made any BETTER for lack of an age statement. With prices constantly on the rise, what DO I have to pay to find out what I’m drinking, as opposed to what’s going to be made younger, and worse, without my knowledge sometime in the future? Thank God Ralfy is now looking at the macro trends in whisky, because, honestly, he HAS the platform to help turn them around, including the hijacking of Celtic. The next NAS? If it’s honest, it should be Deamhsadh (“the Fleecing”). Sláinte Mhath, Ralfy! Go to war. Now’s the time; no bullshit, consumers honestly need you.
499 SEK for the 12yo in Sweden, 649 SEK for this one - so about €49/64. Love the 12yo and tempted to try this one, but not sure I'd fork out for a bottle...
£60 is a decent price for this bottle, but it's not really my cup of tea, even at £40. They did just a good job with the 12 I don't feel the need to go much higher on the Bunnahabhain product scale. When it comes to NAS whiskies, quality and price outweigh age in my book. If it's a good, reasonable price and made to a high quality level, I am okay with no age.
Hi Ralfy .thanks for an informative, furious and funny 499...gotta get me a bar towel! hehe. Ralf, have you ever thought about reviewing CB SpiceTree? Its not the "original" but they still do a terrific product. J.Glasser has developed a nice work-around for the "banned" inner staves swapping out the Amer. Oak 'cask lids' for French Oak tops and bottoms and it works! It is a standout as we discuss the NAS whisky controversy and CB provides adequate info on the box/label just short of an age stmnt. (shame that) Anyway it is an amazing work of art with a unique profile. 46% non-chill-filtered and zero marmalade glow. Any plans for a future review? Thanks
Got this one for 30 Euro recently, and for that price it's a very nice whiskey and I would repeat the buy to have it in my stash, but I would not buy it again if it was 50+ Euro. With that being said, regular Bunna 12 yo is miles ahead of Toiteach.
Malt mention repeated! The same one as in WR 498. In this situation can I ask for my Malt Mention to appear soon? Malty Ignacy! (the name of my son who was born a couple of days ago, tiny but strong little fellow, can't wait when I can introduce him to the world of whisky) JP
Yet another utterly informative, as well as thoroughly enjoyable malt review :) Thank you, Ralfy! I would like to ask for your assistance with a malt purchase, noneth less. I recently spotted a bottle of Macallan 18 year old Fine Oak series bottle in a liquour store where I live at 130 euros a piece. Since I started my malt journey seven months ago under your auspices, more or less, I tried a variety of 30+ single malts, yet no the Macallan as of yet. Do you think the 18 year old is worth it? Looking forward to your suggestion. Chris A few malt mentions on my behalf: Hello, you, malty moonshine militia members! or: Hello, you, maly mango marmalade jams ;) Slainte!
Just an observation from over here in Norway regarding age statements on single malts. Let's use Laphroaig as an example. The 10 yo are cheaper than the non age statement quarter cask, not that much cheaper, but it IS cheaper 😁🙂 that ain't bad imho
My goodness 70 pounds, that's a steep price. Here in the Netherlands you can buy it online for 48 euros which would translate to 37.5 pounds, thats almost half the price!! By the way i reckon review 500 will be a peated one as well since you recorded 499 and 500 in one tasting...or you'd have shot this video after the 500 review. anyway Im looking forward to it. Cheers
Sorry - just in case the bottom half gets chopped off in some versions. A great review, with great comments - the reviews themselves DO keep getting better, and I mean that sincerely; too bad this Bunna lacks an age statement, because it sounds like it could easily survive an “8” or “9”. I've become convinced that Ralfy needs to do a 30-minute vlog with Laphroaig 10 by his side (a fine substitute for truth serum - “It’s starting to piss me off” - LOL), and the industry would really get an earful, as he says what he thinks, and knows, as an experienced whisky consumer rather than just - sorry - just what’s palatable at any given time. The problem with NAS isn’t that they can’t be good whiskies, or even that they’re young whiskies (because this can’t be proven), but that they aren’t made any BETTER for lack of an age statement. With prices constantly on the rise, what DO I have to pay to find out what I’m drinking, as opposed to what’s going to be made younger, and worse, without my knowledge sometime in the future? Thank God Ralfy is now looking at the macro trends in whisky, because, honestly, he HAS the platform to help turn them around, including the hijacking of Celtic. The next NAS? If it’s honest, it should be Deamhsadh (“the Fleecing”). Sláinte Mhath, Ralfy! Go to war. Now’s the time; no bullshit, consumers honestly need you.
Ralfy have you tried the new machir bay 2013 batch of Kilchoman ..great stuff and reasonably priced here in the us, simular to a laphroaig 10 or ardbeg 10 in price..this machir bay does says it's about 6 or 7 years old but man it is good. I hope Kilchoman sticks with age statements when this can be bottled at 10 and 12 yrs old..please review If you can
Regarding price Ralfy you forgot Germany. This malt is 40-45 £ there. I think they have the best prices i Europe. I always stock up when I'm down there from Denmark.
