Wonderful collection! It's great to see you doing videos again! I know a French sommelier who has had an impressive career; he worked in great restaurants in Switzerland, he has an impressive book collection on wine and collects rare bottles. It's so interesting to talk to someone like him, he knows so much about his line of work. I once asked him about the influence of light/UVs on wine and he replied that any influence is generally barely noticeable when it does happen. I wouldn't be surprised if the same is true about whisky; although, the longer whisky stays in a barrel, the more tannins it will have (which, in wine and whisky, tend to be the molecules that are influenced the most by UVs), so maybe an older whisky could be influenced more by light. I also talked to a bottle-shop employee who is specialised in rum and whisky and he isn't too worried about UVs either. I'm no expert and I'm not denying the effects of UVs on whisky, I would never recommend to leave a bottle in direct sunlight, but it would be interesting to have concrete scientific data on the matter.
I’m a big fan of Balblair too. I have 6 bottles of the 1999 that I’m hoping will see me to my grave. My wife and I adore the 1990 but we only have one and a half bottles left. I am also drinking my precious 1969 bottle very slowly - that was a 50th birthday present as it is my birth year. Good luck in getting through all your unopened bottles - it may take a while. 😀 Another of my distillery interests is Wolfburn as I travel up there most summers. If you can get a peated or Sherry cask expression it may add to your whisky journey.
Wow Ben, that is a wonderful collection of Whisky! Based on the number of unopened bottles, you might need someone to stop by and help remedy that situation 🤣. If I were not so far away, I would volunteer 🙋🏻♂️ for that position 😁! Although they tend to run somewhat higher in price than other brands, some additional Kilchoman expressions would be my recommendation 🤔 to expand your Islay region. Thanks for the mention in the video. Happy New Year and Cheers 🥃!
@@macallanfinerare2552 Hello Doc, Happy New Year to you as well! My recovery during the past 15 months has been up and down. My “new normal” is still being defined due to the internal damage that occurred when I suffered my stroke. Cheers 🥃!
Amazing collection and great video as always! I would say unpeated ex-bourbon cask whiskies are a bit of a blind spot in the collection. There are a couple, but examining a whisky in a naked cask with just time and being left alone without any finishes is a great whisky geekout!
Wowzers... I counted somewhere in the neighbourhood of 216 full size bottles. Nicely done. As far as a blind spot in your collection, I think it has been said: World Whisky... Which I guess would include Irish whether its Single Malt or not. I only saw bourbon and English I don't think I saw anything from Ireland, India, Japan, or Canada... but if you can't get the decent stuff for a decent price then I don't blame you.
We can add another 6 to that count now 😅 Yeah world whisky is definitely underrepresented, both in my collection and in shops here. We can find them online but I have to go looking and the pricing is comparatively high, makes me question 'gambling' on one of them Vs staying in my Scotch comfort zone. I've had a few samples of Red Breast & the 'spots' which haven't really been to my tastes. I've had a few solid suggestions from one of my Patrons though 👍 Pricing is the only thing stopping me from picking up Japanese atm, I've had a few Yamazaki & Nikka bottles which I've really enjoyed in the past. Canada & India are definite blind spots! Crown Royal is my only point of reference 😂 Cheers Wren 🥃👍
Haha, it's snowballed a bit from there! I found a picture the other day of my 'collection' when we first moved into this house - 8 bottles! Most of which was entry-level stuff from supermarkets too 😅 Cheers Callahad! 🥃👍
Nice collection Ben. Clearly been on the bottle hunt during your year or so hiatus. I rather enjoyed the sample of the 21yo Fettercairn you kindly donated in the advent calendar. Lovely to see the Kilchoman Port cask matured. I recently had the 2011-2014 version. Absolutely blew me away. Still can’t believe it was three years old. I thought it was an old skool Bowmore 18yo or something of that ilk. I think you’ve pretty much got Scotch Single Malt covered. I would perhaps take a look at some American whisky. Certainly my favourite category after scotch. MB Roland is one to look for. Stunning characterful bourbon from Kentucky. Super star of the future for sure. 😉 Slainte 🥃
Loads of variety in your collection which is awesome! I'm curious about the derestricted Craigellachie. I received one as a christmas gift and I'm looking forward to popping the cork on it. Here's to a whisky year with you back in the fold Ben. Slainte
Come at that neck pour with a clean palate - I found it seriously weird (mushroom soup... but in a good way? 😅). It's still quite savoury and meaty but changing each time I come to it. Cheers Jed Smith! 🥃👍
Very nice collection! Regarding the Raasay I wasn't expecting that much out of it because there are mixed reviews as you say. And you can definitely tell that it is young but I was pleasantly surprised by the balance of peat, oak and malt and just the pure intensity of it. I think it's one of the more punchy new distilleries and I look forward to your review. Cheers!
That sounds promising. I think young & spirit-driven whisky can be a little polarising. Some people are searching for that simple & easy, I want more character - along the lines of Ardnamurchan 😁 Cheers Whisky Lock 🥃👍
Great overview. It great to see what your enjoying and has helped me add a few to the shopping list. Your collection is impressive, in fact, probably better than the local whisky store here in NZ 😅
Yeah Tomatin make some great stuff! I've got tasting notes for the Glen Scotia 15, cant remember how long ago that was but drawn towards the higher ABV stuff this time around 😉 Cheers JIMMY Paul! 🥃👍
One whisky UK vbloggers never seem to review is Sweden's Mackmyra , one of the most innovative distillers out there. Their Brukswhisky and Bjorksav would put a lot of Scottish distillates to shame.
