ralfy review 872 - GlenDronach now Chill-filtered in 2021

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[@BrianSmith-nu3lg]

Rest In Peace Glendronach, I will remember you with fond memories

[@MarcelB74]

Such a shame.. Look at what they emailed to me... Hi Marcel, thank-you very much for getting in contact. We have removed 'Non Chill Filtered' from our packaging to provide flexibility, so we can ensure the highest quality and stability in our Single Malts. Please be reassured that our much-loved whiskies continue to be crafted to the highest standards, and the update marks no change to the taste of our award-winning Single Malts. All of our Single Malts continue to be of natural cask-imparted colour, expertly selected and married by our Master Blender. Thank-you again for taking the time to write to us. Best wishes, The GlenDronach I asked again in a simple question... is it chill filtered or not? No answer.. I won't buy it anymore

[@riheg]

Awful. Just awful. They don’t treat customers like Springbank does.

[@evanhayes5891]

What's the matter? They're being "flexible"!

[@Zofer-1920]

Our whisky group received a similar run around when we asked the chill filtered question as well. Such a shame. It’s okay, I express my opinion on the matter with how I spend my dollar. Even in my short time getting to know Scotch I’ve seen things change. I can’t imagine how it is for those who have enjoyed it for decades.

[@stanislavmigra]

thats just sad

[@joeprestera2239]

Who did you contact? I'd like to also send an email.

[@Pete_YT]

Such a shame. RIP Glendronach.

[@riheg]

It hurts 😢I was in love.

[@benjmin5839]

Bye bye 😭

[@TheSoteriologist]

You took the RIP out of my mouth, I was _literally_ going to say the same thing.

[@SaltyCuban]

And that is how a bottle enters “Cult status”.

[@kareliask]

There are so many distilleries that care about flavour, easy to disregard this one for the time being. I feel bad for the super fans of the distillery though, such a horrible decision.

[@dbertalan]

Those damn corporate MALTY NATIONALS are at it again!

[@Watchman999]

@Make it a Double - Whisky Reviews And then there are MULTI-MASHIONALS

[@scotchgod8478]

Multi malty mafia!

[@pierremadani7281]

I live in Lebanon. I was lucky enough to have bought 6 bottles of that sublime 15yo , 4 years ago for 50$/bottle. Now with the economic crisis hitting the country, and the steep fall of imports due to local currency devaluation, a bottle is worth 350$. It’s that good. Too bad they’re chill filtering nowadays. I’ll hold on dearly to those couple of bottles remaining.

[@griftamusic317]

Have your cake! Don’t eat it haha

[@theskilled99]

As someone else suggested, The Suits could have kept the 15yo as small batch high quality "craft" presentation for the proper fans and pushed a NAS, 12, and some uber expensive wanky premium 21 year old or something. There was a way to really push out numbers and please the shareholders without upsetting too much the people who made this "brand" what it is in the first place.

[@jasonanderson8102]

Thanks for giving us a heads up. Taking this brand off my “to try” list. Pay attention Malty Nationals! High ABV, NCF, true age statements and no added color. That’s the integrity liquid we want.

[@Ahhdlmi]

I like watching your channel and your talking seriously about real experiences without deceptive marketing of products, My love and appreciation.

[@johnthurston2909]

Ralfy - this is one of your finest reviews. Completely agree with you on all fronts.

[@ESCLUSA84]

Fantastic videos Ralphy !!! Thanks for experience and knowledge.

[@seeanda1]

LOVE LOVE LOVE your enthusiasm and no bullshit approach, hanging on your every word instead of the marketing boys.

[@whompbiscuits8930]

Agreed. I love it when Ralfy gives corporations both barrels. And I'm not talking about the ones that whiskey ages in. These corporations need to be called out for what they are.

[@SaltyCuban]

I had already decided to turn my back on Glendronach. I still have a handful of the old bottles. I will savor and enjoy them eventually for what they have become. Extinct sherry Cult classics. That said, billy walker is still around. So are other distilleries that aren’t tone deaf.

[@michaelhelbobndergaard3748]

This is the profit maximizing "Walmart" effect... I remember loving the old 12yr old sherry BenRiach and the not understanding why the new bottling didn't taste the same. The I found ralfy.. thanks for the education, Ralfy👍

[@ralfydotcom]

. . . happy to help !

