How to Read a Whisky Label for Beginners

[@markovucic]

These are not videos, but rather lessons. I learned so much like on no other channel. Wonderful work.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Really appreciate that Marko!

[@austinschmuck7814]

I've never had a drop of whiskey before (of what I've tried, I'm a wine guy) and this appeared in my recommended. I'm not regretting clicking the video though, it's quite interesting Edit: only "whiskeys" I've had now are fireball, and southern comfort, which according to a few friends of mine aren't real whiskey Edit #2: I tried some Glenlivet 12 year. And I absolutely loved it, I think I may have found another possible alcohol to have on occasion

[@TheSharkPadlock]

Just have to throw this out here. This is the 4th video of yours I've watched, and I am so impressed by how you explain everything so clearly and precisely. I am simply awed by your production quality, your easy-to-understand definitions about whisky, and your relaxed and conversational tone. Really enjoying what I've seen so far. Thank you, sir. Keep up the good work!

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks Mark! That really means a lot and i'm grateful you are finding the videos useful.

[@Dustyphoto915]

Agreed. I’m learning all the key points I needed to start my whiskey journey.

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

French, German and other Old World wine bottles are FAR more complicated than whisky bottles due to the various classifications and generally (excluding Alsace) they don't tell you what grapes are in the wine - you have to know that based on the region and classification. But that is wine sommeliers are so important in the trade for the consumer. But New World wines (USA, NZ, Australia, Chile, Argentina etc.) are far easier to read and are much more like reading whisky labels as long as you know the difference between a Single Malt and a Blended Scotch.

[@Allouran]

You could have also mentioned the Braille on your Arran label 🏷 - a nice touch 😃😃🥃

[@FritsDriessen]

Welcome back my friend! Hope you're doing well 😃💪🏻

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

At 2:00 you define Scotch Blended Whisky as "they are not from a single distillery, the whisky comes from a whole bunch of different distilleries mixed together in a blend..." Phil, at least for Scotch Whisky, this is not correct!!! This is a common mistake based on faulty logic. If Single Malts are from a Single distillery then the definition of Blended Whisky must be a whisky from multiple distilleries? Right? WRONG! Now, please note that the following definition is exclusively referring to the definition of Scotch Whisky, made in Scotland and not American Whiskey. The word "Blended" refers exclusively to the mixing of two Scotch whisky types: Whisky made from Malted Barley distilled in a pot still, with whisky made from grain whisky, that is neutral alcohol distilled in a column still. To make it crystal clear, Glencadam distillery produce their own grain whisky in a column still made from un-malted mash. They also make malt whisky at the same exact distillery. After a minimum of 3 years maturation in Oak casks, the grain whisky is mixed, or blended with malt Whisky to make [Scotch] Blended Whisky. Now, if Glencadam would bottle their grain whisky (without mixing it with anything else) which they make at the single distillery then it would legally be called [Scotch] Single Grain Whisky. *Under Chapter 2 : "Definitions of categories of Scotch Whisky"* 2.5 Blended Scotch Whisky is defined under the SWR as a combination of one or more Single Malt Scotch Whiskies with one or more Single Grain Scotch Whiskies, which accords with traditional practice. 2.4 Single Grain Scotch Whisky means a Scotch Whisky distilled at a single distillery but which, in addition to water and malted barley, may also be produced from whole grains of other malted or unmalted cereals. Excluded from the definition of “Single Grain Scotch Whisky” is any spirit which qualifies as a Single Malt Scotch Whisky or as a Blended Scotch Whisky. The latter exclusion is to ensure that a Blended Scotch Whisky produced from Single Malt(s) and Single Grain(s) distilled at the same distillery does not also qualify as Single Grain Scotch Whisky. 2.6 Blended Malt Scotch Whisky means a blend of two or more Single Malt Scotch Whiskies from different distilleries, and 2.7 Blended Grain Scotch Whisky means a blend of two or more Single Grain Scotch Whiskies from different distilleries. Now, you might think that based on the official definition above, Glencadam might try and make an argument that if they ever blended just the grain Whisky which they make at the distillery, with the malt whisky they also make at the same distillery, then they could call it a [Scotch] "Single Blended Whisky" !!! However, I would guess that the SWA would not be too pleased as this would lead to even more confusion. However, you get my point.

