I tend to drink different whisky's in different seasons. Peaty whisky in the winter. Bourbon in summer and then a mix of unpeated Scotch in the spring and fall. Keeps the palate fresh!!
I like these extras... Since you started doing them they have grown in depth and.... Hmmm.. philosophical level that is best parts in your videos. And info tips (even better the non whisky related ones!) are well worth listening to 😁 Great stuff Live long and prosper!
NICKOLAY MILTENOV lol that's like saying a tough smoker doesn't cough! Completely absurd. A true tough guy doesn't have to prove himself by being a lush. Same goes for the other side. You're not better just because you chose not to have a drink; you're only better if you have self control and don't have to let everyone else know about it
The review are always complementary - I think because hey, at least it’s always Whisky! And Whisky is good. There are only less or more good ones (with only very, very few exceptions). About the outside influences: It is so incredibly difficult to really eliminate some of them. Especially when you have either a very good nose or, like me, your brain and your mood are exceptionally strongly influenced by smells. Just right now, I am nosing a whisky that I loved when I opened the bottle and the next three times drinking it did not love it at all. Today I took special care to eliminate all possibilities of distracting smells: No hand cream put on, clothes worn a whole day so they don’t smell fresh but also not - and no flowers in the room. And lo and behold: The Whisky tastes nice again! So, this episode is a very good match to the experience I had while I watched it!
Pfalzgraf, you sound like me when you get ready to drink whisky. I tend to rinse my mouth and will often floss without any paste or minty or cleaner influence. And no candles, flowers or perfume / cologne allowed near area long before tastings! Lol. My mind also plays a big part in how I feel about a whisky and I try to remember that when I say I don’t like a whisky or when I hear someone else say they don’t like a whisky. Same goes for biases with certain brands... Though It’s hard to get these thoughts out of our minds... Cheers!
Thank You for covering this topic. I enjoy your honesty and no non sense about the subject. I love your no agenda approach to making videos. I wish there were more consumer advocate whisky people like you on TH-cam but sadly there isn't. Blessings !!!
You’re right Ralfy, thank to your advice I regularly rotate to rums and bourbons. But nothing helps like taking a week or two off alcohol (and other sugars) for me.
I usually take a break from heavily peated whisky over the summer, so the first heavily peated dram of the autumn is especially intense. I recently started on a bottle of Ledaig 18, and the first pour was almost mouth numbing! Next couple of drams have tasted far more nuanced. Very nice whisky and at a bargain price
I'll give you 4 reason why Scotland is so interesting, 1. The story of Wallace and their victory over the english invasion. 2. How beautiful the country is. 3. The accent. 4. The whisky! ;)
Honestly Ralfy, I find a Belgian Trappist ale really reset the palate. I think it's the yeast they use. A dry, savory and earthy ale really helps. Spicy food needs a white wine or lager, helps to bring in sweetness
Ralfy, I just want to encourage that if you’ve access to an M&S shop, that you consider their “sparkling juice” - Normandy Apple (or Apple and pear) ; non alcoholic. It’s the only drink I’ve had outside of whisky which really demands attention is paid to the story unfolding in the glass. Very enjoyable dirty undertones. Very special.
I tell you what Ralfy, I had a heavy meal last weekend, opened my Arran 10, and could taste very little. Thought I'd lost my sense of taste after a hot curry! This explains so much. Like in most things in life, we live and learn. Cheers mate, take care.
1:50 "Old [Islay official bottlings] whiskies are so damn expensive. So let's take a look: Laphroaig 18 £200 Lagavulin [no official bottling available] Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 YO £250, 17 £600, Ardbeg 20 £600, Kilchoman [no official bottling available] Bruichladdich 18 [Unavailable], 25 Black Art £300 Bunnahabhain 18 £120 Caol Ila 18 £81 Bowmore 18 £75 So it seems that the only reasonably priced old Islays are Bowmore, Caol Ila and Bunnahabhain. Personally, I don't think the Bowmore is good value for money even at that price and would skip it. However, I think the Caol Ila 18 is one of the finest Islay single malts out there and I'd chose it over any Ardbeg, Lagavulin or Laphroaig under £1,000
I have a novice question I feel is kinda on topic... I just started my whisky journey and I'm wondering what is the right amount to drink daily. I'm not wondering about getting drunk of course, but since I always just drunk wine or beer, I wonder what damage a stronger spirit can do to stomach and guts. I red somewhere the right amount for an adult should be no more than 2 glasses of 1.5 ounces (about 45 ml) each per day, would you agree?
Mr. Ricochet He addressed such question in a extra, i don't remember wish ('questions for ralfy extra review' i guss). All you need to know is that spitting when the flavors are gone is a choice if you're tasting very often, and that the alcohol itself is the main health enemy here, more than the chemicals/sugars/etc, so be careful with that. But good question nevertheless
@@zamarcha thank you! If alcohol is the worst thing then I feel better :) I'm realizing that, with time, digesting wine and beer is becoming a bit harder than before for me, but i dont feel whisky hard to digest somehow.
