THE STATE OF WHISKY IN 2024 - BLACK LODGE RAMBLINGS
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- Опубліковано 15 жов 2024
- Its a new year, and with it comes many a whisky and whiskies prediction. And as i thought about the current state of play for the community, the more down heartened I felt. What better way to address it than to discuss it with you, and see if I'm alone in my thinking, if others agree, or if some bright souls can see the rainbow on the horizon!
However, I left the Black Lodge for this one, and recorded it out and about. Let me know what you think!
As usual, if you enjoy a whisky rant or two then black lodge ramblings is where it usually happens here.
Insta - @drinkswhisky
email - david@drinkswhisky.com
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Shot on iphone 12 Pro
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There's obviously a movement happening. I just finished watching this weeks vPub discussing the Glass Loch. I've got enough bottles that I dont need to buy any more for a few years, but I've set myself a buy limit of 1 a month, endeavouring to buy my local aussie whisky. Like abroad we have new distilleries opening up everywhere, so i'll be supporting them for a while.
Good summary of the state of whisky - I am almost 20 years into my journey and in my view we are at a low point (I truly hope things recover but the future looks bleak). That said, I am hopeful about the emergence of American single malt as a category. In Paris, hit up Golden Promise. If in Louisville, Neat is a fantastic bar for dusty bourbon pours, and Evergreen Liquors has a great selection but you can also sample hard to find whiskies at very reasonable prices. There are of course many other great options, but these are two worth mentioning. Oh, and the tour at Jim Beam is worth visit - if you have a spare hour or so I also recommend a stroll to see the giants in Bernheim Forest next door to the distillery. Have fun!
Hi David, The same question and issues that are starting to be raised here in the USA regarding bourbon. Some of the comments here are from people in the USA and the general gist is that people are getting tired of the impossible hunt, the excessive pricing, and the gimmicks like releasing a new barrel finish over and over just to create the desire to get the latest new thing. The next several years will be interesting, but consumers should know that the traditional go-to brands will survive and there will be good whisk(e)y still without the hardships.
All sensible comments. I just love the 2 x blends the Thomson brothers do and always pick a couple up when I'm visiting the inlaws up there.
The value of them keeps me coming back. And there’s a trust there, they are makers that care and enjoy the drams as much as us. So I’ll always sing their praises. Plus the juice is quality! Do you have a preferred one, bourbon or sherry?
@drinkswhisky I really like the sherry one! I do think the Solera one can only get better with the more they use it. (Older liquid in the vat) Need them to make a more heavily peated one as I'm really into the peat atm. Got a kilkerran hp and a Kilchoman for Christmas 🎄
Aye, I’m the same currently and hopeful the bourbon continues to develop. Kilchoman are a distillery doing a good job, just the pricing recently is making it a bit out of reach I think, for the special releases at least. Solid drams though!
The point on independent retailers is so true. They will be the ones to really feel the downturn. It does feel like a whisky loch is on the way. But this should also see a correction in prices hopefully!
Interesting video, I guess there was always going to be a correction in the market, its always best to think long term if you are investing, like 15 20 years... if you are buying to flip you always run the risk of being left holding a load you can't sell. I always say buy what you really like to drink... then the worst thing that can happen is you have some great whisky you can drink if the investment doesn't work.
This is my exact POV as well. If you buy what you enjoy, then there isn't any risk. There will be people sat on cases and cases of whiskies that were deemed to go to the moon, and will never get their money back. And if they can't drink it, then more fool them! Hopefully we see demnad continue to drop, and the good drinkers stay at a price we can all enjoy!
Absolutely agree.
We're in Derbyshire next week and fancied a White Peaks visit - it's £33pp for the whisky tour. I mean come on - give us £10 off a bottle of the gear then. But no.
Springbank balloted the Palo Cortado to Society Members (I know great if you're a Member) and have had two tasting tours in the last year. Well done.
Ardnamurchan are a source for optimism as you say.
Something has to give on Diageo and other Big Boy pricing though surely...
That’s it, sometimes you get the feeling these distilleries and businesses just can’t help themselves. Incentivise visits, cultivate some brand affection and you’ll have a loyal customer (liquid dependent!). If it is purely transactional, then don’t be shocked when everyone disappears. Any other good examples come to mind?
