Before the redesign Balblair was vintage. Meaning they didn’t blend older stuff in an age stated release. They would all have to come from the same year/vintage.
Recently picked up the Glenmorangie a tale of the forest and a sample three pack of Aberfeldy. The Glenmorangie and Aberfeldy 21 from the sample pack have been the favorites this year.
Hello! I don't know why I'm writing this to you, but I do hope you read it :) Was a time till a decade ago when I used to seek out and enjoy the finest (and often expensive) bottles of Scotch. Had built myself quite an enviable personal collection, too... Since then, my finances have dwindled and the only Scotch I get is from your lovely videos 🤣 So, thank you for this great channel! Wish you a happy 2023. Cheers!
Money is a bitch huh? Great when you have it, rough when you don't. As for good scotches, I'm hoping to review some cheaper ones this year too so hopefully I'll find some hidden gems!
Great line-up, Bill. I also love Bunna 12 and my only issue with the Bunna 12 CS is that I don't think it is twice as good for twice the price. But, it is a treat! I will have to look for the Tale of the Forrest. Thanks for all your content to wrap up 2022.
I have a few that I have not opened, including Tale of the Forest. I guess that I will open this one today and compare it with the other "tales". Thank you for the video and content in 2022.
I tried Laphroaig 10 decades ago and thought it was harsh pungent crap that singed my nasal hair. I tried it again a few weeks ago and was shocked at how smooth and tasty it is. Has it changed or me? I remember it being much lighter in color as well.
For the Laphroaig Warehouse 1, when it was announced i was highly skeptical. Bourbon matured in the warehouse along the coastline....but then i tried it. To me, it was laphroaig dressed up for the ball room. Elegant and refined. Still has the classic profile but just simply extravagant. I was a huge fan of most cairdeas releases and for me this one eve beat out the PX and wine and port of the recent years, which i didnt think would be possible. And in my market, the price was 5 bucks more than previous versions, and when compared to say diageo limited editions, its a huge checkmark for laphroaig.
Haven’t been able to find Laphroaig Triple Wood or 18 in at least 5 years, my favorites. All I can find now is 10 & Select. Might hafta go to Baton Rouge or New Orleans to find them.
I always agree with Ralfy too! Surprised to see he didn't like it. He also made an incorrect statement regarding the vintages - they never added older whiskies to the vintages, while it is possible they do with their 'Minimum 12 year old' current release
Bunnahabhain 2022 cask strength is fantastic. I bought two and if I see it again will buy a few more. Definitely better than their 1st edition in 2021 imo
so you this is your top 3 whisky of the year right? you dont like the first 3 right? or the no 4-6? and just out of curiosity do you really really really like that glenmorangie?
I totally agree that this years Laphroaig Cairdeas is just a mediocre bottling. This years Laphroaig Cask Strength was way better and very delicious once it opens up after some weeks and air.
Picking a favorite scotch this year was tricky. Too many good whiskies this year. Four of them really stand out. The Coal Ila 12 was awesome. I tried the Oban 14 and 18. By far the best Highland whiskies I've had and just a wonderful friendly drink that is great when it's cold out. I think my favorite of the year though was the Lagavulin 11 Offerman edition (charred oak cask). The smoke is strong and the charred oak makes for a strong and flavorful scotch. I tried it alongside the Lagavulin 8 and 16. The 11 provides some strong competition to the 16 and the 8 is just sad.
I have all three bottles as well and have yet to do a side by side. I enjoy them all, the 8 year is a really good option for more of a budget whisky. I like that its a higher proof over the 16, but that's about it. What did you not like about it?
8 is much more interesting than the 16, sorry not sorry. I've had a bottle of the 16 on my shelf a third gone for about a year because it's just so tame
After years of amazing offerings No way around it… this years Laphroaig Caiddeas was a disappointment 😢…….. Maybe best whiskey I tasted this year was the Bunnahabhain 12 cask strength, depending which batch
Paying anything over $60 for a 12 year and over $80 for up to 18 year is crazy and dumb! So much hype and marketing to suck more money out of the consumer.
What was your top Scotch this year?
Top scotch was the Longrow Red 15 year Pinot Noir. So well balanced with tons of flavor. It even beat out the Springbank 10 year Local Barley for me.
For me it was the Ledaig 10 - have you tried it?
For me, my top Scotch was Lagavulin 16
Biggest disappointment was JW Blue
Top Irish was Bushmills 21
Ardbeg Wee Beastie - for me it's bold, brash, rough around the edges (as compared to the Uigeadail), flavorful and so easy to drink and enjoy.
For me it has to be Ledaig 18, runner-ups Deanston Chronicles, Bunna CS,,Arran 18 and Glen Scotia Victoriana
Before the redesign Balblair was vintage. Meaning they didn’t blend older stuff in an age stated release. They would all have to come from the same year/vintage.
Tbh that Cairdeas Warehouse 1 was my favorite Laphroaig and Islay of all time. Can’t explain why I love it so much but I do
Recently picked up the Glenmorangie a tale of the forest and a sample three pack of Aberfeldy. The Glenmorangie and Aberfeldy 21 from the sample pack have been the favorites this year.
Nice! Thr Aberfeldy sounds good
Benromach 15 is my whisky of the year.thanks for all your great videos this year and happy holidays..cheers from Iceland
Hello! I don't know why I'm writing this to you, but I do hope you read it :) Was a time till a decade ago when I used to seek out and enjoy the finest (and often expensive) bottles of Scotch. Had built myself quite an enviable personal collection, too... Since then, my finances have dwindled and the only Scotch I get is from your lovely videos 🤣 So, thank you for this great channel! Wish you a happy 2023. Cheers!
