ralfy review 994 Extras - Manage your spending better.
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- / ralfy . This is my Patreonm channel, for ad-free videos, released 24 hours early and with an extra weekly 'Update' video. Every month there is also a 'BothyLive' 90 minute live-stream from the bothy.
My Books 'Search For A Whisky Bothy', 'Stories From A Whisky Bar' and 'Life, Death & Whisky' are all on sale at Amazon and proper book shops.
www.oswa.co.uk - An online democratic award programme identifying the best spirits worth buying for each year.
For more whisky info & stuff, SUBSCRIBE to 'ralfydotcom'
Subscribe to my other TH-cam Channel 'Fitter Philosophy'
This video represents a personal opinion and perspective only.
To comply with Google Adsense policy this video is an independent non-profit review and is not knowingly selling or linking to a site that sells the product being reviewed.
'Ralfydotcom' is brought to you by The Irish Sea Trading Co: Ltd:
A British TV licence is NOT required to view my videos or almost every other video on TH-cam.
ALL items reviewed have been bought from a retailer at market prices within the U.K. unless specified by the presenter. No 'samples', 'free stuff', or gifts are accepted, so please do not try to send them, thank you.
NOTE - This Channel is not empowered and delivered by A.I. technology yet.
I WILL NEVER CONTACT YOU DIRECTLY THROUGH THIS CHANNEL except to reply to comments. Anyone who contacts you pretending to be me is a FAKE , and probably looking to SCAM and DEFRAUD you. Beware of imposters.
I've got 100-110 bottles which would last several years if not a decade if I stopped buying, even just pouring 1-2oz per day. I did the math several months ago so it may be off... but that forced me to significantly reduce spending and I stopped buying bottles for the sake of comparison to other similar products. I had so many "cheap" bourbons at one point that I knew I'd never finish unless I made cocktails. I bought too many for the sake of comparing different brands, which is educational, but it's lesser quality and too much quantity. It was overwhelming at one point, so I had to stop buying. I only buy higher quality and fewer bottles based on good reviews and recommendations if I can't try them at a bar first.
My technique is to delay a purchase. Sometimes I have a bottle in mind for a month or so before I buy it. And I only buy if I really want to. Last Sunday I went to a shop to buy the Highland Park Cask strength for a really good price (it was on offer). When I stood before the shelf I just thought, unexpectedly, 'no' and listened to that 'no'. I left the store empty handed, but with the money still in the pocket.
Self discipline is key. I set a maximum price, never buy anything above it, I follow your advice to the best of my abilities 'natural color and non chill filtered' - and finally, I keep my whisky in a cupboard, there's only so much space in there. If it's full I do not buy anything at all. Just a sign I need to be with my whisky mates some more!
What he said. Spot on.
I’m sure you’ve probably been asked this 180,000 times but have you ever considered uploading your videos as an audio podcast? I could listen to you for hours but I’m not always capable of watching. Please keep up your fantastic whisky content. You’ve helped guide me more than you can ever know. Thank you Ralfy.
Completely agree!! It's draining my battery😝 but ralfy needs an income to keep up with our ever engrossed ears
I wish I'd gotten this advice around whisky review 400... Oh well.
It’s sad that 18 year old whisky has been priced out of the market. Not so long ago I could buy bottles 18+ for as little as $60, but now even the bad ones are pushing $100. Scotch whisky needs to stop this… it’s harming the reputation. The old stuff sets the pace and sells the younger stuff. They’re off track now!!
If prices aren't allowed to meet demand, how do you decide who gets the more scarce older bottles? If priced below market, you'll never see them on shelves. Just look at bourbon for a hint.
After years in "the game" I've come to the point where I almost exclusively buy standard bottles. I got sick of the fomo and prices always increasing when it comes to special releases. Since I mostly buy what is readily available, I have no need to be hunting a bottle. I save money, time and energy since I started to ignore most of the special releases and focusing on the standard stuff. Which, I might add, many times is far better value than those special releases.
So true ralfy, ‘let it go.’ As great as it is, it is only whisky!