[@joshuaowens9937]

Loved the old 12 Benriach! Genuinely thought the new bottling was just a change in packaging. Such a bang average malt now.

[@MrBadgas]

Thank you for keeping us connected to all that goes on. Cheers.

[@eclap78]

The Glendronach 15yo Revival from what was it, 5-6 years ago, before it disappeared from the shelves was and still is my favourite single malt whisky ever made. Now, I'm no Ralfy level of expert but I have been running pubs for almost 20 years now, some of them I made sure had a decent selection of whisky available. 50+ single malts, roughly. I've tasted maybe 300 different single malts in my life. Just to set a baseline. And that sweet nectar 15yo from a few years ago was divine, easily my favourite. It's a shame what has happened to such a great dram. And thank you Ralfy for keeping us all up to date with these reviews, always appreciated your "hard work" haha. You're everyone's favourite whisky guy. Sending my love from Hampshire UK.

[@DayKlight]

Thank you Ralfy for all your videos, I was always a taste drinker but just got recently into whisky. Am very enjoying your videos :)

[@janhemony8630]

Thanks a lot Ralfy ,its such a pleasure to listen to your passioned stories about whisky etc.Greetings from the Netherlands.

[@idonoywantthisaccount7675]

Glenallachie for the win. Long Live Billy Walker.

[@flipper2gv]

That was my guess too. Billy Walker brought it back and now they use the reputation he created but dismissing how he created that reputation.

[@frontin540i]

Shhhh, don't tell everyone......

[@Invatera]

I just can’t get into GlenAllachie. There’s something about it I’m not keen on 😞

[@witsch123]

Billy 😔

[@arendijus]

Just a thought. Maybe Billy Walker is in distillery flipping business :)

[@danhammer106]

Goodbye Glendronach. You were a true gentleman of a malt and were good to me. I will try to not mourn the missed opportunity, all those bottles of yours which I could've bought. Instead I'll cherish the moments we did have and shall always remember them fondly.

[@jamesdailey8469]

Thanks, Ralfy. Keep up the good work. You provide invaluable information.

[@carlosc9127]

Another excellent video... raw, sincere, powerful. Thank you for sharing.

[@orsonr9214]

Thanks for this video Ralfy, I bought a Glendronach 12 a few years ago and it tasted more like bourbon than the sherried goodness it used to be ten years ago. We haven't been able to buy the 15 (which was my favorite scotch and of which I have really fond memories) for almost that long here in Canada, so I'm not surprised to hear they sold out. Keep fighting the good fight, you're a piece of history. Take care my malty mate. Much love from the great white North

[@matthartigan5848]

Thank you for this video Ralfy! Excellent explanation of the particularly sad development. You are correct when you say we "love" some of these bottles. The GlenDronach 15 Revival has been one of those for me. Thanks again! Slàinte mhath!

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Great run down. Thankfully I can still pick up several older Glendronach's with no chil-filtering. I guess i will need to put some aside. Thanks for sharing.

[@Sinier940n]

Chill-filtering is a great start, the next logical step is lowering abv to 40%.

[@ricardodelorenzo3954]

Don't forget the excessive e150

[@HostileButHonourable]

And ditch age statements. So passé.

[@alexanderstahlner583]

Saying chill filtering is a good thing just proves you know nothing about whiskey and flavour

[@raymondgarcia7615]

@@alexanderstahlner583 r/woosh

[@David4.14]

@@alexanderstahlner583 the irony in your comment is astounding.

[@chico11mbit]

Excellent analysis. thank you, Ralfy...

[@michaeloliver6548]

Really informative I loved the glendronach range under billy Walker it’s a crime to apply chill filtration & reduce the abv

[@SippersSocialClub]

We're on the same page about this one Ralfy, cheers

[@mrnosebear7406]

Hi Ralfy, thank you very much for this video and the important information that you provided to your malt mates. Yes, it is a shame that they start doing chill-filtration. What will be next? Lowering the abv and start colouring. It is so sad. Thank for fighting for us. You are my whisky hero. Saint Ralfy. Cheers from Bonn

[@theweetipplellc7464]

Fascinating - appreciate your insight! (and love the Doctor Who decor!)

