I Bought Popular Bottom Shelf Whisky and Ranked Them!

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Ever wondered if the BEST budget whiskies hide in plain sight on the bottom shelf?
In this video, I will be blind tasting some of the most debated, worst-rated, and yet possibly the best value-for-money bottles out there.
I've heard some pretty bad things about these whiskies, but I'm curious to see if they're really as bad as everyone says.
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Disclaimer: This video is only a reflection of my personal opinion and perspective.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Which bottom shelf whisky do you like? Also, don't forget to get 30% off your first box, plus a FREE gift, when you give Tiege Hanley a try at tiege.com/fpwshocked

[@PSNeko]

What i liked: four roses yellow label, bushmills black, jim beam black, jameson stout

[@chrissharp6149]

Teachers

[@Cezary_The_FLY_Mucha]

Queen Margot and Monkey Shoulder

[@Cezary_The_FLY_Mucha]

I like Tomatin but CS Bourbon & sherry casks ABV 57,5%. Ther is more flavor in this one and not so expensive for CS.

[@lukashavel7690]

Connemara Peated and Jameson Black Barrel. If I want cheaper, I would always rather go for Irish than Scotch.

Here in Brazil we have a special edition of Teacher's 12 Golden Thistle. It is made in Scotland but bottled in Brazil just for the domestic market. It is matured for 12 years in both American and European oak casks and finished in casks that contained Islay single malt whiskies (supposedly from Laphroaig). It is surprisingly good, with a nice balance between the peat and fruit notes and costs less than 20 US dollars. It has become my go to blended scotch whisky and one of the few that I actually enjoy drinking neat.

[@GeorgeCostanzais10.]

Putz, não sabia q o Teacher’s podia ser tão complexo. Se eu encontrar dessa edição por um bom preço, vou experimentar. Valeu!

[@otterlyfresh2886]

Don't tell them about Teacher's, shhhhH!

[@user-pq2cp7eu9g]

Only $20? Teacher's 12 years Golden Thistle is selling for $35-$37 here in Calcutta, India.

[@mr.ricochet8603]

I'd like to give a suggestion as a wishky and coffee aficionado: when nerding out trying to find the best coffee possible you get adjusted to great ones, so sometimes I like to get some average nothing special coffee to enjoy and bring my palate back to square one. I started doing it with whisky too and I feel it works there too, get yourself some solid cheap wishky, and you'll love the good ones more (your wallet will thank you too). Sometimes you just need that 80's action blockbuster 😂

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Exactly!

[@Ghost-rq4zv]

Same, I’m hugely into to coffee and it always makes me appreciate my freshly ground light roasted coffee whenever I have an average coffee

[@honkytonkinson9787]

When you’re used to the good stuff it just tastes normal, and then the mediocre stuff tastes bad. Better to be used to average stuff and save the good stuff for special occasions, no matter what beverage

[@jdraven0890]

"Daily drinker" is a thing, yes! Larceny is my "go to" for that. We did the same thing with wines. As you go up the scale in price it doesn't get THAT much better. We regularly had $10 (max) wine bottle challenge blind taste test parties, and discovered some very decent ones. If you're eating red meat you can't go wrong with a Malbec and I've never paid more than 20 bucks for a Malbec and they have never disappointed.

[@wailingalen]

Bruh I hear ya loud on that 80s blockbuster! It's good to get back into your "place in the world" , and I think it applies to food as well!

[@DrownInLysergic]

As somebody who commonly drinks a $10 bottle of bourbon and thinks my local made $35 bottle of bourbon is high class stuff, it's weird for me to hear a $58 bottle called "budget" Although, my current favorite whisky is also the most expensive one I've ever been able to afford at $70

[@Wazules]

Can’t get a $10 bottle in New Zealand mate. Which is where this is filmed.

[@Metallicazor]

58$ is nuts. In Germany you can get most good bourbons and single malts for under 30€. Woodford Reserve for 25€ is one of my favourite bargains

[@HughRogers609]

NZ and Aus have crippling Alcohol taxes.@@Metallicazor

[@HughRogers609]

We can't get anything for $10 in Aus. JW Red is the bottom of the barrel whisky here, and still costs AUD $45-50

[@Monochromatic_Spider]

I'm guessing he's using New Zealand dollars, which are a bit under two thirds of a USD. And that's before taxes and transportation costs are factored in. So probably half the price if you're living a bit closer to ordinary civilization than Kangarooville or Kiwitropolis.

[@edim108]

Red Label does what it is meant to do- it's inexpensive, doesn't taste bad and goes well in drinks.