Interesting suggestion, it's not readily available from what I've seen but sure I could easily find it if I went looking online. I've heard some very mixed opinions on various Mackmyra whiskies which makes me hesitant to pick up a bottle. I need to keep an eye out for some samples or a tasting opportunity Cheers Alex! 🥃👍
@@WhiskyGeek I was a bit skeptical too, and for the same reasons but I'm glad I gave it a go. The Bjorksav, matured in ex bourbon casks and finished in Swedish birch sap wine casks, is rather good. But thats my opinion. Their gravity distillation tower is quite unique.
Nice collection, Ben, and a Happy New Year to you...Vast topic "what you should have else"...it is so personal....To put a long story short I'd say more World whiskies maybe (no surprise if I mention "France", as we have now a boom equivalent to the Irish one probably, but I might be biased on that matter now that I have a foot on it), but as you focus on Scotch, more "filling" distilleries (highlighted mostly by IB as you know it), some can be really great imho (I'll just quote a few ones, Braeval, Glenlossie, Strathmill) & maybe other undisclosed Scottish & Irish whiskies that can be sometimes fantastic...Cheers from Paris !
You're not the first one to mention Irish, but French is a new suggestion 👍 where's the sweet-spot, quality vs price. I've struggled with a lot of Irish so far, as the price goes up more off-notes come in! 'Workhorse' distilleries are a good shout, that was part of my motivation for the Glen Elgin/Glenburgie/Craigellachie single casks. Tried a Glenlossie with Roy that I really liked 😁 Cheers Greg! 🥃👍
@@WhiskyGeek About French whiskies, I've done several videos & others are coming, just to let you know (& no less than 8 ones are mentioned in my Whisky of the Year 2020 video), and many of them are in English, mind you...😉
Jaw dropping collection there Ben. Can’t say you are missing anything noteable maybe a couple of speysides like Glenfarclas 105, Longmorn or indie bottled Mortlach, Benrinnes, Daluaine or Glentauchers. I don’t think you had an Octomore in there but at those prices who can blame anybody.
Mortlach is definitely on the radar! The official bottlings seem a tad pricey to me (+ coloured though I don't expect it's a problem with a spirit as robust as Mortlach) which is probably the reason I've not picked them up yet. Keeping an eye out for offers or IB's though! Also been considering giving the 105 another try, I wasn't impressed by any of the Glenfarclas range the last time I worked through them but that was a few years ago now. As for Octomore - I get more enjoyment out of Port Charlotte's at half the price 😉 Cheers Greig! 🥃👍
I'm a complete newbie and I will never have a collection like that but even I noticed there was no Glenmorangie there. Also there is another distillery on Skye you missed . Torrabeagh. There is also another new one on Islay whose name eludes me to missed. Really interesting video although I don't think your collections value will come close to an American collector whose collection was on a video I watched recently and was worth something in the millions of dollars. Very enjoyable video.
Yeah Ben, I think you can stop buying for a bit😁 Appreciate that you have more than a few "entry level" bottles in your collection which tells me you're serious about trying the whole range. I wish I had that patience.
In theory I can, in practice... we'll see! There are some bargains to be had in the entry level bottles. Some duds too, but I'm always up for the 'research' 😉 Cheers Bill! 🥃👍
Interesting suggestion, where would you suggest to start with their range? I've not looked in to it much but each time I come across them there seems to be a handful of similar NAS' etc and I'm not sure where to start. Perhaps I should consult their distillery page next time I'm looking 😅 Cheers jstie90! 🥃👍
Awesome Ben. Have you had to reinforce the floor beams to support all of that? In terms of where to next you know probably already know what I’m going to suggest? Irish!
Don't say that, you're gonna make me paranoid! Will be looking back over your Irish suggestions after Ive finished with some of these bourbons maybe 😉 Cheers Craig 🥃👍
An excellent and informative video. Many thanks for sharing this collection, which I found helpful and entertaining. Grazie 🙏 ciao , SF Ps: what whisky are you missing? Seeing as you live in England maybe a Filey Bay, or perhaps another Lowland, I enjoy the Bladnoch 10 . But I would say you have plenty excellent choices. Thanks again. Ciao 👋
That's an amazing collection Ben. You definitely need more English whisky plus maybe some Scandinavian. With so many unopened bottles, I genuinely worry that by the time you get around to review some of them, they'll no longer be available to buy.
Ahh yeah the GS 15 is solid. I've had one before & got some notes on it which played a part in me exploring the rest of the range. I'll have to pick up another in the future 😉 Cheers Yong 🥃👍
Love the video! Not sure the accessibility for you, but maybe give some American Single Malts a try, such as Westward , Stranahans, Del Bac, Courage & Conviction and Westland.
Hmm Balcones is about the only American Single Malt I recall seeing, pricing wasn't too great on it either 🤔 I'll have to do some searching for those. Cheers Mr CeeJayEl! 🥃👍
Ahh yeah, I'm yet to find an Irish I've really enjoyed. Tried most of the 'popular' ones... perhaps one of the new distilleries will work for me. Cheers Richard! 🥃👍
I feel like we have similar interests when it comes to islay. With that being said, I think you’ll really enjoy more Kilchoman. I’ve been on a Kilchoman kick lately. Outside of that, I picked up an Arran 18 which was fantastic! Glen Garioch is also a distillery worth mentioning in the highland region.