[@davidelourenco2537]

This kind of info is pricelless! Thank you so much. Cheers!

[@snapperxv]

Back to my beloved Tamdhu 15 as a viable alternative.

[@griftamusic317]

Yep

[@davidsilas]

Excellent insight mate! We are seeing it flood into Turkey ... but all young age statements, resonating what your saying!

[@aguy1075]

“they’re greedy people, it’s part of the skill base” Absolute truth - and it’s not confined to whisky Artisans operate under entirely different principles On the bright side: we should see a GlenDronach NASCAR team in short order! Shake ‘n Bake 😂

[@jeffhildreth9244]

NASCAR ....Right up there with chewing tobacco and owl whiz major brand beer.

[@nzmarco]

I managed to find a bottle or two of the 12 at my local bottle store on special. They were labeled NCF so I snapped them up. I had only ever tried it at a restaurant and enjoyed it. Happy to have the 12 in my small collection. Cheers.

[@speedrakk]

ralfy is spot on. im so disgusted. ill keep drinking my arran,springbank,kilkerran ,glenallachie, and other quality malts.

[@zaphodbeeblebrox9109]

Glenfarclas?

[@Johnstone72]

A font of knowledge as ever Ralfy. The Whisky lassie at Gatwick will be bored sideways with me at the end of the month when I fly home.

[@hookahb8299]

Another highly educational video, and i sure do appreciate it..At first i was so excited i was ready to drop my phone to run get a bottle and give it a taste, and then so sad to hear the quality was ruined by corporate greed....:(.....Cheers from Tennessee...B

[@marinorasera]

Thank you Ralfy! What a pity that investors destroy such a great brand. Love the 12, 15 and Glendronach. I'm lucky that I bought 3 bottles of 15 and 18 each some years ago.

[@DavidV-sz4di]

Really valuable video, Ralfy, quality information privided, indeed, appreciate it mate!

[@jensonlim9907]

I bought a 15Y Revival about 10 years ago for £30+. Loved it. Not seen them after that. It returned relatively recently at almost twice the price.

[@ZOA2533]

OMG..... The unchill-filtered Glendronach price is going up, and up, and up...... Just like the Macallan.

[@ghantakha5568]

I grabbed 3 single cask glenallachie bottles , thanks ralfy . no more glendronach for me . This is 6th time i’m watching this video again n again . Honest words ralfy 🙌🏻

[@lechbojarski5869]

I've been watching your channel for some time and I must say - I'm waiting for every next episode, Ralfy. Because it is simply so damn good. Great advices, knowledge, passion, storytelling. You became my no.1 source when it comes to whisky. And for that I just want to thank you. I think I'm ready for the next step i.e. buying your book :) Best greetings from (Po)land of Vodka!

[@ralfydotcom]

. . . happy to share !

[@davidbroughall3782]

Thanks for the heads up on glenallachie

[@dalepiper6693]

Brilliant explanation ...I learnt a lot. Thank you.

[@UniverseOfAtoms]

I love your discussion about the intersection of whisky and economics. ("Maltonomics" as your next book?) Not many consider the affect of hedge funds on production and quality of whisky.

[@hamyantti]

This explains why Parliament is now almost three times more expensive. Damn. This one was one of my favourites.

[@RavBaddie]

Appreciate the video and all the shared information Ralfy

[@janhemony8630]

A great video Ralfy ,such a good inside information! Greetings from Amsterdam.

[@fuckyounotme1]

It's probably the only sherried whisky I really love. I'll cherish my last bottle even more now.

[@williamreed3569]

Same for me. 18yr being my favorite and just one in the cupboard.

[@harrybgoode]

At last an expert who confirms my thoughts about Glendronach and Brown Forman. I have a few bottles of Billy Walker 'Dronachs left.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Hey Ralfy. I really enjoyed this. I'm drinking a few samples on a stream tonight and this video gave me something to think about

[@mdd5097]

Great Video Ralfy!!! Hello from the French Canadian whisky enthusiasts :)

[@drgallup]

Glad I got some before this went down. There is a lot of room for all these producers. The more things change the more they stay the same!

