Great Review. I think I paid $55 at K&L for both the SRV5 & TB/BSW. I picked up that Maclean's Nose on the same trip for $35 (took 2 for that price). I haven't really explored either much yet. My budget "go-to" might still be Benromach 10, although I'm seeing price closer to $50 than $40 now, so I may re-think that. Orchard House is a good shout btw. Costco's Kirkland Islay Singe Malt is pretty good for around $35 too. Also look out for the Murrray McDavid Single Malts which are also a bargain at $44. Those were also K&L Wines. Cheers.

Thanks for this! Great to see some value injections into the whisky scene, hopefully they can get the prices down to match what it is in the UK

Great review. I am also hoping this comes down in price. I like this. For me a 6/10 - Not a 7 for me because I would have like a bit less Sherry. You can definitely taste the quality, so I need to try the SRV5. I also agree about the Compass Box Orchard house, particularly in this summer heat.

Love this one. It reminds me of the way Macallan 12 used to taste in the early 2000s. This is $55 in my area, NY, as well and I'm perfectly happy paying that. Orchard House is $51 so it's not that much of a difference. It's a lot better than the other budget Compass Box blends like the Glasglow Blend. It's also better than Maclean's Nose or the Naked Grouse. Thompson Brothers right now is the best at producing these reasonably priced blends for connoisseurs.

Loved the video and production value. You have a great voice for narrating and really enjoyed the background music. It reminded me of a matured version from one of my favorite whiskytubers. One thing I've noticed which I'm sure you already are aware of is that top 5 or 10 lists brings in the crowds. That should help with the sub numbers. Great video and I'm looking forward to going through all the others.

liquorice...

I found that bunny 12 has lost a little something over the last 7-8 years.. Still great though

1996 Ben Nevis is definitely a famous vintage, and I'm completely on board with the love for it! Great stuff.

I passed through Fort William on my way to Skye last year. Sadly, Ben Nevis Distillery was closed because it was a weekend. So, embarrassingly, I’ve been to Scotland & back without so much as trying Ben Nevis. Are younger IB’s worth checking out? They tend to be fairly pricey even as 7 or 8 year releases. Is Nikka From the barrel a good introduction? Thx.

Where did you buy this? I can’t find it anywhere for less than $200 online in the US and some places are much more than that!

Having a dram of this right now. Delicious in my opinion. I find this bottle for around $70 at a local shop as of late June of 2024. I decided to add about a teaspoon of purified water to it tonight and it *REALLY* opened up the flavors. I'm a big fan of the Tomatin distillery....

Yikes that's a hefty pour!

A bit too detailed.

Definitely a healthy pour!

This is one of my favourite Port Charlotte expressions! Happy to have a couple of new bottles on our bar. Interesting thoughts. Much appreciated. Cheers! 🙂

This rocks the earth!!! Absolutely the best release yet.

I love Ardbeg Ugi and Corry. I thought wee beastie with a 5 year age statement was decent and 10 seems reliable most of the time. I have yet to experience these endless releases with new name monikers.

Sounds interesting! It's not in my preference categories of scotch but I found it interesting to hear about! The whisky break sounds healthy! Any serious person who samples a lot and reviews should have a dry month - at least. It's a huge carcinogen. It takes a toll neat or in cocktails! It packs on the calories too. Thanks for the video! Cheers!

Definitely need to pick up a Balmenach, especially since they have worm tubs and those tend to be belters!

great review, you just got another subscriber, I really appreciate the detail you put into all your reviews, this one you are reviewing here Ledaig 10 is one of my favorite peated 10 years old, I would like to see what's your are thoughts on kilchoman, sanaig

$150 CDN bought a case, wont stay at that price for long.

Nice review! To me, at this moment in time, this is my absolute favourite affordable whisky from Islay, 88/100

Bottom line!! Scotland shouldn't be worried!! Cheers!! 🙂

thanks for the review - just because we can't get this exact bottle anymore, doesn't mean they will not release something similar in the future - so it is important to know if something like this is worth buying, cheers!

Nice review my friend! I see Stranahans often on shelves but have yet to pick one up. I live in the Seattle area so I have tried quite a few Westland releases. Their yearly Garryana release has been the highlight and I have had some great single casks.

So far American Single Malt hasn't done much for me. I do like one Westward. I do love Scottish single malts and I think they will always be my enormous preference. Interesting review! Cheers! P.S. San Diego is a great city! I have a close friend who lives there!

Great review! Was wondering what year or the bottling date of your bottle? Just ordered one and curious if we have the same year

Love the category shift! Nice getting opinions on other whisky types! Slainte!