[@RaoulKunz1]

As someone who has all the Johnnie Walkers there are (it's more of a collection thing, I tend to drink preferably of the "second grade" various "Black Label" blends for everyday [ *not technically every day* mind you🥴😉] consumption and the various "Gold" blends for more spiffy occasions, "Blue Label" in my opinion isn't truly worth it's price - it's still "just" a blend) I was always under the impression that the Red Label was never intended to be consumed by itself but is less of a Scotch "in it's own right" but an *ingredient* for drinks, much like "Rum Aroma" is used in cakes 🧐. So I completely concur with you - it isn't meant to be drunk all alone without juices or syrups😆. Best regards Raoul G. Kunz

[@GogiRegion]

@@RaoulKunz1On the Johnnie Walker website, it states Red Label as a cocktail scotch while it calls Black Label a cocktail or sipping scotch. So yes, you are just straight up correct about it being a mixing version.

[@RaoulKunz1]

@@GogiRegion Ah thanks - should have looked ip up myself but was clearly too lazy..erm... I think the tragedy here is chiefly that I "always" (meaning "often", but as we know: "once is never, twice is always") see Red Label as the only scotch on the locked liquor cabinet in supermarkets and it's treated like it's super-duper-special-behind-locked-doors-expensive-beverage (there is no requirement here in Germany to lock up liquors in stores, it's just a sometimes used way to block potential theft of expensive - and there we are - alcoholic drinks) which of course suggests it's "special" when it's just that... an ingredient. Thanks for pointing this out!^^ Best regards Raoul G. Kunz

[@RunawayTrain2502]

Red Label is basically one for mixing -only?

[@bongboyz6468]

Red label is so ass. I hate it straight or mixed

[@hakonyggnrr6621]

Teachers highland cream is my budget scotch, while it’s a blended scotch it contains 40% peated Ardmore whisky and bottled at 90 proof which is more than most bottom shelf scotches can boast. Macleans nose also blew my socks off with a 70% malt, both peated and unpeated from ardnamurchan as well as some Sherry aged whiskey. Both have changed the budget whisky game for me as well as what a blended scotch can be

[@mCblue79]

It's weird how booze is so much cheaper in NZ when it probably passed through Australia to get there. Our "sin tax" is ridiculous. Nice vid!

[@andyreynolds6194]

There’s potentially an interesting video idea there about bonded warehouses and ‘bottled in bond’ type whiskeys and bourbons.

[@milesforwin]

I'd love to see the whiskey banter video Phil! And as much as you may not have enjoyed these whiskeys, I found it a very entertaining video. Maybe go for a "still cheap but more mid-tier" set next time? Cheers

[@mmmhorsesteaks]

How about chivas regal? Always found that fairly enjoyable.

[@ianbishop3835]

Many years ago, I worked for The Glenlivet Distillers, before they were taken over by the Canadian Mafia (Seagrams). The company produced The Glenlivet 12yo; Glen Grant; Benriach and Longmorn - all single malts, and Queen Anne (std blend) and Something Special (De Luxe). If you ever source a bottle, try 12y.o. Longmorn. Top class. I had a bottle of 1955 (Gordon & McPhail bottling) for my 50th birthday in 2005.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Amazing! I interviewed Alan Winchester recently when he was over in NZ. Gonna be on the channel soon! I haven't had the 12. But I have a bottle if the old Longmorn 16 in the green bottle. Amazing stuff!!

[@GeraldWalls]

The Costco/Kirkland Blended 12-yo is worth a try. I THINK it is 50% malt and it is decent enough to actually sip. You'll never ruin a cocktail with it I gu-ar-an-tee.

[@Repetoire]

Yeah their brand is notoriously good they work with some good distillers.

[@eviltrain24]

J&B: pencil shavings. I equate that note as a cold, still full, used, cigarette ashtray. And that is a note that I specifically associate with grain whisky, and it's pretty much universal for me. That said, I do have a taste for grain scotch across the quality and age spectrum from a 30yr old North British I.B., to a Tweeddale Single Grain, and on down to the J&B Rare. As of now, among the blended scotch bottom shelfers, J&B stood out for having a lemony flavor note and I'm quite partial to that in my scotch in general. I'd certainly place the Red Label below J&B, Buchanan's, Bushmill, and a few others.

[@Ghost-rq4zv]

Love this, I’d like to see more blind tastings. Maybe 5 “budget” good value single malts

[@paintspot1509]

Its very hard to beat arran or glencadam 10

[@Helliconia54]

I know many who prefer Johnny red because of its taste.I know many that'd buy a red over the black ANYDAY.

