Asked my love to marry me just a few steps from the distillery and we celebrated there. We were gifted a bottle by the lovely folks there, and now we visit every year. We're always welcomed as family. Lovely people and delightful whisky.
Ralfy you are my go to boy, I just love listening to all the information you have to give its absolutely riveting. Cheers, thinking about buying a bottle of Oban here next week. For now though, a little Laphroaig to top my day off. Slaintè
Astute comments Ralfy in regard to false impressions ... I had the same experience this evening after trying Highland Park 12 again after leaving it for 2 years. My first impression 2 years ago was quite different to what I got this evening ... now to be fair this Whisky has sat in the bottle for an additional 2 years - but yet again I performed the same ritual of allowing the dram to breath in the Glencairn and to give a gentle roll around for nosing. The longer I left this dram, the better it got and the complexity utterly took me by surprise ... I ended up with a completely transformed view of HP 12 .... from not very impressed ... to lovely dram! Time can make a big difference ... not just time breathing in the glass as we know. Great comments ... thanks again for your delightfully presented Whisky waxings mate.
Ralfy I notice you've passed 49,000 subscribers, congratulations! As word gets out, 50,000 won't be far behind as people who love single malts and want to learn more about scotch without spending a fortune, come to call. I enjoy your reviews immensely and you've encouraged me to strike out and try some single malts that I would have never tried before listening to you. My Buchanan/McCormick ancestors are also smiling since I listened to your review of the 18 yo blended Buchanan and gave it a try; thanks for the heads up.
Great idea for a new series, I personally have been exploring mostly Highlands and Speyside whiskies, and look forward to seeing your reviews for the Islay and Lowland regions.
Thanks, Ralfy. I got a bottle of Oban recently as a gift. I'll see if I can pick out the flavors as you do! Actually, I never do but your reviews give me hope that someday my palate will get more sophisticated. In the meantime, I'll just enjoy the dram!
@@outsiderdf It's true about the finish but you can get more out of that if you leave it for 15 minutes. Maybe you already did, but I think it helps a lot ...
I agree with the another comment made here regarding the push of this malt in the states. At some point it became one of the most ubiquitous singles to consistently appear in restaurants and it always seems to cost a bit too much for a bottle, usually between $60-$80 in the shops. Besides big underground marketing somewhere in the industry, the brand must also be making great play of being allocated from a smaller distillery, similar to Lagavulin maybe. What is the rep like in the U.K. Ralf?
I got to try this stuff, I love the Glenmorangie and Highland park. I'm guessing for the price the Glenmorangie 18 year will be a better value. Gonna buy some tonight.
I bought a bottle of this last year and my first impression was not as generous as yours. I thought it smelled and tasted like it was strained through a damp gym sock. It did get slightly better as I worked through the bottle though. Quite often, I added bits of Laphroaig or Ardbeg to it to hide whatever it was that I found off putting.
Re: Whisky tasting different in top of bottle vs. middle vs. bottom. I've noticed this, too, and I don't think it's all due to my changing impressions of the whisky. For example, the first dram or two of a Laphroaig will be an overwhelming smoke bomb; later drams, much less so. The smoke components seem to rise to the top. I'm wondering if shaking the bottle up a bit before pouring a dram will even out its distribution. ???
thankyou Ralfy for these reviews, they are incredibly informative and I'm really learning to TASTE my whisky as opposed to just drinking it. thankyou good sir.
i'll never forget Oban because my mom drank some of it on her deathbed -- she even licked the cork -- and we'd mix some of it with the ice slivers that she'd take to wet her mouth as we were with her while she was dying she didn't revive or somesuch, but its one of my favourite drinks i love how the taste disappears on my tongue
It's interesting to see Oban at a Johnnie Walker event. From what I've read not a single drop of Oban is going into blends because all of it is needed to sell as single malt (Oban is simply not making enough whisky due to the small size of the distillery).
One of my favorite Highland malts...For some they don't find the Oban 14 yr complex enough, and it lacks a certain "something"...IMHO it's a wonderful dram, and I'll always keep a bottle (or 2) in my cabinet.
Got a bottle of Oban little bay for my dad for the Christmas. He loved it. I tasted it too thought I'm not super into whisky (don't know much about em) but it tasted very rich and good. Not just a ordinary whisky.
