ralfy review 852 Extras - Perspective on 'Special Edition' whiskies.

[@Monscent]

How is this channel not bigger?! Best whisky reviewer EVER.

[@steveno7058]

Sad to say many just want goof balls taking about Bourbon every single video.

[@503appie]

I've heard numbering reviews/episodes can highly decrease discoverability on KZbin. That could be the case? Edit: Just saw another youtube video mention the episode number in the thumbnail of the video. If Ralfy would like to, he could try to experiment and do this for a couple of videos to see if it has any effects? Some channels like The Whisky Vault are also growing very quickly since they are uploading daily which the KZbin Algorythm seems to prefer. Anyways, Ralfy has managed to create a great library of content indeed. He really kickstarted this hobby for me!

[@martinbeen]

He needs a cat in there.

[@darrenbayliss3194]

The best mate

[@tweezerjam]

His knowledge is impressive.

[@AlReyn]

The look of disdain reading the malt mention - brilliant!!

[@alexk3088]

Malt mentions have been going downhill lately. People are looking up obscure words that they can't even pronounce and never knew or cram too many words in. How about just come up with something witty, clever and cute?

[@mrnosebear7406]

​@@alexk3088 Just go for it, Alex.

[@alexk3088]

@@mrnosebear7406 I've been doing that for years, he's mentioned several of mine.

[@piderman871]

If that bottle is 81cm, that makes you about 5m tall! I think it says 81mm and it's the distance from the top that the bottle has to be filled. At least, looking at some of my own bottles I get that impression.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . your right ! My eyesight is getting worse !

[@Endlessroad865]

Thanks, Piderman! Came here to say this, but you beat me to the punch...er, scotch.

[@gregmcclelland7105]

You're right it's measured from the top of the bottle but it's also worth noting that it is 81mm at 20°c.

[@steveno7058]

These Extras videos are truly the best. Like a Graduate Level course. Brilliant!

[@michaelrehn]

Loved this video. After 6 months of enjoying Ralfy videos, this might have been my favorite. Keep up the good work sir! Love from Texas.

[@crjensen77]

The reason that US bottles are 75cl is that they used to be measured in 'fifths' (of a gallon) which is 75.7 CL.

[@Ivo--]

I had no idea about the fill level markings, that is very interesting. Thank you!

[@Alex-pr6zv]

As a resident of mainland Europe, I look forward to your whisky journey to Ireland, which may become a very much more important source within the EU after 1 January 2021 and the effects this will no doubt have on the price of Scottish single malts. The popularity of the recent Waterford whisky release within the EU was a real eye opener.

[@gagandeepsingh596]

In regards to your mention of the irish whiskey... I'd love to see u visiting some of the new and maltlover friendly craft distilleries in Ireland for a wee dram and introducing us malt aficionados to them...!!! Great video once again...with all the unchillfiltered truth about malt editions...

[@johnmcmunn3827]

RALFY ... a comment on your FITTER PHILOSOPHY video Visiting Dan in the Nut Glen (1/3): Fantastic .. what a nice person Dan is. I'm happy that folk like him are here. Please say thanks to Dan for allowing you to share his home and story .....

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . I need to help him with awareness as some government agents are trying to evict him.

[@robfut9954]

@@thewhiskybothy do you have any emails of government agents who we can write to help? I don’t live there personally, but I’m sure some malt mates and fellow philosophers would be happy to help

[@philiptruitt]

Thanks Ralfy!!

[@darrenbayliss3194]

This is one of your best extras ralfy

[@Oooooo-xi2mx]

Classic master class video. Ralfy is a global treasure that we are blessed to be able to share in this digital age. Mmmm, so good!

[@Maccallan1967]

Always a pleasure to watch Ralfy! 4:30: A curmudgeon like me, I would also like to fill the "Distillery only" bottles as much as possible myself. Preferably without air between whiskey and cork. Then you have an extra dram for free! In addition to the legal aspect, there is a technical reason against it: (Thanks to the team at Bruichladdich, who made me aware of this!) The whiskey needs space to expand with temperature fluctuations. Alcohol has much more temperature expansion than water. Just take a bottle, preferably barrel strength (60% abv or more), make two lines at a temperature difference of about 30 ° C. The difference is about 15 ml. If there is not enough air space in the bottle, the cork will be pushed out. When traveling from cold Scotland to a very warm region, this can cause a mess in your suitcase.