I know there's a lot of fondness for Compass Box expressions - does it really justify the £100 asking price? I've only tried their entry level blends but haven't really been wow'ed by them, so don't have the confidence dropping that much with them just yet. Cheers Patrick! 🥃👍
Man, anything Springbank is becoming so hard to find nowadays! Don't think I've ever seen a bottle of Hazelburn in a shop... definitely put more effort in to seeking out their peated expresions though 😜 Cheers Hector 🥃👍
@@WhiskyGeek I appreciate the response, great channel and great scotch collection. I know what are saying, these integrity malts are getting harder to find… just called my attention that no Hazelburn was part of the Campbelltown collection, I have a few myself but they are tucked away for a special day! Cheers!
I see you have the Bunnahabhain Móine! What do you think about it (the regular one)? Personally I love it! Such a positive surprise for me, and such a low price!
I think I was given a sample which spurred me on to grab a bottle. Haven't cracked that bottle open yet though! There aren't many 'bad' Bunna's out there 😜 Cheers Johnny 🥃👍
Thanks for sharing your amazing collection. I noticed a lot of unopened bottles so I’ll volunteer to help you with some of those. Or kill a few that are low. Whatever’s needed. 😆
Haha, I'm trying to finish off a few bottles to make space for new ones! I want to keep open bottles to the main shelves only so its semi-manageable... So if you find yourself in NW UK, give me a shout and we can kill a few off 😉 Cheers Carlos San Diego! 🥃👍
I don't think I've ever even seen an Angels Envy in the flesh! The availability of good bourbon over here isn't great ☹ Another one to add to the list! Cheers Sam 🥃👍
im surprised you haven't tried/found the Dewars double double 32 .. I've Neve heard better things for a whisky, at least for the price (it's not cheap, but it's also not in the thousands)
Hmm, it still strikes me as a little too pricey for what it is. I visited Aberfeldy in 2019 and tried a few Dewar's products, they were all a little too simple/friendly for my preferences. I would definitely need to try it and know what I was buying at that price! Cheers Catnap Gee 🥃👍
@@WhiskyGeek If you didn't try the 32 when you were at Aberfeldy, then whatever else you tried was in a completely different category. The 32 won best international whisky, and while I dont put much on awards, I tried it as well as a few of my whisky friends, and have watched reviews on it, and it beats the springbank 17, the glenfarclas 25, th glenlivet 25, the glendronach 21 (23,24,25 yr old) and stands in a category by itself. They somehow went far and beyond for the 32 and it is a masterpiece, and said to be a collectors item worth a fortune one day. If you can get your hands on it, do it! :)
Good question; I suppose I've not really engaged with Glenmorangie's for a while. Last ones I had were the Quinta Ruban and Lasanta, both of which were very nice but mostly drunk by my wife & mother 😂
Hi Ben, that’s a pretty awesome 💪collection. Must of cost you an arm and a leg 😀 . Will take you quite a few years to get through all that lot. There’s some good Irish whiskey out there especially the spots, red breasts and powers (pot still whiskies) , worth buying. Awesome video Ben, thanks for sharing, slàinte mhath.
Hey Ben! Awesome collection! I highly value your reviews and all the expertise you provide and I really need your insight. How long can I store my Scotch once the bottle was opened?? I've read everywhere that I have 1-2 years as long as it's half full and once it's only a third full, it will only last 3-6 months. That seems like quite a short timeframe. What is your opinion on that??? I've recently expanded my collection and now I'm worried. If I constantly have to replace my opened bottles, building a collection doesn't seem sustainable at all.
I've nursed one bottle (a Lagavulin DE) for just over 5 years without any problems. There is a misnomer of oxidation going on in the bottles/glass over time, what is actually happening is a gradual evaporation through diffusion which changes the concentration in the liquid. This means that you have 2 main things to avoid: a mostly empty vessel (consider decanting the liquid into a smaller bottle if you want) as the higher the gas:liquid ratio goes the more you can lose. Secondly; keep the bottle sealed as much as possible. 'Gassing' your whisky exacerbates the process - avoid. The chemistry of an aging wine is very different to whisky; you will hear lots of wine folk talk about aging in the bottle yet it's commonly known that whisky only ages 'in the cask'. I've found that the lower ABV & chill filtered stuff is at much higher risk of 'going flat'. Once the bottle gets low (
@@WhiskyGeek Thank you Ben!!! I've now started to manage my "collection". It's only 37 bottles, so it's far from extensive. If you happen to visit Vienna you are invited to geek over some drams at my place. Since we have quite a lot of vineyards in the area we can warm up with some white wine. It would be awesome to share a dram with a fellow peathead, since my friends are yet to come to the dark side. I hold your videos in high regard and I really like to watch your videos when sipping the dram you are reviewing myself. Slainte Mhath!!!
Damn man, I just recently got into the hobby and you have many, many gems. Any advise for noobs? I am also looking into investing into bottles, like under the radar ones, or undervalued, etc.... I been researching a lot but here in the states its hard to learn about it. Thanks again!