In addition to that, you definitely don't want to drink 2 half cups of whisky a day. And not everyday ^^ if you never saw addiction, better see it before it's your turn. cheers
Bear with me. I belong ( more correctly I'm a guest, even though It was my idea - I don't live in the valley you see) to a whiskey club ( the fabled Maungawera whiskey Appreciation society MWAS, Otago, New Zealand ) springbankpalettes are monstered by high ABV SMWS giants and fail to identify more silky Irish items that you have just opened and drank yesterday. This has caused all sorts of grief with members stating we have failed to learn and should cut the number of drams sampled. The club is one of the best social nights of the month. Battle on I say, sample and drink. We do have extra ordinary meetings where we do vertical non blind Kilchoman, Ardbeg, Glen Droniach etc. Its all Superb.
Same here, only I did had some "fatty liver" issues but they totally resolved after I quit 4 years ago. But like you, I enjoy the reviews and I find there is much in them than can be generalized to non-alcohol food and beverage enjoyment.
I work in a cabinetry shop now and I notice that if I have a week where I breath a ton a sawdust into my nose my sense of smell and taste suffers. Then when I wear a mask it comes right back. Kind of interesting I bet air quality is important too
I've started to branch out to more rum like Foursquare or maybe an Armagnac. Never realized these bottles are easy to find and are at really great values.
Amazingly coincidental, Ralfy! I made a decision 31/8 to shut down "sip 'n sniff" for 30 days for this very reason. Eight days, now without even a waft. Just thinking how good it will be ottobre, one!
spacing the malt moments a bit helps one appreciate them more too, I've found. Fruit based distillates are my go to alternative. Armagnacs have terrific variety and are not that expensive if they're available. I've just started a 10 y.o. Tariquet which is one of the spiciest drinks I've come across - very interesting. Grappas of course if they suit the drinker, and somewhat similar to that, Nordic berry moonshine. If you ever come across Helsinki Distillery "Tyrnipontikka", made from sea-buckthorn pomace, check it out! Extreme stuff, raw and almost violently full flavored. But still pleasant and intriguing if you can get into it. Flavored (dry) spirits shouldn't be overlooked either in my opinion. There's this lovely, rich flavoured and textured dill vodka out there for example.
Also I have a question about chiliing whiskey. Not putting ice in it. Just cooling it in a fridge. To me scotch just tastes so fresh and clean and refined. So I thought it might taste good cold. Like the cold sea or wind. Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about
Hey Ralfy, i have a legit question. Last week i purchased a signatory vintage bottle (un-chillfilterated collection). Distilled @ INCHGOWER distillery, 10 yo, 46% abv natural color speyside whisky. It was seal packed but when i opened the bottle, the cork was broken, so half of the cork was stuck in the neck and top half was in my hand. I got the cork out anyhow and replaced it with a synthetic cork. Now the whisky tastes and smells acetic and sharp. Is there any chance that the whisky might be contaminated?? How to check if the whisky has gone bad?? I live in Berlin and the bottle was purchased from a very reputed store so i know it's not a fake bottling. Any tips on how to check the whisky quality against contamination. Thank you 😇
I suppose what you can do is to replace the synthetic cork with a proper cork recycled from other empty bottle. Before that, pour your whisky into a decanter and let it air for about an hour. It should help.
Gaurav soni Ralfy has a video about this, and so do some other channels, but I couldn't tell you which one. Take the bottle back to where you got it, assuming you didn't drink much; don't try to swap it if it's half gone lol ,or if you didn't buy it recently. If they won't return it, find a new bottle shop and enjoy your expensive mixer
Until Ralfy gets to you, I would suggest contacting the company where you purchased. There’s a chance this bottle was stored on its side and the cork was eaten away by the alcohol. I have been to many liquor stores to see bottles sitting in their sides for weeks (and mentioning it to the staff has not been a success). Is there a date on the bottle when it was bottled? I’m curious how long it took to get to that point. I’m sure there are cases where it could be bad cork... but that would be hard to argue. Also, many corks are coated with a wax of some sort or silicone, so some of that could be leached into your whisky too. Boo!!! Plus, cork is made from Mediterranean and Iberian oak(s)... which likely adds its own unique flavors and aromas to some extent...
I love Elmer T Lee as well. It was a very affordable, delicious bourbon when I started my journey. Today sadly things have changed and it is no longer affordable or easy to find.
So right about the sugar Ralfy - as soon as I tighten up my diet and pull out the sugar I can walk in a room after a couple of weeks and smell sugar in somebody's tea!
For the price, the Wee Beastie is an interesting enough bottle to try. I have a bottle in the cabinet now and am considering buying another!!! Lol. If your looking for peat and Ardbeg spirit influence at a reasonable price, look no further than the Wee Beastie! As a matter of fact.. I think I will buy it today!!! Lol. Glad I saw this post. Hahah
I find if you like peated whisky, going back to non peated they seem a bit dull, may need a long time away from the smokey style. So true Re sugar, read the book Sweet Poison
Is it possible to drink too much peated whiskey? I prefer Ardbeg, lagavulin, laphroaig ect, and have noticed the last few bottles, haven't been as smoky or as enjoyable as they were in the past. Seems to be true in my case atleast. Cheers
Bring some variation in your whisky experience. Buy something else for once. There are some firm speysiders as well like Craigellachie or Benromach for instance.