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

Lastly, to make things even more complicated, American Blended Whiskey has a completely different definition, which is why Americans often get confused between the difference between Scotch Blends and American Blends as well as Single Malts and American Straight Whiskey. According to the US Code of Federal Regulations: Title 27 Blended American Whiskey is required to contain at least 20% Straight whiskey; with the balance being unaged neutral spirit or, in a few cases, high-proof light whiskey. It has a general whiskey flavor profile (most closely resembling Bourbon), but lacks any defining taste characteristic. Under United States law, Straight whiskey is whiskey that is distilled from a fermented (malted or unmalted) cereal grain mash to a concentration not exceeding 80% alcohol by volume (abv) and aged in new charred oak barrels for at least two years at a concentration not exceeding 62.5% at the start of the aging process. [Pt 5.22]

[@JEFFWEEE]

I'm a new whisky lover. I love the Aaron 10, but for the same money, I prefer the Tobermory 12

[@davidelourenco2537]

Great vídeo as per usual!! You also scratched what "ins't written on the lable".. If doesn't say "natural colour" - assume it has e150 or if it doesn't say "un-chilled filtered" - assume it was.. I think that may needed a video of it's own "how to read between the lines of the whisky lable". Cheers!

[@kevinm4898]

Welcome back. I just re-subscribed after noticing more new videos. Thanks again for all of your help and knowledge!

[@mtl5131]

Great to see you back with a new vid. Excellent content as always. Keep up the good work 👍🏻

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Great to have you back watching! 👍🥃

[@thechamp8971]

Nice Video. I was feeling guilty about my 7 bottle collection being too big. I now see from your cabinet it's like bikes number required is number owned plus 1.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Ha, there’s always a bigger collection. Thanks!

[@markovucic]

How many times a cask can be used for bourboun (1 guess) and how many times for whiskey. How many times for sherry? How many times for wine? Thanks.

[@kapilkk06]

Excellent Phil 👍 always wait for your new videos ...cheers

[@traveller4635]

Looking forward for more videos totally loved it

[@blindsquirrel3123]

I have been binge watching your videos and soaking up the Whisk(e)y knowledge. Just learning about Scotch and embracing the amazing tastes. Cheers!

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Ah that’s awesome. I started my channel for people like you. Grateful to have you watching David!

[@rajivrao9427]

You're the best Connoisseur Phil..Salud

[@pedrofeliciano7041]

Great stuff! I am enjoying watching your videos.

[@pmckeown38]

People KNOW the whiskey tastes better and that there is only debate with the marketing departments of some of the distilleries.

[@bengreen8970]

What's the bottle of Bunnahabhain that's on the shelf over your right shoulder?

[@b3aStYyY]

Welcome back Phil. Missed your vids. This one is absolutely awesome. Thanks for making it ^_^

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thank you so much! 😊 🥃

[@mhdkam2288]

you are best of the best.... thanks for these information appreciate

[@nomar5spaulding]

I've recently been trying out some whiskey for the first time (I've tried some other random times before and it was not a good experience - so far this has been a good one). I paused a little bit at the "spelling of the word whiskey/whisky" and want to share a weird historical tidbit about a very novel way to spell whiskey. I am very interested in naval history. To that end, during World War II, the US Navy completed building of the last 4 American battleships. These were the Iowa Class battleships USS Iowa (BB-61), USS New Jersey (BB-62), USS Missouri (BB-63), and USS Wisconsin (BB-64). There were supposed to be 2 more ships in the class, and quite a lot of work was done to build them, but stopped during the war because the Navy realized we didn't really need more battleships. I forget what the 5th hull was going to be named, but the 6th, uncompleted ship was already given the name USS Kentucky (BB-66). Kentucky was never completed, but the hull was finished when work was paused, and because so much material and work went into building the hull, the Navy kept the hull for years trying to decide what to do with it. They considered finish it as a different type of ship, but nothing was ever done until one day the battleship Wisconsin struck a pier and had it's bow very badly damaged. The Navy looked at how to best repair the damaged bow of the Wisconsin and determined that the best thing to do was the completely cut off the damaged area and scrap that bit. Then they took the hull of the incompleted battleship Kentucky and cut off part of it's bow and used that to replace the damage to Wisconsin. Ever since then, Battleship Wisconsin carried the nickname Wis-ky, because she was part Wisconsin, and part Kentucky. Sorry I'm done now. Yes I know. I like boats too much. I'll let myself out now.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Fascinating stuff! Didn’t realise there was another whole meaning to ‘wis-ky’!!