Terrific review and great story! Might need a wee dram or two to drown my sorrows in after the election yesterday here in the USA. The influence of huge sums of money buying up media time has people voting against their own self interests. Very sad! Oh well, on it all goes. I'm going with Springbank this year for my Holiday bottle of Scotch. Take care Ralf. Sincerely, Ossie
+Ossie Weinert Don't even mention elections stupid Canadians just voted in the biggest mistake Prime Minister. Where I live over 80% voted against him but the rest of Canada voted him....truly a sad time for Albertans and our oil.
This trend of expensive NAS bottlings is starting to piss me off too.! If the quality isn't there I can't be bothered to give them any thought.. or my money.!! I'll stick to age statement bottlings...
Spent time in Scotland and Ireland last year...interesting to hear to pronunciations of the word "Gaelic ...."gal-lic" in Scotland...."gay-lic" in Ireland I believe
Dear Ralfy, I can't wait for the 500th review; I'm sure you'll pull the rabbit out of the hat. Changing topic I have a friend travelling soon to the States and I have asked me to bring the following whiskys: ARDBEG UIGEADAIL; LAPHROIG QUARTER CASK; GLENDRONACH 15 REVIVAL & BENROMACH PEAT SMOKE. I would love your opinion on my selection. Slainte mhath,
It is rather smile inducing after placing an online order, we all know the feeling! We just pooled in together and ordered our Thanksgiving line-up ;) Ardmore Trad. CB Kings Street Artist Bl. Ardbeg Uiggy There's 3 reasons to give thanks in almost any country!
I'm considering the Bunna Toiteach a Dha for my next buy, but my favorite Malt mumbling reviewer doesn't seem to have taken a taste at it, yet, or is he really so serious about never to buy the Toiteach again, that even a sequel can't tease his curiosity....??? ;- ) ;- ) ;- ) - Still no age-statement on the Dha, so he can be forgiven, it is not like thát, though....;- )
Yes, it pisses me off when they make you pay through the nose for a no age statement bottle. Although, when it's fairly priced, near cask strength and just complex enough, I don't care really.
Ralfy, I'm glad you think, as a Scotsman, there's a problem with the Gaelic thing. As a Welshman I think the Scots buy into it big time. I know exactly where you're coming from. I hate this type of marketing bullshit from the big guys of whisky. I'm sorry to say it's rampant in the industry now. I want to give this a go but I'm resisting. I'm not sure it's worth it. WT
I'm glad this bottle is less than £50 GBP in Norway and Sweeden. This was my very first taste of Bunnahabhain, and also my very first experience with scotch mist (after adding water and leaving it for a while). I liked it very much, and would personally put it closer to 90p myself. Probably 88-89. And if the price stays where it is, I will buy it again. Slainte!
Ralfy, I'd like to see 10 random aged and branded scotches in 10 glasses before you, to see if you can guess which scotch is which. Please make such a video.
IMHO - Ardbeg Uigeadail, and Aberlour A'bunadh are both over rated (my 2 bottles of Ardbeg reminded me of charcoal ash mixed with mineral spirits, and for my $$$ - you're better off with the Aberlour 12 yr Non-Chill filter instead of the A'bunadh)...Also - both of those single malts had questionable batch quality issues. Although I really do like the Ancnoc 'Peter Arkle' editions (in particular #3 Bricks, and #4 Warehouses)...Wonderful drams indeed.
agreed. i emptied the Aberlour 12 NCF a year ago and it was very good , but needed some breathing time for me. about the Uigeadail:rather than spend 60 Euros on a NAS bottling i would buy a pre-2008 version of the Ardbeg TEN at auction.they are amazing.
Well both Uigeadail and A' Bunadh are victims of demand and capitalist urge to make money. I guarantee if you get your hands on to a bottle of A' Bunadh batch 1-20 (circa 2002- 2005) it's gonna blow your socks off. Current Ardbegs suck dogs bollocks I should know because I have three bottles of Corryvreckan that I bought from discount and they taste like diesel with licorice.
Ha, you are quite serious about this. I have a bottle of A'bunadh 45 b/c it was quite good, you are correct about the hit/miss of the newer stuff. Not that we can do much about it. Have not yet opened my Glfc 105, you ever have that one?
In case my humor distorts my point: Distillers don't go NAS to hide 60 year old bottlings. Distillers don't resist a licensed contents summary to mask their crazy valuable ingredients. Distillers don't use unintelligible words to reference best brands. Age statements are not misleading, they are exactly the opposite: very eye opening. Smaller bottles are not a response to a surprising wave of consumer outrage at outrageous bottle sizes, there is no demand to create new sizes-- that just insults a reasonable consumer. Sure I exaggerated -- I kid because I love, as saying goes. Income has never been put at risk thru manufacturers responding to public input. Why does leaving OUT ingredients cost more to manufacture? That's absurdist thinking: up is down in is out & pour fine scotch on the floor to rinse the frigging rim!! Okey dokey.