Ralfy! If you ever get back around to bourbons, I picked up this bottle for $17.00 the other day called Johnny Drum Straight Kentucky Bourbon and I really like it. I'd be curious to see what you think about it.
Appreciate your time and effort. Disagree with your rating. I'd give it a 89/91. I'm new to Scotch 1 yr. I do have a palate being I've cooked for 30yrs and tasted wine and beer as long.
i dont know why - maybe i'm not normal ;) - but i really liked that solventy note, which was also present in the nose a bit. its a somewhat different malt in my opinion. thanks for your great reviews btw ! ;)
There is a hint of peat, I didn't realize that's what it was as first. For some reason a lot of people really like this including me. It's around $78 now in my area of U.S.
Something I read recently is that Oban makes the fewest amount of whisky in the Diageo portfolio. Because of this NONE of Oban's output goes into Johnnie Walker or other blends. And due to the city being built around the distillery, Oban cannot expand to increase production.
This one is worth more than 84 for my taste buds. My enjoyment is on par with the Old Pulteney 12yo which I love. I'm giving this one around a 89-90. Would love a re-review of this, kind Sir Ralfy. Does this one have any chill filtering and E150 caramel?
Thank you very much for your review. My friend and I are enjoying a glass of this lovely scotch. We women love the fragrance and the notes of honey and toffee...yumm!
Yep, I bought a bottle of the 18yo and I'm not sure it warrants the price I paid ($85 USD), but I like it. It has more of a floral bouquet that I wasn't expecting, but it's pretty good.
Didn't you find the Old Pulteney 12 yr finish a little "iffy"?..Of the 2 - what was it that gave the Old Pulteney 12 yr a few points more?...And btw - I too enjoy it more so than the Oban 14 yr - especially when ya consider it's less expensive as well.
I went to a Johnnie Walker scotch tasting event a few years back. That event probably had more to do with me becoming a scotch drinker than anything else. In it, we tasted several "colors" of Johnnie Walker, along with 4 single malts: Glenkinchie ("a good breakfast Scotch"), Talisker, Lagavulen and Oban. Of the 4, Oban was the least "exciting" to me, personally. But the thing I found most interesting is how much all 4 of these malts have gone up in price. Kudos to Diageo for the event.
I love me some Glen Garioch. You should review their 12 y.o. Its available and for about $50 a bottle american I find it to be almost as good a value as a 12 y.o. Pultney!
Hey Ralfy is there any chance of you reviewing the newer Deanston 12 yr un-chilled filtered with the 46.3 abv?..In my humble opinion it's simply fantastic!
I absolutely love the 18yo - it was the 14yo that made me swear to never buy another bottle. It was over 3 years ago that I had the 14 and maybe it was my inexperience or a bad bottle but it made me think of damp gym socks. That might be that rice wine thing Ralphy mentioned. Maybe I should give it another try? I just wish the 18 wasn't so expensive.
What I find interesting is that here in the greater Milwaukee area I have only seen Oban 14 yr offered in 2 establishments...As far as I know - not many folks in this are aware of it's existence, and maybe this "push" is more seen on the east, and west coasts.
Hey Ralfy...what say you about Deanston Virgin Oak NAS? I've never heard of it...but it's bottled at 46%, non-chill filtered, natural color...and very reasonably priced at my local shop...worth a go?
Just guessing.... but I'm thinking that salt is salt is salt. If there is a salt taste in the whisky, then there must be salt in the whisky, however slight. It would seem to me then, that salt is an ingredient early in the process. Most likely organic to the barley grain cell structure, and or in the air that barley is germinated. Where else could salt enter into the product?
I have Oban 14yo in one glass and Auchentoshan three wood in another. I find it difficult to enjoy all of the different aromas ralfy implies in the Oban. when I smell the Auchentoshan it pours a sweet fruity sensation into my sense of smell. Oban is AMAZING, however it does smell a bit of stale dish water so Mr. Ralfy I have to disagree with your opinion. Oban has a lighter colour while Achentoshan is darker, both are excellent! Thank you for your excellent review , but you must have an amazing nose to retrieve so many distinct aromas from something that smells like old dish water. Great video. I love every one you make. Please post more.
and like the other comments, great new series ralphy, I've been a fan for almost a year now, never posted until now. If I had to make a request I'd ask you review John Walker Double Black, It's by far my favourite Whiskey mixed with Ginger Ale... Bang for back it's a winner...
