ralfy review 867 Extras - What are the best Independent bottlers ?

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[@undivided_unified]

Ralfy can breakdown and keeps up with all the relationships and partnerships between distilleries like a gossip columnist does for the royal family... the man is just in the know!

[@kendallaugustine13]

Sorry to be so off topic but does any of you know of a method to get back into an instagram account? I somehow forgot my login password. I love any assistance you can offer me.

[@blazejason5551]

@Kendall Augustine instablaster =)

[@kendallaugustine13]

@Blaze Jason i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff now. I see it takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.

[@kendallaugustine13]

@Blaze Jason it did the trick and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy! Thank you so much, you really help me out !

[@blazejason5551]

@Kendall Augustine Happy to help :)

[@whiskyoss4757]

I've visited Cadenhead in Campbeltown, Signatory Vintage in Pitlochry and the Gordon & MacPhail shop in Elgin. My collection almost only holds independently bottled whisky. I like the small batches / single casks at cask strength.

[@AlReyn]

This is such an interesting topic Ralfy I never fail to learn something when I watch your videos. Thanks again for sharing.

[@dominicfyfe2398]

I recall it was Murray McDavid who famously bottled Laphroaig as Leapfrog. And at around that time had a Rosebank 8 in their range. All for sensible money...

[@willemkilian9563]

Interesting and informative. That's why I love watching these great vlogs!

[@remaniac1]

An early defining whisky experience for me was comparing Bowmore 12, with a Signatory Bowmore 12, with a Cadenhead Bowmore 12. The independent bottlings were as different to each other as they were superior to the official Bowmore.

[@Funkyflykiwi]

They were likely cask strength and non chill filtered. Unlike Bowmore 12 ..which is also coloured

[@simonridge6607]

Really informative. We are lucky in Ayr to have Robbie’s Drams who know their product inside out. If I’ve learned anything, chat to your local retailer, they live whisky, take pride in their products and will hopefully give you their opinions and recommendations. Brilliant video as always.

[@whsm5576]

Hi Ralfy, I think you’ll find that Gordon & MacPhail, for one, don’t buy ‘casks’ from the distilleries. They supply their own casks which they have filled by the distillery. I think many others do the same. You probably meant that when you said the independent bottlers buy casks, but it was slightly confusing.

[@danandrews8102]

Not so much an independent bottler, but I’ve found The Whiskey Exchange to often have some superb single cask selections bottled exclusively for them. I have a couple of bottles of a single cask 14yo Old Pulteney that was bottled for them, cask strength and aged only in Sherry casks. It’s honestly one of the best single malts I’ve ever tasted. I’m a big fan of Berry Bros and Rudd but I’m branching out into Cadenheads and Signatory. Independent bottlers are an exciting genre of whisky, it’s always like a surprise gift that you don’t know what your getting as opposed to core ranges from distilleries. You mentioned Bourbon too and I also snagged a single cask bottling of Corn Whiskey from Heaven Hill that was bottled by The Single Cask in Scotland. It’s 10yrs old and very, very good.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . your right about retailer-indi-bottlings.

[@barrylilley1008]

Agree with many comments below. Always interesting Ralfy. Thank you. Enjoy your videos 👍

[@AndyCigars]

My favourite independent bottle has been Edradour 10yo from Signatory...delicious sherried dram. Cheers!

[@tdaveniii]

Which is funny, because the owner of Signatory owns Edradour. . .

[@AndyCigars]

@@tdaveniii Yep. ;)

[@hhuodod2209]

Im glad its someone elses favourite as well x

[@stihlnz]

I had a 17 yr Laphroiag from Adelphi ... amazing. incredible and pricey, and I wish more than any dram I've purchased that I'd bought 2 more. The SMWS ( Single Malt Whiskey Society) has a good name for powerful drams but $$ again.