Thanks for the advice. Its a good excuse to try some bourbon barrel aged anejo Tequilas, or some more obscure Scotch whiskys I haven't bothered to try yet. Cheers guys.
Fred, I love how simplistic Ralfy keeps it. I enjoy how he can just talk and it all sounds so smooth! No cutting ever. Lol. I would have a hard time. I know how to put my foot in my mouth all too well. Lol
Wow, whisky sales are down world wide??? Certainly not in the USA. We are buying more spirits than ever. Not in bars but we are drinking much more at home. I never watched youtube whisky tasting videos pre-covid. Now I watch Ralfy and several other channels almost every day while drinking whisky. I used to go 4 days a week without a drop of alcohol. Never heard of sober October, here people are much more likely to give up alcohol for Lent. Never done it myself. Really enjoy you opinions, you always speak you mind.
Ralfy, a quick question if u have a min; I've never tried Lagavulin. At my local shop the DE is only $10 more. I'm thinking that's the way to go or would u recommend the 16?
Very good advice, Ralfy! Whisky can be dulled or enhanced by the food we ate before drinking. Similarly, living in a country with 4 seasons affect the mood which consequentially changes the taste of whisky. I am hoping to see good whiskies coming soon for the winter! If possible, can you make an extra review on which whisky brand should I look out for? Am longing for some longrow and springbank, but the prices are for speculators and investors...
Hello Ralfy, hope this comment finds you well! I wonder if you would like to make for us oneday a Mead review! you know mead shares a lot of the whisky’s characteristics, also the colour! I thought that would be fun, new and interesting and a good history lesson. Have a lovely day!
ralfydotcom agreed. But in this instance they have got it wrong again, especially the Benriach rebrand. It looks horrible and boring. Have a great day Ralfy.
Ralfy, would you enjoy for instance some fine chocolate with a dram? I know Richard Paterson says they match perfectly, what do you think? You could also smoke a fine Cuban cigar, I did both and really enjoyed it (the right cigar with the right malt and the same with the chocolate), cheers!
I have been having that problem for two years with coffee and beer so I took a break and have switched to wine and Yorkshire tea. I may not go back to coffee or Weiss beer the taste is just not there for me anymore this started at age 52
I have experienced palette fatigue; now long live white spirits like mescal, jenever, vodka et cetera.... I will re-enter brown spirits some day, starting with no-bullshit American Whiskeys or Rye's, followed by Calvados and Cognac... and probably last Scotch single malt....my first love. First time Laphroaig 10, Glendronach 10 or Deanston Virgin Oak (sweet porridge and citrus!).... Talisker 10 is a hold out by the way in it's class.
Strangely enough, when I got palette fatigue, I started making cocktails. Nothing overly sweet, I tend toward the more savory cocktails, and that helped quite a bit.
Lol exploring cocktails can quickly become a bottomless money pit. Those fresh ingredients cost $, and you just gotta get the next bottle of liquor or bitters! I like to play with blends of different whiskeys, or different rums.
I keep from pallet fatigue by limiting myself to drinking one night a week, and once a month I won't drink the whole week. That way if I want to compare three or four whiskys in a night, I'm Keeping my overall consumption down. Keep it quality, not quantity, thanks Ralfy for that bit of wisdom.
Ralfy I have a question. Do you have any opinion on MacGregor blended scotch? It's bottom shelf. Really cheap. 1.75 leters plastic bottle. The thing is it was the end of the work week. I was saving up for johnny walker black label. I went to the store to get Evan williams bourbon. But then I saw the clan macgregor scotch was 18 dollars. The same price as the regular Evan williams 750. And the scotch was 1.75. Leters. Basically I was saving up for black label johnny walker but didn't have enough. And I wanted something for the end of my work week. So I bought Clan MacGregor. The cheapest scotch I've ever seen. 750 mil for less than 10 dollars. I never knew such stuff exsited I don't buy from the bottom shelf much but I can appreciate all spirits. But do you have an opinion of Clan Macgregor ? So far it's not to strong. Maybe a little smoke and Pete and sweetness. And advanced flavors I'm not good at detecting 😂 Sorry for the rambeling comment . I can get carried away
@@thewhiskybothy hmm thanks for actually responding. Evan williams would probably have a good bourbon flavor.. never tried it yet though ☹️ I guess I was already looking for a cheap.scitch at the store so there you go. 20 dollars. With a few to some cherity. Actually it was exactly 20 dollars with some to charity. Keep on Malting Ralfy and other Malty Malt Mates .