Dope shirt 👐

A bit repetitive from your reviews. Some interesting thoughts. Bourbon has never been as sophisticated for me as scotch can be. I have it sparingly. If anyone saw the reviews this is going over the same stuff. Not meaning to be critical. I enjoy your work. Have an awesome weekend! Not a fan of Speyburn 15 at all. I enjoyed the Lagavulin Offerman 114th edition again tonight. Thrilled bought a case! I have shared with many friends! Nothing like Lagavulin smoke, oysters, charred lemon! Lagavulin will always be my favourite distillery! I am shocked that you gave the Talisker 18 a 5. Wow. So many people love it. I just got 2 new bottles. Different palettes!! Cheers!

I was totally stroking my own ego by buying the Bruichladdich 18 for $175. I know it's a decent price and it's a 750, woohoo!! Value is the word. Time is money and it's all just whisky. My collection is primarily $75-130. That's the price range where I'm happy when I shop online. I've got a few between 150 and $250 but that's it. I have no desire to be disappointed at $300.

Fantastic insights and discussion. Appreciate the thought provoking stuff. Looking forward to whatever is next!

Auction sites have been at Feis and other festivals for the last decade, don't know why it pops up now, when most of the bottles sell for less then their original price on secondary.

The 13 presented differently every single time i went back to it. Most incredible thing. Never seen one of these out here in the wild. I workong on 2 teenage indie bottles. One bourbon and one sherry, and they are much more consistent. I could blend them on any ratio, add water in whatever amount and its just damn good whisky. I haven't been back to a core release in a while, but I'll pour off those 2oz samples for sure

Dornoch released their first whisky in late 2020. There have been almost 70 single casks although most of them are small octave barrels.

I have spent a lot of time with Craigellachie 19. I love the meaty worm tub qualities. I adore the Craigellachie 23! It’s been a delight to study and enjoy! Terrific video!! Cheers!

Sounds great! I’m a Craigallachie fan for sure… Cheers 🥃

In my experience, no matter what age or type of cask maturation, there are no bad Craigellachie OB or IBs. I love how consistent the flavor and quality is no matter who bottles it. I thought the 19 was a travel retail exclusive, cool to see it actually was released for regular retail sales!

It would be interesting to hear a podcast about the differences in age statements of OB from popular distilleries. Whether it’s worth it between certain 12 and 15s or 18s etc.

Quick question: are you afraid that those bottles where you have "last drops" left would have gone flat over time you get around finishing them? Also very nice review I have been looking forward buying Highland Park single cask or IB bottling myself. Thank you!

Love the Ardbeg, Lagavulin, Port Charlotte and Laphroaig offerings. Sounds like you guys gave a fairly high alcohol intake? I'm big on moderation. Interesting video! I think a lot of people who follow whisky channels may read Dramface as I do so featuring so much of the info here could be left out. Cheers! 🙂

Enjoyed most of this… I’m a fan of Dramface and it’s fine if their top 40 fascinates you but speaking solely from my perspective, if that interests someone it’s easily accessible on Dramface. But I enjoyed everything else. Cheers 🥃

Outstanding review. Wish I could find a bottle. Look forward to the 18 year wrap. Cheers.

This bottle provides an incredibly unique experience. Heavily peated, high age statement, high proof, and complexity for days. Big winner in my book and is acceptably (though maybe not ideally) priced imo

I dont have any well age peat. This would be a good one. Dustin and Mike like the Laph 25 for a good value at 3 times the price. If time were better $400 for both this and the Bruichladdich 18 would be very cool additions to my collection. Usually i can get 3-4 bottles when I spend that much. I wouldn't call it a luxury brand but very highly regarded by those who really care. In general the $200 line in the sand represents the largest investment where an educated consumer can limit their risk of disappointment. ....is a $1000 bottle going to be any better? Highly unlikely.

It's not easy talking about price but I really feel like you're reading my mind. For the reputation that Bruichladdich holds sub$200 is a relief and an honest temptation. My feeling is they are honestly showcasing the unpeated barley more than any other distillery. This follows that trend very nicely. If my finances were a little better currently I would have been able to pick one up at $179. Unfortunately, as a whisky club of one, therefore more of a collector, all my 18 year olds have been opened and enjoyed at least a dram or 2. I would be nice to have this silly little blue jacket sitting there next to them.

I still have Laddie stock from 1994, very different DNA profile. You are doing well, yr analysis is spot-on. As for price, new drinkers are victims of past influencers (writers, papers, tubers, ... , the like of "ya-ya, good-good, buy ! " , sadly.

Enjoy the content. Your videos way too long.

I found my bottle at 179 USD plus tax, at that price I could justify the purchase since it is rare to see the 54.3 % abv in an 18 year old generally speaking. Fantastic whisky. At 250 USD though not sure I would pull the trigger.

Biggest turn-off for me is the price, and most of the feedback I’ve seen suggests that while it’s a great whisky, it’s not three times better than the 10yr old. In my market (Holland) core range 10-12 yr stuff is usually a wee bit cheaper than in the UK, but anything with a 15> age statement is ridiculously over-priced. I’ve seen the PC 18 at €250.