[@jvp9703]

You hit the nail on the head Ralfy. I'm prepared to pay extra for a good premium bottle, but not prepared to be ripped off by marketing hype.

[@Mylatestdram]

I Love special editions, that are a better Version of an official bottling. I bought Glenlivet 12 Illicit Still recently. much better with 48%abv, non-chill-filtration and no coloring added. also on my List Laphroaig 10 Sherry oak with 48%.

[@ScotchloverintheStates]

Good stuff Ralfy. Thanks for the info. I love hearing knowledgeable people talk about whisky.

[@Dafoodmaster]

The "culture of negativity" is certainly a real thing in many companies. Under these circumstances mistakes are made more often, people cut more corners, and anyone who cares is ground down until they don't.

[@prestonw3878]

Ralfy, I would love to see an extras about family owned, independently owned, and non corporate distilleries.

[@NoNonsenseWhisky]

Generally, I keep away from many special editions until I have managed to try a drop. There are exceptions of course as, you quite rightly say, I have my own brand preferences that means I will trust some releases over others

[@damnedbythedram951]

Hi Ralfy what is your thoughts on the new Kilkerran 16y? With best regards Fredrik

[@weestyboys6829]

Hi Ralfy, thanks for the Malt Mention in 852 :-) Bit of a pronunciation headache for you. The Maldivian was as in the country Maldives and the Marilyn was as in Monroe. Here's another more straightforward Malt Mention I'd love to hear - 'Hello you Malty McMaltfaced Maltbots'

[@alexmil002]

I loved this video. Thanks for another great extras, Ralfy. I think the only special,limited, bottling I have is the AnCnoc 16 cask strength, celebrating their 125 years, I think. I imagine it'll be good. Superb video and very informative. Take care, everyone. -Alex

[@onewomanswhisky]

Hey, Alex! That anCnoc 16 anniversary edition is utterly fantastic! (Ralfy reviewed it #832) He suggests leaving it out overnight in the glass, but I find a half hour to an hour works perfectly fine. It's one of my favourites, and I hope you find it delicious as well. I'm just sad that it's gone from the shelves now, and I won't be able to get it again. Knockdhu whiskys ROCK! Marian 🇨🇦

[@alexmil002]

@@onewomanswhisky thanks for the message. Are you in Canada as well? I'm in Quebec. The pricing and availability in Canada is atrocious lol. Thanks for the info about the whiskey. I'm trying to forget about it right now, and I've been mostly successful. I'll open it one day, but probably no time soon. Take care. -Alex

[@cap5575]

@@onewomanswhisky Overnight!? Holy shit no, don't do that lol. Enjoy!

[@onewomanswhisky]

@@cap5575 I know, right? Patience of a Saint, me. Any Saint...pick one! 😇 Mind you, THAT lasted all of, well...okay. Once! 🥃 Cheers, CT!

[@onewomanswhisky]

@@alexmil002 Hey, Quebec! 😊 I'm in Ontario. The LCBO controls most booze here. Unfortunately, we only have access to what they bring in, and it's getting crazy expensive! We can't order anything from out of province or overseas either, it's not legal to do so. Liquor is taxed to the teeth, sadly. Also, we've had hardly any new Scotch releases since very early spring. Something to do with dock strikes in Montreal this summer, plus shipping restrictions and so forth during this time. Apparently the Scotch shipments were first into dry dock, so would be the last thing out...(sigh). Ah well, shouldn't really complain. Stuff will turn up eventually, and we certainly have it better than a lot of people do! "m"

[@kdobaggins3410]

I once had a bottle of Fettercairn fasque once...nice whisky for price but rather flat in taste and a definite bonfire smoke taste which was quite pronounced.. According to fettercairns own tasting notes there is no mention of this.. They also released another version called "Fior"... This is described as a smoky, slightly peaty version.. I bought a bottle of this at the same time, Couldn't taste any of these in the whisky ( not a jot).. I convinced myself they had made a mistake and bottled the wrong whisky in the wrong bottles.. In my drunken haze I contacted Whyte and Mackay to highlight this issue.. They contacted me back and assured me that this isn't the case... I'm still not convinced..? Great videos Ralfy.. Always a pleasure to listen to someone who knows his craft..

