ralfy review 1059 - Benriach 25yo @50%vol: (Auction2020)

[@JanRobert]

Merry Cristmas Ralfy . and to all others Whisky fans all over the world !!

[@WhiskyLoversSociety]

Ho ho hoooo. Nice to see an old bottle being opened. Merry Christmas. Looking forward to a great 2025.

[@JazznRealHipHop]

I’ve got an old Ben Riach 17 Solstice stashed for a special malt moment. Not to collect or flip but enjoy when the time is right. Cheers everyone and a happy new year to whatever’s in your glass, hopefully quality

[@josuprada1459]

I just bought the same bottle at auction a couple of months ago under 200 euro. Glad to see it is even better than I expected, thanks and cheers Ralfy!!

[@ytbenny1964]

Merry Christmas Ralfy. I’m forever grateful for your guidance on my whisky journey.

[@heisenbergguy7772]

You have got yourself a great buy Sir. So inexpensive for a 25 year old. In Texas, USA I’d I were to have found one laying around, I’m guessing I have to cough up $495+Tax. My 2024 Scotch whisky of the Year is Glen Scotia 15. My 2024 Bourbon of the year is Town Branch Overproof.

[@marek_r]

90/100? That must be a first this year. It's got to be really good then. Slainte Ralfy!

[@vluggejapie]

The Jura from review 1041 was also a 90 this year

[@marek_r]

​@vluggejapie well remembered. I could have sworn I'd not seen such a high malt mark for ages. Sadly my memory lets me down now and again. Let's see what 2025 brings. All the best!

[@ishaanbhardwaj8992]

Don't know where else to share this but the new Scapa range is pretty amazing value. 10/16/21 age statements, 48% ABV (or cask strength for the 21), non chill filtered. And I got a 16 yr for $63USD.

[@ic3105]

Merry X-Mas Ralfy! Wish you a quiet time for re-charging and a perfect start into 2025. I visited BenRiach this year and enjoyed it over there, nice tasting with food and drink pairing. A bit pricey these days. Shall also look for auctions. Cheers. Ingo

[@davidc6863]

Happy Holidays Ralfy and all best wishes for 2025

[@anthonyshiels9273]

Wishing Ralph and Clive a Very Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year from Maynooth in Ireland.

[@SimonneNZ]

Merry Christmas Ralfy and best wishes for 2025! Cheers!

[@MilesOnTheCorner]

What do you think of the 46.8% version (same black label bottle)? I had wrongly thought you couldn’t get it at retail any longer for some reason. Picked up a bottle yesterday for £200 which was £75 off.

[@somewaresim]

I was wondering the same

[@brummie11]

... seems to be an issue of the box /surface. I bougth one at the retailer years ago and it has already been stained/seemed to be from a damp place (and a second one also). Cheers..., Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[@jammose6208]

Ralfy, would you consider in 2025 making some reviews on some of your older or more special bottles you’ve got amongst your collection? Would love to see some of them and hear the stories behind them, even if they’re no longer available even at auction. I’m sure there are some absolute beauties in there!

[@JonnyParker-]

Sounds like some lovely stuff Ralfy. I still haven't gone past the 100 pound threshold for a bottle of scotch so this one is slightly out of my reach. I've recently been enjoying a bottle of Inchgower Cooper's choice 2010 (53.5% - sweet wine finish) and it's some tasty liquid .

[@brian6x]

If you would have waited the full 25 minutes in the glass, what would the difference have been?

[@dane5896]

🎅Merry Christmas Ralfy 🥃🎄

[@PierreMoisan-vf2ze]

It’s been a very interesting year for you and your Chanel Ralfy Thanks for your reviews always renewed. Happy holidays and I wish you the best for 2025

[@MichaelMcCormick725]

Aigh't Ralfie. What's the best?! I love Springbank, looking for something with less peat and smoke. What's the go-to? TY!

[@KevinOhlin]

Benromach is going to be your best bet right now for a more readily attainable Springbank alternative. Look for the Cask Strength if you can.

[@MichaelMcCormick725]

@@KevinOhlin TY. Should I share my vendor? Haha. FINE! Cork and Mash.

[@gyoshitake]

Merry Christmas Ralfy! Glad you got a great price for those bottles. Was that Benriach 25 bottle released during Billy Walker's time ? If so, I wouldn't be surprised that it's a banger! Billy released quality, whereas what Brown/Forman is releasing now is just garbage.

[@peterfinucane8122]

A real contrast to how Genfarclas bottle their 25 YO.

[@cantbendknee]

Any of the old Balantruan’s Ralphy?

[@peatbull3426]

Which one is your fav?? I have Nas and 10yo. Both fantaatic drams. Just wander is 15yo worth hounting??? 😁🥂🥂🥂🙋‍♂️

[@jakubhaska3707]

Merry Christmas Ralfy and see you soon in 2025. ❤ 🎅

[@sachinkainth9508]

Merry Christmas to one and all.

[@johnzajac9849]

Merry Christmas!

[@stanismoon4924]

Merry Christmas Maltmaster Ralfy

[@konopamike]

That's a $600 whisky in my Country.

[@flipper2gv]

Man, 150£ for that is quite the steal.

[@llamabones]

Age doesn't mean anything. Anyway, here's the highest score Ralfy has given all year to the oldest whisky he's reviewed. Just a coincidence.

[@cookieMonsterSincho]

Bingo

[@AkumaAPN]

I should very much like to know if, in fact, any whisky produced in the history of mankind has crossed Ralfy's path, which is deserving of a malt mark in the upper 90's. Need I remind you, 90/100 is considered to be the lowest possible mark for an "A" grade in most academic circles. How is it that the whiskies that impress Ralfy the most NEVER exceed 89 or 90? His system makes no sense if there is no example of a whisky in the upper 90's to compare with the rest of the scale!

[@jumpingwhale]

Ralfy send me a sample please, i am on a budget, no one has to know about it