Great video! Saying it as it is and I appreciate that!! Have a great time in Paris and Kentucky. I moved from the UK to the west coast of Canada and can definitely recommend you put Canada on your whisky travel map. Time it to hit up the Victoria (BC) Whisky Festival, which is this time each year. There are some insanely good distilleries to check out here too, like Macaloneys, Sons of Vancouver, Shelter Point to name just a few
Cheers for the kind comment! Would love to do more around Canadian whisky, it’s tough to get anything of note over here currently but have heard nothing but good things about it. Especially as I watch a lot of whisky in the 6! My wife is desperate to visit Canada so a visit wouldn’t be off the cards but likely 2025! Do you know of any Canadian brands that are readily available in the US or is it quite self contained? I’ll see if I can pick up some while out there
@@drinkswhisky I haven't made it State side as yet, since moving out here. However, I've read from other whisky tube viewer comments that they are starting to crop up, certainly in the Washington state, Oregon, NW states region. The thing is Canada had very Draconian liquor laws up until about 2012, when they finally relaxed them. Hence why so many new distilleries came into being here around 2013. I truly believe a world's best whiskey award (for what they are worth) will come from one Canada in the next 5 or 6 years, the quality is that good! The problem is they are still relatively small batches, so there simply isn't enough of the stuff to ship out to the States or beyond. Output is definitely ramping up though, so I think you'll start seeing more bottles in the UK in the next 3 to 4 years. When people think of Canadian whiskey they tend to think they are all ryes, or come from Canadian Club or Crown Royal. There is so much to Canadian whiskey than this. For example, Two Brewers up in the Yukon. They produce amazing small batch stuff. In addition, we have tonnes of peat in Canada. And in the case of the west coast, very local to the distilleries based there. The future is very bright and if the ridiculously beautiful scenery isn't reason enough, I'd say a whiskey (and beer...there craft beer scene is off the charts) trail makes a trip out here well worth it also👍
I’m sold! I’ll see what I can find at this end and in the states and if I can get enough bottles together I’ll do a Canadian tasting. Failing that, I’ll have a good dig into it all! Thanks for all the details, appreciate it! 🥃
Absolutely spot on mate. Distilleries and distribution are unfortunately still on a Covid high bubble. Forcing hype and fear of missing out, which kills the basic Whisky Enthusiast interest in purchasing overpriced bottles. Decreasing numbers of consumers, which retail stores increase prices. Lose, lose situation.
It’s something that more of us are thinking and saying and I can only hope the decision makers are hearing it as well. I’m working on a follow up that’s focused on positives, but it’s slim pickings. Anything whisky-wise you are looking forward to in 2024?
A wider range of independent bottlers would be nice. Australia gets very limited stock, and therefore prices are doubled and even triple the price. The Lakes and Thompson Brother's are what I'm looking forward to more 🙌 in 2024.
Ah yeah, you have the lakes exclusive coming out soon don’t you? How’s the Australian scene holding up? I read that the distilleries have been going a bit excessive in pushing prices right up. Any that have at least managed to maintain a level of decency?
Yeah, there is a club that is coming out with an exclusive from the lakes and at a responsible price. Most of us downunder are looking forward to its release. Voyage is the bottling. In regards to local distilleries, Sullivan's Cove in Tasmania has the local scene going crazy. However, to purchase a bottle is only through ballots and then comes the price... Whisky is and will be a luxury in the near future unfortunately 😕
Yeah, for me (been buying about 10 years now) the glass loch in conjunction with rising prices has reduced my purchasing by about 80%. I really now only buy from auctions (when the price is right) or the odd one I really want on the online shelves. Adelphi 30th Anniversary being a recent example of that (North British 36 & Benrinnes 12) Again the price has to be right. The industry must be worried. Going by my own complete purchasing habit turnaround, the future is looking bleak for the industry as a whole.
It’s a common response from most folk I speak to, it’s taking something really special or particular to the individual to make them get their wallet out and buy currently. I had 2 of those 30th bottles in basket (Ben Nevis and the ardna) and for once I just went, ‘don’t NEED them’ and I closed the browser without buying. Tiny bit of fomo since but think dry Jan might have played a big hand in the final decision. What’s the next bottle you reckon you’ll look out for?
@@drinkswhisky nothing on the 2024 release schedule really excites me to be honest. Although, I hear there might be a 20yo Kilkerran on the near horizon this year. That might be a must have. Also, I recently tried the Bruichladdich Ternary Project from a few years back. That was a real wow malt. Might be my next purchase at auction. A 26yo Bruichladdich with port Charlotte and Octomore in the mix. Highly highly recommended @ £160ish (auction cost)
I’d guess you enjoy those farm driven Islay malts then! That’s the thing, we are all looking to auction to pinpoint the bottles we are after, all looking back at historical bottles instead of what could come. What’s the current open/reached for bottle you are on?
@@drinkswhisky I’ve got about 90 closed bottles, including a dozen or so Rums. About 7 bottles open at present, so roughly 100 bottles. Hence the glass loch! 😂
I've been feeling the same way. Watch Roy and ralfy and they talk sense. I decided before Xmas to explore bourbon. Watching a fellow called brewzle who goes bourbon hunting. I'm not spending a great amount, woodford double oaked, eagle rare 10 and jim beam double oak are my first 3 buys. Old forester and a weller next. Look forward to watching the next one. Cheers
Appreciate the kind words. It was actually watching one of his videos that made me book up to visit Louisville.! Had planned on going to Springbank but when I got the quote of £950 pp for 2 nights, before travel costs, spending money etc, I decided to use the same money to head across the pond! Worse case, I learn more about the differences in production and cask management, best case I try amazing liquid and food!