I just don’t drink whisky quickly enough for it to ever be a massive problem: PC10 is my favourite whisky and my current bottle has lasted 6 months’and there’s a third of it left! 2 more in reserve - that’s the next couple of years sorted for PC10. I make it last by buying cheaper stuff like Arran 10 or Ledaig for more “regular” drinking, and they usually last a couple of months.
What I’m realising is that I might as well just buy good stuff as I’m quite capable of making it last.
Managing quantity allows me to purchase quality.
A dozen bottles max in my stash.
No more than 3 drams a week, often less.
And enjoying every drop, without breaking the bank or ruining my health.
I just 4 hours ago talked to my wife about this same exact topic. Prices and cost of life are crazy now and I can see I can't collect enough amount of money from month to month. I have one still salary but bank loans and cost of energy and cost of fuel aren't... I wish all of us a better situation, but this depends on our governments and worldwide corporations.... We can only buy less in my opinion. Good luck for you Ralfy and all us your viewers and fans.
It’s not a method or technique, and I don’t want to come across as preachy, but I just don’t drink enough to really justify spending too much money on whiskey.
I only ever have a dram or two at a time, and it’s rare I drink more than two days in a week. I also don’t really have anywhere to store much bottles at the moment, so there’s no point in buying more than three or four bottles in a year.
Plus, it leaves me more time to appreciate and spend time with what I already have.
You're spot on ralfy. Now that I've got rid of the store notifications it's become a lot easier to get out of the habit and compulsion. Figured the stash is big enough to put a stop on it.
I like to say: they're not pokemons - we don't need to collect em all
Compulsive whisky purchasing is definitely something I struggle with. I used to buy 1 bottle a month from amazon but then it became 2 bottles a month from online whisky retailers became I didn't want to pay for postage. 2 years ago I set myself rules like not buying anything that is chill filtered and has colouring added. There have been a few months where I've bought 4 bottles
This review has very much to do with the fitter philosophy. Enjoyed every bit of it, especially the cat appearance.
I have around 350 bottles in my drinking collection ( all Scottish ) and am now cutting right back.
They are all ncf,nc and many are single cask. Many are independent bottlings. I have also bought and bottled 3 octaves.
I have bought others for investment which I am selling at a good profit so my 350 drinking bottles will have effectively cost me nothing. It's been an enjoyable journey and I have visited so many good distilleries and met so many lovely people.
Nice
And I forgot to previously say thank you Ralfy for much sage advice and really telling it like it is.
Ralfy, you are in my head and espouse the same things I have been saying for a few years now and I have gotten a bunch of venom spewed at me for attempting to wake people up from group think compulsive whisky buying that is a lot of just attempts to keep up with peers online with whisky. So much conditioned compulsive group think buying and trying to be one of the cool kids. A lot of it is very childish and greedy. You are living with eyes wide open and not a sucker but a lot of the buyers have more money than sense and rationalize their doings and in conditioned habitual greedy childish must have mentality and the whsiky industry knows this and has been pandering to it for at least a decade. you need to change your extras name to Real Talk with Ralfy. I know you are pissing off a lot of people because you are pulling back the curtain on Oz and most don't want that done and prefer to live in whisky fantasy and keeping up with the whisky childish peers that are brain washed by giving whisky more due than what it really needs. You are so F-ing real and a breath of fresh air and please do not apologize for being honest ever. Thank You so much Ralfy. Blessings !!!
So true; during the pandemic I felt there was so much "FOMO" and panic. Prices went up and up. I`m not worried though; there is lots to go around!
I’m just returning to single malts … this said, want a good daily (currently glendfeddich 15/~$70) and very picky on the special occasion bottles for which I rely heavily on reviews and price. Won’t go over $150 unless it has damn good reviews and not cold filtered or colored PERIOD.
If need be, I’ll have a sipping rum which are also fun to drink.
My goal is to be like Peter Lorry in The Black Cat … a drunkard who knows his wine because he drinks it.
Arran 10 from december 2022 on is not the used to be quality in my mouth may be try it yourself. Deanston on the other hand is as good as ever.