[@EuropaWill]

Me included. Red is much more interesting than black. Stands up better in a cocktail also.

[@pyro5683]

I am one of those people.

[@ahoneyman]

This is pretty highbrow for cheap whisky. You need to get into Cutty Sark, Clan MacGregor, or Black Velvet for a real trip into the bottom shelf. Cutty Sark isn't bad for $25 US for 1.75l.

[@toolthoughts]

Cutty's Prohibition Edition is pretty nice and still not expensive.

[@michaelscott7166]

A couple of years ago I was in Edinburgh and wanted to treat myself to a nice bottle for my 40th so popped in to a whisky shop. Not being an expert I asked the very helpful member of staff what kind of stuff I liked and what I was prepared to pay and he put half a dozen samples out for me to try. It turned out the one I liked the most was by far the cheapest of the lot called The Ileach. It's from an undisclosed Islay distillery, i've seen it available for around £30 a bottle and often cheaper.

[@levonhovhannisyan2181]

I do prefer Ballantine's from the bottom shelf, even though it always tends to be ignored by whisky reviewers, for some reson. Any idea why is it so rarely reviewed, even though it's the second best selling scotch in the world, after JW?

[@arnaldoalegria2209]

I do prefer Ballantines over JWred because it's less smoky and it makes the best whisky sour that i've had in my life

[@BigNiz82]

Love Ballentines!

[@mondoenterprises6710]

I have a scotch buddy and that's his go to for daily drinker.

[@pereraronshi]

J&B is my favourite out of all of those. I use it in an Old Fashioned. It’s NZ $50-55 for a 1 litre bottle which is really good value for money.

[@Pistonstrokes]

Next time do 3 bottom shelf and 3 higher shelf and stack then in that line. I feel like because you know they are all low grade, your negative bias is doing nothing but dogging on them. You'd be more cautious with your words if you do that to a top shelf hiding amongst the cheaps.

[@ledsvik]

I like Teacher's as a budget one. It's kinda like a budget version of Glenfiddish 12yo with a peppery finish. Downside that it also is way to easy to drink. 'Islay Mist The Original Peated Blend' is a very good one for it's price.

[@michaellrakes5521]

Johnnie Walker Red is 50/50: ive drank bottles that were incredibly smooth and had almost a buttery flavor ( butterscotch? *Rimshot*). But then ive had bottles that are very rough, including the most recent bottle ive gotten. Its an issue with the blending and the young age. Sometimes they get it right and other times they botch it

[@Thedrunkenswede1337]

That is very true have the same experience. Some are okay others have a very bitter after taste. Dont know why. Dont buy that shit anymore. Now my go too wiskeys is black lable or Jack Daniels old 7.

[@Oddzilla51]

JW Red is a good mixer. Rarely drink it straight unless it's the only bottle where I'm at. :)

[@beebobox]

Who would go someplace that only had jw red... jeez :)

[@halfsourlizard9319]

@@beebobox We all occasionally face desperate times stranded in places with crap bars.

[@abrahamtomahawk]

In terms of a decent, cheap(ish) single malt, I like either the Glenlivet Founder's Reserve, or the standard Talisker. In terms of a blend. I've always rather liked the Black Grouse (a smoky whisky by the Famous Grouse), a portion of the profits from went to black grouse conservation in Scotland. Also, Tomatin is in Strathdearn (also called the Findhorn Valley by Philistines), the next Strath north-west from Strathspey. The Findhorn is a different catchment from the Spey (rather than a tributary of it like the Livet or the Dulnain for example), so it wouldn't be considered a Speyside.

[@NeilImmortal]

The malt always shines ;) Arran 18 has become a rare and endagered species in Germany, those shops that have it want €170, costs more than the 21 at the moment.

[@163andyc]

Johnnie Walker red is $30 plus tax in the United States for a 1 3/4 litre bottle at Walmart and ABC liquor store.

[@kayfountain6261]

My late mother used to drink Bells or Grouse, but she used to add a tumbler of ginger ale to a measure of scotch to make her long bedtime drink. She felt it would have been a crime to pollute anything better.

