Loved this format. Would like to see more vids like this blind tasting 4 of similar category such as (Age Statement, NAS, or Barrel Finish). My only suggestion would be to get a set of Black, Dark Blue, or Dark Green Glencarin glasses for the blinds, because sometimes the color gives the dram away (I.e. current dark batches of Glenallachie vs anything else).
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
Believe me I'm not that good !!!
@jackthepickledhound2 жыл бұрын
Now your describing my life style. I'm trying to buy at least four bottles for every style. I made the mistake for my first blind flight of all New Your cask strength ryes, 90-100 % rye. So after the second round of tasting they were all the same .
@Subsonic-g2n4 ай бұрын
You should have had a friends mix them for you. You tell from the color of the whisky which one is which. Also you can see the color of the dot from your screen. We're not fooled. Not exactly blind, is it? hah hah!
@MaltActivist4 ай бұрын
Mate, you give me far too much credit - I don't have time for such an elaborate ruse which gains me nothing ;-)
@ASIRIDesigns2 жыл бұрын
Fantastic video, this is a great comparison between all of these sherried whiskies.
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
Thank you!! Glad you liked it!
@MrChristopherMolloy2 жыл бұрын
It would be fun to see the winner of this shootout pitted against budget-18s like Singleton, Tomatin, Loch Lomond, and Glen Moray. All under $100 USD.
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
Nice idea. Maybe I can do one like that. Cheers.
@jackthepickledhound2 жыл бұрын
These were big hitters today. Some of the less expensive ones have better specs. I almost picked up another Tomatin today, around $80.
@joyojoyo8 Жыл бұрын
great video! you betcha! Almost drank up all the Arran LOL. Cheers!
@cliffnorman1782 жыл бұрын
What a wonderful comparison video!!!!! Hope that you do many more blind comparison videos.
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
More to come!
@Rohit_M2 жыл бұрын
Great blinds of 18 YOs MA. Arran 18 deserves the top spot in that line up.
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
What a dram!
@vangstr Жыл бұрын
Nice 👍🏻 I will have to check out Arran!
@MaltActivist Жыл бұрын
Please do!
@p____p4tel3 ай бұрын
When you taste one of the glasses, does it influence the nose on the next one ? Genuinely wondering
@doctorsofscotch2 жыл бұрын
Great video, enjoy this format, please do more head to heads! Haha would have been fun to see your predictions as you went also, I know it didn’t go so well last time but it’s still entertaining to watch and to get more of an idea of your thought process.
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
Will do! Though I nailed them this time around. Promise!
@johnbradshaw75252 жыл бұрын
Try Deanston 18yo. Its a very good dram & can be bought in the UK for under £70. It's finished in Kentucky bourbon casks. Unchilfiltered, natural colour and 46.3% ABV.
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
I have my eye on that !
@astroboy35075 ай бұрын
Even deanston 12 was fantastic!!!! 👌🏻
@rivenbeef2 жыл бұрын
The Arran 18 is 100% sherry matured. No bourbon cask involvement. Nonetheless, you made the right choice. Arran 18 is exceptional!
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for pointing that out. Couple of sites I went to for research mentioned ex-bourbon barrels. I should have been more thorough.
@jackthepickledhound2 жыл бұрын
I think the old bottling was blended from bourbon and sherry.. that's all I see near me. 2 shops still have a few bottles. The only new bottles I see are the 10 and some NAS. I didn't know what I would do if I saw the braille Arran 18, cause it's going to be expensive. Now I know...BUY it!
@rivenbeef2 жыл бұрын
@@jackthepickledhound that’s right - the old bottling was a mix of bourbon and sherry. Don’t be too sad about not seeing the new bottling yet. The old one was a beautiful whisky. It’s actually the one that started my obsession with scotch lol. Plus, they are very difficult to find now and the prices have gone up for those bottles. I would scoop some up!
@RTYoda19792 жыл бұрын
Arran 18 is great bottle! My favourite is Glendronach 18 (2019) it was not chill filtered in 2019 and 2020, don’t know about now 2022.
