I Can't Believe I Changed My Mind About These Whiskies!

My opinion of certain whiskies didn't really stand the test of time. In today's video I remove several bottles from my "Stock it" rating, move a few up to that coveted spot, and adjust a few from buy it to ignore it. Enjoy!
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00:00 Introduction
01:07 Drop from Stock It
03:35 Upgrade to Stock It
07:02 Drop from Buy It
13:32 Upgrade from Try It
15:28 Downgrade from Try It
16:27 Retrying garbage

[@allenbt11]

I think you may need to add an addendum to the Nikka From the Barrel comment. The 2021 Regulatory change (in Japan) means it can no longer be classified as "Japanese Whisky" because it is a blend that includes Scotch, not because it doesn't meet the definition of whisky.

[@archietyler6759]

Awesome revisiting Bill!!! My first peated whiskey was Conemara. Now it's Port Charlotte all the way. And now I'm more of a Scotch drinker than the others. My journey all started with your channel. Thanks for all you do Bill!!! Cheers!!!

[@JohnDoe-bw3tz]

"Nikka From The Barrel" is most definitely a whisky, it's just no "Japanese Whisky" (which now is a trademark like "Scotch Whisky"). Apart from that it's a great and very enjoyable, sophisticated blend that fully derserves all of its fame and that any whisky enthusiast should try.

[@WhiskyLoversSociety]

Macallan 18 sherry cask, Johnnie Walker black label

[@gareth630]

If that is home blending great work, Kilchoman Machir Bay also woks great with Johnnie Walker black. Best Highland Park c/s and Ardbeg 10 happy days 🙂

[@christinecamley]

Ardbeg Ten and Corryvreckan are always on my bar. The Corryvreckan is a lot more in Canada but I’m willing to pay for the high quality. Lagavulin 16 is my intro to peated scotch and I have shared it with a few people who fell in love with peated scotch after having Lagavulin 16! Love your lists.

[@WhskAZCL]

Nice revisit to your previous recommendations. Nikka from the barrel not a whiskey? Please give us more details.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Long story short, when the new definition of Japanese Whisky was decided upon in February 2021, it was no longer classified as Japanese Whisky due to it not meeting all of the criteria anymore

[@vitalsteve1]

they changed the requirements. i would still consider the old stuff official (i still have a bottle) since it was at the time

[@andrewbutler7681]

It definitely IS a whisky - it's the Japanese part that doesn't agree with the amount of Ben Nevis in it...

[@DLi-ld5ui]

@@TheWhiskeyDictionary Well it is still whisky, just not 'japanese whisky'. There is certainly some amount of Ben Nevis in it making it not japanese. The way you said that is just isn't whisky is very misleading......

[@williambyington4864]

I believe our taste buds mature and change with time. In addition, you become more educated, and you learn that distillers are changing to meet demands.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Yea, for sure it's an education thing, but it's still interesting to see.

[@UnbrokenFlame]

The first time i had Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, i thought it was just ok. Had it about a month ago, and was reminded how great it really was

[@christinecamley]

Terrific revisit Bill!!

[@whiskywhereabouts]

Great idea to revisit these whiskers. Cheers!

[@JonBlankman]

Great list, Bill! You're forgiven for your original rating of nixing Rare Breed! I only stock Jameson for my wife's family, who love it. I confess to hiding my Redbreast 12 under the sink as it costs three times as much but tastes four times better! You can still get Corryvreckan for $80 in your area? My first bottle was that a few years ago. Then it jumped to $90 and later to $100. Now in my area it is at least $130, even at Total Wine! My current open Corryvreckan is on its last legs but I lucked out recently at a small off beat store to find one hiding at $100. It is my absolute favorite Scotch. I know you're a fan of the Spots too in Irish whiskey. Last week I snagged a unicorn I have searching years for: Blue Spot! The only other one I have seen was over $400! This was $103. It's quite the wonderful flavor bomb.

[@bttorney]

Agree on Glenlivet 12. Loved the dark green bottle. Not a fan of the new oaked version.

[@_fwd_racecar_]

I'm always rearranging my list though, I had The Sexton an Irish sherry cask high up on the list because it was one of the first sherry whiskies I tried and it got me into trying more, but then after getting Naked Malt for the same price, that was much better, so comparatively had to then knock The Sexton down, for being more bitter, dryer version of wine. Where the Naked Malt was much fruitier and the malt note was even better as well.

[@eddeppenbrook4188]

Rare Breed is a Permashelf bottle.