If you like mainland stuff, especially Dutch, try Corenwijn or Korenwijn. Traditional Dutch spirit, comes very close to a Single Malt. The main difference is the relative short aging time it gets. Around 4/5 y.
i think they are a bottler, not a distiller. Read they get younger or maybe stuff that didn't make the cut for distillers to put their name on it, so from year to year they are bottling different stuff under the same product name. I haven't tried it, been advised to spend the extra $10-15 on entry-level stuff you can count on.
if you would like a luxury stay in oban with the most beautiful views i would most definitely suggest aspen log most Beautiful b and b i have ever saw in my life don’t hesitate if you want to have a stay in oban xx
Thanks for all these great videos Ralfy! I have watched probably half of your vids over the last week and a half! I am currently working on a bottle of Highland Park 12yo, and am looking at the 18 and 21yo as well, what are your thoughts on those? I can buy the 21yo online for the same price as the 18yo in my local liquor store (BC canada) . Anyway, thanks for the review, I appreciate the time you put into this endeavour. Cheers mon ami : )
Woah Amazing video this is ! Very very well done, I even might consider that Oban by the way. I haven't seen it in the shells yet, I think it's my own faulth! (maybe balvenie single cask for Speyside ? hint hint ? )
Any good suggestions for a similar single-malt? I'm an islay guy, but my dad loves Oban 14, was hoping to get him a gift to try something new w/o elevating cost to the 18 or Distiller's Edition
The Oban 14y was the first singel malt that i ever tried. Bought my bottle after a tour of the distillery. It has changed how i look at whisky and now i dont touch Jim Beam or Jack Daniels.
Oban has surprising changes in quality. It feels like some of the originating spirit isnn't "kosher" if you know what I mean. Because some bottles don't have that paint thinner and weed coming through. When it's good it's really good, but why pay for a roll of the dice?
I agree with ya that the Oban 14 yr is very pricey when compared to other highland malts (if my memory serves me right - it has something to do with the agreement between the distillery, and city, and the amount of water they are allowed to use - I could be wrong). I get the impression for those who are "indifferent" towards this whisky are either fans of the peat momsters, or sherry bombs.
Hey friend, I'm from Scotland's best export to Canada, Angus Mckaskill, the strongest man in recorded history and at 7 foot 9 according to Guiness and Queen Victoria'. Also its pretty cool that you know about Manuka Honey, the only thing that puts my eye bags in place.
The late Michael Jackson actually suggested that Glengoyne can be accepted as a Lowlands whisky which would help fill out that region a little more. Maybe it's time to petition them to switch regions.
Ugh - another brain fart on my behalf. Actually - I meant the Clynelish 14 yr (not Old Pulteney 12 yr)...Anywho - the Clynelish 14 yr is one fine malt as well (and truth be told it too will always be present in my abode).
Ralphy, have you any experience with the Mclelland brand? Seems quite cheap with no age markers on their batches!! they also seem to distill all different styles at one distillery?
Great review ralfy! I was wondering if you could help me out please, I just polished off my bottle of Glendronach 15yr Revival that I bought on your recommendation, beautiful stuff might I add. Basically its my birthday next week and the missus is asking me which bottle I would like next.. I'm stuck between the Glenfarclas 15 and the relatively unknown Fettercairn Fior. Which would you recommend? Failing that do you have any recommendations? Thanks!
Hi Ralfy, my girlfriend and I both live in Aus but she's from Scotland, and she wants to show me around some distilleries this December/January when we both go up there. I have a question: do you have some advice or recommendations in this regard, specifically how to get to and from distilleries without a car and on a budget? We're thinking of staying in Inverness for maybe 1-2 weeks, so some tips would be greatly appreciated. Also, are there any distilleries you would recommend seeing? Thanks.
You know I have experienced this coarseness often when first opening a bottle, then it settling down after a few drams. I've always wondered if it was actually some chemical process with oxygen interacting with the spirit or actually settling down from being knocked about. But to be honest I think there is a BIG subconscious effect as well, where you simply get used to a whisky, you know what to expect after a few glasses and don't notice the unpleasantness as much. What do you think Ralfy?