Ralfy, please please give me a helping hand. Over last year I've become seriously interested in whisky and I've started my own little collection of quality malts , the likes of Speyburn 10 46% no chill filtering, green label from johhnie walker, etc. However, I'm extremely worried to notice condensation on the neck of my bottles, especially the higher ABV ones, should I worry that my collection is degrading? Is it normal as long as the bottles are still closed and sealed. Thank you so much! Love your content and thank you for being my gateway into this amazing world of taste
It's true i was bored of scotch for a while, then i drank rum for 2 months and really enjoyed it. And now after 2 months my glendronach tastes the way it should again :)
@Jeffrey Mill i usually don't like peated whisky although i'm drinking bowmore tempest atm xs. I like this one though. Hmmm might want to consider buying that lagavulin 16 you said, ralfy seems to think older whisky is better. Cheers!
I feel like some of these problems are due to the over-corporatization of the liquor industry. I have a local rum distillery down in south Florida in the USA that produces some of the best rum I've ever tasted. I know it's a different spirit, but I think the idea remains the same. When you over or mass produce anything you end up with a product that is just the "same" as before to keep the consistency. Makes me sad :-(
Take care with the neem oil - it's an abortificant! But, if you're ever in a good Cambodian/Vietnamese restaurant, try a Sadout salad (made with bitter neem leaves).
Instead of sober October, how about Octomore October? Old Pulteney October? By the way, as a Murican, I’ll love to see some more recent bourbon reviews. It’s been years since we’ve had one.
TWO malt mention in the name of THE dram (sry for the english) : Hello malty malt grinders from the distillery! .. Or .. Hello malty mist lovers from the hazy bothy! Your choice.
@@thewhiskybothy... So it will be! Here a sample, and thank you for the eXtras, it's very much helpful for all taste beginners.. like me! - Hello Matly Multiplyingingly Mouth-watering Mobs Or - Hello Malty Mysteriously Misenderstood Manners!
I tend to drink different whisky's in different seasons. Peaty whisky in the winter. Bourbon in summer and then a mix of unpeated Scotch in the spring and fall. Keeps the palate fresh!!
I like these extras...
Since you started doing them they have grown in depth and.... Hmmm.. philosophical level that is best parts in your videos. And info tips (even better the non whisky related ones!) are well worth listening to 😁
Great stuff
Live long and prosper!
I agree Ralfy. I regularly have dry weeks so as to not spoil my palette.
Personally, I wouldn’t regard a day that I had a glass of rum or wine as a dry day. Drink responsibly.
F.o.r t.h.e t.o.u.g.h d.r.i.n.k.e.r s.u.c.h t.h.i.n.g a.s p.a.l.a.t.e f.a.t.i.g.u.e d.o.e.s.n't e.x.i.s.t.
NICKOLAY MILTENOV lol that's like saying a tough smoker doesn't cough! Completely absurd. A true tough guy doesn't have to prove himself by being a lush. Same goes for the other side. You're not better just because you chose not to have a drink; you're only better if you have self control and don't have to let everyone else know about it
The review are always complementary - I think because hey, at least it’s always Whisky! And Whisky is good. There are only less or more good ones (with only very, very few exceptions).
About the outside influences: It is so incredibly difficult to really eliminate some of them. Especially when you have either a very good nose or, like me, your brain and your mood are exceptionally strongly influenced by smells. Just right now, I am nosing a whisky that I loved when I opened the bottle and the next three times drinking it did not love it at all. Today I took special care to eliminate all possibilities of distracting smells: No hand cream put on, clothes worn a whole day so they don’t smell fresh but also not - and no flowers in the room. And lo and behold: The Whisky tastes nice again!
So, this episode is a very good match to the experience I had while I watched it!
F.o.r t.h.e t.o.u.g.h d.r.i.n.k.e.r s.u.c.h t.h.i.n.g a.s p.a.l.a.t.e f.a.t.i.g.u.e d.o.e.s.n't e.x.i.s.t.
Pfalzgraf, you sound like me when you get ready to drink whisky. I tend to rinse my mouth and will often floss without any paste or minty or cleaner influence. And no candles, flowers or perfume / cologne allowed near area long before tastings! Lol. My mind also plays a big part in how I feel about a whisky and I try to remember that when I say I don’t like a whisky or when I hear someone else say they don’t like a whisky. Same goes for biases with certain brands... Though It’s hard to get these thoughts out of our minds... Cheers!
@@nickolaymiltenov That's why I do not see myself as tough or a drinker. I think of me as a conscious and sensitive taste- explorer ;)
@@AmericanScotchDoctor ok, I have not yet flossed before tasting. Otherwise I'm with you.
Thank you for sharing your experience and insights with us. I had not heard anyone explain palate fatigue, but I've experienced it.
Thank You for covering this topic. I enjoy your honesty and no non sense about the subject. I love your no agenda approach to making videos. I wish there were more consumer advocate whisky people like you on TH-cam but sadly there isn't. Blessings !!!
Enjoyed this topic thoroughly! Thank you.