Gracias! Ralfy is marching to a drum that stirs my feet too -- "This is starting to piss me off!" Ralfy spoke for me too, as usual it seems he has his finger on the pulse of truth. This manipulation of the paying public is impossible to disguise! The corporate mandate to deliver +5% profit growth quarter after quarter so dividends are healthy is going to grind down on the end user inevitably. If this nonsense persists the amber nectar worth cherishing will be a pricey impossibility for virtually any middle class drinker. The price of, say, Macallan 18 is out of reach...& even when I pay dearly high prices, I get home to taste a dwindling return on investment. If I apply "corporate pricing" to MY wallet, looking to get a 5% growth on savings means no more $200 bottles, no matter WHAT the price is... At some point rational thinking has got to prevail. No thank you, I have had quite enough of being trifled with as if I were as ignorant as they are... Take a lesson, distillers. Clean off the nearest mirror & take a long look at what you are pursuing, for your own sake.
Regarding the use of Gaelic. I noticed on my travels around Scotland that driving north of Inverness, all the signposts turn into Gaelic. You hear it spoken in places like Kinlochewe and Ullapool. Being quite noticeably an Orthodox Jewish family, we stood out somewhat. People were coming up to us in shops and the street and singing David's Psalms in Gaelic and pelting us with all kinds of questions. They all seemed very excited to meet us. On one occasion, after filling the car up at a petrol station along the A835 I went into the shop to pay and they had seen me coming and brought in the whole family who then started singing Psalms in Gaelic to me. Not to be outdone, I got all my kids out the car and we sang some in Hebrew for them. They wouldn't let us go.
Paid $56 USD here in the states. Found an old bottle with this same label too. Just cracked it and I am certainly happy with it. Cheers
Great to see you Ralfy looking so young! The store I patronize was out of the Bunnahabhain 12 which is my favorite. This one is about ten more dollars and the line was getting long so I passed. Thanks for the review and since it's over $70 think I'll pass.
Another good solid honest review Ralfy. Not a whisky that will appeal to me personally, loved the story at the end.
Thank you Ralfy for your work and all those 500 whisky reviews. Learning while enjoying, yeah, that's what is happening with me every time I watch one of your videos.
At 17:00 - great point Ralfy. I am 2 years into this journey, maybe a little less. Curious to Nervous is accurate. I love the adventure, but not willing to be wrong and for that reason, I do not trust anything that looks like it is being over-marketed.
Thanks for reviewing this one Ralfy! (I was one of those who had been requesting a review.) I've found the Toiteach for about $65 here in the USA, but some stores charge upwards of $80-$90 per bottle.
mjanovec . . . there's some profiteering going on with this one ( and many others too)
Then the price is going down I pay 45eu for a bottle in Belgium.
This is one of my favorites, Ralfy. Ever. The note I was actually expecting here was that it's distinctively more salty than other peaty Islays. I alternate between Ardbeg 10 and this, mostly, when I'm in the mood for heavy peat. Thanks!
Thanks for the informative review on non age stated whisky. Am looking forward to Review #500, Ralfy. I went back and checked out some older reviews and watched every centenary post. So hope it is as special as the others. Congratulations!
Power to the Peatple!!! You go Ralfy! I didn't pay so much for mine but the trends got to go with these marketing techniques!
Thank you Ralfy for the great review. I spotted a bottle of this at the local liquor store today and I became very curious. I also appreciate and respect your opinions and insight on the current trends in the whisky industry. I happen to think your assessment is spot on. Getting back to the Bunnahabhain Toiteach, my curiosity may get the best of me and I may give it a shot. I do enjoy my peated whisky and I would like to experience a more peated Bunnahabhain. Thanks again.
Great story Rulfy. thanks for all your effort in your reviews,from a person who had not a clue about Whisky and now is one of its biggest fans. lot of that is because of you mate, no wanky carry-on just your learned opinion. thanks mate and congratulation on the up and coming 500th review. if your ever in Brisbane I would love to shout you a wee dram or two. Chris Bruce
Thank you for this upload, and all other uploads! I have been looking forward to this one!
Posting from Sweden by the way, no luck!
BBR has a relatively heavily peated 7 yr Bunnahabhain that is bottled at 57%(cask strength). I liked it well enough that I bought the only other two bottles I could find to have for later.
Great review Ralfy.
Love that story!
Regarding the smaller quantities, they began that here that I can remember with Hershey's Chocolate bars, then I noticed it on coffee cans...no Lb of coffee but 13-14oz, then the 5lbs of sugar became 4lbs of sugar! Why not whiskey?... because it smacks off more of the same underhanded techniques to fleece the consumer! They're lierally killing the golden goose!!
Great review Ralfy! I would be very interesting in your opinion of the new and limited Ceòbanach bottling. I have tasted it at a festival lately and was quite impressed. Very young, but taste-wise very reminiscent of the famous 1997 Signatory and Ultimate botlings. It is quite expensive though...
Willumpie very young and expensive, . . . that's putting me off.
Have you tried the Ballechin 10 yrs
( with age statement haha!)??
Very nice for a honest price I think.
Good option for a slightly different peat moment. About 45 eu here in the Netherlands .
I agree completely with your assessment of the 'no age statement' marketing approach and the utilization of "a borrowed language" in order to drive prices up. I don't have a high opinion of most marketing done in the US and it would seem that the practice is used abroad as well. I feel for as you feel a bit cheapened by this approach to sales. Were I a Scot, it would piss me off also. As it is, I share your irritation on their ability to boost prices for unfinished and non-matured single malts simply to move stock off the shelves. It's a sure sign of the times.