[@paulsousa]

Oh man, I would definitely have kept JW Black a “buy it” precisely because it’s an inexpensive option for folks who enjoy smoky whisky. I get your point, but I also don’t see the “buy it” rating to mean it has to be newcomer friendly (or else there’s a whole bunch of Islays needing to be downgraded lol). Regardless, another great video!

[@fotografi4fun]

JW Black is a stock it for me. I only taste the peat on a good day, but I use it in a Rob Roy and enjoy it neat every now and then 😊

[@lassekorsholmjrgensen4508]

Jameson belongs in vodka reviews. The most neutral whiskey I have ever tasted. Where I live, Johnny walker black on sale costs the same as Jameson. Personally, I'll reach for Johnny walker black every time.

[@helgikristinsson9967]

Thanks for the vid mate, my first peat (or whisky after the teenage drinking period) was a Laphroaig QC which was gifted to me by a friend that had no idea what whisky even was, i hated it buut i am a stubborn individual so i found ways to drink the QC in various ways one of the ways was in a irish coffee version of it, but when i was about 1/3 of the way through the bottle something clicked and i got through the smoke and boy oh boy was that an experience. By far the best damn drink i had ever had and still is one of my favorites even if i now have 6 octomores and 3 PC's and a hand full of bruichladdie's (which is becoming my favorite distillery) i still find the Laphroaig QC the best damn dram i have ever had :)

[@yonny73]

Bought an expensive Springbank 25 as my first Springbank...didnt like it at first,ended up loving it a year later,Same happend with bruichladdich black art 6.1.I really havent had any whisky whos been much worse over time tbh,Bowmore 15 is one of the ones who have lost a little over time tho :)

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

I had the same experience with Springbank. It took me a while to like it... then I started to enjoy it and now I can't get it anymore.

[@PlushKA2012]

Great episode Bill. Cheers from Saudi, the current home of no alcohol law 😅

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

So sad... do a lot of people ferment things at home?

[@PlushKA2012]

@@TheWhiskeyDictionary Yeah, it is quite popular to make something for yourself at home. But nothing will replace good scotch or bourbon. But that makes each vacation even more special 😁

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Want a Whiskey you WON'T change your mind on? Check out my single barrel picks: www.whiskeydicpicks.com

[@_fwd_racecar_]

Another BT product, Eagle Rare, again the first couple bottles I had 5+ years ago was my #1 bourbon with a dark chocolate, and my favorite note was hazelnut that balanced it out. Then the last bottle had no hazelnut, and the sweetness was ramped up so much it was like drinking dessert, so overly sweet that if it wasn't so expensive would have just dumped it down the drain, but I ended up shooting it back like shots of vodka to not taste it. Maybe this variance is due to being a Single Barrel, because it still has the 10years, but again, possibly increased demand now makes them bottle worse and worse single barrels.

[@khuge32]

Couldnt agree more about Bowmore 15

[@topshelfdustin3060]

I stand by the red isn't nearly as bad as you make it out to be :)

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

I'll send you my bottle

[@marcwhiskey]

I was determined to get a bottle of Elmer T Lee as i got into whiskey around 2019. Was never willing to pay for it when i saw it. I finally paid $10 for a pour at a bar and was relieved i never bought a bottle. Was so disappointed in it after all the hype online and in my mind.

[@heatherharrison264]

I have been drinking whisky since the 1990s. My taste has evolved over the years. Furthermore, the variety available now is a lot better than it was. I find that I have outgrown some of the whiskies that got me started back then. The Scotch that got me started was Chivas Regal 12-year blended whisky. It's an easy one that is suitable for beginners, but although I still have a soft spot for it, it is too bland for my taste; I've simply outgrown it. The one that got me going on single malts was Glenlivet 18-year. The big brands like Glenlivet and Macallan were the best that I could get at the time, but nowadays, there are many non-chill filtered, natural color, 46%+ ABV Scotch whiskies, and there are a lot of high quality independent bottlings, many of which are cask strength. I still think Glenlivet has a good flavor profile, but the core range doesn't live up to its potential. I recently found a Signatory Glenlivet 16-year cask strength that blows away the official bottlings. As for the official bottlings, the 12-year Illicit Still is intermittently available. It is 48% ABV and non-chill filtered (but is a rather unnatural color, unfortunately), and I find it far superior to the standard version. It's inexpensive too. With these versions floating around, I see no reason to bother with the low strength, heavily filtered core range. Macallan is another one that I used to like more than I do now. I recently had the 12-year at a bar just to remind myself of what it is like. It smells wonderful, but it tastes thin and watered down. With this version being unimpressive, I'm not willing to pay the exorbitant prices for other versions, especially when I can get something like anCnoc 24-year without breaking the bank. Interestingly, the bourbon that got me started on bourbon is one that I still like. Knob Creek was brand new at the time, and a friend recommended it. It immediately appealed to me. Nowadays, I like the 12-year and single barrel store picks better than the 9-year, but the inexpensive 9-year is still good.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Your comment has inspired a future video of mine. Something along the lines of "what older brands are still worth drinking". Thanks!