[@yanmcrae6106]

OMG, tried the Proper 12 and it was awful, IMHO. Ugh. Tullamore is a little more and much more pleasant. But Port Charolette is my go to when I want to really enjoy a good dram, maybe Oban for a totally different profile. Above those price ranges I have no idea

[@jaime_hi-meh_not_jay-mee7095]

Wow, 5/5! Nice one, Phil! For some reason, NAS Irish whiskies are cheap here in the Philippines, and these have become a staple in my shelf: - Teeling Single Grain - NZD65 - Teeling Single Pot Still - NZD56 - Teeling Small Batch and Jameson Stout: NZD29 Yes, I’m a Teeling fan.😊

[@archeofutura_4606]

Gotta love Teeling :) it’s definitely my go-to Irish whiskey. There are so many good Irish distilleries out there, but their stuff is so expensive and hard to find compared to the mediocre brands. Teeling stands out, however🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@OscarOSullivan]

Teeling is nice

[@FatPigTheConqueror]

I like J and B because it shows up in the background of a bunch of my favorite films!

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

That's how I got interested way back, had to check it (or any whisky) out at the time and surprisingsly liked it.

[@TheRealCoyote]

Great video and nice going getting them all correct. The thing that shocks me is those prices! Those are quite high prices for bottom shelf whiskies! Where abouts do you live? I recently had a chance to buy Bowmore 10 for 79€ for 2 bottles. I passed up because I have too many "ok" whiskies as it is. Second one I saw recently was Glenmorangie 12 for 35€. I had to grab two. I though it was a no brainer because if nothing else it makes for a good gift for someone still learning about whisky. Overall I do agree prices are getting crazy and I end up buying less and less. The good thing is I started early before this crazyness so I have a shelf with close to 300 high quality, even some truly rare and expensive whiskies. Mostly got them for 1/2 or 1/3 current value, some even less. The problem is I don't do it for value but to drink and then opening some of them now that the prices can be several hundred euros/bottle is kind of painful because I know I will never have it again in my shelf once it's gone. Oh, well it's made to be enjoyed! Slainte!

[@BigNiz82]

J & B is freaking great! Patrick Bateman would agree😁

[@meanmrbean8641]

Proper Twelve looks and tastes like someone asked ChatGPT how to make whiskey.

[@michaeltovey02607]

Johnnie Walker Red is only good for making cocktails or drinking with ice and ginger beer. It probably cleans drains too.

[@sunyboy333]

Very fun blind tasting! I unironically enjoy Tomatin Legacy, it just suits my palate. Catto's blended scotch is THE low budget gem for me. Outperforms all the generic big brand names like JW or Chivas at a fraction of the price.

[@MIR785H]

I am from India so red label is a budget scotch here but personally Teachers Highland cream,Royal Green,Royal Stag Barrel Select,Oaken Gold,Officers choice are some doing great business in the local markets

[@jamesnugent1256]

The 12 in proper 12 refers to where McGregor is from seemingly as he is from Dublin 12.

[@user-ol5uu6yv8y]

J&B: pencil shavings. I equate that note as a cold, still full, used, cigarette ashtray. And that is a note that I specifically associate with grain whisky, and it's pretty much universal for me. That said, I do have a taste for grain scotch across the quality and age spectrum from a 30yr old North British I.B., to a Tweeddale Single Grain, and on down to the J&B Rare. As of now, among the blended scotch bottom shelfers, J&B stood out for having a lemony flavor note and I'm quite partial to that in my scotch in general. I'd certainly place the Red Label below J&B, Buchanan's, Bushmill, and a few others.

[@chumaninxazonke117]

You're spot-on. I made the mistake and purchased the Proper 12. Biggest mistake of my life! It's overpriced! Tastes more like Viceroy brandy. The Red Label shouldn't be part of the Jonnie Walker family. The colour of J&B is disgusting. Flavour is a joke. Yet South Africans love it. I don't understand!

[@user-rb3bb7mi3u]

Glen moray is a great budget whisky, where I am from they sell for 14 €, I prefer the clasic and the port finish expressions pn their basic line.

[@davidelourenco2537]

Red Label is great for highballs.. has a lether note that hangs on still in a dilution.. What is the best whisky for scars stories? cheers

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Good question! Something intense I think!

[@ItsAMadHouse360]

I used to drink a lot of White Horse, it was a blend that was very affordable and had a little smoke.

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Any Glen Moray Elgin heritage is a good bang for buck whisky to get started on. They're not great but they do alright same with Tomatin and I'll take a Jameson any day. Cheers Phil, very entertaining video!

[@farklestaxbaum4945]

J&B is my favorite out of these lol. The Red Label and the Tomatin were almost undrinkably bad. Proper 12 is ok but a totally different type of whisky. Havent had this Glen Moray but Ive had their more expensive bottlings and most of those are alright.