Life in general and has been since the pandemic a lot of diminishing returns and whisky has been no exception. My palette is getting fussier in the sense I’m struggling to find that wow factor in anything under £50 which 5 years ago it seemed was everywhere, maybe it was all relatively new. Everyone seemed to rave about the Glasgow whisky fest in November, it was a joy meeting Ralfy and that but I didn’t taste anything that made me want to buy. The new distilleries (Ardnamurchan excepted) are asking too much for what they are peddling and the old guard that showed up just put out the standard. Besides the usual annual day out pilgrimage I make to Springbank to see if I can pick up a 12 cask strength, Longrow Red or a local barley and maybe a cage bottle that’s about it for this year with me. Potentially going to Feis Ile in 2025 but we’re living through a tough time with cost of living in a bit of a dead end society the drams are really having to work hard to lift the spirits. 💩
There does seem to be a bit of a general ‘fed up’ vibe across the board. We need these whiskies to come out and shake us up, give us a reason to be enthusiastic and excited again! And take us along with the process. As you said, times are tough, and decisions are being made for every penny we spend, so it’s no good just sticking out a new bottle and expect it to fly off the shelves just because it’s ‘Limited’. I think community will play a big part this year, as you mentioned, whisky shows at least allow for a bit of fun and excitement. Hopefully you get to Islay next year, but that’s another one that costs an inflated amount!
@@drinkswhisky yeah reading my post back it’s a negative Nigel perspective I need to find a way to shake off. I’m sure there will be highlights this year, there’s a cupboard full of unopened bottles in the kitchen that’s surely going to provide a few. Focus on drinking what I’ve bought and put the money away for a future splurge.
Cheer yourself up immediately by getting to the cupboard and pulling out a bottle you have been saving and need a good excuse for! I know I’ve got a more than a few that will be getting cracked this year for no other reason than why not?!
got to say good video as per usual . My concern when certain you tubers mention bottles of the year no knocking anyone mention but the brand you like will such distilery hike up price.
It has happened in the past for sure but I’d be hopeful that the ones mentioned are savvy enough to know what side their bread is buttered and not mess it up. But, self sabotage seems to run riot at the moment so who knows!
In Louisville, definitely do the tour at Peerless if you can, best one we did.
Its on my list to visit. I've got Buffalo, Bardstown, Peerless and then was going to swing a few more to pop into gift shops. But also seeign what folk recommend, and making sure I have time to get to them. Any other tips?
@drinkswhisky Bardstown is good, we just got pours at the bar and went to the shop at the Louisville location, but they have a lot of good stuff and it's all available. I hear the restaurant at the distillery in Bardstown itself is really good. If you make it over to Nulu, La Bodeguita is a really good Cuban restaurant with really great prices - recommended for dinner - and it's opposite Evergreen Liquors, which probably has the best bar prices in Louisville proper at the bar inside the store. Old Forester basically just had core range at the gift shop so can be skipped (though if you do the tour they have a small cooperage on site which is interesting to see). Justin's House of Bourbon probably has the best range of store picks. Breakfast sandwiches at Doc Crow's are really good. The interesting stuff at the Rabit Hole gift shop was pricey. Evan Williams was ok.
great video, I think the big producers are going to take a kick in the nuts this year. I feel there is going to be a down turn in consumption not just with the whisky enthusiast but with the general public also. us geeks will probably still buy from independent bottlers and producers who deliver a craft product, but perhaps at a reduced rate. I live in Scotland and its a shame to say I would struggle to buy a decent bottle of blended scotch or blended malt from a supermarket these days. there is nothing on the shelves that grabs my attention and says this is interesting or this is good value. I hope that none of the small independent shops struggle too much this year and it would be great if we can support them where we can. yes it sounds like we are on a bit of a downer this year but I guess we need to have some tough times now and then.
I think you might be right. More folk are looking for value and IBs can offer that. However we really need the cask market to depreciate, some of the prices are getting out of hand, and it’s biting off the hand that feeds. I’ve got a more than ready stockpile of bottles to see me through ridiculous pricing, once it simmers down then I’ll be back on board buying a few bottles a month. Agree that the swing inevitably has to come down, but hopefully we see efforts to soften it. Any favourite or go to IB brands that you see best value with?
@drinkswhisky Thanks, I think you are spot on with regards the cask investment market, this is mental, a case of the emperors new clothes I think and people are going to get burned. As for independent bottlers I think we can both say we like the Thompson Brothers they try hard to produce whisky that is meant to be drunk. I am also a fan of Signatory another company who is trying to deliver good value. Cadenhead's are also very good but don't seem to get talked about too much, if I am in Edinburgh I will pop into the shop and have a look around. Carn Mor and James Eddie have some interesting bottles also.
I should have said I have been doing this for a while now and I have slowly built up a bit of a stash to keep me going> Being a working class kind of a guy I have always had a limited budget Which means I have never spent loads on a bottle of whisky. I am content with spending £40 to £75 per bottle and can find good value and quality within this price range.
That’s the trick, knowing what to buy and from who. And the stockpile is what’s going to keep the majority of us going for the foreseeable, that’s why it’s there isn’t it…? Haha well that’s how I justified it all at the time! I feel for anyone new coming in to whisky, and having to pay a hell of a lot more now to get a range of bottles to build up the experience.