Ralfy, I was just wondering if you have a list of all your reviews? I would like to start collecting some of the high review whiskys and a list would make that easier. Enjoying the reviews, keep it up! Noticed you gave the same 84/100 review to OBAN and GENTLEMAN JACK.... any thoughts?
Ralfy, I must say I've always been a bit disappointed with Oban. Even after visiting (loved the sea-side town and its seafood restaurants and pubs, btw). I expected more depth from a 14 yo. ah well. And while we're talking regions of Scotland distilleries, have you had a chance to try Abhainn Dearg from way out in Uig on the Isle of Lewis?
I just had a nip of this now, your video convinced me to crack open the bottle ralphy... no good sitting there in the scotch collection gathering dust. I must say was well worth it, quite light with a bit of bite...this is a nice whiskey :)
My first and only bottle of this, about 3 or 4 years ago, was not pleasant at all. It kept me from buying another. Either my tastes have dramatically changed or that bottle was just crap. The new bottle I just got is quite enjoyable. I'm glad I gave it another chance. Last year, a friend had some 18 year old which is very good so I always wondered since then, how could the 14 be so bad? So you see, it still took me another year before I took the risk on the 14 again but I did buy an 18 after that tastes at my friend's house. A bad first impression can be the death of another sale to the same person.
I'm with you MiserablerHurensohn If the young Oban or the young Lagavulin were my only hits at peaty scotch, I too would pass going forward. But then I was gifted with an 18 yo Oban and it changed my mind about peat. The older Lagavulin is also much better than the younger. Now I just need to become wealthy so I could enjoy the better dram.
Asked my love to marry me just a few steps from the distillery and we celebrated there. We were gifted a bottle by the lovely folks there, and now we visit every year. We're always welcomed as family. Lovely people and delightful whisky.
Ralfy you are my go to boy, I just love listening to all the information you have to give its absolutely riveting. Cheers, thinking about buying a bottle of Oban here next week. For now though, a little Laphroaig to top my day off. Slaintè
happy to help !
I would love a re-review of this one.
Nathan Redman way past due
Ralfy, Your reviews are excellent in more ways than one. Informative, entertaining and inspiring. Thanks mate!
Astute comments Ralfy in regard to false impressions ... I had the same experience this evening after trying Highland Park 12 again after leaving it for 2 years. My first impression 2 years ago was quite different to what I got this evening ... now to be fair this Whisky has sat in the bottle for an additional 2 years - but yet again I performed the same ritual of allowing the dram to breath in the Glencairn and to give a gentle roll around for nosing. The longer I left this dram, the better it got and the complexity utterly took me by surprise ... I ended up with a completely transformed view of HP 12 .... from not very impressed ... to lovely dram! Time can make a big difference ... not just time breathing in the glass as we know. Great comments ... thanks again for your delightfully presented Whisky waxings mate.
Just bought my first bottle of this on my lunch break...can't wait to get home!!
Oban is one of my favorites. Thank you Ralfy
Ralfy I notice you've passed 49,000 subscribers, congratulations! As word gets out, 50,000 won't be far behind as people who love single malts and want to learn more about scotch without spending a fortune, come to call. I enjoy your reviews immensely and you've encouraged me to strike out and try some single malts that I would have never tried before listening to you. My Buchanan/McCormick ancestors are also smiling since I listened to your review of the 18 yo blended Buchanan and gave it a try; thanks for the heads up.
Finishing off a bottle I’ve kept since the early 2000’s. Wish these Oban’s were still around, was a different era.
Ralphy, thanks for guiding me through this malt money minefield. I've recommended you to many of my malt mates. Cheers
Great idea for a new series, I personally have been exploring mostly Highlands and Speyside whiskies, and look forward to seeing your reviews for the Islay and Lowland regions.
A great review... thank you so much for all the info. I appreciate it.
I just got this and was absolutely impressed at how good it is!!!!
Another informative and entertaining review. Thanks Ralfy.
Thanks, Ralfy. I got a bottle of Oban recently as a gift. I'll see if I can pick out the flavors as you do! Actually, I never do but your reviews give me hope that someday my palate will get more sophisticated. In the meantime, I'll just enjoy the dram!