[@heatherharrison264]

@@TheWhiskeyDictionary That would be a good idea. These old, big, well established brands are the ones most likely to turn up at non-specialized bars and restaurants and in parts of the world where there isn't much of a whisky culture. They are not all alike, and I think some have held up better than others over the years. A video like this would help to give people ideas for what to order when they are at a bar or restaurant with a small selection of commonly encountered whiskies. In this category, I still give Glenlivet 12-year a reasonably high rating. Though it is far from reaching its potential, it still has some robust flavor, and it works in mixed drinks.

[@russwoodman2725]

Couldn't agree more about the Bowmore 15. It's the most disappointing Islay Scotch whisky with an age statement (15!!) that I've ever tried. I'll have to try and bottle kill it at some point but I am not sure how yet. I also more or less agree with your other assessments, though Rare Breed is a pretty exceptional bourbon. It's on par with the better Russell's Reserves and other high-end products of Wild Turkey. Get that next bottle and you may find yourself buying a third. Cheers.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Means a lot to hear you agree with the Bowmore. Wasn't sure how people would take that one but for me it's a big ol' miss.

[@johngilbert5981]

Try to find the illicit Glenlivet 12....it is very similar to an older 12 from the 80s

[@eviltrain24]

One that I recently downgraded was Glenlivet 12. And that really hurt because it’s what got me into scotch. It went from buy it to try it long ago but it was also a reference bottle in my library that I could casually enjoy. I didn’t enjoy the two minis I bought recently…

[@agaricus]

Just finished off a Glenlivet 12. I fully agree with the down ranking. It's not exactly bad, but I've had so many other more interesting and better tasting for around the same price point. I'd rather have Bunnahabhain 12 or Arran 10 any time, just to name a couple.

[@philreynolds6018]

red label tastes like Gasoline

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Damn right!

[@christinecamley]

Absolutely. Try the new Offerman edition with rum casking! Delicious!

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

I'm excited to. I have to wait for it to be in my area because shipping to MA is not really a thing

[@christinecamley]

@@TheWhiskeyDictionary I hear you! I hope the Lagavulin 11 shows up soon! I was surprised to see it here in Vancouver so soon! Cheers Bill!

[@danswank3378]

If you want to fix the glenlivet 12 yr . put about a shot of Glenlivet 15 in a 750 ml bottle. The new stills in 2010 are making most of 12 yr now.

[@livewithaffection6905]

Gooderham and worts 4 grain…I really like it now. Johnny walker red: it smells great and tastes pretty good now.

[@geoffdunn4912]

I always thought the biggest mark against Glenmorangie was the finished variants for just a little more but I greatly prefer (like La Santa). Elmer T Lee is still great, but I'd only recommend retail price (or really close) if you can. I actually prefer Wee Beastie to the 10 both in flavor & price. I'm not a big fan of regular Jack & would rather go Evan Williams Bonded or Elijah Craig. Yeah, Yamazaki 12 is great, though was tough when it was $100, much less now. Weller, I'd say buy, but only MSRP.. The new Highland Park, I've only tried the 12 & still really enjoyed, but the 18 is a bit pricey for how much I enjoyed it to try the new version. My favorite Johnnie Walker is the Green which adds a bit of fruit to the peat for a great balance. Wild Turkey turned me around on the brand (don't really care for regular or 101) and is actually one of my favorites and a great value.

[@Dafoodmaster]

i like jack fine, but i don't feel like it's a *must* - i can get a liter of four roses for less than a 750ml of jack. or even a bottle of jim white for 7 euros less. It's as much as a bottle of Turkey 101! and that's just better juice outright if you ask me. Anyway, who cares. Fun video idea!

[@duncfunk2998]

I live in Ireland and started trying whiskey properly about 5 years ago. After all of my tasting in bars, I ended up buying a bottle of Redbreast 12 as it was the nicest to me. After trying a lot of nice whiskey I have to say that I can't stand Jameson at all. The Black Barrell is nice but regular Jameson to me is like JWR to you! Also, Makers is my go to bourbon.