[@ZZTX]

I find myself again lamenting the sale of David Stirk's Creative Whisky Company (Exclusive Malts/Regions). I work at an American liquor store where we did several tastings of CWC products, and there was hardly a weak release in their portfolio. I especially loved their Exclusive Regions line; high-quality 50% ABV scotch for $50, which is practically a steal in the world of single malt, let alone independently-bottled product. I have a few bottles of theirs I've been saving for special occasions, including a 26-year-old '87 Bunnahabhain. Cheers from the States!

[@chadg3985]

Hey Ralfy, loved the video! I have always been tempted to buy an independent bottling but never have because they are quite a bit more expensive here in Canada.

[@rohahouse]

I can say i still haven’t had a adelphi that let me down..... Also the whisky’s of ardnamurchan aren’t letting me down. Considering that it’s still young. It really has potential. Although i agree the Adelphi bottles are getting crazy prices....

[@Ridabu]

I agree, they are VERY good.

[@TheWhiskyExplorer]

Ralfy! I just bought my Mother-in-Law that same Dalek! Cheers 🥃👊🏻

[@dannyhebenton9326]

Oh brilliant, I didn't realise we got the extras early as a patron. Excellent stuff. Just saying.

[@jeffsparks6881]

Several years ago, was able to buy an IB of 10yo Laphroaig. Better quality, non chill filtered, and no coloring added as compared to the official bottling. All for only a few dollars more. I really miss it.

[@rogercarr605]

I agree with Dan Andrews comment, I have had a couple of exclusives from The Whisky Exchange, a Glenfarclas 2007 Marriage of Casks at cask strength a real sherry bomb and a Signatory sherry cask bottling of Deanston 11yo at a cask strength of 66.6% yummy stuff. I find Signatory bottlings very consistent. Good stock at Edradour distillery shop if anyone goes.

[@whiskycentral]

It was Mcmurray David, Mark Reynier for the Leapfrog bottle. :)

[@gerwinpot4230]

2 weeks ago i had an online tasting from Adelphi that was presented by Graeme Mackay and Connel Mackenzie. 5 samples of Adelpi and the 6th was An Ardnamurchan (which they pronounced as Adnamurkan). I could taste the fantastic quality! The sample of Ardnamurchan itself was alsof great! They also told they like to produce a rum under the name of Adelphi! Doe me one of the best independent bottlers.

[@gerwinpot4230]

Doe=for

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . Promising things from Ardnamurchan !

[@sundowner62james69]

As usual , great advice ! Thanks Ralfy .

[@MarcelB74]

This month i have 4 online zoom tastings, so in total i will taste 24 malts.. i do those tastings a lot, the organizers are liquor stores, sometimes specialized in whisky, so they do know what they should sample, the best zoom tastings are presented by the importer, (i live in holland and have great acces to independent bottelers) Sometimes the malts are below distillery quality, usually above distillery quality, but i only buy those bottles that really have that ‘wow’ factor.. Adelphi, maltman, ad rattray, carn mor are great bottelers...

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . 'zoomers' are a big deal at the moment, and whisky is very grateful to this technology !

[@scottyblog]

I do appreciate though that most independent bottlers provide cask strength versions of scotch. That alone already has potential for great value.

[@TomNyon]

Mossburn also own thorabaig in skye.

[@weichen7261]

too bloody hard for us average whisky lovers to get “all” the information... conclusion: stay away from IB if don’t know, follow Ralfy!

[@ianhenderson3078]

I started munching a handful of macadamia nuts just before starting this video!

[@finallydone8640]

Have personaly found the old particular range is good but some of the single grains have a harshness to them that just does not suit my pallette.The glenburghie always seem great though,in my opinion

[@phillipsfit]

I just bought the FDL Talisker 10. Haven’t tried it yet but looking forward to it. Have you tried it?

[@finallydone8640]

@@phillipsfit Sorry can't say I've tried that one

[@steeno1985]

Really interesting as always Ralfy. Any opinion on Infrequent Flyers as a relatively new independent bottler? Would be great to see a review.