Well done on this video Ralphie! I greatly enjoyed it
Ralfy, it may be time to re review Oban.
Yes ralfy?=)
Just got a bottle for the first time and drinking it to this video. Would love a more current review.
Still has a weak finish as of 4/24/2019...I like the taste, but it leaves me wanting more, just a little too weak, and I don't mean alcohol.
Request granted. 80/100.
@@outsiderdf It's true about the finish but you can get more out of that if you leave it for 15 minutes. Maybe you already did, but I think it helps a lot ...
I agree with the another comment made here regarding the push of this malt in the states. At some point it became one of the most ubiquitous singles to consistently appear in restaurants and it always seems to cost a bit too much for a bottle, usually between $60-$80 in the shops. Besides big underground marketing somewhere in the industry, the brand must also be making great play of being allocated from a smaller distillery, similar to Lagavulin maybe. What is the rep like in the U.K. Ralf?
I got to try this stuff, I love the Glenmorangie and Highland park. I'm guessing for the price the Glenmorangie 18 year will be a better value. Gonna buy some tonight.
I bought a bottle of this last year and my first impression was not as generous as yours. I thought it smelled and tasted like it was strained through a damp gym sock. It did get slightly better as I worked through the bottle though. Quite often, I added bits of Laphroaig or Ardbeg to it to hide whatever it was that I found off putting.
Thanks Rafly , love the reviews !
Re: Whisky tasting different in top of bottle vs. middle vs. bottom. I've noticed this, too, and I don't think it's all due to my changing impressions of the whisky. For example, the first dram or two of a Laphroaig will be an overwhelming smoke bomb; later drams, much less so. The smoke components seem to rise to the top. I'm wondering if shaking the bottle up a bit before pouring a dram will even out its distribution. ???
thankyou Ralfy for these reviews, they are incredibly informative and I'm really learning to TASTE my whisky as opposed to just drinking it. thankyou good sir.
Love Oban! One of our favorites! Good review!
"It has to do with the physical structure of the stills, and... stuff."
i'll never forget Oban because my mom drank some of it on her deathbed -- she even licked the cork -- and we'd mix some of it with the ice slivers that she'd take to wet her mouth as we were with her while she was dying
she didn't revive or somesuch, but its one of my favourite drinks
i love how the taste disappears on my tongue
Goode Bumps!
GOOSE Bumps
Ive been waiting for Oban for 2yrs. thanks!
It's interesting to see Oban at a Johnnie Walker event. From what I've read not a single drop of Oban is going into blends because all of it is needed to sell as single malt (Oban is simply not making enough whisky due to the small size of the distillery).
One of my favorite Highland malts...For some they don't find the Oban 14 yr complex enough, and it lacks a certain "something"...IMHO it's a wonderful dram, and I'll always keep a bottle (or 2) in my cabinet.
Got a bottle of Oban little bay for my dad for the Christmas. He loved it. I tasted it too thought I'm not super into whisky (don't know much about em) but it tasted very rich and good. Not just a ordinary whisky.
Anton Suni loved the liitle bay but didn't liked the 14
Ralfy! If you ever get back around to bourbons, I picked up this bottle for $17.00 the other day called Johnny Drum Straight Kentucky Bourbon and I really like it. I'd be curious to see what you think about it.
Had a chance to try this in a bar the other day but had Cragganmore instead. Will get this one next time.
love this video! Great info for newer drinkers to scotch.
Very interesting, always wanted an insight into specific regional differences.
Thanks for the advice, I enjoy that one as well. And great timing, its on sale in my county store!
This has one of the prettiest boxes in my collection.
Love the Oban 18 reminds me a lot of Clynelish.
very interesting review, I'm looking forward to the other whisky region episodes
Appreciate your time and effort. Disagree with your rating. I'd give it a 89/91.
I'm new to Scotch 1 yr. I do have a palate being I've cooked for 30yrs and tasted wine and beer as long.
i dont know why - maybe i'm not normal ;) - but i really liked that solventy note, which was also present in the nose a bit. its a somewhat different malt in my opinion.
thanks for your great reviews btw ! ;)
I give this whisky much more than 84. The finish for me is very long. I don't get the peat though, some do.