[@TheFox2450]

A great Vid Phil, you've got me in. My story: I'm 73 & just love my one finger of Scotch every evening, except on w/ends when it is two fingers. I keep my Scotch in the 'fridge & enjoy the different aromas & mouth feel as it warms to room temp. over about half an hour. They say that Scotch doesn't age in the bottle, I beg to differ !! Just this year I found a pack of two 100ml bottles of Haig in the back of a cupboard that were packed for sale in 1974. One was 12 years old, the other 18. I savored those two bottles sparingly over 3 days & it is near impossible to describe what my nose & palette went through. Unfortunately, Scotch in Oz is terribly expensive, so I just buy my McAllister once a fortnight & tipple away. Oh, before I forget. Once I put a bottle of Black Douglas in the freezer & it froze ... Never again ... I always test a new Scotch this way.

[@smashexentertainment676]

The best under 30 bucks whiskey is Glen Moray. They have single malt, chardonnay, port, sherry, peated, aged whiskey. You can try them all without breaking the bank. The only thing cheaper I can tolerate neat is bourbon like Wild Turkey, Buffalo Trace, Four Roses. And Famous Grouse if I really need to.

[@JoshBattershell]

My favorite cheap whiskey is Evan Williams Bottled in Bond. Around me it’s $35 for a 1.7L bottle. It’s not the best to sip on its own, but it’s a great mixer and you can make an ok enough old fashioned with it.

[@joepauly2311]

You should give Boilo a try sometime, a winter favorite here in the Skook. Made with Four Queens.

[@billwallace1199]

Great video, Phil. Love to see the banter video. Cheers and need to hear more of your story.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Glad to hear you are keen to see a banter video. I'm unsure as it's not technically about whisky, but it will be a good story to listen to with a whisky.

[@johndrotar4281]

Whose bottom shelf goes up to 60 dollars? At uni Jim Beam was for when we were feeling fancy

[@cyberfieldmarshall1009]

Fun video, really enjoy your channel, have learned a lot thanks to you. Just picked up a Glenallachie Cask strength Batch 8

[@xOogieBoogie3x]

I actually like J&B, but not as much as Cutty Sark. I think J&B is a little more complex than say Dewar's White Label, which is basically just notes of smoke and honey. Cutty Sark is similar to Dewar's, but a little smoother and more refined.

[@jdraven0890]

Glen Moray is actually decent, especially for the price...ill be shocked if it's not the best one. EDIT: yep! I've been able to find Glenn Moray on sale for 35 bucks, and the peated and Sherry cask are legit good

[@tomgstew]

MacLean's Nose is around £30 in Scotland and is one of the best value drams I've had in ages 🤌

[@peatbull3426]

🤩🤗👍🥂🙋🏻‍♂️

[@chrisbergin390]

That arran 18 must have gone down like an absolute dream after having those haha

[@YoungShag]

I LOVE Johnnie Walker Black. Probably my favorite blended whiskey. But Red Label wasn’t one of my favorites. It was better than the Glennfiddich 12, though. As far as Irish Whiskey, Bushmills is my go-to.

[@ArtaghVril]

Great vid 👍 I personally really like to have at least one good budget whiskey at home - like the Glen Morey, Tamnavulin, a good Bourbon (I love Bourbon 😄) or even a Ballentines - just for a small sip or if you wanna offer a glass to someone who's not into this - you don't wanna give a beer fan your 25 year old Chivas 😅 That's why I like vids focused more on bottom shelf/budget bottles. If you just let yourself get into it, you'll find some really good, really affordable gems. A good sip does not have to break your bank 🙂🥃🥃

[@clintondeabreu8565]

Would of personally included Jamesons Whiskey in this lineup, have a feeling it would of been top placement. Would have also snuck in a Wild Turkey 40.5% as it would have killed all of these in flavour.

[@arnaldoalegria2209]

Yeah but it's not bottom shelf, more like medium low shelf haha, still my favorite in price/quality

[@ritan8204]

Jameson is definitely my favourite budget blend whiskey, fine enough to drink straight and cheap enough to mix in cocktails 🙂

[@njsmwalker]

Great video and spot on…the Glen Moray is a good budget scotch ..and the port finish version is good too.

[@AndyViant]

Ballantyne's, Tullamore Dew or Monkey Shoulder. Dunno if you can really call Ballantyne's bottom shelf anymore it's starting to get up in price a bit. That Glen Moray isn't a bad drop at all for the price.

[@judithmorse6829]

I really like using the Tomatin for cocktails. Aside from Monkey Shoulder it’s my favorite for cocktails.

[@ashworld1016]

Jameson is the cheapest and best whiskey.

[@joeynickles7962]

The standard bottling is trash and it’s not the cheapest.