Happy Holidays Ralfy!
And Happy Holidays to anyone who may have read this.
Finally you reviewed Toiteach think ive had Two of theese as it is pretty affordable here in Norway. I like it. It maybe is abit young and fresh, but it fits Well for A peatmonster. Of the peatmonsters like Supernova and Octomore then this Toiteach is bang for the buck...
Hey Ralfy...thanks for reviewing this whisky. As it happens im currently enjoying a 15 year old peated version of Bunnahabhain bottled by signatory. I recommend it.
I was wondering if you could recommend some "bad whiskies". For academical reasons I am really interested in exploring the other end of the spectrum. Thanks
. . . good luck ! a big sacrifice for academia ! I don't tend to highlight bad whiskies, just check the forums for opinion !
True...Probably money better spent on better things. Thanks for the input Ralfy.
What are your thoughts on the MacBeatha bottlings of kilchoman, particularly the 7 year old caol ila. I bought it dirt cheap in the US and wondering if I should open it or gift it. Not much on forums about these.
Thanks
Hi Ralfy, have you tried the Bunnahabhain Cruach -Mhona yet ? Agree with you whole hearted about the price of NAS whiskys, sad we have to pay premium prices for relatively young whisky. I just picked up a bottle of the Cruach - Mhona and have to say after several disappointing Ardbegs this is a miles better whisky that the Uigeadail I also had very recently.
Ralfy, I have sampled this Bunna as part of the 3 pack of miniatures (12OY, Durach Ur and Tioteach) and when I tried it I was immediately reminded of the Dun Bheahgan 8 YO Islay, which is probably the same thing. You should do a comparison of the 2 single malts, and I'd bet the Dun Bheaghan version is cheaper (while it's still available).
Ralfy. Great review. Your story reminded me of a Foyle’s War episode where the story revolved around an illicit still at the back of a pub during the war.
Just came back from London. I brought back home with me some of your recommendations.
Caol Ila Cask Strength 61.6% 70cl
Caol Ila Cask Strength 58% 20cl
Lagavulin 12 Year Old Limited Edition Cask Strength. 70cl
Kilkerran Work in Progress 6 Bourbon 70cl
Glen Moray Classic 70cl
Looking forward to opening them up with friends and family.
You mentioned that there was no Whisky boom but here in Israel there certainly is due to the government’s new TAX laws which basically makes all the cheap spirits very expensive and dramatically reduces the price of more expensive spirits. This means that Single Malt whisky has more or less halved in price and generated a huge interest. I have never seen so much variety in the wine stores. Whilst I was in London I compared the prices. To my amazement, some whiskies such as The Glenlivet, Tomintoul, Tobermory and Glencadam…are actually cheaper in Israel!
In South Africa we seem to have a similar situation, depending on where you shop you can pick up some premium malts for a LOT cheaper than you would find them in the UK.
Maybe due to a general lack of appreciation for good whisky here, I don't know.
For instance I can pick up a pre-2008 bottling of the Ardbeg 10 (my absolute favourite dram) for as little as the equivalent of £25, or a bottle of Lasanta for about the same.
Usually the most I need to spend on a really decent bottle would be about £35.
Even Nadurra is generally below £50 here.
I have also found Uige and Corry for as low as £55!
Nick Scott-Turner
I'm based in Bloem. Can you perhaps advise what shops do you shop in? Thank you, JP
JP Lewtak Hi. I don't know about Bloem, but here in JHB there are a number of options. I try to shop online, there are some good deals to be found at bottleshop.co.za, aficionados.co.za, and at the moment Makro have some great promotions running til end december.
But whenever I'm on the road I will stop at almost any bottle store, especially those in out of the way places, because they often don't seem to know the worth of the whisky in those areas.
It helps to know roughly what you should be paying, and then it's easy to find good deals, even at places that are normally not so cheap, like Tops.
I found the Lasanta there for R480, as well as AnCnoc 12 for R320.
Definitely don't shop at high end malls, etc.
You won't find any decent prices there.
Just shop around and keep your eyes open.
Nick Scott-Turner
Thanks!
I purposely didn’t mention any stores in Jerusalem as I was concerned about upsetting Ralfy who writes at the top of his vlog that he does not link to any product sales but as you’ve mentioned stores in South Africa I may as well do the same for Israel. Recommended Whisky stores in Jerusalem: HaMesameiyach in Machene Yehuda, Rechov Agrippas and Aleph Aleph Piup, Rechov Machanayim 4, Jerusalem as well as Mishor Adummim Industrial Zone.
Recently bought a Bunnahabhain, 14yrs, "heavily peated", from Signatory. Probably one of the most amazing bottles I will ever have tasted in my life.
However, I find the quality of Signatory bottles varies greatly, guess I was just very lucky. Ralfy I'd love to know: what's your experience with Signatory? Some are astonishingly cheap (at least here in Germany), often cheaper than regular bottlings of similar age... why? Due to the variance in quality?
EDIT: At least Signatory gives you an age on the bottle.
Karl Lenasson Signatory offer better value than quite a few official bottlings. Quality varies, but so does a number of official bottlings !