[@_fwd_racecar_]

Buffalo Trace was not too good last bottle I got. Yeah my palate has moved on from bourbon to single malts now... but even as far as bourbons go, BT just seemed much younger/rougher than the couple bottles I had 5 or so years ago, and I'm wondering if that's due to increased demand that they're rushing it out faster.

[@johnzajac9849]

I disagree about Glenlivet 12, which I found to be delicious. Favoring or disliking a whisky can change from one day to the next, depending on a number of factors, especially emotions. An example: After surviving a severe battle, a Union officer told someone that his whisky never tasted as good as it tasted after the fighting was over.

[@saiprasanth4950]

You almost got me on that red label at the end it reminded me of a short story. My initial choice if scotch whiske was johnny walker Red label and I wanted to see its reviews. So there was one guy who said " it does not taste that bad just like Bill described in the whiskey dictionary channel". That's how I got to know whiskey dictionary. I am following this channel since then and I don't even remember the guy who introduced me to this channel. 😂. Though I do remember that I enjoyed it the first time, I never bought that whiskey again. Always love your reviews Bill. Hey by the way! How is going on that Dalmore 15 review?

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Hah! I wish I knew who said that so I could tell them they are wrong 😀 Still haven't bought a bottle of thr Dalmore 15, but someday... some day... my backlog is pretty big at the moment but I'm always looking for what people WANT me to review. So I'll move it up my list.

[@spencer-mav]

Not sure where Glenfiddich lands on your rankings, but I'd take that hands down over the Glenlivet or Glenmorangie - so i'm with you on the first 2 downgrades. I'm surprised Ardbeg 10 wasn't on your stock it list to begin with, everyone says good things about it and it's pretty affordable. I love Pikesville, it's a stellar example of a lower percentage rye - it's weirdly hard to find or priced too high around here though, so i've yet to replace my first bottle of it. Overall pretty well agree with all of your changes, plus or minus a few things that I don't like (but most people do...lol)

[@benseiler5478]

I don’t mind a lot of these mentions, but I don’t want to spend over $40 on 80 proof whisky’s. I recently bought a bottle of the Redbreast 12 for $56 and thought it was good by its only 80 proof and would be way better at at least 46 ABV.

[@Jolazo-Music]

Lol! I knew the trasher had to be Johnnie Walker Red!

[@heathfiebert5454]

I was big into Bourbon for a long time and despised Scotch, especially Islay Scotch. Now, I only buy Islay Scotch and very rarely drink Bourbon.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

You've reached Nirvana

[@fotografi4fun]

The Red Label… I really hate it, but for some reason I want a bottle. I have restrained myself from buying one, but. I’m afraid I might pick one up and regret it 😅 JW Red is the first bottle I bought in the 90´s. It made me think all Whisky was terrible. Wish I had bought a Speyside Single Malt instead at that point.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

I think you should get one. As a reminder how past mistakes can return if we aren't careful

[@fotografi4fun]

@@TheWhiskeyDictionary That's kind of why I want one. And it won't ruin my wallet 😉

[@chrismarshall4486]

I can barely taste the smoke on JW black 😂

[@livewithaffection6905]

Re Johny Walker red: my first bottle had that whole iodine bandaid going for it. But I bought a new bottle and that smell is gone replaced more with an orange peachy smell and the taste is strong and good. Not sure if I got a magical bottle, but I have to disagree with you.

[@Cander5142]

Only thing I can really argue with is the Jameson. But only the comment of if you don’t like it you don’t like whiskey. I do not like Jameson but love whiskey. I just don’t get anything out of it personally. But that’s the case with every Irish I have tried. I can pick out subtle notes in Islays that can hide behind the peat, but for the life of me get nothing but alcohol from Irish. Go figure. 🤷‍♂️

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Yea. That may have been a bit bold of a statement but I do think Jameson is pretty easy to enjoy

[@joshgoodmanson9534]

What is the basis for your comment that Nikka Whisky From the Barrel "is not whiskey"? It can no longer be classified as "Japanese whisky", but even before that I think much of the community understood that a lot of this blend was sourced Scotch whisky.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Thats 100% what the comment was based on. Technically it's not Japanese Whisky, it's blended whisky, mostly from Scotland. Poor choice of words I suppose.

[@joshgoodmanson9534]

Gotcha. I still find it to be a reallly good blend of Scotch / Japanese at a nice strong ABV and for a decent price. Still a bottle that I’ll stock.