It's not readily available over here in the UK, and because of that the auction prices are pretty steep ☹️ It's one I would love to try otherwise. Cheers Hexagonal Crank 🥃👍
I'm yet to try any French whisky (though it has been recommended!), Irish has been very hit & miss for me and Japanese has a bunch of enjoyable bottles but at unjustifiable prices. Cheers Алексей 🥃👍
It depends on mood, setting etc, but: Tomatin PX single cask (#34913) Balblair 1990 Caol Ila 33 Year Old 1984 (cask 11620) Caol Ila - sherry single cask from their warehouse demo Lagavulin - 2x sherry single casks from their warehouse demo Bruichladdich 26YO ex-bourbon single cask Port Charlotte MRC:01 Tomatin 36YO & the Warehouse 6's I have had Ardbeg Traig Bhan & Supernova (2019) There's a lot to choose from! Cheers Алексей 🥃👍
It's speculation I believe, based on the company that owns it recently having updated the rest of their distilleries one by one and this being the last one left. Whilst the branding didn't change much on the others the price points did which has probably lead to the nervousness!
Enjoyed the video, but that’s one hell of a lot of unopened bottles 😱 I hate to think what they cost you, but your will power must be 100x mine to buy all of those and not open them 😉 Thanks for sharing 🥃🥃
Can't get my head around how many closed bottles you have? Have you had another bottle and these are your 2nd bottles? Nothing stays closed in my house. I have to try it!! 😉
Very few of them are replacements. If I was to drink it as fast as I buy it I would end up dead 😅 I try not to open more than I can fit on the shelves - keeps it manageable. Cheers Ben 🥃👍
You have some reserve in case the end of the world comes:) ... are they for personal pleasure or do you have a business with it? Cheers and a good year!
Haha, keep stocked up for the impending ridiculous prices 😉 This channel is the closest thing I've got to a whisky business, mostly just drinking & sharing it 😁 Cheers Rares Solomon! 🥃👍
Not sure if you're trolling me here 😉 I've had a few bottles of Dalmore, don't enjoy it enough to warrant the RRP. Maybe pick up an independent bottling at some point. Cheers 🥃👍
Wonderful collection!
It's great to see you doing videos again!
I know a French sommelier who has had an impressive career; he worked in great restaurants in Switzerland, he has an impressive book collection on wine and collects rare bottles. It's so interesting to talk to someone like him, he knows so much about his line of work.
I once asked him about the influence of light/UVs on wine and he replied that any influence is generally barely noticeable when it does happen. I wouldn't be surprised if the same is true about whisky; although, the longer whisky stays in a barrel, the more tannins it will have (which, in wine and whisky, tend to be the molecules that are influenced the most by UVs), so maybe an older whisky could be influenced more by light.
I also talked to a bottle-shop employee who is specialised in rum and whisky and he isn't too worried about UVs either.
I'm no expert and I'm not denying the effects of UVs on whisky, I would never recommend to leave a bottle in direct sunlight, but it would be interesting to have concrete scientific data on the matter.
"I don't have enough liver..." we can relate to that.
It's a sad reality! So much wonderful whisky to try and the list just keeps getting longer.
Cheers Steveland Wonder 🥃👍
The King is back :)
Cheers Lukas! 🥃👍
Thought I have too much whisky in the cabinet...
... it appears I have a long way to go.
Great collection, Ben. Thanks for sharing .
Slàinte mhath
"too much whisky" ... I don't understand ... 😉
Cheers peathead! 🥃👍
Wolfburn, Arran 18, Arran The bothy, Arran Bodega, Arran Burns, Glenmorangie 18, GLENMORANGIE MALAGA, Edradour 2006 Ibisco Sherry, ABERLOUR,BOWMORE, GLENFARCLAS,MORTLACH,KAVALAN VINHO, AMRUT,REDBREAST,PAUL JOHN,YUSHAN.... OMAR,MILLSTONE 12,
I’m a big fan of Balblair too. I have 6 bottles of the 1999 that I’m hoping will see me to my grave. My wife and I adore the 1990 but we only have one and a half bottles left. I am also drinking my precious 1969 bottle very slowly - that was a 50th birthday present as it is my birth year. Good luck in getting through all your unopened bottles - it may take a while. 😀
Another of my distillery interests is Wolfburn as I travel up there most summers. If you can get a peated or Sherry cask expression it may add to your whisky journey.
Wow Ben, that is a wonderful collection of Whisky! Based on the number of unopened bottles, you might need someone to stop by and help remedy that situation 🤣. If I were not so far away, I would volunteer 🙋🏻♂️ for that position 😁!
Although they tend to run somewhat higher in price than other brands, some additional Kilchoman expressions would be my recommendation 🤔 to expand your Islay region. Thanks for the mention in the video. Happy New Year and Cheers 🥃!
Hi Duane and a very happy new year to you, great to read you here!!! I hope you feel much better now. All the best. 🤗
@@macallanfinerare2552 Hello Doc, Happy New Year to you as well! My recovery during the past 15 months has been up and down. My “new normal” is still being defined due to the internal damage that occurred when I suffered my stroke. Cheers 🥃!
Amazing collection and great video as always! I would say unpeated ex-bourbon cask whiskies are a bit of a blind spot in the collection. There are a couple, but examining a whisky in a naked cask with just time and being left alone without any finishes is a great whisky geekout!
Great video, I’m always fascinated to see and hear about whisky collections.
Cheers Fraser! 🥃👍
That’s one heck of a collection you’ve got there. Enjoy 👍🏻
Cheers MTL! 🥃👍
Really fantastic and varied collection ! And totally with you on port charlotte especially the wine finishings!
I'm eyeing up that new SC:01 expression ... maybe next pay day 😉
Cheers Jacob 🥃👍
@@WhiskyGeek id love to find that one as well!