I have bought four different bottles from Signatory in the Vintage Cask Strength range and one of them was a Peated Bunnahabhain, I think 13yo. It was amazing. One of the best I have ever had as well. The other three I have bought, Mortlach 23yo, Bowmore, 16yo and Clynelish 14yo have been less exciting.
Chris Mills
My personal experience so far with Signatory (tasted around 15 bottles over the last 3 years): The Islays ranged from pretty good to outstanding. However, the "rest" (Speyside, Highland) have often been disappointing in comparison to the regular bottlings. Guess I will go mainly for Islays in the future when considering Signatory.
Karl Lenasson might be due to the reason that almost everything from signatory is refill sherry. there are actually very few from SV that had some really active cask maturation. its different with peated ones. the peat compensates where the cask doesnt really impress. i had too many dissapointments with SV and the non peated ones. when i see SV and "sherry butt" at over 20 years with a bright yellow colour , i stay away from it.
btw there is a good article about that by Oliver Klimek at dramming.com
www.dramming.com/2013/01/04/why-peated-whiskies-get-higher-scores/
500 Ralfy, the next one is 500, I've been waiting for this one since i was a child !!!!, oh my god you forgot it !!! Toiteach costs 61€ here in Spain, available for the moment. I bought Glenfarclas 105 60% last week superb stuff and 30€, my best purchase i think.
Would love a re review of this bottling I feel such a good bottle is underrated and am curious to see its evolution
Toiteach A Dha is a very different dram, the original Toiteach is what got me into Bunny, the 12yo what sold me on it.
Great review (as usual) and great view Ralfy. Just a tip, you should really practice with "fade out" for your videos ;) Keep going, and best regards from a malt mate in Italy.
Hello Ralfy. I was wondering if you could review bunnahabhain ceobanach for me
Good review and a wonderful story at the end. Somehow I'd like to try that Whisky from that Bar. :)
Can't wait to see what you review for 500, Ralfy.
Planning to review the new Kilkerran WIP? I picked up a bottle of the bourbon wood and it's great. Also happened into a bottle of the Arran Devil's Punchbowl 3 and I'm curious whether I should open it or not.
I must admit i agree totally with your review, although this one i really like.
A smaller batch also makes the price go up a bit, so i dont just think that the NAS whisky is more expensive because of the name(this one at least).
I love a young fresh vibrant good quality Islay.
Not as complex as the older ones but.... Just yummy.
The 8 yo Laphroaigh (the perfect dram) is in my mouth much tastier than the OB 18yo.
I think that its because of stupid regulations in Scotland that many ppl dont understand that quality is not the same as age.
A dusty old malt sometimes benefits a lot with the addition of a small amount of young malt to make it less tired and more complex.
But then they must put the young malt as the agestatement.
So 95% 21 yo and 5 % 8 yo makes for a amazing 8 yo single malt....
another gr8 review Ralfy...next is 500 make it special cheers... ;)
A very good review again
Nearly 100% sure that i cannot find this bottle in Hong Kong
Ralfy, do you think you will be reviewing the new Glenfiddich 1963 throwback? I don't know what the price is, but if it's reasonable I think would make a dram worth sharing with the malt mates
id love to see a review of the Bunnahabhain Ceòbanach ralfy!
woooo mention of Australia!
love your vids ralfy :)
Great story at the end.. I was sniffing and sipping some Bunnahabhain 12 along with your superb review... I probably can't get this Toiteach in Canada, and at your CDN $127.33 it is a bit steep. It would probably cost us $180 after the tax man winked at it...
How about some *malty mushroom meatheads* for a malt mention? :)
Master Ralfy ! Congratulations for all the reviews and help... for all of us hunters of the quality Malts out there! Wondering which Malt will you choose for the 500 review? Cherry?Port?Moscatel?Bourbon?
best regards
Ambassador for the whisky industry.
I ought to have included the ridiculous taxes that get dumped onto our preferred beverage...that contributes substantially to the price to the end user. This additional fiscal weight is borne variously across the globe. The impression seems to be that the USA enjoys tremendous cost subsidies because our market is so thirsty. These prices I am paying are the best deal going anywhere else?
Hey ralfy say could you do the whisky of the year a weak or so before the new year so we could have time to buy it before the new year night?
Hi Ralfy, have you tasted The Black Grouse ? I've found mixed reviews online
paul abramovici . . . not on my list for review !
In Norway the price is 49 pound. Should I run for the shop? Looking forward for the whisky festival in Oslo this weekend. You be there Ralfy?
Øystein Gravlien £70 in UK
*****
Seems a bit odd that here in Czech Republic they charge an equivalent of 41£ for it. Then again, I'm lucky to know a great retailer, others would sell it for much more.
*****
And coincidentally, I've stumbled upon '95 Mortlach from Signatory (16yo) for some £41 as well. That seems way good to be true.
Øystein Gravlien no more Festivals for me this year !
Having just about nearly finnished a bottle of 12yo Bunnahabain i would like to try this. However at that price i would need to give it a wide bearth.
The Bunnahabhain Ceobanach seems to be very good. I'd love to know your take on it (:
I actually have a bottle of this,picked it up for 80usd..thanks for the review
Ralfy, just in passing have you ever considered a "live You Tube broadcast"
I've participated in one of them and it was rather fun!
cheers
no plans at the moment.
