Hi from Switzerland. I'm 66. First of all thank you for sharing your experience and giving your honest opinion on whiskeys and distilleries. I've been drinking scotch whisky for 48 years. I don't do dry January. On the other hand, I don't drink 2 days a week. One of my surgeon cousins told me that the liver is reconstituted in 2 days! One of my permashelf whiskeys is the Arran quarter cask.^ In my permashelf are Springbank 10, Springbank 15, Longrow peated, Laphroaig Quartercask, Ledaig 10, Port Charlotte 10, Bruichladdig Bere Barley, Laphroaig Lore, Laphroaig sherry Cask, Glen Allachie 10 CS, Glen Allachie 12, Lagavulin 8, Lagavulin CS, Bunnahabhain 12 CS, Kilchoman Loch Gorn, Port Askaig 100%, Finnlaggan CS and Isle of Raasay. Long live Ralfy and his cat!
Appreciate the content Ralfy. Particularly as it pertains to being conscious of what we put in our bodies, food, water, etc. I notice a significant difference in my palate when I am exercising regularly, spending time outdoors, and conscious of what I eat. Anything heavily sugared destroys my palate.
Concerning corks; if you save the corks from your empty bottles, you can replace a loose cork with one that fits better; it doesn’t matter the label on the cork…
Great video again as always. Personally not a big fan of screwtops, I find these can get stuck more then corks, and become very difficult to open. I always keeps a bag with a dozen "backup" cork stoppers in case one breaks :).
Cracking video and subject matter Ralfy. The total oversaturation of your palette from sweet and sugary foods is the reason I've never understood the chocolate & whisky pairings some people go in for now, even when it's less sweet dark chocolate.
Good advice your giving there Ralphie as usual , just ordered my thistle , doing dry month indeed but doesn't stop me from tuning in , thanks for the encouragement
Yeah, good to the sober curious here in CA. More for me to collect...and consciously consume as the prices go down a bit and the supply is increasing. A bit worried for the industry, but know all will be good. Was sick and dry most of Dec, so am not being dry this January, but having my holidays a little late. Cheers everyone and and a great year to all in moderation!
When we first started vaping ...(the industry) we coined a phenomena known as Vape Tongue, where one could no longer taste certain flavours of juice, due to over exposure strong flavours.
Hello Ralfy, another excellent extras video. I agree; either screwtops OR waxed corks, like what the Japanese distillery MARS does with all their bottles.
You should review some Calvados this is my favorite spirit. Behind whisky of course :) Calvados is so full of fruit, and it is so complex, and it's been made since centuries
Would like to see an examination of different effects of oxidation on whiskies over time. I've only found it noticeable on Port and Sherry cask finished single malts, one became better to me and the other declined in flavor, both significantly. I expect it happens if even to a much lesser extent on those without such "finishes" and wonder if it was part of the changes you noticed in your 10yo Arran?
With your side by side of now and a couple years ago has me wondering how the old branding (2017) bottles compare. I have some but haven't opened one in a long time. I now plan to get a 2024 since I also have some 2022 stored away.
As far as the cat's concerned, you're just blethering away to yourself, and he's worried about you. He's saying "come back, Dad, back to the real world. There are no invisible fairies out there listening to you. They're all at the Fairy Bridge".
By the way, I love your cats. I have a Siamese cat named Frey that hangs out in my bothy. He is named after the Norse god Frey, the God of Fortune and Happiness.
I have the Nikka Miyagikyo and Yoichi with screw cap bottles, and I really like them. Wish more distilleries would use these types of bottles. So far, the worst cork issue I've had is with loose fitting corks, but it is only a matter of time before one breaks. I have saved some corks from empty bottles just in case. I find I have to take a break from alcohol and recalibrate my palate about every 2.5-3 months as the flavours start to get a bit muted. Cheers!
I hope you have a plook at Wireworks (White Peak) in 2025. Definitely packed with integrity and history (quite a short history but absolutely fascinating)
Ralfy i’m from Argentina, planning a trip to Europe and specifically Scotland. Can you reach me some whisky shops on the Uk where i could probably get some Springbank/kilkerran/hazelburn label? Anyone here reading this can comment too. Thanks!