You’re right Ralfy, thank to your advice I regularly rotate to rums and bourbons. But nothing helps like taking a week or two off alcohol (and other sugars) for me.
spot on with the sugar prod cracking talk
I usually take a break from heavily peated whisky over the summer, so the first heavily peated dram of the autumn is especially intense. I recently started on a bottle of Ledaig 18, and the first pour was almost mouth numbing! Next couple of drams have tasted far more nuanced. Very nice whisky and at a bargain price
Great chat , one of your best yet
I'll give you 4 reason why Scotland is so interesting,
1. The story of Wallace and their victory over the english invasion.
2. How beautiful the country is.
3. The accent.
4. The whisky! ;)
It was actually a Norman French invasion. Edward I and Edward II were not “English” monarchs. Robert De Brus was also French. But never mind eh?
@@HerbertDuckshort I have to google then
Excellent points Ralfy. From time to time I switch to beer for a week or so. Very low ABV and bitter flavors give my taste buds a real break.
Honestly Ralfy, I find a Belgian Trappist ale really reset the palate. I think it's the yeast they use. A dry, savory and earthy ale really helps. Spicy food needs a white wine or lager, helps to bring in sweetness
Ralfy, I just want to encourage that if you’ve access to an M&S shop, that you consider their “sparkling juice” - Normandy Apple (or Apple and pear) ; non alcoholic. It’s the only drink I’ve had outside of whisky which really demands attention is paid to the story unfolding in the glass. Very enjoyable dirty undertones. Very special.
Hello Ralphie my dad loves your vids
Hi
I tell you what Ralfy, I had a heavy meal last weekend, opened my Arran 10, and could taste very little. Thought I'd lost my sense of taste after a hot curry! This explains so much. Like in most things in life, we live and learn. Cheers mate, take care.
1:50 "Old [Islay official bottlings] whiskies are so damn expensive.
So let's take a look:
Laphroaig 18 £200
Lagavulin [no official bottling available]
Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 YO £250, 17 £600, Ardbeg 20 £600,
Kilchoman [no official bottling available]
Bruichladdich 18 [Unavailable], 25 Black Art £300
Bunnahabhain 18 £120
Caol Ila 18 £81
Bowmore 18 £75
So it seems that the only reasonably priced old Islays are Bowmore, Caol Ila and Bunnahabhain.
Personally, I don't think the Bowmore is good value for money even at that price and would skip it.
However, I think the Caol Ila 18 is one of the finest Islay single malts out there and I'd chose it over any Ardbeg, Lagavulin or Laphroaig under £1,000
I have a novice question I feel is kinda on topic... I just started my whisky journey and I'm wondering what is the right amount to drink daily.
I'm not wondering about getting drunk of course, but since I always just drunk wine or beer, I wonder what damage a stronger spirit can do to stomach and guts.
I red somewhere the right amount for an adult should be no more than 2 glasses of 1.5 ounces (about 45 ml) each per day, would you agree?
F.o.r t.h.e t.o.u.g.h d.r.i.n.k.e.r s.u.c.h t.h.i.n.g a.s p.a.l.a.t.e f.a.t.i.g.u.e d.o.e.s.n't e.x.i.s.t.
Mr. Ricochet He addressed such question in a extra, i don't remember wish ('questions for ralfy extra review' i guss). All you need to know is that spitting when the flavors are gone is a choice if you're tasting very often, and that the alcohol itself is the main health enemy here, more than the chemicals/sugars/etc, so be careful with that. But good question nevertheless
@@zamarcha thank you!
If alcohol is the worst thing then I feel better :)
I'm realizing that, with time, digesting wine and beer is becoming a bit harder than before for me, but i dont feel whisky hard to digest somehow.
In addition to that, you definitely don't want to drink 2 half cups of whisky a day. And not everyday ^^ if you never saw addiction, better see it before it's your turn. cheers
@@zamarcha I'll definitely keep it in mind, cheers to you mate :)
Bear with me. I belong ( more correctly I'm a guest, even though It was my idea - I don't live in the valley you see) to a whiskey club ( the fabled Maungawera whiskey Appreciation society MWAS, Otago, New Zealand ) springbankpalettes are monstered by high ABV SMWS giants and fail to identify more silky Irish items that you have just opened and drank yesterday. This has caused all sorts of grief with members stating we have failed to learn and should cut the number of drams sampled. The club is one of the best social nights of the month. Battle on I say, sample and drink. We do have extra ordinary meetings where we do vertical non blind Kilchoman, Ardbeg, Glen Droniach etc. Its all Superb.
I'm suffering from liver fatigue. JK i'm not drinking anymore, but i still love to watch Ralfy's videos.
Same here, only I did had some "fatty liver" issues but they totally resolved after I quit 4 years ago. But like you, I enjoy the reviews and I find there is much in them than can be generalized to non-alcohol food and beverage enjoyment.
I work in a cabinetry shop now and I notice that if I have a week where I breath a ton a sawdust into my nose my sense of smell and taste suffers. Then when I wear a mask it comes right back. Kind of interesting I bet air quality is important too
Rick Sanchez: Hey **burp** Morty, look, I turned myself into a Malt Mate. I'm Malt Mate Riiiiiiiiick!