[@lanalex4826]

So sad that Cadenheads discontinued the Small Batch range. That is not to say 46 ABV NCA UCF is bad whisky (I've actually had a sample of a 46ABV bottling and it was good), but losing a reliable IB range that bottled at cask strength hurts so much...

[@namtaffy101]

Cask Strength Finlaggan on Amazon for £34 with sub & save malt mates 😉

[@jiajia7204]

Ralfy , do you think that distillers are just clearing casks that do not fit into the blending of their range they are producing. Rather than trying to fit it in , these “different” or “unique” cask/s are sold off to wholesalers and IBs. This explains the hits and misses of IBs . It’s just business all the way down the line. It is what it is.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . yes, that's one good reason.

[@whiskyflu]

Chorlton whisky has been releasing consistently good whiskies. Great quality and affordable.

[@socomplex2994]

Thompson’s Bro’s Too.

[@whiskyflu]

@@socomplex2994 Yes but most of them are out of my budget

[@socomplex2994]

@@whiskyflu What About Carn Mor Strictly Limited?

[@socomplex2994]

I Don’t Know How He Didn’t Mention Compass Box.

[@whiskyflu]

@@socomplex2994 They are good. But have been around for a while. I was referring to Chorlton amongst newer IB.

[@geerakkers2060]

Sometimes they put Whitlaw on the label for Highland Park.

[@DonnerPassWhisky]

Also Signatory that owns Edraour too

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . correct, forgot to mention them.

[@11thstalley96]

How about Hunter Laing and Ardnahoe?

[@ainstolkiner2063]

Nice hanging out with you, friend

[@addalittlebam]

Did Ralfy talk about the removal of the tariffs? I would like to know what he thinks how it is going to effect the industry.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . things will just bounce along as normal, until the next tariffs.

[@addalittlebam]

@@thewhiskybothy there was a bit of buzz, figuratively of course, here in the states about the tariffs and how it will affect the market. Im guessing u mean we are not out of the woods for finding a new lower cost for the consumer?

[@sawyerfamcincy5310]

Are the "Spots" Green/Yellow/Red/Blue, Irish whiskey's a similar example being sold by Mitchell & Sons but produced by Middleton???

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . yes, thats the one.

[@JPC326]

Very interesting Ralfy :)

[@andrewblatherwick8758]

I can remember an indie bottling of Talisker but they weren't allowed to use the name. They used the term Isle of Skye to describe it.

[@rafaelricci8881]

Hi Ralfy, in 2020 I bought a gordon&mcphail pulteney 2005..not opened yet..what should I expect?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . I have no idea, check out whiskybase for reviews.

[@cameronshine3465]

could you please put back the sailing yacht with couple of small bottles of whiskey

[@erikje7352]

i used to be a big bowmore/macallen fan 50% of the about 10 bottles a year of whisky i got was of those 2 brands but then came the marketing asshole and re-branding this misery started about 16/17/18 years ago with both going for a big part with non age stated botteling and moronic price hikes so i stopped buying both of them them 15 years ago after a hand full of disappointments and moved on

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . a shared experience !

[@SotoDolo]

I have bottles of DAFTMILL and Yamazaki. I think I spoiled my palette.

[@egg5474]

Would you have any reccomendations comparable to old pulteney 12yr, or would you say that the 21yr is worth the premium?

[@purumr]

Try isle of arran, 10 years old

[@Watchman999]

Case in point RE: bad independent bottling, Berry Bros & Rudd did a single cask 17 year Speyside (Cask Strength) for a local store near where I live and it has to be the most disgusting thing I have EVER tasted. I enjoy sherried cask strength whiskies but I couldn't get away from the rotting wood, the fetid foul dead flesh reak (and taste) and the overall terrible experience I had from nosing to finish. It has impacted my enjoyment of heavily sherried whiskies and right or wrong I never want to drink a BBR product again. I paid a lot of money for the bottle and I can't conscience giving it away for free to anybody I know. Too bad, so sad.

[@SotoDolo]

What should be my 3rd bottle?!