Springbank can be very difficult to come by , even in Scotland. I would recommend booking a tour at Springbank distillery (an early tour if possible) if you are visiting campbletown. Your best bet for buying Springbank is at the distillery’s shop I think, even at that they only sell so much per day. They also sell kilkeren at the shop too. I hope this helps
Go to the distillery. It took me almost 40 years and regular visits to Scotland to venture down the Mull of Kintyre. Even though it was a very rainy day and it isn't a place you pass through it was well worth it.
following other's advice visiting Campbeltown there is also a bottler with a shop there called Cadenhead's (one in Edinburgh too) that has all sorts of interesting concoctions in 50ml, 20cl and 75cl sizes (edit: they have a website)
@@darrenflanigan2567 thanks man, someone from the distillery (who i asked) told me exactly the same.Thank you very much, so it’s probably the best option
Kilkerran is fairly available in most independent whisky shops in Edinburgh. Cadenheads and Royal Mile Whiskies are the most obvious, but please also look out for Cockburns of Leith, Robert Graham, Cask and Cork, Nips, Leith Export Co and Rarity. Springbank is VERY hard to come across, you pretty much need to order one on day of release of a new outturn . It's fairly available in most bars, try: Tipsy Midgy, Ensign Ewart or The Belfry.
I like Ralfy’s reviews, but he has gotten much more grouchy and sarcastic over the years. I would rather just hear about aged spirits, than rants about questionable folk medicine, ultra processed foods, the mainstream media, and “corporate multinationals.”
Hi from Switzerland. I'm 66. First of all thank you for sharing your experience and giving your honest opinion on whiskeys and distilleries.
I've been drinking scotch whisky for 48 years. I don't do dry January. On the other hand, I don't drink 2 days a week. One of my surgeon cousins told me that the liver is reconstituted in 2 days! One of my permashelf whiskeys is the Arran quarter cask.^
In my permashelf are Springbank 10, Springbank 15, Longrow peated, Laphroaig Quartercask, Ledaig 10, Port Charlotte 10, Bruichladdig Bere Barley, Laphroaig Lore, Laphroaig sherry Cask, Glen Allachie 10 CS, Glen Allachie 12, Lagavulin 8, Lagavulin CS, Bunnahabhain 12 CS, Kilchoman Loch Gorn, Port Askaig 100%, Finnlaggan CS and Isle of Raasay.
Long live Ralfy and his cat!
Appreciate the content Ralfy. Particularly as it pertains to being conscious of what we put in our bodies, food, water, etc. I notice a significant difference in my palate when I am exercising regularly, spending time outdoors, and conscious of what I eat. Anything heavily sugared destroys my palate.
Concerning corks; if you save the corks from your empty bottles, you can replace a loose cork with one that fits better; it doesn’t matter the label on the cork…
come for the whisky wisdom. Stay for the cat.
Great video again as always. Personally not a big fan of screwtops, I find these can get stuck more then corks, and become very difficult to open. I always keeps a bag with a dozen "backup" cork stoppers in case one breaks :).
Appreciate the information, Ralfy! Hope you have a great year, cheers!
Cracking video and subject matter Ralfy. The total oversaturation of your palette from sweet and sugary foods is the reason I've never understood the chocolate & whisky pairings some people go in for now, even when it's less sweet dark chocolate.
Good advice your giving there Ralphie as usual , just ordered my thistle , doing dry month indeed but doesn't stop me from tuning in , thanks for the encouragement
Yeah, good to the sober curious here in CA. More for me to collect...and consciously consume as the prices go down a bit and the supply is increasing. A bit worried for the industry, but know all will be good. Was sick and dry most of Dec, so am not being dry this January, but having my holidays a little late. Cheers everyone and and a great year to all in moderation!
When we first started vaping ...(the industry) we coined a phenomena known as Vape Tongue, where one could no longer taste certain flavours of juice, due to over exposure strong flavours.
It took me years to actually appreciate Glenfiddich.. as I started my love of malts with peaty whiskies..
Hello Ralfy, another excellent extras video. I agree; either screwtops OR waxed corks, like what the Japanese distillery MARS does with all their bottles.
I made a meme of your cat reaching for your 10 hear old Arran the other day.