I went buck wild the first few years of my whisky journey. I would buy all sorts of one of bottles and stock up with Multiples of ones I really liked. These days, I've mellowed out - both my drinking and buying. I've more or less explored the various styles of whisky at this point. Now I will buy some bottles every few months or so and go months and months not buying a bottle (or drinking one).
I'm happy to have arrived at a more manageable pace with my whisky journey and am happy that I stocked up in past years when prices were much better. So all in all it's a win I guess, but I do think back to how much I used to regularly spend on whisky and it was a bit ridiculous. The one downside now: having to handle all these bottles when I move.
Cheers and slainte Ralfy!
Thank you for the malt mention. Charris is my name. Love your content. You do great job, really.
Sage advice.
I’ve noted the better lighting - is it my eyes or have you up graded your lighting?
Timely advice. Prices in the states have gone straight up. I use to enjoy your high 80s 90s rankings. I just can’t justify the skyrocket price increase. So today I thought I would try a blended 13 year old Sherry cask Chivas. Not bad to celebrate the end of a good day. You get what you pay for. Although I have my favorites, I think Tomitin really is the best bargain for no color, nonchill filter. 12-year-old is cheaper than Chivas. It remains one of the only scotch that has not increased their prices.
Self-discipline is tough, especially if you're fortunate to get a raise, lifestyle creep is a genuine problem.
One thing that is helping me reign in or rather redirect my purchases is understanding that with my drinking rate, it take *months* to get through a bottle. In a small NYC apartment, storage is a legit consideration! Instead of the readily available OB 12yr, I'd rather save the money and buy an old, indie Longmorn in due time.
I'd love to hear you rant about prices in the UK. I find it hilarious that most 18yr OBs routinely sell for under retail price at the auction. Highland Park selling the 18yr for £125 only for it hammer for ~£80 at auction signifies a problem or a lack of respect towards the customer.
As with any purchase, I never buy on impulse. Be it whisky or anything else, if I decide I want something with any real price tag on it, I give myself a week. That week lets me decide if perhaps I'd like something else more, or perhaps didn't want anything after all. And if I go in and see that bottle I decided on isn't on the shelf, I'll maybe take some photos of what IS on the shelf, then come back in another week rather than impulsively buy a substitute immediately. Never be afraid to leave the store empty-handed!
Wait!!? What World landspeed record on Bonneville salt flats!?
Learning to let go. There'll be another bus coming soon enough. Self-discipline. This isn't just great advice for whisky collecting, but life in general! Philo-soph-ily! In all seriousness, words and advice to live by!
What’s the highest rated whisky u have reviewed Ralphy
I spent more than my share on all the really good stuff, and while I love the good stuff, now I manage it by enjoying a decent blend (like Ralfy's favorite Black Label) or a good single malt, like a Laphroaig 10, etc. instead
You've just verbalised what most of us actually fear, the fact that compulsive buying can get out of control far too easy. Now, we should have a nice hobby for ourselves, to give us some happiness and the sense of comfort in life. But the moment thing that used to be hobby becomes a burden for ourselves and our family, it's hard self-discipline time.
Ralfy there are still a few 18 year old malts around at more reasonable prices. I've recently had the Speyburn 18 for £75 and Longmorn 18 for about £82. Ledaig 18 is superb and widely available for around £85. But of course there's also the opposite end of the spectrum - Macallan and Dalmore asking £300+ for their over-diluted 18s. I happily leave them for the folk with more money than sense
My brother works for chicas got the 16 and 18 Longmorn from him prob got both for decent price around £60 £70 for both think the 16 was bit dearer than the 18
I came here for the video title and whisky...but then I was disappointed when you stopped talking about bikes.
In all seriousness though, my strategy now is to keep a list of what I'd like to try. I try to think carefully about why I'm collecting what I am and then I wait for a sale. Sometimes something comes out of left field...but this is what people like you are for and one's whisky mates! They won't steer you wrong, probably 😆. Another strategy is to not overlook the power of percentages. I have set limits on myself such as at least 40% off in price - doesn't matter if it's 20 or 30 on a decent whisky.