[@jeannebouwman1970]

everyone talking about the ship of theseus when they should be talking about the ship of wisky

[@kaloyanski]

Very informative ;)

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thank you!

[@joamirespiritusanto2116]

Amazing video mate! Extraordinary!❤

[@haromaster6086]

Jealous you have the Springbank

[@davidowen2834]

Good video Phil. Suppose for someone relatively new to whisk(e)y a label can be pretty head scratching. By the way love your into and background music, awesome, slàinte Phil.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks David!

[@jeannebouwman1970]

11:21 not served in scotland of course

[@paulhammond5599]

Great video learnt things I didn’t know and helps with the choices you make.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks Paul! Glad the video was helpful and great to have you watching

[@Jeroenbdesign]

Yesss! We want moreee!

[@ericmeechglobalnetwork2273]

nice.

[@athinkingman8840]

Interestingly enough, Makers Mark is a Kentucky bourbon that spells whisky without the “e”. They seem to be an outlier.

[@carlmartinlinder]

Technically, Old Particular is not an Independent bottler, it is a brand name under the Douglas Laing Independent Bottler umbrella...

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Oh yeah that was a brain fart on my part and why I put the text up to correct it ha! I was editing it and though - ah no that’s not right!

[@carlmartinlinder]

Sorry for being particular 😀! I didn't see the text before but I see now that you did add that. Sorry and thank you for your nice contents

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

@@carlmartinlinder No thanks for pointing it out. The more info for other viewers - the better! Slainte.

[@abhinaysharma7684]

This such a good video! Thank you for making this !

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks for watching!

[@82kingcole]

Excellent summary. Thank you 🙏

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks for watching

[@ThangTran-qf8ik]

Keep up the great work mate!!

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks mate!!

[@Scottierolls]

Thank you Phil, Cheers.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks Scot!

[@bibekshah2716]

Hey Phil, would love to see best cheap "whisky"s or "whiskey"s 😅

[@antlese]

Lots of great info in this video. Thanks!

[@JeffWhisky]

Brill video Phil 👍 with the labels where do you fall on the whole natural colour debate? Do you think it is something that must be clearly stated if used like it is done in Germany or is it unnecessary transparency?

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

I'm a whisky geek, so I find it fun to analyse the colour, but I can't do that if there is colouring added as it doesn't tell me anything about the casks. More info the better I reckon. Makes it more fun. A bit like analysing the colour with different wine varieties.

[@markovucic]

Thanks!

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks so much!!

[@evanryan5225]

Good to see you back! Great video as always!

[@VinceW187]

If a distillery could make 2 identical wiskeys, 1 chill filtered and colored and the second non chill filtered natural color. Then let tasters decide on the flavour

[@GogiRegion]

From my understanding, the coloring only affects appearance, and the chill filtering only affects appearance and texture.

[@bsushil7965]

Thanks

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks for watching!

[@FreedsFirstTime_Whisky_Reviews]

Great to have you back!!

[@JavierDerric]

Awesome video!

[@MoviesNowkoolstuff]

Excellent

[@marcelrietbergenvan5472]

Nice video, i can now buy a good whisky 😉

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Enjoy! 🥃

[@archeofutura_4606]

We in the US usually think in abv, or at least I do. The proof system is kind of antiquated at this point.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Ah that’s good. Yeah most of the bourbon channels seem to just go off the proof. Seems to make things more confusing.

[@robinmiller1989]

not disagreeing, but perhaps it's more regional or depending on your social sphere. I live in the Mid-West US, and I've traveled a fair bit and enjoy collecting liquer.. and proof has always been pretty prevalent in my experience

[@archeofutura_4606]

@@robinmiller1989 that’s fair. I think it is regional, because on the west coast the labels are either abv+proof or abv only. Luckily converting from US proof to abv is just dividing by two

[@sunyboy333]

Lazy video, rehashing stuff you've already covered.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Got a video on a 30 year old scotch coming up. I wanted to do this one though as I had a few people who were getting into whisky asking.

[@motosnape]

sunyboy333. It’s free content. This is a poor comment on your part.

[@eatsmokedrink]

mmmmmmmm single malt scotch whisky mmmmmmmm

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

mmmmmmm

[@robinmiller1989]

mmmmmmmmm