[@tonyfranks9551]

Everyday drinking...John Barr (blended)....Superior Malt trry a Springbank....My current favourite is a 1yr old Dewars. .

[@jabbahursty]

you evaluate the walker red as something that would work better in a mixed drink, which is exactly what it's about. walker knows what they do! this might sound funny, but J&B was highly regarded back in the new york of my youth in the 70s, particularly in the jewish community. i haven't had it since then but i liked it as a little kid is it really fair to compare malts with blends? it seems to me that you were almost surely going to pick the malts first. i guess it might be good to prove the point, but i'd rather have seen 5 blends in this test

[@budj13]

I really enjoyed this video, Phil. There is such a wide range in whisky and even within the bottom shelf. Some of these are undrinkable as you found and accurately reflected. I do keep blended whisky in the cabinet to keep me grounded, but I have found the gems in that class. That is what you did here. I love your work!

[@robinnormannjespersen1602]

I really like your videos and respect your opinion Phil. But only having a limited budget for Whiskey, I drink J&B and Red Label regularly. And watching lots of youtubers gag when they drink budget Whiskey, kinda makes me hessitant to trying more expensive one's. I Hope my palette never develops like this 😬

[@EuropaWill]

It's a very slippery slope. I really liked Red for years till I ventured into the never ending single malt journey. Even after 15 years of exploration I'll still buy Red or other inexpensive blends but they are used in cocktails for the most part.

[@jamtea573]

I feel like throwing in some mid-top shelf stuff to make the tasting a bit more of a fair gauntlet, it's not like you're going to confuse that Irish with the Scotch after all!

[@denisreed4701]

Of course they’re not that bad, it’s whisky, a simple process and experience taken to ludicrous levels of critique and daft flavour descriptions. There ain’t many distilleries in Scotland I haven’t visited so I do know what I like however if it wasn’t for blended stuff few of us would have started on the journey in the first place. The faces pulled at some of the ‘lesser’ blends I personally find quite comical.!

[@greengrassofhome]

Yes. From the comments, it seems that anything which is remotely popular and affordable is kind of nasty. At which price point does whisky start becoming 'good'? If it is like a 75 per bottle, forget it. I will stick to my bottom shelf stuff. I enjoy most of them, anyway, even if to different degrees. Some of the whiskies being mentioned are not even stocked on bottom shelves at the bars I go to but presented as something a bit special. I did once go to a specialist whisky bar. Apart from being bewildered by the incredible range, the prices per shot made my eyes water. I suppose they had lots of top shelf stuff. It did me no good, though. Took one drink and left. The prices took away any enjoyment the tastes might have given me. I am not the kind of person who can sip two shots for a whole evening but nor can I afford to spend the kind of money which would buy me several bottles on just a few shots. Bottom or mid-shelf is fine for me. As I like to say, they all taste smooth after the third one!

[@fturla___156]

Thank you for your sacrifice. I have never heard good words about the three you classed at the bottom. J&B and Proper 12 have had horrible reviews while Johnny Walker Red's flavor has dropped badly in the last two decades. Glen Moray is priced about 10% above those bottom dwellers, while Tomatin is priced more than double the other options you tasted. Do I think that with additional aging and refinement that Proper 12 will beat the regular version of Jameson whiskey? No.

[@nellyt2807]

My wife found a real beauty in a local merchants she paid £41 for it in its original bottle and label may I just say at the time of drinking I didn't know that much about malt still don't but I know more than I did back then. It was purchased for my birthday it was a dusty dark bottle that I enjoyed drinking it immensely it's taste was special. Anyway it was an original bottling of an Ardbeg 1963 it just so happened that year we were taking a trip to the Highlands and popped into Gordon & mcphails in Elgin I asked him if he had the same bottle in stock. I told him I had drank it and enjoyed it I then gave him the news of what it was honestly he didn't speak for a while then when he finally did he just said and you drank it. I then started to get worried I had done a bad thing when he told me the closest he could get me was more than ten years later and it was a connoisseurs choice then he told me what the bottle would cost I had drank if I could ever find one I'm sure I had a tear in my eyes. It was a little merchants in the midlands he could not have known what it was an old Asian fellow my wife said it was at the back of the shelf covered in dust he gave it a quick wipe and asked for 41 quid I do wish I could find another.

[@customer9845]

I'm surprised Ballantine's isn't on your list. That is my goto budget scotch. 27 USD (46 NZD) for a 1.75 liter bottle.

[@AndyViant]

That is an absolute bargain.