Wowzers... I counted somewhere in the neighbourhood of 216 full size bottles. Nicely done. As far as a blind spot in your collection, I think it has been said: World Whisky... Which I guess would include Irish whether its Single Malt or not. I only saw bourbon and English I don't think I saw anything from Ireland, India, Japan, or Canada... but if you can't get the decent stuff for a decent price then I don't blame you.
We can add another 6 to that count now 😅
Yeah world whisky is definitely underrepresented, both in my collection and in shops here. We can find them online but I have to go looking and the pricing is comparatively high, makes me question 'gambling' on one of them Vs staying in my Scotch comfort zone.
I've had a few samples of Red Breast & the 'spots' which haven't really been to my tastes. I've had a few solid suggestions from one of my Patrons though 👍
Pricing is the only thing stopping me from picking up Japanese atm, I've had a few Yamazaki & Nikka bottles which I've really enjoyed in the past.
Canada & India are definite blind spots! Crown Royal is my only point of reference 😂
Cheers Wren 🥃👍
I remember watching you when you were just started out, wow. Big cabinet right there!
Haha, it's snowballed a bit from there! I found a picture the other day of my 'collection' when we first moved into this house - 8 bottles! Most of which was entry-level stuff from supermarkets too 😅
Cheers Callahad! 🥃👍
Amazing collection. I hope to taste at list a half of that.
Miniatures & samples are a great way to go if you're looking to try a wide range of things without costing the earth.
Cheers Дмитрий! 🥃👍
Very impressive! I see this and realize how much I have to learn about Scotch!
I'm still exploring/researching too - there's always something new 😁
Cheers Bob 🥃👍
Hey Ben,nice video and a cracking collection,loved it matey,all the best,,cheers
Cheers Peter, hope you're well 🥃👍
Nice collection Ben. Clearly been on the bottle hunt during your year or so hiatus. I rather enjoyed the sample of the 21yo Fettercairn you kindly donated in the advent calendar. Lovely to see the Kilchoman Port cask matured. I recently had the 2011-2014 version. Absolutely blew me away. Still can’t believe it was three years old. I thought it was an old skool Bowmore 18yo or something of that ilk. I think you’ve pretty much got Scotch Single Malt covered. I would perhaps take a look at some American whisky. Certainly my favourite category after scotch. MB Roland is one to look for. Stunning characterful bourbon from Kentucky. Super star of the future for sure. 😉
Slainte 🥃
Loads of variety in your collection which is awesome! I'm curious about the derestricted Craigellachie. I received one as a christmas gift and I'm looking forward to popping the cork on it. Here's to a whisky year with you back in the fold Ben. Slainte
Come at that neck pour with a clean palate - I found it seriously weird (mushroom soup... but in a good way? 😅). It's still quite savoury and meaty but changing each time I come to it.
Cheers Jed Smith! 🥃👍
@@WhiskyGeekCheers Ben, that’s good to know! If I remember when the cork gets popped, I’ll drop my thoughts back here 👍🥃
Excellent video, thanks for sharing 👊
Cheers Campervan Travels in Dora! 🥃👍
great collection Ben!
Cheers Marcel! 🥃👍
Very nice collection! Regarding the Raasay I wasn't expecting that much out of it because there are mixed reviews as you say. And you can definitely tell that it is young but I was pleasantly surprised by the balance of peat, oak and malt and just the pure intensity of it. I think it's one of the more punchy new distilleries and I look forward to your review. Cheers!
That sounds promising. I think young & spirit-driven whisky can be a little polarising. Some people are searching for that simple & easy, I want more character - along the lines of Ardnamurchan 😁
Cheers Whisky Lock 🥃👍
Great overview. It great to see what your enjoying and has helped me add a few to the shopping list. Your collection is impressive, in fact, probably better than the local whisky store here in NZ 😅
Sorry, if you're anything like me I expect you didn't need help adding things to the shopping list 😅
Cheers Phil! 🥃👍
@@WhiskyGeek Haha, I sure am. That whisky shopping list continues to grow everyday 😅 👍🥃
Great collection!! Can't wait for the new reviews;)
Some good stuff coming this year for sure. Cheers Andrey! 🥃👍
Great collection Ben, i do like the Tomatin one of my favorites. One missing GLEN SCOTIA 15 YRS, not saying you need more.
Yeah Tomatin make some great stuff! I've got tasting notes for the Glen Scotia 15, cant remember how long ago that was but drawn towards the higher ABV stuff this time around 😉
Cheers JIMMY Paul! 🥃👍
One whisky UK vbloggers never seem to review is Sweden's Mackmyra , one of the most innovative distillers out there. Their Brukswhisky and Bjorksav would put a lot of Scottish distillates to shame.
Interesting suggestion, it's not readily available from what I've seen but sure I could easily find it if I went looking online. I've heard some very mixed opinions on various Mackmyra whiskies which makes me hesitant to pick up a bottle. I need to keep an eye out for some samples or a tasting opportunity
Cheers Alex! 🥃👍
@@WhiskyGeek I was a bit skeptical too, and for the same reasons but I'm glad I gave it a go. The Bjorksav, matured in ex bourbon casks and finished in Swedish birch sap wine casks, is rather good. But thats my opinion. Their gravity distillation tower is quite unique.