[@steveno7058]

Macallan Edition 1 really started ( or restarted) this trend. It was released at $90 and now it sells for $2000 on auction.

[@steveno7058]

Makers Mark is doing a great job with using different types of staves.

[@lordprefab5534]

It's says there are internal french wood staves inside, on the label. I didn't notice much difference to be honest.

[@williambedard4375]

The 46 is much better i.m.o. and the private selects can be very good the cask strength 46 is great as well.

[@delicatpizza3981]

Thank you for sharing our wisdom !!!!!

[@robfut9954]

Ooooh I love folk tales! Can you do a Fitter Philosophy video on that topic pleeease... pretty please?

[@willwaag]

75cl - Bigger country, bigger people... (Love it!)

[@jasoncoates1835]

We pay twice as much for it over here, the least they can do is give us an extra 50ml. =D

[@MaLiCeCoLtRaNe]

He’s calling us fat. 😂

[@willwaag]

@@jasoncoates1835 - You'd be surprised how expensive whisky is over in Scotland... The prices are really - pretty similar...

[@willwaag]

@@MaLiCeCoLtRaNe - I've earned it, so... Okay...

[@nhenderson2094]

These extras are always a treat, thanks.

[@peterwhitehead2453]

Learned a huge amount in 20 mins as usual, thanks mate, the journey continues!

[@sachinkainth9508]

Is the height of the bottle where the volume reaches the required level a straight line up the bottle or does it follow the contours of the bottle?

[@judgeholden849]

Hey Ralfy, Benriach just rebranded and premiered the first bottlings of the new line under master blender Rachel Barrie. "The Smoky 10" is a homerun! And at about $40 right now too... Would love to see you review it sometime. Cheers mate

[@Hogibaer]

Same seems to be true for the opposite case. Heard of some folk that went and filled their bottle to the brim just to have distillery staff step in and pour some liquid back into a glass vessel which eventually went back into the cask. I imagine it's for the same legal reason and not just the distillery being mean?

[@johnglenet9854]

Are used to find it quite enjoyable collecting quality whiskeys but these days seems to be down to how quick is your Internet speed twice now I’ve been purchasing one was Springbank master of malt and the other one was Lochlea on master of malt getting to the point of paying filling in the details password et cetera to find out it hasn’t gone through and then it has run out becoming tedious finding these big brands are selling out in minutes any suggestions appreciated and By the way Regarding Masters of malt just my opinion and what’s personally happened to me

[@Ricardo8388]

Hey Ralfy, I was wondering if you could make some video about what flavors and smells you can expect at certain distiillerys. I know there is a lot of incluence these days by styles of finishes..But still would like to know more about what I can expect where. My favorite nose is that of old book / library / leathery. Ive found it in old dronachs and older glen rothes sherry but lately ive not found it. Is this from certain old real sherry ? Bye gone era? I dont know.. but I would like to !

[@sachinkainth9508]

I wonder if Compass Box could have kept the inner staves in but then not call the liquid they sold Scotch blended whiskey but called it something else?

[@Watchman999]

Just wait until you get a malt mention request from "Nurse Dave's Shaving World".

[@grahamgreenwood4234]

Bloody brilliant Ralf :-)

[@The.Epicurean]

Malt Mention: "Hello you Malty Malevolent Marauders of the Magical Mashtun!" Asked my wife for your book for Xmas. 🤞🤞🤞 Slainte Mhath!

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . now on the M-mention List, thanks !

[@robertberndt8492]

@Ralfydotcom what’s a favorite obtainable bottle of scotch whiskey available in the US?

[@ipad141]

As always look forward to the extra is fantastic thank you mate.sean

[@mackal]

Maker's Mark 46 is inner staves right? I don't think they use that term, but from what I can read, it sounds like it is :P

[@robfut9954]

God bless the good old USA 🇺🇸 inner staves should be standard

[@MaitoMike]

Hi Ralfy! Not sure why it took me this long to find your videos, but I am really enjoying the content. Keep up the awesome work! Was hoping you can give me your take on Bruichladdich Scottish Barley - The Classic Laddie. I don't think you've reviewed it (yet), but I was hoping to get it for my mate. Bruichladdich make amazing single malt whiskeys, but is this particular bottle worth getting?