Anyways, you have some really good advice and near the end you bring up the MOST IMPORTANT part...not drinking. No better way to save. Feels good on the wallet and feels good on the body. The flip side to that is controlling what you eat and drink...A lot of things have cancer links. Seems like alcohol is a bad one, but I avoid a lot of junk food. I direct my money where it counts and hopefully the health hit of alcohol won't be as bad by avoiding other things. Hard not to open a bag of chips, but few things taste like whisky does!
“Whiskies are like bus stops” wow, that is profound. Just what I needed to hear! Thank you. Indeed, there have been special bottles that I caught the bus for, and they are fond memories. There have been many more where I have missed the bus, but others have enjoyed. Great for them! Missing out on those doesn’t make my special experiences any less special.
I love this. I'm an ex biker and a Whisky lover. I will never ride a bike again, after 50 years due to the other drivers on the road today, but I will not stop drinking the Whisky, or Whiskey. yummy. And as far as the money worth, I do try to look at the variety of companies delivering the Whisky, and do take care as to which I will buy. My problem or, is it a problem, is I do actually drink my Whisky, I do not any longer hold it for sale, it is my give away to me and my friends or family visiting. They know what's coming when they arrive. 😇😇
This is definitely an extra I need to see. I have so many unopened bottles at the moment of things I wanted to buy and try. I have a decent backlog.
Thank you Ralfy,a couple of years ago I did an inventory and calculated that I have enough whisky to last me until I’m about 100 years old. So I decided to discontinue buying whisky until my stock is manageable. Replacing corks has kept me busy lately (3 in 3 weeks) . I poured 6 heels into an infinity bottle and actually, I ended up with the a real stunner of a dram. So instead of tasting new bottles, I’m delving into my bottles from the 1990’s and really enjoying the flavours. When I really want a treat, I’ll pour myself a dram from a defunct distillery ie Lockside , Inverleven or Imperial. When I see the prices of scotch today, I’m thankful I don’t need to splurge on purchases. Lucky me.
In the very short time I've been drinking and buying Whisky.....best time to buy your Bottle for Christmas/Hogmanay/Ner'day......End of Jan into Feb. People tend to be stoney broke and demand is lower....prices tend to be more reasonable. Plan ahead.
Ralfy, your comments about having too much Whisky? More Whisky than can be consumed? So sell some.....if My Wife ever watched this........I will hold you PERSONALLY responsible for the loss of the Preciousssssssss.
Great content as ever. Marching on to the 000!!
Spike in prices has made buying less a lot easier. I have been enjoying what I have and cutting down to a 70cl bottle per month Maximum. Happy to report I am on bottle 7 for this year and it’s September 😊. Thanks dear Ralfy for your excellent advice. Kindest regards, S.
I have emptied 4 bottles so far this year (Sept). I usually finish an avg of 10-11 per year.
So many salient points expressed ! Many thanks Ralfy .
Is it only me, or have OBs recently gotten much better, while IBs seem to have run out of good casks and are less and less enjoyable.
In video 1000 king 👑KAROL must come to the bothy and make you SIR RALFY for your spesial offer in SCOTCH WHISKY 🥰
I sold a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle 15 year (paid $100 retail price for), then used the proceeds for 8 bottles of single malt, all of which had better flavor.
. . . the right way to do it !
Adam Smith and I congratulate you 👍
Take a decent second-hand CBR 600F. I think that there are many bikers around here.... . You are right, Isle od Man is not a "good place" to ride..... ;-). It is the best place in the world. "TT"
Royal Enfield 👍
I had to laugh when you were describing Moggies as it could be used for describing the difference between a "Pedigree Whiskey" and a good solid affordable "Moggie" Whiskey. Too much time from distilleries trying to get our money with fancy packaging, bottle designs, chill filtered, colouring agents etc. What we need is more great no no-nonsense lovable affordable Moggie Whiskies..
I wonder what Ralfy will do for his 1000th review 🤔
I stopped smoking in 1994 and decided to invest the saved money that I saved to buy single malts. That was one of the best ideas I ever had!!
Single Malt is like a bus, another one always comes by- gotta love that!!