[@mylessmith5244]

Still have one of the original Glendronach 15 re-releases with the older juice in it sitting in the cupboard. Glad I've hung on to it

[@TheSoteriologist]

I think my cellar is going to turn into a place of pilgrimage: I still have 3 bottles of the original "15 Revival" with the older casks as well as 4 bottles of the 18 Years Old Tawny Port Finish. RIP GlenDronach !

[@witsch123]

Let's go downstairs to let the good times roll..🤘🏻😎

[@shotgunwound]

Those 9 bottles of GD18 i have saved up just got better...

[@perkristiansandgren4132]

I got 14 😉 10 2018bach and 4 2019

[@shotgunwound]

@@perkristiansandgren4132 i suspect the value of these things will go up like crazy over a couple of decades... keep a couple if you want to invest

[@perkristiansandgren4132]

I have so much other stuff im holding on to them

[@soulbro1982]

Seems like I will be enjoying the last of my Glendronach 15 from the old days...fortunately I've got a fair amount left!

[@conorsulli]

Big Clive sent me, this is good stuff! Subscribed.

[@jvterk]

IMO, there is no other voice that is more trusted among knowledgeable whisky enthusiasts than Ralfy. He has earned that trust because he is fair, principled, and utterly uncorrupted. Brown Forman should understand that they either produce quality for those who recognize it or they produce for the masses who aren't experienced enough to recognize something that is higher quality. I do sincerely hope they opt for the former and not the latter. I'll gladly pay more for quality and accept variability in experience that comes from not chill filtering!

[@markushofer4874]

Got a bottle of the good stuff at my local supermarket today, they still have a lot there. Thanks for the Tipp

[@vluggejapie]

Bought the 12, 15 & 18 non-chill-filtered. I’m glad too. Were hard to find

[@Bob-ts2tu]

i managed to buy 4 bottles of revival in 2015 soon as it became apparrent it would soon disappear, and have just one left unopened. I wont pay silly auction prices for another, so when this is gone it's gone

[@calebsteingruber6906]

Ah, well isn't that disappointing...and I just had my first taste of Glendronach 12 (previous bottling) a week ago, wonderful stuff. Last week I purchased a Glen Garioch 15yr. Sherry Cask. I appreciate the more undercover character malts!

[@Zephon9]

I, just today, bought Speyburn 15yr. It's at 46%, and it's neither chill-filtered nor colored. A truly wonderful dram.

[@hhuodod2209]

I remember drinking the cask strength out of the bottle just out side of Glasgow, got very borde sitting in a car from leeds to cape wrath. Good stuff.

[@gabrieljosefson7467]

Great one Ralfy 👌

[@wildebassman]

I still have 4 bottles of 2014 12yo... will save them for later, back to Glen Farclas now..

[@davidross8709]

Just bought a ralfy bottle of glenallachie to commemorate his 10 years of his whisky reviews. 😃

[@ralfydotcom]

. . . good choice.

[@mark5ization]

@@ralfydotcom True dat!!

[@keithl7700]

12:02 After this Glendronach fiasco... "Brand Portfolio" is certainly part of the worrying corporate rhetoric that I'll be watching out for.

[@texasbelle6111]

Well this makes me glad I have four of these left in my back stock. Sneef, RIP.

[@dusanmal]

I have been introduced to the whisky (up to that point I enjoyed mainly wines) by a gift of 18 yr old Glen Dronach (before 2016...). I really enjoyed it and looked for it in local USA stores, eventually finding 12 yr old version. Now that brought me full in on whisky! Because 12yr old was... nothing like the 18yr old... Yes, there were core similarities as if meeting two British gentleman but, the former gave impression of a Scottish lord of a manor while the latter gave impression of a cockney with a bowler hat and a lead-ball stick... Wow! That experience directed me into the single malts world. Enjoying it greatly, particularly with the help of Ralfy dot com. Thanks!

[@lunaarran6965]

Thank you Ralfy for putting this decision into perspective! Sad about Glendronach but there is so much good whisky out there. Of course Billy Walker is also trying to make money, no shame in that, but thankfully he keeps enthusiasts and anoraks in mind! That said, I also like a good bourbon-cask matured dram, which doesn’t seem to be his cup of tea ☺️

[@markalexander774]

In an ideal world, all whiskey would be cask strength, single barrel, naturally colored, and unfiltered. Everything should go directly from barrel to bottle to glencairn.