8:49 an angel tried to take a sip from the glass.... ( a fly flies in close proximity just misses the bottle :P )
A great review, with great comments - the reviews themselves DO keep getting better, and I mean that sincerely; too bad this Bunna lacks an age statement, because it sounds like it could easily survive an “8” or “9”. I've become convinced that Ralfy needs to do a 30-minute vlog with Laphroaig 10 by his side (a fine substitute for truth serum - “It’s starting to piss me off” - LOL), and the industry would really get an earful, as he says what he thinks, and knows, as an experienced whisky consumer rather than just - sorry - just what’s palatable at any given time.
The problem with NAS isn’t that they can’t be good whiskies, or even that they’re young whiskies (because this can’t be proven), but that they aren’t made any BETTER for lack of an age statement. With prices constantly on the rise, what DO I have to pay to find out what I’m drinking, as opposed to what’s going to be made younger, and worse, without my knowledge sometime in the future? Thank God Ralfy is now looking at the macro trends in whisky, because, honestly, he HAS the platform to help turn them around, including the hijacking of Celtic. The next NAS? If it’s honest, it should be Deamhsadh (“the Fleecing”). Sláinte Mhath, Ralfy! Go to war. Now’s the time; no bullshit, consumers honestly need you.
Ralfy what is your opinion about the loch fyne blended scotch whisky
rhyssmith70 decent stuff and worth a punt ! (if it's the same as a few years ago).
Five Ohh Ohh is next ... Congratulations Ralfy!
Great review Ralfy. Can you review Laphroaig QA Cask? Thank you!
"There is no whisky boom."
Just you wait, past ralfy. Just you wait...
499 SEK for the 12yo in Sweden, 649 SEK for this one - so about €49/64. Love the 12yo and tempted to try this one, but not sure I'd fork out for a bottle...
£60 is a decent price for this bottle, but it's not really my cup of tea, even at £40. They did just a good job with the 12 I don't feel the need to go much higher on the Bunnahabhain product scale. When it comes to NAS whiskies, quality and price outweigh age in my book. If it's a good, reasonable price and made to a high quality level, I am okay with no age.
Was Ardbeg Kildalton unpeated or do you mean Blasda?
Or both?
Hogibaer Original Kildalton, not the recent one, was unpeated.
Hi Ralfy .thanks for an informative, furious and funny 499...gotta get me a bar towel! hehe.
Ralf, have you ever thought about reviewing CB SpiceTree? Its not the "original" but they still do a terrific product. J.Glasser has developed a nice work-around for the "banned" inner staves swapping out the Amer. Oak 'cask lids' for French Oak tops and bottoms and it works!
It is a standout as we discuss the NAS whisky controversy and CB provides adequate info on the box/label just short of an age stmnt. (shame that)
Anyway it is an amazing work of art with a unique profile. 46% non-chill-filtered and zero marmalade glow.
Any plans for a future review?
Thanks
themaltbar it does work, and I plan to review ST soon.
Got this one for 30 Euro recently, and for that price it's a very nice whiskey and I would repeat the buy to have it in my stash, but I would not buy it again if it was 50+ Euro.
With that being said, regular Bunna 12 yo is miles ahead of Toiteach.
Well..500 (approx) X 12 min (average) = 6000 min = 100 hours..well It has been an amazing journey dear malt mate. Cheers!
Ralfy can you perhaps sometime in the near future review the Bunnahabhain Darach Ur?
Malt mention repeated! The same one as in WR 498.
In this situation can I ask for my Malt Mention to appear soon? Malty Ignacy! (the name of my son who was born a couple of days ago, tiny but strong little fellow, can't wait when I can introduce him to the world of whisky)
JP
498, 499, 499b, 499c.:-) (Tomatin Legacy is very affordable and, for the price, very decent NAS whisky). Cheers malt mate(s)!
Totally agree !
I can get it for the same price as the standard 12YO over here, is it a buy at that price ?
Yet another utterly informative, as well as thoroughly enjoyable malt review :) Thank you, Ralfy! I would like to ask for your assistance with a malt purchase, noneth less. I recently spotted a bottle of Macallan 18 year old Fine Oak series bottle in a liquour store where I live at 130 euros a piece. Since I started my malt journey seven months ago under your auspices, more or less, I tried a variety of 30+ single malts, yet no the Macallan as of yet. Do you think the 18 year old is worth it? Looking forward to your suggestion. Chris
A few malt mentions on my behalf: Hello, you, malty moonshine militia members! or: Hello, you, maly mango marmalade jams ;)
Slainte!
Danevv check out reviews at Whiskybase and Whiskyfun for good opinions. I am wary of Fine oak versions as I bought a poor 15yo FO a few years ago.
Whisky Review 500: Johnnie Walker Red Label with ice, cola, soda AND apple juice.
+ cigarette
Made my day! xD
+Antoine M never tried adding apple juice...will this weekend
NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWOWOWOWOWOWOOOOOOH!!!!!
Have you tried the new Ardmore Legacy yet, Ralfy? On offer in my local Morrisons!