Money is a bitch huh? Great when you have it, rough when you don't.
As for good scotches, I'm hoping to review some cheaper ones this year too so hopefully I'll find some hidden gems!
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary ❤️
Great line-up, Bill. I also love Bunna 12 and my only issue with the Bunna 12 CS is that I don't think it is twice as good for twice the price. But, it is a treat! I will have to look for the Tale of the Forrest. Thanks for all your content to wrap up 2022.
Bill, agree on the Bunna 12 and this new 12 CS (2022). Bourbon drinkers will enjoy!!
My TW had the Tale of the Forrest on priority only for a long time, but he said no one wanted them. So now I’ve got a really good supply. 😂
I have a few that I have not opened, including Tale of the Forest. I guess that I will open this one today and compare it with the other "tales". Thank you for the video and content in 2022.
You might look into Octomore 10.4 for your Octomore smoke fix, still readily available and I think it tastes like a honey ham on a smoked BBQ grill.
Never seen that one near me
I tried Laphroaig 10 decades ago and thought it was harsh pungent crap that singed my nasal hair. I tried it again a few weeks ago and was shocked at how smooth and tasty it is. Has it changed or me? I remember it being much lighter in color as well.
Great list Bill and the PX Laphroaig was our scotch of the year last year as well. Cheers
Cheers guys!
For the Laphroaig Warehouse 1, when it was announced i was highly skeptical. Bourbon matured in the warehouse along the coastline....but then i tried it. To me, it was laphroaig dressed up for the ball room. Elegant and refined. Still has the classic profile but just simply extravagant. I was a huge fan of most cairdeas releases and for me this one eve beat out the PX and wine and port of the recent years, which i didnt think would be possible. And in my market, the price was 5 bucks more than previous versions, and when compared to say diageo limited editions, its a huge checkmark for laphroaig.
Haven’t been able to find Laphroaig Triple Wood or 18 in at least 5 years, my favorites. All I can find now is 10 & Select. Might hafta go to Baton Rouge or New Orleans to find them.
Good point about the overall decline in quality of the 12 yo whiskies as it is increasingly rare to add in older whisky to tweek the flavor profile.
Yea. I kind of came up with that on the spot.
Ralfy gave Balblair 12 a 90 two months ago.
So, guess which next bottle I going to crack. I always agree with Ralfy so far.
I'd be interested in what you think as for me there's no question
I always agree with Ralfy too! Surprised to see he didn't like it. He also made an incorrect statement regarding the vintages - they never added older whiskies to the vintages, while it is possible they do with their 'Minimum 12 year old' current release
Bill I want to wish you Happy healthy and prosperous New Year!!!!!!!
Thank you! You as well!
Bunnahabhain 2022 cask strength is fantastic. I bought two and if I see it again will buy a few more.
Definitely better than their 1st edition in 2021 imo
Great video
Thanks Shelly
Like or Dislike: Like. Exciting! There'll be tough decisions to make at the duty free next week.
Glenfarclas 12 was so good!
so you this is your top 3 whisky of the year right? you dont like the first 3 right? or the no 4-6? and just out of curiosity do you really really really like that glenmorangie?
Can't wait to try that "Tale of the Forest"
The tale series though is over priced. It's basically Glen Morangie 10 finished. I'm a fan but man it hurts to drop 100 bucks on it.
I totally agree with all of that
Bunna 12 CS 2022…it’s basically 15 or 18 year old CS w a touch of 12 year. Several points better than the 2021 release!
Damn. I should have bought it
I totally agree that this years Laphroaig Cairdeas is just a mediocre bottling. This years Laphroaig Cask Strength was way better and very delicious once it opens up after some weeks and air.
Picking a favorite scotch this year was tricky. Too many good whiskies this year. Four of them really stand out. The Coal Ila 12 was awesome. I tried the Oban 14 and 18. By far the best Highland whiskies I've had and just a wonderful friendly drink that is great when it's cold out. I think my favorite of the year though was the Lagavulin 11 Offerman edition (charred oak cask). The smoke is strong and the charred oak makes for a strong and flavorful scotch. I tried it alongside the Lagavulin 8 and 16. The 11 provides some strong competition to the 16 and the 8 is just sad.
I have all three bottles as well and have yet to do a side by side. I enjoy them all, the 8 year is a really good option for more of a budget whisky. I like that its a higher proof over the 16, but that's about it. What did you not like about it?
8 is much more interesting than the 16, sorry not sorry. I've had a bottle of the 16 on my shelf a third gone for about a year because it's just so tame
Bill wait till you try the new Bunnahabhain 12 cask strength 2022.....its awesome fella...
So I hear! I may have missed my chance to buy it though!
The word "whisky is misspelled on the sign behind you.
Possibly Irish? They use E.
After years of amazing offerings No way around it… this years Laphroaig Caiddeas was a disappointment 😢…….. Maybe best whiskey I tasted this year was the Bunnahabhain 12 cask strength, depending which batch
After last years Cairdeas with the sherry that was sooooooo goooood the warehouse 1 was a bland disappointment.
Paying anything over $60 for a 12 year and over $80 for up to 18 year is crazy and dumb! So much hype and marketing to suck more money out of the consumer.
This is some fancy talk for someone addicted to alcohol, fancy labels don't change the fact that alcohol is addictive poison
Sure is! And its delicious!
Happy new year !!!