[@harrr53]

For you and me. But there are plenty of great blends and their fans out there.

[@franklinkyle7607]

Instablaster.

[@michaelsauter857]

I’m gonna buy two of these just because you said to. Can’t wait!

[@Hellboy700]

When you hugged the bottle, Ralfy, I couldn't help but agree and become a little misty eyed. Such a shame that corporate brands sanitize the things we once loved and enjoyed. For what? Profits. Totally agree with the idea of looking at new distilleries and old distilleries who raise the bar, hold the line, and inspire others to follow. Cheers, Malt Mate.

[@nickwoodward1511]

What Billy Walker has done with glengronach...is briliant..I love the revolution...got me through hard lockdown in Cape town...well priced will always be in my wall

[@nickzivs]

Thanks for the forewarning, Ralfy. Such a bastardization of a quality brand. Sticking with distilleries like Arran, smaller private production with a fixation on non-chilled, natural colour, quality spirit.

[@502Aviation]

Once I heard about this whole chill-filtering fiasco, I went on the hunt. I managed to score the 12 year Original, the 18 year Allardice, and the 21 year Parliament. All with the "Non--Chill Filtered" label. This was the first, and probably the last time I have bought GlenDronach.

[@jchristianwall]

When I heard GlenDronach was going to do this I knew I'd have to check out Ralfy's vid on it. Figured he'd lose it like I did. Thanks for the vid Ralfy

[@mcw2553]

I'm glad I have plenty of Allardices and Parliaments, as well as 2 cases of the 12 year old bottled in 2013. Particularly that one has surprised many "connoisseurs" when I've presented it to them blind, even despite it being bottled at only 43%.

[@dylanwilliams7868]

Damn... KZbin is so lucky to have this gent.

[@jeffmill999]

I opened an AnCnoc 22 today and afterward poured a dram of Billy Walker GD18 and a wee dram of Billy Walker 21... Wonderful experience... Like being in a time machine...

[@fusemunk]

Glendronach Malts sold in the US in 1988 era (not independent bottlers), definitely NYC where I first encountered it and loved it. And for very reasonable prices. Could never understand why it was so little known, a real competitor flavour wise to Macallan 18, which was great in those days.

[@griftamusic317]

I hazily opened the cask strength 8 on Friday night as a nightcap after several drams. They’ve given me two headaches within a week now.

[@Gungrave123]

RIP my favorite distillery ..

[@calenurion]

Hello Ralfy, I totally agree with you. Chill filtration do not enhance the quality. I hope that Glendronach decides to return to the quality before the new owner has bought them. I am curious to see wether Glendronach will add colour or will reduce the ABV in future. We will see. I like Glendronach and I hope that I still like the malts in a few years.

[@Heximeng]

Good bye Glendronach 18.... was nice knowing you.... RIP

[@witsch123]

Don't say that so easily, i have to learn to handle it... 😰

[@jjosh7707]

What a beautiful eulogy. Thank you Glendronach for all the moments! 😭😭😭😭 Moving on..........

[@MaldenKim]

to Allarchy

[@AdamKeele]

Give 'em hell, Raly!! Thanks for keeping us up on the sellouts to companies that ruin good things. Was thinking of getting a bottle of Glendronach soon too. No more. It's hard to not support the multinational bahimoths, especially with Diageo owning everything, but I try as often as I can to keep it to the little folks.

[@shotgunwound]