@pl33172 жыл бұрын
Glendronach 18 in 2019 is totally different to the newest version. It was at least 23 years old and non-chill filtered.
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
I think 2021 onwards they started filtering
@Nikolay_Nikolov2 жыл бұрын
@@MaltActivist As far as I'm aware Glendronach haven't changed their production process. All they have done is removing the "non chill filtered" statement from the tubes. The reason for that is they have been using and still do (non chill) filtration methods that border chill filtration so they were afraid of being accused of providing false information on the packaging. The degree of filtration they use depends of the batch and they aim for a certain level of clarity for their malts. Apparently for some batches required filtration is so close to chill filtration that they don't feel safe keeping the statement on the tubes. Cheers!
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
@@Nikolay_Nikolov You're right - that's what I read. I'm researching the process a little more and may even release video about that. That's why you would have noticed I didn't say chill filtration but a different type of filtration. Thank you for pointing it - that really helps! Cheers.
@herbyonwheels2 жыл бұрын
What are those glasses you're using called? And are they better than the regular Glencairns?
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
They're the Glencairn Copitas. I prefer them to the regular tulip shape.
@herbyonwheels2 жыл бұрын
@@MaltActivist Thank you.
@brettturner59492 жыл бұрын
Like the style and good review thanks for helping me to learn
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
Any time!
@denniscowart5426 Жыл бұрын
When blind tasting I think it’s not apples to apples without matching the bottle levels. I find that last 1/8 of a bottle if it has sat for more than a week slightly diminished as a general rule and peak flavor is about 1/3rd down in the bottle.
@MaltActivist Жыл бұрын
I agree but it's not an exact science - tough for me to make sure all bottles are at the same fill level
@peatbull34262 жыл бұрын
PINky WINKY 😁. Im Not surprised. Its Winner for me as well. Love Arran at all. Fantastic juices! It was good fun, been really enjoyed. Just want more this kind of F2F wars 👍😁🥃🙋♂️
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
Noted! Will look into more head to heads.
@zulu15202 жыл бұрын
why the double oak macallan and not the sherry only
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
Cuz that's what I had !
@zulu15202 жыл бұрын
@@MaltActivist I think itwould be a more fair competition with all core release.
@cookieMonsterSincho9 ай бұрын
Please make a review on Arran remnant renegade 🙏
@vluggejapie2 жыл бұрын
Nice and fair review. Arran is great stuff. Got the 21, but just ordered the 18 as well. The 18 is hard to get here in Europe, but is avaible at the Arran webshop. So be quick If you want one. Glendronach also good, only the chill filtering is a shame. Still got all unchill filtered bottles
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
Good choice!
@Dafoodmaster Жыл бұрын
it's weird, the 18 is more expensive than the 21
@absolutecommunicationsgroup2 жыл бұрын
Well done bro... 👏
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much 😀
@IncognitoChronicles2 жыл бұрын
Hey man, would like to know your opinion on Dalwhinnie 15. Is it a decent dram to buy?
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
Yup, great dram! One of my favorites early on in my drinking career.
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
Though I hope the quality is the same as yesteryears
@IncognitoChronicles2 жыл бұрын
@@MaltActivist thanks a lot man, will grab a bottle today
@alexscher59072 жыл бұрын
What is the glass that you used in this tasting?
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
It's a Glencairn Copita - I had it personalised with my logo
@chentim17512 жыл бұрын
four very sought-after 18s, great video. !!!
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@ADSCP2 жыл бұрын
Would you consider the Glenlivet 18 (older version, 43% ABV)?
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
I wouldn't have minded had I had some lying around.
@JoergS. Жыл бұрын
Nice ranking - I totally agree👍 Do more tastings like this one (other 18s)😉
@MaltActivist Жыл бұрын
I will definitely do that!
@Explorercyclist2 жыл бұрын
Hope I too get this in my collection 🍻
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
Good luck !