[@donrumgay5200]

The Highland Park 18 is still good…but the price is now ridicules … go with a Highland Park Cask Strength at half the price of the 18 instead…

[@kenwilson42]

Rare Breed gets better as air and time works the spirit.

[@Alithia451]

Why is Nikka FTB not whiskey??

[@_fwd_racecar_]

A whisky that jumped up slightly is Monkey Shoulder, I tried that early on as a "recommended for beginners," which I still think is bad advice because it is so subtle it was hard for a newbie like myself to pull out any distinctive notes. Trying it again just last month, can definitely pick up some slight peat now.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

I'm curious, since you kind of touched on it... what whisky do you think is a good beginner whisky?

[@_fwd_racecar_]

@@TheWhiskeyDictionary haha I just left a review above that is my current favorite for budget whisky, is Naked Malt. Affordable, tons of flavor, and no grain spirit.

[@eviltrain24]

“Nikka from the barrel isn’t whisky.” Did I hear that correctly? Did you mean it’s not Japanese whisky because it has Ben Nevis in it?

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Correct. Slightly poor choice of words, but if it's not technically Japanese Whisky then I'm not really sure what I'd call it.

[@piperjon]

Yeah at $80 I'd stock the Corryvreckan as well. At our Total Wine it's $144.99. I'm a pass at that price.

[@LeatherDaddy97]

-Glenlivet im fine with but wouldnt buy one to have -Glenmorangie im a pass on. id take glenlivet over glenmorangie every time -elmer t lee tastes like 35 bucks, its a fine budget bottle but even at $35 theres things id buy first pretty easily -ardbeg 10 is a staple, stock it -jack daniels is whatever but id get the bonded instead -jameson is too metallic on the finish for me, pass -Corryvrecken is good but i prefer oogie at a bit less money -pikesville is a banger, stock it -redbreast 12 is good, not much to say, will forever be overshadowed by the old cask strengths -bulleit rye is a pass for me, too thin, too much menthol, and good mgp rye is a dime a dozen -yamazaki 12 is a hard pass. Nothing special, would never pay over $70 for it and the current rate is $200 -highland park 18 is good but price is too high now -johnnie walker black tastes like you threw a pack of cigarettes in a bathtub, hard pass. Just water and smoke -willet pot still is heinous, tastes like green cedar and sadness. Cool bottle but pass -bowmore 15 is fine, costs too much, thats it. Nikka from the barrel-tastes good, no idea whats inside, need to do more research for full opinion -makers 46 is fine but not for me, not a french oak finish guy. Buy for most people -rare breed is still a great bottle at a great price and something everyone should have -White walker cool bottle, lame whiskey. Cool to have, bad to drink -Johnnie walker red, might as well just buy vodka instead. Thats my useless take.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

I like that you took the time to type all of that out. It's nice to see someone else's opinion on all of these and we're pretty well aligned.

[@LeatherDaddy97]

@@TheWhiskeyDictionary thanks. Proper 12 is bad btw

[@Jared40]

Funny thing about the Maker's Mark 46 is they have another new label design even though they just changed it to the bottle you have in 2022 now it's an all red label🤣🟥🥃

[@GOTAisMe]

Where is your area? I saw the Correyvrecan today for $159. $85 in your area? Wow. I think back in the day I paid $100

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

I'm in MA. I just checked online at stores near me looks to be about 90-95 now. Annoying but still worth it. Not at 159

[@GOTAisMe]

@@TheWhiskeyDictionary Bill, the worst of it is I'm in CT! I need to get over the border

[@steveamsp]

"Tastes like bad decisions, and regret"

[@AlexDraut]

Lol maybe I just got a bad batch, but Ardbeg 10, An Oa, and Wee Beastie. Also Wild Turkey 101. 101 is a great mixer, but neat I'd stick to the new Jim Beam Black. Cheers!

[@richard9045]

I like your channel but I disagree with some of your choices! These are probably due to the price differences between the UK and US. However there is no reason under the sun to suggest that JD No7 is a stock it bourbon, it is not a stock it Bourbon in the UK never mind the States imho! WT101 much better. Slainte

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

I also LOVE WT101. My main reason to suggest JD is for hosting. People around here know it and love it, even if there are better choices. Thanks for commenting though, I'm glad you did.

[@Psychotyzm]

I'm one of those insane people... I actually enjoy JW red. Can't say the same for Glen Mo 10. I have tried 3 different bottles bought from different retailers to try and avoid fakes, never enjoyed it. It's weird how much I don't like it. JW red - neat pours, I am absolutely fine with it...