[@keithl7700]

16:42 If anyone ever asks you why you should trust Ralfy

[@blowfly3000]

@Ralydotcom, have you had an opportunity to try Speyburn Arranta 46% or Speyburn 15yr 46%?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . on the List !

[@frankg2003]

Hello you Malty Mississauga Marauders!

[@thewhiskybothy]

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

[@wessbest]

Ralphy....i see a thermometer in the background, so what is the temperature in the " Bofeh"...? Should have said "Ralfy".

[@lordprefab5534]

Should have said Bothy

[@ironmantran]

Sadly, indies never quite return to Ontario, Canada. A few bots here and there, at 200-300UKP, but that is it ! I have a tiny collection of Blackkader, James MacArthur, Provenance (D. Laing), Signatory to ration 1 per year ! They are VERY rare, so rare they MUST be good ! ! !

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . thats the theory. I think the lack of Indi botlers is a lot to do with local taxes.

[@stingrae789]

I think it's hit and miss I've had a pour from a fantastic old malt cask (hunter laing) but a weak sample from a Clan Denny Caol Ila. Obviously some IBs have more reputation than others, Adelphi being one for instance. It's a great avenue for exploring whisky though. I had a taste of two IB bourbon cask Aberlours and surprisingly the younger was head and shoulders better (different IBs). So you learn some of how cask management or lack of and quality of casks affects whisky.

[@paulm2467]

I’ve had good results with Signatory (Springbank 69 and the best Caol ila I’ve ever had from 1975) and rare malts in the dark blue box (Brora and Port Ellen) back in the early 2,000s when the prices weren’t stupid.

[@evanhayes5891]

So independent bottlers don't use their own casks to age the new make spirit?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . not always.

[@evanhayes5891]

@@thewhiskybothy Judging by what you said, it appears all they seem to do is buy full casks out of the distillery's warehouse.

[@thewhiskybothy]

@@evanhayes5891 . . . initially, but some will change casks if required for quality.

[@evanhayes5891]

@@thewhiskybothy I appreciate the insight, Ralfy, and encourage you to try the First Editions Tobermory 18 if you can find it!

[@cameronshine3465]

oh I'm sorry ralfy yes i see it there now :)

[@cristianatala101]

Hello malty madrigals mornings

[@thewhiskybothy]

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

[@timhill4762]

I am a relatively new subscriber so my sincere apologies if the subject has been covered already as I'm sure it has but how do you personally ensure that your palate is untainted prior to tasting?

[@britishcuisineasmr4045]

I don't eat for hours before and don't drink coffee after breakfast

[@touttout71]

Please add automatic subtitles

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . system won't let me for some reason.

[@kirkwagner461]

Malt Mention out of memory? ReMarkable!

[@ian436]

Ralfy, they should have changed the name of that Linkwood to Keyser Soze, because after you reviewed it, whoosh it’s gone ! The next one will probably be called hens teeth. It would be interesting if you gave a terrible whisky a high score and see how it sold on the back of one of your reviews.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . that would be cynical.

[@ian436]

I know you would never give us a bum steer, but the more cynical reviewers could turn a bad whisky into an instant hit before the unfortunate buyer had even tasted it.

[@thewhiskybothy]

@@ian436 . . . and in doing so, destroy all their credibility. This is what happens when people accept samples in exchange for good reviews.

[@John-iq4cj]

Hello Menacing malty madodellers

[@thewhiskybothy]

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

[@vetiwearerdaimyo1592]

How do I leave malt mention?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . just mention it.

[@vetiwearerdaimyo1592]

@@thewhiskybothy Thanks

[@rob2931]

U.S tariffs lifted. How will that help the industry?

[@michaelansell2531]

I would love to the the answer to your question too

[@jeffsparks6881]

Quite frankly, I never saw an increase in price in my area of the USA.

[@manuelnaranjo3255]

My guess: price keeps up, money for the retailer

[@callofthewillman4469]

Malty mutant muskrat moose mountain musketeers

[@boyse69]

Wonderful advice

[@gargolas27]

Amen