Nice collection, Ben, and a Happy New Year to you...Vast topic "what you should have else"...it is so personal....To put a long story short I'd say more World whiskies maybe (no surprise if I mention "France", as we have now a boom equivalent to the Irish one probably, but I might be biased on that matter now that I have a foot on it), but as you focus on Scotch, more "filling" distilleries (highlighted mostly by IB as you know it), some can be really great imho (I'll just quote a few ones, Braeval, Glenlossie, Strathmill) & maybe other undisclosed Scottish & Irish whiskies that can be sometimes fantastic...Cheers from Paris !
You're not the first one to mention Irish, but French is a new suggestion 👍 where's the sweet-spot, quality vs price.
I've struggled with a lot of Irish so far, as the price goes up more off-notes come in!
'Workhorse' distilleries are a good shout, that was part of my motivation for the Glen Elgin/Glenburgie/Craigellachie single casks. Tried a Glenlossie with Roy that I really liked 😁
Cheers Greg! 🥃👍
@@WhiskyGeek About French whiskies, I've done several videos & others are coming, just to let you know (& no less than 8 ones are mentioned in my Whisky of the Year 2020 video), and many of them are in English, mind you...😉
Jaw dropping collection there Ben. Can’t say you are missing anything noteable maybe a couple of speysides like Glenfarclas 105, Longmorn or indie bottled Mortlach, Benrinnes, Daluaine or Glentauchers. I don’t think you had an Octomore in there but at those prices who can blame anybody.
Mortlach is definitely on the radar! The official bottlings seem a tad pricey to me (+ coloured though I don't expect it's a problem with a spirit as robust as Mortlach) which is probably the reason I've not picked them up yet. Keeping an eye out for offers or IB's though!
Also been considering giving the 105 another try, I wasn't impressed by any of the Glenfarclas range the last time I worked through them but that was a few years ago now.
As for Octomore - I get more enjoyment out of Port Charlotte's at half the price 😉
Cheers Greig! 🥃👍
Let's go Ben. Good shout.
Cheers massivescott! 🥃👍
I'm a complete newbie and I will never have a collection like that but even I noticed there was no Glenmorangie there. Also there is another distillery on Skye you missed . Torrabeagh. There is also another new one on Islay whose name eludes me to missed. Really interesting video although I don't think your collections value will come close to an American collector whose collection was on a video I watched recently and was worth something in the millions of dollars. Very enjoyable video.
Fantastic, thanks for sharing.
Cheers Paul! 🥃👍
Yeah Ben, I think you can stop buying for a bit😁 Appreciate that you have more than a few "entry level" bottles in your collection which tells me you're serious about trying the whole range. I wish I had that patience.
In theory I can, in practice... we'll see!
There are some bargains to be had in the entry level bottles. Some duds too, but I'm always up for the 'research' 😉
Cheers Bill! 🥃👍
I think its time to try some Wolfburn. A very interesting series as well.
Interesting suggestion, where would you suggest to start with their range? I've not looked in to it much but each time I come across them there seems to be a handful of similar NAS' etc and I'm not sure where to start. Perhaps I should consult their distillery page next time I'm looking 😅
Cheers jstie90! 🥃👍
Awesome Ben. Have you had to reinforce the floor beams to support all of that? In terms of where to next you know probably already know what I’m going to suggest? Irish!
Don't say that, you're gonna make me paranoid!
Will be looking back over your Irish suggestions after Ive finished with some of these bourbons maybe 😉
Cheers Craig 🥃👍
An excellent and informative video. Many thanks for sharing this collection, which I found helpful and entertaining. Grazie 🙏 ciao , SF
Ps: what whisky are you missing? Seeing as you live in England maybe a Filey Bay, or perhaps another Lowland, I enjoy the Bladnoch 10 . But I would say you have plenty excellent choices. Thanks again. Ciao 👋
That's an amazing collection Ben. You definitely need more English whisky plus maybe some Scandinavian. With so many unopened bottles, I genuinely worry that by the time you get around to review some of them, they'll no longer be available to buy.
Gotta get a Glen Scotia 15 in there.... prolly my default goto from the distillery... Great stuff :)
Ahh yeah the GS 15 is solid. I've had one before & got some notes on it which played a part in me exploring the rest of the range. I'll have to pick up another in the future 😉
Cheers Yong 🥃👍
Omg i will save this video for showing to my friends :D
Haha, cheers Petr! 🥃👍
Plastic video my friend. As a whiskey lover and reviewer I really enjoyed this. Cheers!
Benromach fanboying: you’re doing it right 😁. Very since overview Ben. Looking forward to what you’ll bedding and reviewing in 2022. Happy new year. 🥃
Need to clear out some of the Speyside shelf so I can get a few of them (+ GlenAllachies) open 😁
Cheers Menno 🥃👍
waiting for your next super collection video :)
Great vid. Thanks for the update. What’s the awesome ikea shelving your using there? Need something solid for my collection. Would you recommend it?
They're Billy bookcases with Oxberg glass doors. Yeah I'm pretty pleased with them!
Cheers Stuey 🥃👍
Thanks. Catch ya on the VPub 😊
Love the video! Not sure the accessibility for you, but maybe give some American Single Malts a try, such as Westward , Stranahans, Del Bac, Courage & Conviction and Westland.
Hmm Balcones is about the only American Single Malt I recall seeing, pricing wasn't too great on it either 🤔 I'll have to do some searching for those.
Cheers Mr CeeJayEl! 🥃👍
@@WhiskyGeek of course I forgot Balcones…. Another excellent single malt!
Wow. lots to get through! would love your thoughts on the Bunna Moine!