Glendronach Distillery - sung to the tune of 'Hotel California' In a dark deserted bar, cool wind in my hair Warm smell of Dronach' 18, rising up through the air Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering price My wallet grew heavy and my heart grew dim I had to dram for the night There she stood on the bar, I nosed that wooden smell, And I was thinking to myself, "This could be Heaven or this could be Hell" Jim Murray lit up the candle and showed me the way, There were voices down the corridor, I thought I heard them say... Welcome to the Glendronach Distillery, Such a lovely place (Such a lovely place) Such a filtered taste, Plenty of filtration at the Glendronach Distillery Any time of year (Any time of year) You can find it here Brown-Forman's mind is Tiffany-twisted, they got the Mercedes bends They got a lot of pretty, pretty toys they call friends Dronach' fans scream in the courtyard, sweet bummer sweat. Some dram to remember, some dram to forget So I called up the bartender, "Please bring me my 2018 line" He said, "We haven't had that spirit here since two-thousand and sixty nine" And still that Dronach' is calling from far away, Wake you up in the middle of the night Just to hear them say... Welcome to the Glendronach Distillery Such a lovely place (Such a lovely place) Such a filtered taste, They livin' it up at the Glendronach Distillery What a nasty surprise (what a nasty surprise) Bring your Aberlours Proper Twelve on the ceiling, Chill-filtered Dronach on ice, Brown-Forman said "We are all just prisoners here, of our own device" And in the Masterblender's chambers, They gathered for the yeast They dram it with their norlan glasses, But they just can't revive the beast Last thing I remember, I was Running for the bar I had to find the passage back To the place I was before "Relax, " said the bartender "We are programmed to receive. You can buy the 2018 any time you like, But you can never leave!"

[@williamreed3569]

Thanks for the memories! Moving on now...

[@roelnicolai5784]

I said this for years, so no news for me. Welcome to Friends of Glenallachie. Sad story but it is the truth. It is just the way it is. Happy with my old stock. 😀

[@cookieMonsterSincho]

Great review sir

[@nealbruce5914]

Ralfy, thank you for this Xtras! I flipped a few weeks ago when I finally purchased a GD 15 and realized it no longer said NCF and that GD as an integrity product was no more! I so appreciated your response to me especially considering the volume of comments you received the last few weeks. Whether it’s simply money or something else. Both Ben Raich and GD have been dumbed down by Rachael Barrie. Talented or not, it’s her name on the bottle and as you always say, that’s our contract! GD exploded on the marked as a true alternative to the changing Macallan. Great casks, age statements 46% and natural color(yes I’m from the States). It’s apparent they want to be Macallan 2.0! What a shame!! Time to stock up on Glenallachie before BW sell it too!! Be safe Professor Mitchell!!!!! Neal Bruce

[@nealbruce5914]

I forgot to mention NCF!!

[@benmarnoch4111]

What is really disappointing was that Whiskycast was told by Rachel Barrie last week that "nothing had changed", with Glendronach. What was that about, was it being chill filtered before? At least be honest with us and then we can make our own decisions on what we are buying.

[@steven4570]

She meant that nothing had changed with the whisky itself, meaning that the ncf off the label Was just removing it off the label.

[@ralfydotcom]

. . . marketing.

[@brego129]

@@steven4570 If it is still NCF, then that needs to stay on the label, period. Why would they remove it from the label unless they also planned to start chill filtering.

[@benmarnoch4111]

@@brego129 precisely! Why would marketing ask for the ncf to be removed, if this wasn't the precursor to chill filtering in the future. It appears to have been assumed in some quarters that they are already chill filtering Glendronach. Think RB and or Glendro need to come out now and make it clear what's going on here.

[@brego129]

@@benmarnoch4111 Yep, and what's on the label is what you are disclosing to me the consumer. Removing NCF labeling means I can no longer assume that it is NCF. In fact, removing from the label means I now need to assume that it is chill filtered. I for one will not be rewarding Glendronach with my whiskey patronage going forward when distilleries like GlenAllachie exist (another Billy Walker revival) and are doing things the right way.

[@michaelmanganiello8209]

Glad I stocked up on bottles of Billy Walker's Glendronach a few years back. The newer ones just don't compare. I've switched over to Tamdhu and Edradour for my sherry cask fix. Reasonably priced at the moment too. Damn shame what has happen to Glendroanch though.

[@wildtony79]

Mmmmm Edradour....... nom nom nom.

[@carstenbranta7901]

true! nice one ralfy. :)

[@stevenbrown7048]

Various Glendro Cask Bottlings with ‘vintage’ years (and affordable for a time) easily one of my top 5 ecstasy-inducing single malts. Sad to think it’s all over.

[@davidbroughall3782]

I guess I just bought my last bottle of Glendronach. Too bad. I kind of like the 12.