[@Edyime]

Ballantine's is $50 for 1L in New Zealand

[@mellorarma]

We went to the Johnny Walker factory earlier this year. the lady there told us that the red label is blended specifically to be drank with a mixer like Coke. I’m guessing that as J&B is the same style of whiskey, it would also suit being mixed .

[@atverde]

I live in Spain and here our bottom shelf brands include J&B and another called Ballantyne's, which is absolutely grim. I've met veey few Spaniards who appreciate neat whiskey. Invariably they throw Coke in it, which considering the brands they are exposed to is hardly surprising.

[@bjartemannnn]

Ballantines! that is the worste thing i have ever tasted. I had to double check to see if someone had put a out a cigarette in my glass, it is just beyond bad. I would love to see that one tested, if that company is still around.

[@gaborbognarnagy]

Bottom shelf whisk(e)y´s I like are The Famous Grouse, Wild Turkey 81 (far the best), Glen Moray, West Cork IPA, Jameson Caskmates...so there are a lot. Which I don´t like are Johnnie Walker Red label and Ballantine´s. Best regards from Europe!

[@JosephC9]

Thank you for sipping through this minefield so we don't have to. Why are things so expensive there?!? I can get Bunnahabhain12 @31usd consistently here in Taiwan. I found a great deal for Port Charlotte 10 @37usd and bought up 3 bottles here.

[@robertfrey1105]

Johnnie Walker Red Label is freaking undrinkable 🤢🤢

[@revolvermaster4939]

I bought a bottle once, it lasted for years of cleaning my fishing reels.

[@CrimeVid]

When I visited the states years ago there seemed to be a fashion for it, drunk from the bottle in the blazing sunshine at a ridiculous temperature it is ‘f’ in appalling. They seemed miffed when I pointed out nobody I knew drank the stuff.

[@wizzodd]

Johnnie Walker is fine.

[@markweaks2239]

I started out decades ago with cheap Canadian whiskies, you know, just for a quick shot to get drunk. And for years drank VO and 7Up. Then the Bourbon craze hit, and began sipping neat or with drop of water to try and learn the delicious nature of Vanilla, charred oak, sometimes with a hint of Rye. Next, having become a Snob for better things, I drank Single Malt Scotches. Soon enough I found them bland, mostly tasting of barley, and sometimes Peat (smoke) My conclusion: Clean liquor is first priority. No hangover is the first badge of good booze. Second, Scotch blends taste best. Johnny Red is decent, even Dewars. I have yet to drink a Single Malt Scotch that is more pleasant to sip Neat at any reasonable pricepoint. Cheers!

[@jdraven0890]

​@@markweaks2239Dewars white label is surprisingly good, as you said no need to always spend a fortune even if you develop a taste for better whiskey

[@AlterMann57]

This is the first time I've ever seen Proper Twelve reviewed. I bought a bottle of it when it was first produced and I found the flavour to be sweet and very artificial. J&B is total shite, it's something that is used for mixers but should never been consumed straight up. Red Label is another middle of the road Scotches that is sold everywhere but has very little flavour. Thank you so much for the other two that I've never purchased but may in the future. You have a well taught palette for sampling whiskey, and I respect that.

[@OscarOSullivan]

Your man in the Marble Arch was onto the quality of Proper 12

[@Mylatestdram]

I like the Tomatin Legacy! Even with my growing collection, I whould buy it.

[@ivandyakov8709]

True sest would be if you have put a few of your favourite/ better whiskies in the mix. Otherwise you already know those you've got a pretty cheapand basic and a bias towards them is formed whether you recognize it or not. I would also like to see a whisky banter.

[@ibj3]

I enjoy some bottom shelf whiskies like Vat 69, Sir Edwards. The only way i can drink red label is with sprite. JW black is also one of the good ones.

[@lucas82]

I was planning on picking up a bottle of Proper 12 out of curiosity, but I will get the Glen Moray instead.

[@peterperigoe9231]

I'm in Ireland the capital of which is Dublin, I don't drink spirits but tuned in to hear your thoughts on Proper 12, which is Irish and named Proper 12 as Conor McGregor is from Dublin 12, it's a clever play on words.

[@steveoconnor5731]

I dunno if anyone has said it here yet but Proper 12 is callled Proper 12 cos cos he's from Dublin 12. We don't like him in Ireland tho.

[@pierreluna1654]

Great idea , but I think that was a little easy. You should try always "cheap whisky" but all NAS (or same age) single malt, same casks, 40% ABV Because it's clear that Glen Moray and Tomatin are not in the same category than the others.

[@klizzt]

Well it is interesting to me that picking out the single malts was this easy. I haven't done a side by side comparison myself (and since I came to whisky through single malt, I have next to no experience with budget blends). Really makes me want to set up a blind tasting with more premium blends compared to single malts...