Opened mine last night. Wonderful
I'll get there! Think I'm working on that Cruach Mhona first... once there's a spot on the shelf 😉
Cheers Ronan! 🥃👍
Blind spot? Wow! Hard to think about on the Scotch end of things. Irish? That might be a new horizon for you. :)
Ahh yeah, I'm yet to find an Irish I've really enjoyed. Tried most of the 'popular' ones... perhaps one of the new distilleries will work for me.
Cheers Richard! 🥃👍
Brilliant!
Cheers Vince & Theresa! 🥃👍
I feel like we have similar interests when it comes to islay. With that being said, I think you’ll really enjoy more Kilchoman. I’ve been on a Kilchoman kick lately.
Outside of that, I picked up an Arran 18 which was fantastic! Glen Garioch is also a distillery worth mentioning in the highland region.
You're not wrong! I've had a few Kilchoman's on my wish list for a while now 😉
Good suggestions, cheers Adam 🥃👍
Great collection. You should try the Compass Box No Name batch 3.
I know there's a lot of fondness for Compass Box expressions - does it really justify the £100 asking price? I've only tried their entry level blends but haven't really been wow'ed by them, so don't have the confidence dropping that much with them just yet.
Cheers Patrick! 🥃👍
Great collection! you are missing some Hazelburn! 😉
Man, anything Springbank is becoming so hard to find nowadays! Don't think I've ever seen a bottle of Hazelburn in a shop... definitely put more effort in to seeking out their peated expresions though 😜
Cheers Hector 🥃👍
@@WhiskyGeek I appreciate the response, great channel and great scotch collection. I know what are saying, these integrity malts are getting harder to find… just called my attention that no Hazelburn was part of the Campbelltown collection, I have a few myself but they are tucked away for a special day! Cheers!
I see you have the Bunnahabhain Móine! What do you think about it (the regular one)? Personally I love it! Such a positive surprise for me, and such a low price!
I think I was given a sample which spurred me on to grab a bottle. Haven't cracked that bottle open yet though! There aren't many 'bad' Bunna's out there 😜
Cheers Johnny 🥃👍
Bell collection
Cheers Isabelle 🥃👍
Thanks for sharing your amazing collection. I noticed a lot of unopened bottles so I’ll volunteer to help you with some of those. Or kill a few that are low. Whatever’s needed. 😆
Haha, I'm trying to finish off a few bottles to make space for new ones! I want to keep open bottles to the main shelves only so its semi-manageable... So if you find yourself in NW UK, give me a shout and we can kill a few off 😉
Cheers Carlos San Diego! 🥃👍
Awesome collection, great shelves! Could you tell me where you bought them / their name, cheers!
Pretty sure it's called a Billy bookcase (with doors) from Ikea, super fancy 😉
Cheers Orlando! 🥃👍
Dude. Regarding Bourbon/American whisky, have you tried Angeles Envy? It is glorious!!
I don't think I've ever even seen an Angels Envy in the flesh! The availability of good bourbon over here isn't great ☹
Another one to add to the list! Cheers Sam 🥃👍
im surprised you haven't tried/found the Dewars double double 32 .. I've Neve heard better things for a whisky, at least for the price (it's not cheap, but it's also not in the thousands)
Hmm, it still strikes me as a little too pricey for what it is. I visited Aberfeldy in 2019 and tried a few Dewar's products, they were all a little too simple/friendly for my preferences. I would definitely need to try it and know what I was buying at that price!
Cheers Catnap Gee 🥃👍
@@WhiskyGeek If you didn't try the 32 when you were at Aberfeldy, then whatever else you tried was in a completely different category. The 32 won best international whisky, and while I dont put much on awards, I tried it as well as a few of my whisky friends, and have watched reviews on it, and it beats the springbank 17, the glenfarclas 25, th glenlivet 25, the glendronach 21 (23,24,25 yr old) and stands in a category by itself. They somehow went far and beyond for the 32 and it is a masterpiece, and said to be a collectors item worth a fortune one day. If you can get your hands on it, do it! :)
sick, but why no Glenmorangie (Quinta Ruban, Signet)?
Good question; I suppose I've not really engaged with Glenmorangie's for a while. Last ones I had were the Quinta Ruban and Lasanta, both of which were very nice but mostly drunk by my wife & mother 😂
Hi Ben, that’s a pretty awesome 💪collection. Must of cost you an arm and a leg 😀 . Will take you quite a few years to get through all that lot. There’s some good Irish whiskey out there especially the spots, red breasts and powers (pot still whiskies) , worth buying. Awesome video Ben, thanks for sharing, slàinte mhath.
Yeah, if it takes me anything less than a couple of years I would be worried. Don't think I've tried any Powers - one to seek out!
Cheers David! 🥃👍
Hey Ben! Awesome collection! I highly value your reviews and all the expertise you provide and I really need your insight. How long can I store my Scotch once the bottle was opened?? I've read everywhere that I have 1-2 years as long as it's half full and once it's only a third full, it will only last 3-6 months. That seems like quite a short timeframe. What is your opinion on that??? I've recently expanded my collection and now I'm worried. If I constantly have to replace my opened bottles, building a collection doesn't seem sustainable at all.
I've nursed one bottle (a Lagavulin DE) for just over 5 years without any problems. There is a misnomer of oxidation going on in the bottles/glass over time, what is actually happening is a gradual evaporation through diffusion which changes the concentration in the liquid. This means that you have 2 main things to avoid: a mostly empty vessel (consider decanting the liquid into a smaller bottle if you want) as the higher the gas:liquid ratio goes the more you can lose. Secondly; keep the bottle sealed as much as possible.