Francis Ducharme maybe I have a bad bottle but I would personally give it slightly less. But it's all a matter of personal taste really.
I don't find Oban peaty either. I think my palate is too used to Islay malts at this point.
There is a hint of peat, I didn't realize that's what it was as first. For some reason a lot of people really like this including me. It's around $78 now in my area of U.S.
I agree it's not particularly peaty. I find it fruity/mince-pie like. I prefer my peated monsters so would rate it lower personally.
There is a little smokey taste not much but Its there. For me i give this 89 i really like oban
Something I read recently is that Oban makes the fewest amount of whisky in the Diageo portfolio. Because of this NONE of Oban's output goes into Johnnie Walker or other blends. And due to the city being built around the distillery, Oban cannot expand to increase production.
Ralfy and the swagger stick are such a natural fit.
This one is worth more than 84 for my taste buds. My enjoyment is on par with the Old Pulteney 12yo which I love. I'm giving this one around a 89-90. Would love a re-review of this, kind Sir Ralfy. Does this one have any chill filtering and E150 caramel?
Gav Owen it's owned by Diageo, so both caramel colorant and chill-filtration are par for the course, sadly.
Any chance we’ll see Oban Little Bay at some point? Nabbed a bottle here in the states for $37. It’s a cracking dram!
Would you possibly review, or give an opinion on Cragganmore 12 yo Single Malt?
Thank you very much for your review. My friend and I are enjoying a glass of this lovely scotch. We women love the fragrance and the notes of honey and toffee...yumm!
. . . happy to help with the malt-moments !
Yep, I bought a bottle of the 18yo and I'm not sure it warrants the price I paid ($85 USD), but I like it. It has more of a floral bouquet that I wasn't expecting, but it's pretty good.
I like Oban 14. It was a nice light drink, good for a summers night.
I can not argue with that, cheers mate!
Didn't you find the Old Pulteney 12 yr finish a little "iffy"?..Of the 2 - what was it that gave the Old Pulteney 12 yr a few points more?...And btw - I too enjoy it more so than the Oban 14 yr - especially when ya consider it's less expensive as well.
I went to a Johnnie Walker scotch tasting event a few years back. That event probably had more to do with me becoming a scotch drinker than anything else. In it, we tasted several "colors" of Johnnie Walker, along with 4 single malts: Glenkinchie ("a good breakfast Scotch"), Talisker, Lagavulen and Oban. Of the 4, Oban was the least "exciting" to me, personally. But the thing I found most interesting is how much all 4 of these malts have gone up in price. Kudos to Diageo for the event.
I love me some Glen Garioch. You should review their 12 y.o. Its available and for about $50 a bottle american I find it to be almost as good a value as a 12 y.o. Pultney!
Hey Ralfy is there any chance of you reviewing the newer Deanston 12 yr un-chilled filtered with the 46.3 abv?..In my humble opinion it's simply fantastic!
Ralfy can you give us a review on the Macallan 12yo Fine Oak? I know you did one on the 10.. but I tried the 12 and that went down beautifully.
I absolutely love the 18yo - it was the 14yo that made me swear to never buy another bottle. It was over 3 years ago that I had the 14 and maybe it was my inexperience or a bad bottle but it made me think of damp gym socks. That might be that rice wine thing Ralphy mentioned. Maybe I should give it another try? I just wish the 18 wasn't so expensive.
What I find interesting is that here in the greater Milwaukee area I have only seen Oban 14 yr offered in 2 establishments...As far as I know - not many folks in this are aware of it's existence, and maybe this "push" is more seen on the east, and west coasts.
Hey Ralfy...what say you about Deanston Virgin Oak NAS? I've never heard of it...but it's bottled at 46%, non-chill filtered, natural color...and very reasonably priced at my local shop...worth a go?
Always the stickler. That's why we love you!
Just guessing.... but I'm thinking that salt is salt is salt. If there is a salt taste in the whisky, then there must be salt in the whisky, however slight. It would seem to me then, that salt is an ingredient early in the process. Most likely organic to the barley grain cell structure, and or in the air that barley is germinated. Where else could salt enter into the product?