Had to come check the comment section immediately after hearing the malt mention to make sure this was there lmao. Thank you good sir
I've started to branch out to more rum like Foursquare or maybe an Armagnac. Never realized these bottles are easy to find and are at really great values.
Amazingly coincidental, Ralfy! I made a decision 31/8 to shut down "sip 'n sniff" for 30 days for this very reason. Eight days, now without even a waft. Just thinking how good it will be ottobre, one!
Great video, Ralfy
spacing the malt moments a bit helps one appreciate them more too, I've found. Fruit based distillates are my go to alternative. Armagnacs have terrific variety and are not that expensive if they're available. I've just started a 10 y.o. Tariquet which is one of the spiciest drinks I've come across - very interesting. Grappas of course if they suit the drinker, and somewhat similar to that, Nordic berry moonshine. If you ever come across Helsinki Distillery "Tyrnipontikka", made from sea-buckthorn pomace, check it out! Extreme stuff, raw and almost violently full flavored. But still pleasant and intriguing if you can get into it.
Flavored (dry) spirits shouldn't be overlooked either in my opinion. There's this lovely, rich flavoured and textured dill vodka out there for example.
F.o.r t.h.e t.o.u.g.h d.r.i.n.k.e.r s.u.c.h t.h.i.n.g a.s p.a.l.a.t.e f.a.t.i.g.u.e d.o.e.s.n't e.x.i.s.t.
Also I have a question about chiliing whiskey. Not putting ice in it. Just cooling it in a fridge. To me scotch just tastes so fresh and clean and refined. So I thought it might taste good cold. Like the cold sea or wind. Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about
It dulls the flavours....DON'T!!!!
Thanks Ralfy !
Never change Ralfy! :)
Hey Ralfy, i have a legit question. Last week i purchased a signatory vintage bottle (un-chillfilterated collection). Distilled @ INCHGOWER distillery, 10 yo, 46% abv natural color speyside whisky.
It was seal packed but when i opened the bottle, the cork was broken, so half of the cork was stuck in the neck and top half was in my hand. I got the cork out anyhow and replaced it with a synthetic cork.
Now the whisky tastes and smells acetic and sharp. Is there any chance that the whisky might be contaminated?? How to check if the whisky has gone bad??
I live in Berlin and the bottle was purchased from a very reputed store so i know it's not a fake bottling. Any tips on how to check the whisky quality against contamination. Thank you 😇
I suppose what you can do is to replace the synthetic cork with a proper cork recycled from other empty bottle. Before that, pour your whisky into a decanter and let it air for about an hour. It should help.
Gaurav soni Ralfy has a video about this, and so do some other channels, but I couldn't tell you which one. Take the bottle back to where you got it, assuming you didn't drink much; don't try to swap it if it's half gone lol ,or if you didn't buy it recently. If they won't return it, find a new bottle shop and enjoy your expensive mixer
Until Ralfy gets to you, I would suggest contacting the company where you purchased. There’s a chance this bottle was stored on its side and the cork was eaten away by the alcohol. I have been to many liquor stores to see bottles sitting in their sides for weeks (and mentioning it to the staff has not been a success).
Is there a date on the bottle when it was bottled? I’m curious how long it took to get to that point. I’m sure there are cases where it could be bad cork... but that would be hard to argue.
Also, many corks are coated with a wax of some sort or silicone, so some of that could be leached into your whisky too. Boo!!! Plus, cork is made from Mediterranean and Iberian oak(s)... which likely adds its own unique flavors and aromas to some extent...
I also think it would be interesting to test for contamination... but I’m assuming that would require some science kits!!!
. . . go back to the store and ask their opinion,
I've bought a bottle of jenever to give my palate a rest 😉
F.o.r t.h.e t.o.u.g.h d.r.i.n.k.e.r s.u.c.h t.h.i.n.g a.s p.a.l.a.t.e f.a.t.i.g.u.e d.o.e.s.n't e.x.i.s.t.
I love Elmer T Lee as well. It was a very affordable, delicious bourbon when I started my journey. Today sadly things have changed and it is no longer affordable or easy to find.
So right about the sugar Ralfy - as soon as I tighten up my diet and pull out the sugar I can walk in a room after a couple of weeks and smell sugar in somebody's tea!
Have noticed that the wee beastie is available now, will be trying it soon!
For the price, the Wee Beastie is an interesting enough bottle to try. I have a bottle in the cabinet now and am considering buying another!!! Lol. If your looking for peat and Ardbeg spirit influence at a reasonable price, look no further than the Wee Beastie! As a matter of fact.. I think I will buy it today!!! Lol. Glad I saw this post. Hahah
@@AmericanScotchDoctor I've never tried an Ardbeg before, hopefully this one is a good introduction :)
I find if you like peated whisky, going back to non peated they seem a bit dull, may need a long time away from the smokey style. So true Re sugar, read the book Sweet Poison
Is it possible to drink too much peated whiskey? I prefer Ardbeg, lagavulin, laphroaig ect, and have noticed the last few bottles, haven't been as smoky or as enjoyable as they were in the past. Seems to be true in my case atleast. Cheers
. . . your being de-sensitised by too much too often, have a malternative vacation.