@troylee37002 жыл бұрын
Finally love on KZbin for Arran
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
Actually I gave a lot of love to the Arran QC !
@troylee37002 жыл бұрын
@@MaltActivist Then I'll have to visit your channel more often
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
@@troylee3700 Please do!!!
@arygerman61222 жыл бұрын
What year is the GD18?
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
2021
@arygerman61222 жыл бұрын
@@MaltActivist I found that there was a decline from 2017 to 2018 / 2019. I haven’t tasted the 2020 or 2021 but I assume - given the general trend - that it is no longer quite the same whisky. I have a 2021 GD15 and it is very average. I don’t know if you have had the Macallan 15 Double Cask but I prefer that to the 18. Not surprised that it was at the bottom of your list.
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
@@arygerman6122 I'll be honest I didn't drink them all like that. Though I remember drinking earlier 18 year old GDs that were sublime (2015, 16, 17) - I drank this one after a long time and found it to be lacking the older complexity. I have not tried the Macallan 15 Double Cask. Will try and get my hands on it.
@KanwarAnand2 жыл бұрын
kickass vid, delightful viewing, great flow.
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
Thank you brother! And appreciate your membership. I will do the same!
@kellywellington7122 Жыл бұрын
Nice...Two of my possibles (I'm shopping 18+ Scotches) top out. Note that here, at least, the Arran 18 is $40 cheaper than the Abelour.
@MaltActivist Жыл бұрын
Oh wow!
@ericganz44322 жыл бұрын
I’m a big fan of the Aberlour 18 as well
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
me too!
@TheRealCoyote2 жыл бұрын
I'm not sure I ever had the pleasure to try Arran 18... Really makes me want to try it. Not too surprised Maccallan finished last, recent years Maccalan has been "over priced average whisky" sadly. Long gone are the glory days but the reputation keeps prices high. Interesting video, keep it up!
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
Cheers. You should get one.
@viktorvankov6666Ай бұрын
maaan, you're flippin' rich!
@pillcozby4312 жыл бұрын
Right now I'm buying nothing but Arran before the price goes up even more. The Bodega the Bothy and the 10 are amazing for the price.
@OGCAMG2 жыл бұрын
You need the Glenfiddich 18! It is a winner. Great notes don’t sleep on it
@OGCAMG2 жыл бұрын
Better than Glenlivet lower proof 18 and the arran IMO
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
I have it sitting in my closet ! Let me get to it.
@OGCAMG2 жыл бұрын
@@MaltActivist love your content though
@canal-do-guga-namura Жыл бұрын
Tried it a few weeks ago. Meh. I had the Springbank 15 before the Glenfiddich 18 and obviously the Springbank absolutely destroyed it. I then tried the Ledaig 18, and although not as good as the springbank, it also obliterates the Glenfiddich 18. Taste is taste though. It's not bad either, but I have countless other 18 year olds or even younger whiskies that are so much better. I also had the GlenDronach 18 on the same day, all of these are on another league.
@DileepB2 жыл бұрын
Not surprising to see the Arran 18 win! Don't understand why the other 18 year old were bottled at 43% ABV.
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
Love the Arran 18
@cliffnorman1782 жыл бұрын
My personal choice is the Abelour...... By quite a margin. Didn't do a blind tasting but tasted all of them during this video.
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
Like I said I loved the Aberlour but there was something endearing about the Arran 18 that I fell for.
@baruchdor2 жыл бұрын
you nees to try bowmore 2003 ED or Bowmore 1998 Sb you will understand after you will try it
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
Let me try and get my hands on them! Thank you for the suggestion.
@henrieliot87402 жыл бұрын
Brilliant. 10yo next?
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
Lets do it !
@First-fill2 жыл бұрын
My guesses were before you judged them…1 . Glendronach 2. Arran 3 . MacAllan 4. Aberlour. Aberlour bottling always seem to give me synthetic feel on the palate, and a saccharine aftertaste. Glendronch is absolutely sublime. Really enjoyed your review. Slainte 🥃👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
I love this new Aberlour that they've come out with. The Glendronach is lovely but maybe a tad bit spice forward and thin on the mouth. Older Glendronach 18s were just awesome!