I have Oban 14yo in one glass and Auchentoshan three wood in another. I find it difficult to enjoy all of the different aromas ralfy implies in the Oban. when I smell the Auchentoshan it pours a sweet fruity sensation into my sense of smell. Oban is AMAZING, however it does smell a bit of stale dish water so Mr. Ralfy I have to disagree with your opinion. Oban has a lighter colour while Achentoshan is darker, both are excellent! Thank you for your excellent review , but you must have an amazing nose to retrieve so many distinct aromas from something that smells like old dish water. Great video. I love every one you make. Please post more.
and like the other comments, great new series ralphy, I've been a fan for almost a year now, never posted until now. If I had to make a request I'd ask you review John Walker Double Black, It's by far my favourite Whiskey mixed with Ginger Ale... Bang for back it's a winner...
Ralphy, any chance you've had the Oban Little Bay?
Hi Ralfy, any thoughts on AnCnoc 1994 ? just about to get a bottle form our local shop. N.T
excellent review from Ralfy as usual. Nick Carpellotti.
If you like mainland stuff, especially Dutch, try Corenwijn or Korenwijn. Traditional Dutch spirit, comes very close to a Single Malt. The main difference is the relative short aging time it gets. Around 4/5 y.
i think they are a bottler, not a distiller. Read they get younger or maybe stuff that didn't make the cut for distillers to put their name on it, so from year to year they are bottling different stuff under the same product name. I haven't tried it, been advised to spend the extra $10-15 on entry-level stuff you can count on.
Ralfy, have you ever tried the English whiskey co. from St. George's distillery?
if you would like a luxury stay in oban with the most beautiful views i would most definitely suggest aspen log most Beautiful b and b i have ever saw in my life don’t hesitate if you want to have a stay in oban xx
Thanks for all these great videos Ralfy! I have watched probably half of your vids over the last week and a half! I am currently working on a bottle of Highland Park 12yo, and am looking at the 18 and 21yo as well, what are your thoughts on those? I can buy the 21yo online for the same price as the 18yo in my local liquor store (BC canada) .
Anyway, thanks for the review, I appreciate the time you put into this endeavour.
Cheers mon ami : )
Woah Amazing video this is ! Very very well done, I even might consider that Oban by the way. I haven't seen it in the shells yet, I think it's my own faulth! (maybe balvenie single cask for Speyside ? hint hint ? )
Please review Oban 18yr...thnx!!
Any good suggestions for a similar single-malt? I'm an islay guy, but my dad loves Oban 14, was hoping to get him a gift to try something new w/o elevating cost to the 18 or Distiller's Edition
Love the map. Long overdue. Keep on plugging ralfy
The Oban 14y was the first singel malt that i ever tried. Bought my bottle after a tour of the distillery. It has changed how i look at whisky and now i dont touch Jim Beam or Jack Daniels.
Oban has surprising changes in quality. It feels like some of the originating spirit isnn't "kosher" if you know what I mean. Because some bottles don't have that paint thinner and weed coming through. When it's good it's really good, but why pay for a roll of the dice?
Thanks Ralfy, great timing, I'm off to Oban in less than a week! :-)
I think they do a distillery only bottle, is that worth getting?
I agree with ya that the Oban 14 yr is very pricey when compared to other highland malts (if my memory serves me right - it has something to do with the agreement between the distillery, and city, and the amount of water they are allowed to use - I could be wrong).
I get the impression for those who are "indifferent" towards this whisky are either fans of the peat momsters, or sherry bombs.
Ralfy,uv evr bin2 Roslyn Chapel?
wats it lyk...wat kyna vibe did it provide? this1's on mt bucket list!
Thanx mate
Hey friend, I'm from Scotland's best export to Canada, Angus Mckaskill, the strongest man in recorded history and at 7 foot 9 according to Guiness and Queen Victoria'. Also its pretty cool that you know about Manuka Honey, the only thing that puts my eye bags in place.
The late Michael Jackson actually suggested that Glengoyne can be accepted as a Lowlands whisky which would help fill out that region a little more. Maybe it's time to petition them to switch regions.
Ugh - another brain fart on my behalf.
Actually - I meant the Clynelish 14 yr (not Old Pulteney 12 yr)...Anywho - the Clynelish 14 yr is one fine malt as well (and truth be told it too will always be present in my abode).