Bring some variation in your whisky experience. Buy something else for once. There are some firm speysiders as well like Craigellachie or Benromach for instance.
Thanks for the advice. Its a good excuse to try some bourbon barrel aged anejo Tequilas, or some more obscure Scotch whiskys I haven't bothered to try yet. Cheers guys.
12:36 ! BAM, well said. Seriously!!!
Alway love the end with the button
Clive is good with electronic gadgets.
Ralfy always makes me laugh... and this new button has been funny!
Glad he finally discovered the magical art called 'editing'...
Fred, I love how simplistic Ralfy keeps it. I enjoy how he can just talk and it all sounds so smooth! No cutting ever. Lol. I would have a hard time. I know how to put my foot in my mouth all too well. Lol
Please do a video comparing old glenlivet 18 43% with new edition 40% in english. I am wondering how much worse is new release.
Wow, whisky sales are down world wide??? Certainly not in the USA. We are buying more spirits than ever. Not in bars but we are drinking much more at home. I never watched youtube whisky tasting videos pre-covid. Now I watch Ralfy and several other channels almost every day while drinking whisky. I used to go 4 days a week without a drop of alcohol. Never heard of sober October, here people are much more likely to give up alcohol for Lent. Never done it myself. Really enjoy you opinions, you always speak you mind.
Major bottle shop chain's here in Australia have seen there profits up by over 10% since the lock down started
Ralfy, a quick question if u have a min; I've never tried Lagavulin. At my local shop the DE is only $10 more. I'm thinking that's the way to go or would u recommend the 16?
. . . go for the DE !
@@thewhiskybothy will do! Thank you!
Very good advice, Ralfy! Whisky can be dulled or enhanced by the food we ate before drinking. Similarly, living in a country with 4 seasons affect the mood which consequentially changes the taste of whisky. I am hoping to see good whiskies coming soon for the winter! If possible, can you make an extra review on which whisky brand should I look out for? Am longing for some longrow and springbank, but the prices are for speculators and investors...
F.o.r t.h.e t.o.u.g.h d.r.i.n.k.e.r s.u.c.h t.h.i.n.g a.s p.a.l.a.t.e f.a.t.i.g.u.e d.o.e.s.n't e.x.i.s.t.
That history eraser button.
Hello Ralfy, hope this comment finds you well! I wonder if you would like to make for us oneday a Mead review! you know mead shares a lot of the whisky’s characteristics, also the colour! I thought that would be fun, new and interesting and a good history lesson.
Have a lovely day!
Hey Ralfy,
In the past few months both Benromach and Benriach have undergone rebranding, and now Glengoyne has. What do you make of their new designs?
. . . re-branding means they never got it right the last time ! It messes with identity, and should be done with caution. Many re-brands fail.
ralfydotcom agreed. But in this instance they have got it wrong again, especially the Benriach rebrand. It looks horrible and boring. Have a great day Ralfy.
Ralfy, would you enjoy for instance some fine chocolate with a dram? I know Richard Paterson says they match perfectly, what do you think? You could also smoke a fine Cuban cigar, I did both and really enjoyed it (the right cigar with the right malt and the same with the chocolate), cheers!
. . . distinct flavours coming together can frequently be pleasent..
I have been having that problem for two years with coffee and beer so I took a break and have switched to wine and Yorkshire tea. I may not go back to coffee or Weiss beer the taste is just not there for me anymore this started at age 52
I have experienced palette fatigue; now long live white spirits like mescal, jenever, vodka et cetera.... I will re-enter brown spirits some day, starting with no-bullshit American Whiskeys or Rye's, followed by Calvados and Cognac... and probably last Scotch single malt....my first love. First time Laphroaig 10, Glendronach 10 or Deanston Virgin Oak (sweet porridge and citrus!).... Talisker 10 is a hold out by the way in it's class.
Strangely enough, when I got palette fatigue, I started making cocktails. Nothing overly sweet, I tend toward the more savory cocktails, and that helped quite a bit.
Lol exploring cocktails can quickly become a bottomless money pit. Those fresh ingredients cost $, and you just gotta get the next bottle of liquor or bitters! I like to play with blends of different whiskeys, or different rums.
I keep from pallet fatigue by limiting myself to drinking one night a week, and once a month I won't drink the whole week. That way if I want to compare three or four whiskys in a night, I'm Keeping my overall consumption down. Keep it quality, not quantity, thanks Ralfy for that bit of wisdom.
No teleprompter? Wow. You should look into one. My country is currently being run by one.
Ralfy I have a question. Do you have any opinion on MacGregor blended scotch? It's bottom shelf. Really cheap. 1.75 leters plastic bottle.
The thing is it was the end of the work week. I was saving up for johnny walker black label. I went to the store to get Evan williams bourbon. But then I saw the clan macgregor scotch was 18 dollars. The same price as the regular Evan williams 750. And the scotch was 1.75. Leters.