[@ryanmaynes4798]

Great video. It feels like we are at saturation point for special releases. What's wrong with 10, 12, 15 and 18 year old whiskies?

[@MrBrrrki]

The legendary 15 yo editions(glendronach for example) or the old highland park 18 had often older whisky in it to make it so good. So distilleries either dont have the stock of aged barrels to produce enough quality age statment whisky or the other reason can be simple greed since you can call something a fancy name, use some younger casks and market it at the same price of some age statement. So i think its either greed or not enough stock. But mostly greed for the bigger distilleries because there is no way a Highland park doesnt have enough age statement barrels, its kist easier to appeal the average consumer with names like Sigurd, Loki, Ragnar and flashy bottles.

[@alexk3088]

@@MrBrrrki "not enough stock" is not a valid explanation for NAS. Whatever they bottle has an age. They are withholding that age from us with a NAS. While some are having success with 5, 6, 8 year old statements. It's obfuscation. In normal market conditions "greed" has a natural enemy - competition and customer choice. Not buying and not reviewing NAS is a very important natural non-combative way of checking "greed".

[@MrBrrrki]

@@alexk3088 what i meant was SOMETIMES they dont have enough aged whiskey to make a 15 yo for example. So they decide to use some barrels that would go in a 15 yo, mix it with younger ones, get more volume and have for example 30 000 bottles of a NAS, where if they had to make a 15 yo they would make only 1000 bottles.( its just an example). I agree they produce willingly NAS so they can cut on expenses and upsell younger barrels.

[@michaellehner2164]

how can anybody give a thumbs down on this content and if please tell me why the hell

[@Andy_Holbrook332]

I don’t understand it either. It baffles me

[@aagguujjaa]

I burst out laughing! Bigger country, BIGGER PEOPLE.... LOL

[@martinbeen]

Got me a glendronach 10 years forgue now, great one!

[@arnoldmariani6136]

Ralphy ,how about a tour of your whiskey bottles ?

[@BDCF100]

Redbreast!

[@rosschristie9927]

Ralfy really enjoy your content would love to hear your thoughts on the new Kingsbarns Balcomie

[@brian6x]

Distilleries should be commemorate the day they stopped adding caramel and stopped filtering.

[@williamhector6863]

Hi Ralfy I Really enjoy the channel thank you for the advice you gave me on whiskey .I have purchase couple of bottles of different whiskeys to try . Just starting out on my malt journey I also would like to visit a couple of distilleries when everything gets back to normal I’m in Northern Ireland any suggestions of where I can go first keep up the good smelling and tasting kind regards William

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . happy to share !

[@samuelmorse784]

Any word on Johnny Walker Blue Special releases?

[@martywong822]

I agree that Compass Box is getting too far away now. Not as tangible as before, both price and quality. I love the Asyla that was not receiving good comments. The delicacy is in the liquid. Even a at 40% with a splash of water, the integrity was not destroyed. Now it was discontinued and good memory remains. Too many special bottlings up to a point it is not special anymore. I poured a dram of Spice Tree and Clynelish 14 side by side, and found that the nose is almost the same. Just Spice Tree has a better depth in the development and finish. Having said that, it was the Clynelish 14 that was disappointing me. Chill-filtration has stripped away all the goodness that it used to have.

[@samuelmorse784]

Never had Spice Tree but sounds amazing. Yeah CB is too expensive but I sampled the Spaniard that was amazing. You really take a Spice Tree over Clynelish 14?

[@martywong822]

@@samuelmorse784 Clynelish 14 used to have the subtlety and long development and finish that would last for minutes. A splash of water used to cloud up the liquid a lot. It did not have non-chill filtered statement on any bottling but you can tell from the scotch mist and the experience. For similar cost, Spice tree will be a better form of Clynelish as Spice tree bottling I have should have over 60% Clynelish. I just check the Spice Tree again, the recent blending composition changes, and it seems that now they are using a solera cask system to vat Spice tree.