LethalLion not yet, but the no-age-statement puts me off !
***** Adds to the mystery.
Just an observation from over here in Norway regarding age statements on single malts.
Let's use Laphroaig as an example. The 10 yo are cheaper than the non age statement quarter cask, not that much cheaper, but it IS cheaper 😁🙂 that ain't bad imho
Lovely story! Thanks😁
My goodness 70 pounds, that's a steep price. Here in the Netherlands you can buy it online for 48 euros which would translate to 37.5 pounds, thats almost half the price!! By the way i reckon review 500 will be a peated one as well since you recorded 499 and 500 in one tasting...or you'd have shot this video after the 500 review. anyway Im looking forward to it. Cheers
Sorry - just in case the bottom half gets chopped off in some versions. A great review, with great comments - the reviews themselves DO keep getting better, and I mean that sincerely; too bad this Bunna lacks an age statement, because it sounds like it could easily survive an “8” or “9”. I've become convinced that Ralfy needs to do a 30-minute vlog with Laphroaig 10 by his side (a fine substitute for truth serum - “It’s starting to piss me off” - LOL), and the industry would really get an earful, as he says what he thinks, and knows, as an experienced whisky consumer rather than just - sorry - just what’s palatable at any given time. The problem with NAS isn’t that they can’t be good whiskies, or even that they’re young whiskies (because this can’t be proven), but that they aren’t made any BETTER for lack of an age statement. With prices constantly on the rise, what DO I have to pay to find out what I’m drinking, as opposed to what’s going to be made younger, and worse, without my knowledge sometime in the future? Thank God Ralfy is now looking at the macro trends in whisky, because, honestly, he HAS the platform to help turn them around, including the hijacking of Celtic. The next NAS? If it’s honest, it should be Deamhsadh (“the Fleecing”). Sláinte Mhath, Ralfy! Go to war. Now’s the time; no bullshit, consumers honestly need you.
Ralfy have you tried the new machir bay 2013 batch of Kilchoman ..great stuff and reasonably priced here in the us, simular to a laphroaig 10 or ardbeg 10 in price..this machir bay does says it's about 6 or 7 years old but man it is good. I hope Kilchoman sticks with age statements when this can be bottled at 10 and 12 yrs old..please review If you can
Regarding price Ralfy you forgot Germany. This malt is 40-45 £ there. I think they have the best prices i Europe. I always stock up when I'm down there from Denmark.
Germany often gets that perfect situation of good prices and best malts !
Oddly, Bunnahabhain somewhat well priced here in Ontario. Most make run to the bathroom, in back of the lcbo.
Thanks so much for this review, I however prefer the standard bunnahaben.
Well I'll be... Toiteach is actually about £17 cheaper here. In Norway! This is unheard of (but I'm not complaining!).
Hey Ralfy! Can you re-review the Lagavulin 16yo?
Love your videos btw
apioguih32 no plans, it's going down-hill now.
Terrific review and great story! Might need a wee dram or two to drown my sorrows in after the election yesterday here in the USA. The influence of huge sums of money buying up media time has people voting against their own self interests. Very sad! Oh well, on it all goes. I'm going with Springbank this year for my Holiday bottle of Scotch. Take care Ralf. Sincerely, Ossie
Ossie Weinert good choice.
+Ossie Weinert Don't even mention elections stupid Canadians just voted in the biggest mistake Prime Minister. Where I live over 80% voted against him but the rest of Canada voted him....truly a sad time for Albertans and our oil.
"The influence of huge sums of money buying up media time has people voting against their own self interests." ...perhaps they are not selfish sir!
What is your personal favorite scotch?
Timothy Fimbres Springbank ! look out for 12yo cask
This trend of expensive NAS bottlings is starting to piss me off too.!
If the quality isn't there I can't be bothered to give them any thought.. or my money.!!
I'll stick to age statement bottlings...
I will say the Ancnoc 'Peter Arkle' Editions are quite nice - especially if you enjoy a sweet Speyside malt.
Thanks for nice review Ralphy. BTW, £45 @ Systembolaget, Sweden...
My favourite whisky is the glendronach 12
Try the 15 and the 18. There even better!
How does this compare to the bunnahabhain cruach mhona?
It's around 45euro here. It's a great scotch!
Hi!
I really like this one, And I bought this one for around 43£ in sweden. With today's exchange rate.
Spent time in Scotland and Ireland last year...interesting to hear to pronunciations of the word "Gaelic ...."gal-lic" in Scotland...."gay-lic" in Ireland I believe
Great story !!
Dear Ralfy, I can't wait for the 500th review; I'm sure you'll pull the rabbit out of the hat.
Changing topic I have a friend travelling soon to the States and I have asked me to bring the following whiskys: ARDBEG UIGEADAIL; LAPHROIG QUARTER CASK; GLENDRONACH 15 REVIVAL & BENROMACH PEAT SMOKE. I would love your opinion on my selection.
Slainte mhath,
It is rather smile inducing after placing an online order, we all know the feeling!
We just pooled in together and ordered our Thanksgiving line-up ;)
Ardmore Trad.
CB Kings Street Artist Bl.
Ardbeg Uiggy
There's 3 reasons to give thanks in almost any country!