'Gassing' your whisky exacerbates the process - avoid. The chemistry of an aging wine is very different to whisky; you will hear lots of wine folk talk about aging in the bottle yet it's commonly known that whisky only ages 'in the cask'.
I've found that the lower ABV & chill filtered stuff is at much higher risk of 'going flat'.
Once the bottle gets low (
@@WhiskyGeek Thank you Ben!!! I've now started to manage my "collection". It's only 37 bottles, so it's far from extensive. If you happen to visit Vienna you are invited to geek over some drams at my place. Since we have quite a lot of vineyards in the area we can warm up with some white wine. It would be awesome to share a dram with a fellow peathead, since my friends are yet to come to the dark side. I hold your videos in high regard and I really like to watch your videos when sipping the dram you are reviewing myself. Slainte Mhath!!!
Did you buy the Elijah Craig on my reccomendation? :D hope you will enjoy it
Haha, possibly! It was mentioned a couple of times and came up at a decent price 😁
Cheers DayKlight 🥃👍
Damn man, I just recently got into the hobby and you have many, many gems. Any advise for noobs? I am also looking into investing into bottles, like under the radar ones, or undervalued, etc.... I been researching a lot but here in the states its hard to learn about it. Thanks again!
No Lagavulin Offerman Edition?
It's not readily available over here in the UK, and because of that the auction prices are pretty steep ☹️
It's one I would love to try otherwise.
Cheers Hexagonal Crank 🥃👍
How do you feel about irish, french, japanese whiskey?
I'm yet to try any French whisky (though it has been recommended!), Irish has been very hit & miss for me and Japanese has a bunch of enjoyable bottles but at unjustifiable prices.
Cheers Алексей 🥃👍
Terrific collection and more than half I said "snap" to... perhaps that's why I thought it was so good... 🤔😏😉🥃
Hi Sid,
Those samples turned up today - very nicely presented too! Thank you very much for your generosity 😁
Cheers 🥃🥃👌
@@WhiskyGeek thanks for letting me know they got there. Enjoy! 🥃👍
Is it better to store your bottles in their respective boxes? Or is it ok to leave them out?
i daren't have that much whisky in my place lol,you could invite scotland round with that lot 😂
man you have a great collection, how much did it costs you to collect them.
I would like to know your favorite top 10 whiskeys.
It depends on mood, setting etc, but:
Tomatin PX single cask (#34913)
Balblair 1990
Caol Ila 33 Year Old 1984 (cask 11620)
Caol Ila - sherry single cask from their warehouse demo
Lagavulin - 2x sherry single casks from their warehouse demo
Bruichladdich 26YO ex-bourbon single cask
Port Charlotte MRC:01
Tomatin 36YO & the Warehouse 6's I have had
Ardbeg Traig Bhan & Supernova (2019)
There's a lot to choose from!
Cheers Алексей 🥃👍
Your Top 15 in $100-150 range pls..bc this will fit a lot of consumers’ wallet
Haven't heard about the Ancnoc rebranding. Is this true?
It's speculation I believe, based on the company that owns it recently having updated the rest of their distilleries one by one and this being the last one left. Whilst the branding didn't change much on the others the price points did which has probably lead to the nervousness!
@@WhiskyGeek Not good, Ancnoc have great prices.
Bourbon has a "cult following". LOL Where in GB do you live?
Maybe I've just seen too much of the Whiskey Tribe's Facebook page 😅
Northwest.
Cheers Triplecap 🥃👍
Do you ever put your whisky into a decanter?
Enjoyed the video, but that’s one hell of a lot of unopened bottles 😱 I hate to think what they cost you, but your will power must be 100x mine to buy all of those and not open them 😉 Thanks for sharing 🥃🥃
I've got to have restraint, it will become unmanageable if I get too many of them open at once 😅
Cheers Nick! 🥃👍
I've only got one thing to say: 🤩🔥👌🥃
Haha, cheers Benny! 🥃👍
My bottle collection has a considerabley lower fill level than yours! 🤣
Can't get my head around how many closed bottles you have? Have you had another bottle and these are your 2nd bottles? Nothing stays closed in my house. I have to try it!! 😉
Very few of them are replacements. If I was to drink it as fast as I buy it I would end up dead 😅
I try not to open more than I can fit on the shelves - keeps it manageable.
Cheers Ben 🥃👍
Kavalan and Amrut if you want to go international
Good suggestions, Kavalan is pretty pricey around here.
Cheers Daniel! 🥃👍
You must have a spare house to store that collection in 😳
I could do with another cabinet! There's currently 3 big boxes getting in the way all the time.
Cheers Gav G 🥃👍
You have some reserve in case the end of the world comes:) ... are they for personal pleasure or do you have a business with it? Cheers and a good year!
Haha, keep stocked up for the impending ridiculous prices 😉
This channel is the closest thing I've got to a whisky business, mostly just drinking & sharing it 😁
Cheers Rares Solomon! 🥃👍
Nice
👍👍👍
Cheers TheJoly88 👍🥃
you must be rich!
Do you not like Japanese whiskeys?
You forgot dalmore
Not sure if you're trolling me here 😉
I've had a few bottles of Dalmore, don't enjoy it enough to warrant the RRP. Maybe pick up an independent bottling at some point.
Cheers 🥃👍