Ralphy, have you any experience with the Mclelland brand? Seems quite cheap with no age markers on their batches!! they also seem to distill all different styles at one distillery?
Great review ralfy!
I was wondering if you could help me out please, I just polished off my bottle of Glendronach 15yr Revival that I bought on your recommendation, beautiful stuff might I add. Basically its my birthday next week and the missus is asking me which bottle I would like next.. I'm stuck between the Glenfarclas 15 and the relatively unknown Fettercairn Fior. Which would you recommend? Failing that do you have any recommendations?
Thanks!
Hi Ralfy, my girlfriend and I both live in Aus but she's from Scotland, and she wants to show me around some distilleries this December/January when we both go up there. I have a question: do you have some advice or recommendations in this regard, specifically how to get to and from distilleries without a car and on a budget? We're thinking of staying in Inverness for maybe 1-2 weeks, so some tips would be greatly appreciated. Also, are there any distilleries you would recommend seeing? Thanks.
That's unfortunate. The bottle of 18yr old Talisker I have is excellent whisky, and the 25yr old cask strength 2005 bottling is simply fantastic.
Your reviews are best, sensei..cheers,and hölkyn kölkyn;)
Awesome review, saving up money for a trip to Scotland
:)
Hey Ralfy, will you be reviewing the Talisker 18 any time soon?
Also, for your consideration: Malty Megalomaniacs!
Talisker 18 is grrrrrrrrrreat!Possibly best whisky I have ever tasted!!Think Ralfy has reviewed this!🙄
You know I have experienced this coarseness often when first opening a bottle, then it settling down after a few drams.
I've always wondered if it was actually some chemical process with oxygen interacting with the spirit or actually settling down from being knocked about.
But to be honest I think there is a BIG subconscious effect as well, where you simply get used to a whisky, you know what to expect after a few glasses and don't notice the unpleasantness as much. What do you think Ralfy?
Have you given Fettercairn much of a mention in any of your videos, Ralfy?
Ralfy, I was just wondering if you have a list of all your reviews?
I would like to start collecting some of the high review whiskys and a list would make that easier. Enjoying the reviews, keep it up! Noticed you gave the same 84/100 review to OBAN and GENTLEMAN JACK.... any thoughts?
Nonuf Yobusiness there's a fan site that list's his reviews along with the malt-marks
Ralfy, I must say I've always been a bit disappointed with Oban. Even after visiting (loved the sea-side town and its seafood restaurants and pubs, btw). I expected more depth from a 14 yo. ah well. And while we're talking regions of Scotland distilleries, have you had a chance to try Abhainn Dearg from way out in Uig on the Isle of Lewis?
. . . AD is now hard to find !
I see you have Lewis highlighted. I guess you have to ferry on over there to get AD
"It's the physical structure of the stills and...stuff." Scientifically speaking.
Manuka honey mixed with whisky is great for sore throats and flu symptoms. Cheaper whisky works just fine for this.
Any recommendations near the Inverness/Speyside area?
I just had a nip of this now, your video convinced me to crack open the bottle ralphy... no good sitting there in the scotch collection gathering dust. I must say was well worth it, quite light with a bit of bite...this is a nice whiskey :)
My first and only bottle of this, about 3 or 4 years ago, was not pleasant at all. It kept me from buying another. Either my tastes have dramatically changed or that bottle was just crap. The new bottle I just got is quite enjoyable. I'm glad I gave it another chance. Last year, a friend had some 18 year old which is very good so I always wondered since then, how could the 14 be so bad? So you see, it still took me another year before I took the risk on the 14 again but I did buy an 18 after that tastes at my friend's house. A bad first impression can be the death of another sale to the same person.
I'm with you MiserablerHurensohn If the young Oban or the young Lagavulin were my only hits at peaty scotch, I too would pass going forward. But then I was gifted with an 18 yo Oban and it changed my mind about peat. The older Lagavulin is also much better than the younger. Now I just need to become wealthy so I could enjoy the better dram.
Ralfy, any chance for a review on Oban Little Bay? I picked up a bottle of this a week ago and for my pallet it is a fantastic whiskey.
have any plans for USQUAEBACH?