I'm considering the Bunna Toiteach a Dha for my next buy, but my favorite Malt mumbling reviewer doesn't seem to have taken a taste at it, yet, or is he really so serious about never to buy the Toiteach again, that even a sequel can't tease his curiosity....??? ;- ) ;- ) ;- )
- Still no age-statement on the Dha, so he can be forgiven, it is not like thát, though....;- )
In Sweden Toiteach is 48 pounds.
Compare that to the NAS from Ardbeg: Kildalton wich is a ridicolous 153 pounds.....
You get it for far less money in Germany, more like 50 Euros, or such.
Yes, it pisses me off when they make you pay through the nose for a no age statement bottle. Although, when it's fairly priced, near cask strength and just complex enough, I don't care really.
Love the vid. . . sorry, i am 7 year-late on the NAS civilized rant ! !
Mechanics...and Musicians tune things up! (also MMA fighters tune up for a match)
21:44 "Don't call me Shirley."
Ralfy, I'm glad you think, as a Scotsman, there's a problem with the Gaelic thing. As a Welshman I think the Scots buy into it big time. I know exactly where you're coming from. I hate this type of marketing bullshit from the big guys of whisky. I'm sorry to say it's rampant in the industry now. I want to give this a go but I'm resisting. I'm not sure it's worth it. WT
I'm glad this bottle is less than £50 GBP in Norway and Sweeden. This was my very first taste of Bunnahabhain, and also my very first experience with scotch mist (after adding water and leaving it for a while). I liked it very much, and would personally put it closer to 90p myself. Probably 88-89. And if the price stays where it is, I will buy it again. Slainte!
Ralfy, I'd like to see 10 random aged and branded scotches in 10 glasses before you, to see if you can guess which scotch is which. Please make such a video.
IMHO - Ardbeg Uigeadail, and Aberlour A'bunadh are both over rated (my 2 bottles of Ardbeg reminded me of charcoal ash mixed with mineral spirits, and for my $$$ - you're better off with the Aberlour 12 yr Non-Chill filter instead of the A'bunadh)...Also - both of those single malts had questionable batch quality issues.
Although I really do like the Ancnoc 'Peter Arkle' editions (in particular #3 Bricks, and #4 Warehouses)...Wonderful drams indeed.
agreed. i emptied the Aberlour 12 NCF a year ago and it was very good , but needed some breathing time for me.
about the Uigeadail:rather than spend 60 Euros on a NAS bottling i would buy a pre-2008 version of the Ardbeg TEN at auction.they are amazing.
I'm actually a fan of the A'bunadh (I can only compare it to the 16 yo, I liked it better). But I prefer the Ardbeg 10yo over the Uigeadail.
I though Ardbeg tasted salty seaweed. I enjoyed A'bunadh but the 18 is a great value and about as rich as a rare glendronach. Good value.
Well both Uigeadail and A' Bunadh are victims of demand and capitalist urge to make money. I guarantee if you get your hands on to a bottle of A' Bunadh batch 1-20 (circa 2002- 2005) it's gonna blow your socks off. Current Ardbegs suck dogs bollocks I should know because I have three bottles of Corryvreckan that I bought from discount and they taste like diesel with licorice.
Ha, you are quite serious about this. I have a bottle of A'bunadh 45 b/c it was quite good, you are correct about the hit/miss of the newer stuff. Not that we can do much about it. Have not yet opened my Glfc 105, you ever have that one?
In case my humor distorts my point: Distillers don't go NAS to hide 60 year old bottlings. Distillers don't resist a licensed contents summary to mask their crazy valuable ingredients. Distillers don't use unintelligible words to reference best brands. Age statements are not misleading, they are exactly the opposite: very eye opening. Smaller bottles are not a response to a surprising wave of consumer outrage at outrageous bottle sizes, there is no demand to create new sizes-- that just insults a reasonable consumer. Sure I exaggerated -- I kid because I love, as saying goes. Income has never been put at risk thru manufacturers responding to public input. Why does leaving OUT ingredients cost more to manufacture? That's absurdist thinking: up is down in is out & pour fine scotch on the floor to rinse the frigging rim!! Okey dokey.
Right on! You're not a voice entirely in the wilderness, but more people need to speak out. Cheers!
Gracias! Ralfy is marching to a drum that stirs my feet too -- "This is starting to piss me off!" Ralfy spoke for me too, as usual it seems he has his finger on the pulse of truth. This manipulation of the paying public is impossible to disguise! The corporate mandate to deliver +5% profit growth quarter after quarter so dividends are healthy is going to grind down on the end user inevitably. If this nonsense persists the amber nectar worth cherishing will be a pricey impossibility for virtually any middle class drinker. The price of, say, Macallan 18 is out of reach...& even when I pay dearly high prices, I get home to taste a dwindling return on investment. If I apply "corporate pricing" to MY wallet, looking to get a 5% growth on savings means no more $200 bottles, no matter WHAT the price is... At some point rational thinking has got to prevail. No thank you, I have had quite enough of being trifled with as if I were as ignorant as they are... Take a lesson, distillers. Clean off the nearest mirror & take a long look at what you are pursuing, for your own sake.