As you say the reason people go on about chill filtration is that it is so closely linked to abv. It is an extra process cost to chill filter that they commercially see as being offset by the ability to produce more bottles and hence more sales from a given volume from the casks. There is little point in chill filtering unless you are running an abv of 43% or lower, or preparing the market for you doing so in the future (as may be the case with Glendronach at some point in the future). The Glendronach and consistency aspect is surely something that can be obtained through blending rather than chill filtering. In your own test you found that it didn't make a discernable difference, so the logic of it being used by Glendronach for purposes consistency doesn't stand up. I say again, there is little point in chill filtering unless you are going to bottle at a low abv. This brings us back to the suspicion it is to support a future reduction in abv. I don't think the quote you were referring to is a load of waffle and you are being a little unkind. He claimed he could tell the difference, you claim there it was not discernable. People taste things differently and he probably hasn't done exactly the same comparison you did in this video. For some people chill filtering is a departure from the whisky in a more natural state that those people want and to some it is a sign of the care, or lack thereof that a company has for their product/consumer. For others they see it as pandering to a parts of the market that would be put off buying a bottle that was cloudy (wouldn't put me off for the right whisky and Signatory Vintage actually put out a range that was called Very Cloudy). Personally I think you are right that the abv is more of an issue and the chill filtering is a required by product of that reduction so chill filtration can absolutely be a bad marker. That is not to say that chill filtration makes no difference of itself, I haven't done a proper comparison to form a singular opinion. I do have a couple of whiskies I love at home that are chill filtered, but they are bottled at a high enough abv that they didn't need to.
I appreciate your comments and I can see both sides hence why I did a comparison myself "the only way to know is to experience yourself". When GlenDronach reduces the ABV then I will stand corrected but I will not blindly accept someone opinion that cant back it up with any sort of evidence or fact just because they did not get their appropriate hand outs.... But as I said before I certainly appreciate the time and consideration you put in to your comment and will take it on board. It shows that you really have some passion for the industry// Whisky and that's all what is about.. So Cheers....
Interesting. It shows that those two Aberlours have been blended very similarly. Another pair that can be tested: Glenlivet 12 YO (40%, cf) and Glenlivet 12 YO Illicit Still (48%, ncf). I did the test, watering down the latter. The lower ABV bottling has pleasant aromas and flavours but they're muted and thinned out. The Illicit Still, on the other hand, allows the whisky to be heard loud and clear. And you're right: chill-filtration ranges from light/less cold to heavy/very cold. Anyway, I still hate it.
regardless of chill filtering or abv I think the quality of Aberlour has nose dived in the last 5 years... which is a shame....or was it my palette that got better? Who can say or care?
If Glendronach keeps its abv, I may still consider buying it, as long as it keeps the current price... The price of Glendronach has rise up 25% in the past year... 1 YEAR!!!
I don't even read on the bottle if it's chill-filtered or not. The difference is so microscopic that at this point it's just a guessing game. Same goes for color. The only things I look at is ABV and price ofc 😅
As you say the reason people go on about chill filtration is that it is so closely linked to abv. It is an extra process cost to chill filter that they commercially see as being offset by the ability to produce more bottles and hence more sales from a given volume from the casks. There is little point in chill filtering unless you are running an abv of 43% or lower, or preparing the market for you doing so in the future (as may be the case with Glendronach at some point in the future). The Glendronach and consistency aspect is surely something that can be obtained through blending rather than chill filtering. In your own test you found that it didn't make a discernable difference, so the logic of it being used by Glendronach for purposes consistency doesn't stand up. I say again, there is little point in chill filtering unless you are going to bottle at a low abv. This brings us back to the suspicion it is to support a future reduction in abv.
I don't think the quote you were referring to is a load of waffle and you are being a little unkind. He claimed he could tell the difference, you claim there it was not discernable. People taste things differently and he probably hasn't done exactly the same comparison you did in this video. For some people chill filtering is a departure from the whisky in a more natural state that those people want and to some it is a sign of the care, or lack thereof that a company has for their product/consumer. For others they see it as pandering to a parts of the market that would be put off buying a bottle that was cloudy (wouldn't put me off for the right whisky and Signatory Vintage actually put out a range that was called Very Cloudy). Personally I think you are right that the abv is more of an issue and the chill filtering is a required by product of that reduction so chill filtration can absolutely be a bad marker. That is not to say that chill filtration makes no difference of itself, I haven't done a proper comparison to form a singular opinion. I do have a couple of whiskies I love at home that are chill filtered, but they are bottled at a high enough abv that they didn't need to.
I appreciate your comments and I can see both sides hence why I did a comparison myself "the only way to know is to experience yourself". When GlenDronach reduces the ABV then I will stand corrected but I will not blindly accept someone opinion that cant back it up with any sort of evidence or fact just because they did not get their appropriate hand outs....
But as I said before I certainly appreciate the time and consideration you put in to your comment and will take it on board. It shows that you really have some passion for the industry// Whisky and that's all what is about.. So Cheers....
Totally agree. Higher ABV for me is always a Winner. And you have control over how much water you want to add.
Higher ABV just makes sense.....
First time I've come across your videos. I agree about the load of waffle that goes on in the whisky world. Love your enthusiasm. F##%%g Awesome
Interesting experiment, will have to give this a go myself.
It really did surprise me
Everyone should take your advice from the 14:33 mark....... LEGEND!!!
Hahahahahahaha...... Exactly.
Interesting. It shows that those two Aberlours have been blended very similarly. Another pair that can be tested: Glenlivet 12 YO (40%, cf) and Glenlivet 12 YO Illicit Still (48%, ncf). I did the test, watering down the latter. The lower ABV bottling has pleasant aromas and flavours but they're muted and thinned out. The Illicit Still, on the other hand, allows the whisky to be heard loud and clear. And you're right: chill-filtration ranges from light/less cold to heavy/very cold. Anyway, I still hate it.
I guess the difference with Glenlivet is that it is not so well know for its consistency, But another good comparisons to do....
Thanks
regardless of chill filtering or abv I think the quality of Aberlour has nose dived in the last 5 years... which is a shame....or was it my palette that got better? Who can say or care?
Brilliant
Thanks Mate
If Glendronach keeps its abv, I may still consider buying it, as long as it keeps the current price...
The price of Glendronach has rise up 25% in the past year... 1 YEAR!!!
I am with you.... any more price increase and I would question a purchase.
I don't even read on the bottle if it's chill-filtered or not. The difference is so microscopic that at this point it's just a guessing game. Same goes for color. The only things I look at is ABV and price ofc 😅
ABV ABV ABV.....