"Paw your own" lol
😊😂 i love your cat Ralfy haha.
yes , at the moment i am stuck on indy cask strength sherry monsters , not a bad place to be , but i need to alter a bit ,,,
You should review some Calvados this is my favorite spirit. Behind whisky of course :)
Calvados is so full of fruit, and it is so complex, and it's been made since centuries
Would like to see an examination of different effects of oxidation on whiskies over time. I've only found it noticeable on Port and Sherry cask finished single malts, one became better to me and the other declined in flavor, both significantly. I expect it happens if even to a much lesser extent on those without such "finishes" and wonder if it was part of the changes you noticed in your 10yo Arran?
Hello Ralfy 👋 have a good night
Good on ye, Ralfy! Been waiting on the Extras. Hope all is well in Manx Land, sir.
I think the cat has heard the news that he has the power to make your channel even more famous 😂
I prefer the Arran 10 before these two the nice lemon coming through was nice and it’s gone would be very difficult to find
With your side by side of now and a couple years ago has me wondering how the old branding (2017) bottles compare. I have some but haven't opened one in a long time. I now plan to get a 2024 since I also have some 2022 stored away.
Cheers 🥃
As far as the cat's concerned, you're just blethering away to yourself, and he's worried about you. He's saying "come back, Dad, back to the real world. There are no invisible fairies out there listening to you. They're all at the Fairy Bridge".
I said the Arran cork was crappy the other day... minenis pretty loose
More like recalibrating the pocket …!!
By the way, I love your cats. I have a Siamese cat named Frey that hangs out in my bothy. He is named after the Norse god Frey, the God of Fortune and Happiness.
I have the Nikka Miyagikyo and Yoichi with screw cap bottles, and I really like them. Wish more distilleries would use these types of bottles. So far, the worst cork issue I've had is with loose fitting corks, but it is only a matter of time before one breaks. I have saved some corks from empty bottles just in case. I find I have to take a break from alcohol and recalibrate my palate about every 2.5-3 months as the flavours start to get a bit muted. Cheers!
I've had mold on corks in a wet room. Made the whisky go sour.
The nikka bottles are good and i also use boston rounds
I hope you have a plook at Wireworks (White Peak) in 2025.
Definitely packed with integrity and history (quite a short history but absolutely fascinating)
Preach about the screw tops.
You are right with the problems with prozessed foods, but please don't ageism. I am a Millenial and love Arran 10.
Ralfy i’m from Argentina, planning a trip to Europe and specifically Scotland. Can you reach me some whisky shops on the Uk where i could probably get some Springbank/kilkerran/hazelburn label?
Anyone here reading this can comment too.
Thanks!
Springbank can be very difficult to come by , even in Scotland.
I would recommend booking a tour at Springbank distillery (an early tour if possible) if you are visiting campbletown. Your best bet for buying Springbank is at the distillery’s shop I think, even at that they only sell so much per day. They also sell kilkeren at the shop too.
I hope this helps
Go to the distillery. It took me almost 40 years and regular visits to Scotland to venture down the Mull of Kintyre. Even though it was a very rainy day and it isn't a place you pass through it was well worth it.
following other's advice visiting Campbeltown there is also a bottler with a shop there called Cadenhead's (one in Edinburgh too) that has all sorts of interesting concoctions in 50ml, 20cl and 75cl sizes (edit: they have a website)
@@darrenflanigan2567 thanks man, someone from the distillery (who i asked) told me exactly the same.Thank you very much, so it’s probably the best option
Kilkerran is fairly available in most independent whisky shops in Edinburgh. Cadenheads and Royal Mile Whiskies are the most obvious, but please also look out for Cockburns of Leith, Robert Graham, Cask and Cork, Nips, Leith Export Co and Rarity. Springbank is VERY hard to come across, you pretty much need to order one on day of release of a new outturn . It's fairly available in most bars, try: Tipsy Midgy, Ensign Ewart or The Belfry.
Gen Z, not Millennials, are the youngest cohort of people who can drink.
Old man Ralf is stuck in 2004
I like Ralfy’s reviews, but he has gotten much more grouchy and sarcastic over the years. I would rather just hear about aged spirits, than rants about questionable folk medicine, ultra processed foods, the mainstream media, and “corporate multinationals.”