I have minimal restraint on whisky purchases and I definitely purchase far more than I drink. I know price isn’t always indicative of quality, but a bigger budget enables me to get whiskies that are no longer available at retail that I’ve tried samples of and absolutely love. I figure with the amount that I drink I was as well splash out on nicer bottles because I drink them slower and feel like I appreciate the experience more. So I think price isn’t the issue at the end of the day, it’s how many bottles I buy!
Overspending is relative. Thesedays I use my budget for more expensive bottlings. If I don't by 3 x € 70 bottles, I can buy one € 200 bottle. But you need to your homework. Preparation is key. Fantastic Extra by the way, motorcycles, tea, cats, piggybags and.......a little bit of whisky👌
I won’t lie, I drink Jim Beam most of the time I drink whisky, and limit myself to a dram or two of Scotch per week.
So far I've been successful at not spending more than $60/bottle, problem is how many bottles I end up leaving the store with. And yes, I too have later looked at a bottle I bought and thought "what was I thinking?".
There are a few worth more, but very very very very few. I keep around the same budget, just a bit cheaper usually
This was very entertaining to watch and hear, bikes, money, cats, whisky, thnx!... Maltmention: Hello you Maltosophical maltmates
Sensible sensibility. Bravo !!!! Ralfy. Many won't like hearing this because they are living in whisky fantasy as some form of escapism and functioning from habitual greed and have more money than sense and feel justified because they can buy what ever no matter what and it all gets rationalized. You know somebody has to be a Ralfy other than Ralfy. too much thinking one has arrived and they are somehow otherly sophisticated because they are into whisky. Ralfy will ground you will quick greedy snobs. Bless You Ralfy !!!!
You'd look good on a Honda Rebel 1100 Ralfy
90/100 thank you 😃
Thanks Ralfy to think about all of us that have a little budget (30 pounds) for an available decent whisky.
Arran 10 for you my friend :)
@candidaprout2401 The problem is that here in France it costs 50 euros :-(
Great video. I think this topic is on the minds of most malt mates. I probably buy one or two bottles a quarter at the minute. Down from 24/36 bottles a year a few years back. I was doing so well, however I ended up dropping £300 on a bottle of Springbank 21yo last weekend. Happend to see one on the local dealer shelf and had to have it. 😌 gonna crack it open at Christmas.
Enjoy it. Springbank is almost impossible to find in the US these days. I just lucked into a bottle of Campbletown Loch, it will have to do.
Bonneville salt flat record! Insert applause here----------. I ride a Triumph T120. I knew there was more to you than scotch.
Wise words Ralfy :)
Since it is my favourite Scotch... whenever Laphroaig CS comes out... I always get a case of it.... it is my EDS!
Thank you
Have you reviewed any of the Glen Fohdry Single Malt products?
I'm on a tighter financial budget & these work well for me and I like 4 of the 5 offerings in my price range of $35 - $70.
They're all 47.1% AbV, non-Chill filtered & no Caramel added with 2 of them being age stated.
My favorite is the 12-yr Japanese Mizunara Oak Cask Finish.
My least favorite is the American Oak Cask Finish.
Wise man once said: Satisfaction = Quality x Value. I bought two whiskys recently reviewed by You - Wild Turkey Rare Breed and Arran Quarter Cask. Looking forward to them but first I'm going through another of your recent bottles - Raasay Lightly Peated - and I'm quite satisfied.
Hello Middle-aged Motorcycle Maintenance Mechanics!
. . . now on the M-mention List, thanks !
Wise words, Bunnahabhain is my staple budget whisky, great value. Then every now and again spoil myself with a pricier choice.
You made me feel good about not opening my last 6 bottles of Johnnie Walker Green from 2011. Either my retirement will be filled with some very nice whiskies or they will help fund my retirement. I had compared the old Green Label with the new ones and that's what convinced me to hold on to the old ones.
My own way to rail agianst whisky prices was to move to gin, especially in the summer..what a revelation. saved hundreds, too.