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Yeah, the Irish blended definitely stood out. The J&B and Johnny Walker just tasted more engineered.

[@richiehoyt8487]

If that's your 'bottom shelf', then Oh Man! You have no idea how low you can go! (Without crossing the line into hand~sanitizer category...)

[@OscarOSullivan]

Maybe spending a bit more and getting a good middle of the road price wise whisky or whiskey

[@richiehoyt8487]

@@OscarOSullivan Oh yes, of course.

[@dylangaradyn6734]

Shielding blended is a killer. I’m sober for a long time😂

[@kurjan1]

You should try and pick up a Red Label JW from 30-40 years ago. I think you will be shocked at the difference.

[@gongfumaster]

Proper 12 was named after Dublin’s postal district 12 (or Dublin 12) which is where McGregor grew up

[@iielysiumx5811]

Not sure if it’s the same in the US but I was expecting the true bottom shelf whisky’s, the old grouse, bells that’s sort of stuff

[@PrestigeLiquidsWW]

Excellent videeo mate, it looked like you had some fun with it😁

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks mate!

[@levanabrzeni]

Hello. I need your advice. Long ago I tasted Glen Storn scotch whisky and loved it. Currently can’t find it at local stores. Could you recommend me whiskies of the similar sort? Thank you

[@petepeterson5337]

Haling from California, USA; Sir - those prices are punitive. I say this while sipping Angel's Envy bourbon which I paid ~ USD $36/750ml on sale which I considered a good price.

[@whiskyismyjam2002]

The Glen Moray Chardonnay has been unavailable in 🇦🇺 for years 😢

[@khalid969]

I've never seen anyone get them all right. I'm impressed.

[@curetiamhices289]

Just found your channel. Very interesting and informative. I’m a big bourbon drinker, but I do have a few bottles of scotch and an Irish whisky on my bar. The Dalmore 18 (my favorite) Glenlivet 18, Bunnahabhan 18, The Dalmore 12, and Redbreast 12. You have given me some info on your other videos on a variety of scotch and I will start expanding my scotch selection.

[@OscarOSullivan]

Irish Whiskey not whisky

[@curetiamhices289]

@@OscarOSullivansorry man, didn’t mean to offend!

[@OscarOSullivan]

@@curetiamhices289 It is alright I adhere to the Scotch Whisky and Irish Whiskey convention

[@ARCSTREAMS]

hiram walker special old rye is so far my fav canadian gem bottom shelf,, as for scotch my go to's have been dewars white label and j&b which i been doing even more, but jwr is also a great one with a the right amount of water and has lot to offer despite bad critique but its too expensive for me , anyways whiskies sometimes vary from batch or year to year sometimes horrible other times grreat stuff from the same brand , recently my j&b has more peat in it which really surprised me and tasted like an expensive scotch so im gonna go back to the store and get another bottle to stock up on because these things may be accidents that wont happen again or it could be the canadian i was tasting that has no peat simply brought out the peat more in the j&b also some banana notes

[@davidowen2834]

Hi Phil. Actually I like the tomatin legacy, last bottle I payed €19. The Glen Moray classic peated version is also worth a buy, for a budget malt it’s not that bad at all. Haven’t had a J & B blend in years, says it all really. Excellent blind tasting video 👍, slàinte Phil.

[@frschoonover1]

Very interesting video. I learned a lot here. Thanks for uploading. However, may I make a suggestion. Have you ever thought about doing a video on bargain priced whiskeys? I happen to like one bargain priced Irish whiskey called John L. Sullivan. It ranges usuaaly within the 12-13 dollar range. About two years ago, I bought a bottle of John L. Sullivan just to give it a try and when I took a little sip of it when I came home, I was pleasantly surprised. IMHO, this is actually a pretty good tasting whiskey for the low price it's sold for. For me, I feel that I really don't need to buy higher priced ones. Why? As in the words of the KISS song "Cold Gin"; "The cheapest stuff is all I need. To get me back on my feet again." That's just me. No, I'm not an alcoholic, but to me, I feel I don't need to buy any high priced liquor. By the way, before I started John L. Sullivan, I used to buy Merry Irish Whiskey, but that is not around anymore. Just thought I'd comment. Thanks again.

[@KIKIC666]

Feel disappointed, I love JB...

[@Darrk40]

I’ve been whiskey shamed. I like red. It’s fun. It’s cheap.

[@halfsourlizard9319]

Walker Red is great to have with soda in the morning. Cannot imagine drinking it neat, though ...