@Watchman9992 жыл бұрын
As surely as the sun rises, Macallan keeps disappointing. A $500 bottle comes in 4th and a $100 bottle comes in 1st. SOMEthing has to give eventually.
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
You're so right. But when is the question!!!!
@davecummings24242 жыл бұрын
$500? Yikes! I paid +/- $325 about 9 months ago.
@Watchman9992 жыл бұрын
@@davecummings2424 which currency are you referring to? I'm in Canada.
@davecummings24242 жыл бұрын
That's U.S. dollars. Most I've ever paid for a bottle of booze, still waiting for the right occasion to open it.
@Watchman9992 жыл бұрын
@@davecummings2424 OK well $500 CAD is $370 USD. So not far off. It's heavily inflated compared to many others like Glengoyne and of course Arran.
@Dafoodmaster Жыл бұрын
so i'd presume this is one of the post-2019 glendronachs and no longer the powerhouses of back in the day?
@MaltActivist Жыл бұрын
That would be correct, sir
@Dafoodmaster Жыл бұрын
@@MaltActivist thank you
@mkxperience841923 күн бұрын
Please zoom out a little bit so viewers can see your table with glasses and bottles
@wevegraysquaw7855 Жыл бұрын
KAPOW! chill filtered -once again takes a shot to the mug, if you will
@MaltActivist Жыл бұрын
true...
@drinkwhiskywithfriends99222 жыл бұрын
Anyone watching this - it so depends on the yearly batch, they arent all the same.
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
very true
@chaisheng06272 жыл бұрын
And u can buy 4 of the other 3 whiskies for 1 macallan 18. What a joke macallan
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
Yup, that's the harsh reality of life!
@rishabhsaluja49212 жыл бұрын
I'm traveling to UAE, can we meet?
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
Hey. Drop me a DM on my Instagram and let me know your dates. If I'm free maybe we can catch up for a quick drink. Cheers.
@davidmason48122 жыл бұрын
Great video, not a big fan of Macallan, find a lot of their whisky, lacks real depth, no surprises with regards to Arran, what a dram that is, I am a big fan of Glendronach, though their recent 18yr release, is just not as good as the old nectar, which was sublime, never tried the Aberlour 18, so will have to check that out. I believe the Speyburn 18 is a cracker, though I have not had the pleasure of trying it yet.
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
People have been asking me to review Speyburn 15 and 18 -- so that's next on the agenda
@sachinkainth95082 жыл бұрын
Do you speak Hindi or Punjabi or any other language?
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
I can speak Hindi
@sachinkainth95082 жыл бұрын
@@MaltActivist cool
@giovannipunto80582 жыл бұрын
I'm pretty sure you knew which was what
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
I really didn't - of course when I sipped them I had a pretty good idea.
@halichummel2918 Жыл бұрын
My absolute No. 1 is Caol Ila 18 yrs.
@MaltActivist Жыл бұрын
Good call!
@jeetpancholi35875 ай бұрын
Least favourite, most expensive and most overhyped whisky
@Brad-ic4bp Жыл бұрын
I agree with your rankings (though I’ve never actually tried Aberlour). I finally just found a bottle of Glendronach in my local wine store, for $219. I had to try it because I really like the Glendronach 15 & 21 years. I have to say though, I would not buy it again, because it tastes (to me) nearly identical to the Arran 18, which is $80 cheaper.
@MaltActivist Жыл бұрын
Makes sense....
@1stMemberEver5 ай бұрын
Not a big surprise that properly made ncf, nca, 46 % wins those made for dummies whiskies.
@pmckeown382 жыл бұрын
Tough job, very jealous
@MaltActivist2 жыл бұрын
😁 haha good point
@khaldounsamman91282 жыл бұрын
Macallan 18 is now an absurd $420 in Minnesota -- Way over priced!!!