An excellent overview. I'm so impressed with your perspective and insights. Enjoying bourbon since the mid 90s, prices keep rising faster and faster. At what point does the value start to erode. This occurred with cigars over the years. It will catch up with the industry with 10 million barrels of bourbon aging across Kentucky. The industry has done an exceptional job marketing their products and their price points. I never buy online and only list price. I've cut back to 2-3 bottles in 2023. Thank you for your great videos.
I have my “go to’s” that I drink as a regular everyday bourbon (Elijah Craig) and my special occasion bourbon (Colonel Taylor). Same for my rums and tequilas.
My rule now is I only buy whisky either when I find an incredible deal… like Longrow Heavily Peated for $50, or when I hit a personal milestone. I don’t drink more than a glass very often so I am not going through my stock too fast.
What a great review about buying whisky !! Spot on Ralfy, greetings from the Netherlands.
I only buy if i can sell something.
This year i sold valuable vintage videogames on ebay for quite a lot of money and decided to buy a few expensive bottles.
This was a nice review...a little more personal Ralfy things:) Always a pleasure, thank you!🙏
Thanks for telling us something about your Motorcycle 🙏 i‘m an owner of two bikes an with one of them i like to discover the world… always looking for a distillery on my way 😬
Ralfy, we are finally seeing Longmorn 16 year in my state. Would you still consider this an integrity whisky? Also is it a fair value at $130 GBP, 48% ABV?
Grandad always said women are like buses. If you miss one, there will be another along later. They are fewer after midnight but a lot faster 😂
For long-term investment/holding of whiskies are you still spending that?
I blame the movie 'The Angels Share'. One to keep, one to sell, one to share with your mates. It plays havoc with the bank account.
That was one of you're best just for the honesty to make us all slow down and just buy what we can afford. Anyway name the bike make that won the TT and the horse that won the Grand National both ridden by George F 🙂
"Υa little affectionate sausage", I burst out laughing at that! They really are amazing creatures.
Words and purrs of wisdom from Ralphy and cat (Is there another tubby? I know there's two, but I'll have to browse the videos again. Won't hurt refreshing the knowledge you 've already shared with us).
Yes, managing our spending is crucial, not just for whisky, but for any "hobby"... shaving soaps/equipment, instruments, cigars, motorcycles, whatever floats one's boat.
Lot of great points Ralfy especially with budgeting and notifications. I'm still in the habit of checking new releases from a handful of retailers each day but having set myself a fixed monthly budget I find it easier to ignore the compulsivity! And the single casks comment is spot on. Took me a while to realise I don't need to buy every single Cask because a) some just aren't that good and b) there'll be another along shortly!
Thanks Ralf :-) just saved me £100+ the wife will be delighted
what works for me is to have a shortlist of things I want, puts it into perspective and you get a lot of joy playing things off against one another
ralfy no puedo estar mas de acuerdo contigo, de hecho tu canal tambien me funciona como generador de compras compulsivas, sin ir mas lejos llevo un mes y medio alejado de las redes sociales para descansar de todo esto.
puedes creer que el primer video tuyo en este tiempo es justamente este? un saludo desde el Pais Vasco y gracias por ser tan transparente y honesto
. . . Contento de compartir los momentos de malta.
I put a malt mention forward some time back - would love to know where I am on the list!!!
Common sense thinking for the common man. Thank you for a verbal tour of the things that are worth doing, and those that are not.
Thanks Ralfy, good stuff and important reminders indeed. Self discipline is key in life!
I own a Royal Enfield 500 Bullet for about 15 years only doing 200 k a year but love it every second and it is so beautiful just to look at
if the price of fuel is rocketing, just imagine the price increase of rocket fuel.
Morning, magnificent meticulous malty malt mates!!
Oooh yeah. I needed to hear this one friend. Thank you
Stop wagging your finger at me.
👌🙏👏👏 fantastic contet
There are Teas and then there are Teas. 😉
Thank you for sharing!
Thought it was funny how you said the roads arnt for big bikes meanwhile your home island is host to the Isle of aman TT. 😅
. . . yup, the TT proves the roads are not suitable for big bikes. There are fatalities most years unfortunately.
Ralfy I have a fear of the one that got away!😂
Well said! 🙏