Basically I was saving up for black label johnny walker but didn't have enough. And I wanted something for the end of my work week. So I bought Clan MacGregor. The cheapest scotch I've ever seen. 750 mil for less than 10 dollars.
I never knew such stuff exsited
I don't buy from the bottom shelf much but I can appreciate all spirits.
But do you have an opinion of Clan Macgregor ?
So far it's not to strong. Maybe a little smoke and Pete and sweetness. And advanced flavors I'm not good at detecting 😂
Sorry for the rambeling comment . I can get carried away
. . . never tried MacGregor Blend. I guess it will be very basic, and I would probably choose the Evan Williams.
@@thewhiskybothy hmm thanks for actually responding. Evan williams would probably have a good bourbon flavor.. never tried it yet though ☹️
I guess I was already looking for a cheap.scitch at the store so there you go. 20 dollars. With a few to some cherity. Actually it was exactly 20 dollars with some to charity.
Keep on Malting Ralfy and other Malty Malt Mates
.
Ralfy, please please give me a helping hand. Over last year I've become seriously interested in whisky and I've started my own little collection of quality malts , the likes of Speyburn 10 46% no chill filtering, green label from johhnie walker, etc. However, I'm extremely worried to notice condensation on the neck of my bottles, especially the higher ABV ones, should I worry that my collection is degrading? Is it normal as long as the bottles are still closed and sealed. Thank you so much! Love your content and thank you for being my gateway into this amazing world of taste
. . . . condensation inside a bottle is not a problem, it is due to ambient temperature.
Bless you! I was so worried about it, thank you so much for replying :)
Ralfy do you still have an occasional cigar? And if you do what are you smoking. Thanks
. . . sometimes a Partagas Maduro No:1. But not often these days.
@@thewhiskybothy ah OK cool. Thanks for the reply. I do smoke a few butwith my whiskies and I'm guessing this has an affect.
Why does Cardhu bottle everything (pretty much) at 40% regardless of the age statement?
. . . because they want to give the customer less !
@@thewhiskybothy nice looking bottle shame about the whisky
It's true i was bored of scotch for a while, then i drank rum for 2 months and really enjoyed it. And now after 2 months my glendronach tastes the way it should again :)
@Jeffrey Mill i usually don't like peated whisky although i'm drinking bowmore tempest atm xs. I like this one though. Hmmm might want to consider buying that lagavulin 16 you said, ralfy seems to think older whisky is better. Cheers!
F.o.r t.h.e t.o.u.g.h d.r.i.n.k.e.r s.u.c.h t.h.i.n.g a.s p.a.l.a.t.e f.a.t.i.g.u.e d.o.e.s.n't e.x.i.s.t.
F.o.r t.h.e t.o.u.g.h d.r.i.n.k.e.r s.u.c.h t.h.i.n.g a.s p.a.l.a.t.e f.a.t.i.g.u.e d.o.e.s.n't e.x.i.s.t.
Have you tried Aldi's 8 year old whisky ? Only £12.99 a bottle !
The colour palate 🤓🦠😇.
Again,sorry for being a word nerd/anorak. Love what you do.
I like accuracy. Sorry for being fussy. Palate not palette. Small but significant. This can bleed into misunderstandings. Just saying......
. . . your right, I will change the spelling.
Fantastisk stuff!
I feel like some of these problems are due to the over-corporatization of the liquor industry. I have a local rum distillery down in south Florida in the USA that produces some of the best rum I've ever tasted. I know it's a different spirit, but I think the idea remains the same. When you over or mass produce anything you end up with a product that is just the "same" as before to keep the consistency. Makes me sad :-(
You're a little biased, don't you think?
@@TheWoWBane Just a comment dude, don't like it, keep scrolling. No need to be an ass.
Whiskey police! I like a whiskey after spicy food.
try a spiced whisky
Take care with the neem oil - it's an abortificant! But, if you're ever in a good Cambodian/Vietnamese restaurant, try a Sadout salad (made with bitter neem leaves).
Age and allergies, I might as well drink water.
You mean "palate", not "palette".
Hes just adding abit of colour into the spelling.
For the tough drinker such thing as palate fatigue doesn't exist.
I was with it until they said 'go dry for a week'?
Instead of sober October, how about Octomore October? Old Pulteney October? By the way, as a Murican, I’ll love to see some more recent bourbon reviews. It’s been years since we’ve had one.
Spiced whiskey eh? Suggestions?
TWO malt mention in the name of THE dram (sry for the english) :
Hello malty malt grinders from the distillery!
.. Or ..
Hello malty mist lovers from the hazy bothy!
Your choice.
. . . must all be 'm' words.
@@thewhiskybothy... So it will be!
Here a sample, and thank you for the eXtras, it's very much helpful for all taste beginners.. like me!
- Hello Matly Multiplyingingly Mouth-watering Mobs
Or
- Hello Malty Mysteriously Misenderstood Manners!
Tinted versions are shite.
First
@@jwebb6352 😘
In b4 Ralfy confirms it