[@perkristiansandgren4132]

Yep i had that feeling when i wisit balblair distillery last year. Whas so exited, lovly distillery dident like st all the cocky tour guide at all. Imho

[@alexk3088]

MALT MENTION: "hello, all you malty Magic Masks of Malpractice" :)

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . now on the M-mention List, thanks.

[@rasklaat2]

Malty malodorous mawkit Markomans? I mean the barbaric tribe, not Narcoman as drug addict in French. 12:22 - "How proactive!" - I love your energy, Ralfy, you must be solar-powered : ) Absolutely spot on about Spice Tree, too. I'm wondering what's your opinion on Bowmore's Laimrigs (Batch 1,2,3,4) and Tempests (Small Batch Releases 1,2,3,4,5,6) and Devil's Casks (whichever). Did they, too, got worse with every consecutive edition?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . not really looking at Bowmore at the moment ! . . . and your M-mention is now on the List, thanks !

[@masoodkhan427]

Ralphy ...you are a whisky genius ...and you are hilarious ...”” no body gives a shit “”

[@vladislavkehayov]

Hello Ralfy! Greetings from Bulgaria. Have you ever tried rakia? :) I would like to know your thoughts in general on such art :) With regards Vladislav (huge fan)

[@cap5575]

MALT MENTION - Malty Matriarchal Mothers of Malt There. Nice and easy and it makes sense in it's own context. And my username is just 2 syllables so...easy peasy.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . now on the M-mention List, thanks

[@weestyboys6829]

@@thewhiskybothy Hi Ralfy, thanks for the Malt Mention in 852 :-) Bit of a pronunciation headache for you. The Maldivian was as in the country Maldives and the Marilyn was as in Monroe. Here's another more straightforward Malt Mention I'd love to hear - 'Hello you Malty McMaltfaced Maltbots'

[@onYTsince2008]

So is this some "Cardhu" stuff then? :/

[@assafsommer]

Malt Mention: “Hello you malty maestros of malt art”

[@DeerHunter308]

I love Spiced Tree.

[@digitaldemocracyai-rob]

4 distillers disliked this video

[@Andy_Holbrook332]

How did you discover that? I’ve often thought how can I find out the identity of the people who thumbs down a vlog?

[@flintandball6093]

Ralphy I think you're touching on more than whisky here. It's a societal change, everyone needs to be special these days and with the advent of social media meaningless phrases or celebrations are the norm.

[@williambedard4375]

Ralphy my question relating to special release is what are your thoughts on game of thrones vs the standards? Im huge talisker fan so was curious your thoughts as well as lagavulin ive had 8 and 16 but not the game of thrones. Also highland park dark origins vs standard 12.

[@sav7568]

None of them are as good as " smoothed to perfection ".

[@anderspetterson1132]

ralfy tray plantation 20th anniversary rum plzz

[@JohnClulow]

heh heh,,, Ralfy said "shit" (18:11)... heh heh heh ...

[@peterparsons8532]

What's wrong with Bee Keeping?

[@martindouwe6099]

It's a blessing that the Glenallachie Cask Strength is getting better by every batch

[@reinmenke1720]

Hi mouthmask muffled malt mates!

[@TheStravaigar]

Ralfy, if I bought a bottle of whisky reduced to 40%, poured it into a pot and put it through the boil and then simmered it for half an hour could I evaporate the water added and get it back up to cask strength ................. asking for a friend!

[@paulm2467]

The alcohol would evaporate first at 78C, that’s how distilling works.

[@swedishburrito5073]

❤️👍🥃

[@djscottdog1]

*Special edition , 3000 bottles* 🤣

[@Oooooo-xi2mx]

Look at how “rare” George T Stagg is with 35,000+ bottles a year. Compass Box has done limited editions with 15,000+ bottles. When you see Ardbeg Grooves, Drum, and/or Blaaack still on a mediocre liquor store shelf for a bit over MSRP, then you know that the release was substantial.

[@jamespettit7235]

81cm 😂😂😂

[@digitaldemocracyai-rob]

Malt mention: millmullliy mallly mally migundy magggaga magoogoo mingiegegee malt.

[@onYTsince2008]

Are you drunk enough yet? 🤣😏