ralfy review 885 Extras - Canadian whisky controversy 2021

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[@slprime]

Thank you! Really appreciate your support for our Canadian whiskies!

[@jimkrahn7079]

BC was first called New Caledonia by Simon Fraser in 1806

[@deadfr0g]

There are so many streets, parks, geographical features, and businesses across BC that contain “Caledonia” in their names. This heritage and history is such a significant part of the rich and multifaceted blend of cultural influences that makes up what BC is today.

[@MurrayCohenbluesandwhisky]

As a Canadian all I can say is Bravo! for Glen Breton. Also, I recently reviewed Macaloney's Caledonian Glenloy Single Malt for Canada Day at 46%, an excellent whisky with many layers, complexity and balance.

[@groovejet33]

That was certainly a mouthful to say & read!...lol

[@MikeTaylorPhotoArts]

When at the Glen Breton distillery in 2003, I purchased a bottle. I was sorely disappointed. I sure hope the latest version is much more mature than that which I experienced back then.

[@bernardwills9674]

@@MikeTaylorPhotoArts I'm told they have overcome that problem.

[@bernardwills9674]

We have a distiller here in Newfoundland and the issue is the same..the product is a bit young and a bit raw but give them time and experience...

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

I am surprised the SWA hasn't sued Scotch® Magic™ Tape. After all, consumers might buy it thinking they are buying Scotch Whisky!

[@lebon40]

or ... tape made in Scotland magically!

[@xiamengbaby]

And Scotchgard doesn't contain a drop of scotch whisky. Very misleading!

[@snafufubar]

@@xiamengbaby well it wouldn't. It's can be used as a guard to stop any scotch reaching your mouth.

[@TheElectronCloud]

I had a scotch egg once in New York, should probably shut down the city.

[@jonwiersma1978]

As a Canadian with a Scottish background, it's very disappointing to see the SWA bullying an innovative Canadian small business that's celebrating its connection to Canada and the owner's family name/heritage. I hope that the SWA loses the lawsuit. It's sad to see multinational corporations trying to culturally appropriate the Scottish heritage that is celebrated by not only people in Scotland but also by many Canadians. I think anyone purchasing a product in this price range would already know it's Canadian or look at the section of the store they're in or at the label on the box if they have enough interest to know the country of origin.

[@TheElectronCloud]

All culture is appropriated for all the reasons all people mix and share what’s great. What’s embarrassing is that the SWA feels they have exclusive license to arbitrary names.

[@antipodesman]

Thanks for your comments from fans of Macaloney's in the Gentle Glens Whisky Club in Parksville and Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island.

[@FerNightwalker]

Every time Ralfy says "it's just an opinion" my brain warns: Here comes a TRUTH! I just hope that, for the good of Scotch Whisky, the industry survives the threat of the "mostly" wrong policies of the big corporations!!!.. Thanks Ralfy for another EXCEPTIONAL video.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Ralfy is bang on about the history of whisky in NZ. We also have lots of peat which was a threat too. Here's a bit more back story for those interested in NZ's history from one of our local distillers: "New Zealand's foray into whisky-making began in the 1830s when Scottish settlers arrived in the country. With many of them choosing to settle down in the Otago region in the South Island, whisky found its unlikely home in the small towns of Dunedin, Oamaru and even Gore. The new New Zealand whisky industry was flourishing, so much so that Scottish banks were becoming wary of NZ's rising whisky popularity. The banks agreed to fund the country’s railways on the proviso that the government outlawed local distilling. Thus, from the 1870s the country's whisky industry was shut down. The laws were eventually lifted, and in the 1970s Willowbank Distillery opened in Dunedin and was largely responsible for the resurgence of whisky culture in New Zealand. Willowbank Distillery was most famously known for its single malt whisky until its closure in 1997. Nowadays, Kiwi's are free to distil whisky without the risk of Scottish banks having their say, and makers are no longer confined to the most southern regions of the country. "

[@thewhiskeygeeks]

Bless you for this Ralfy. As Canadian born Whisky club owners, and KZbin/Podcast reviewers (who's parents last names happen to be Fraser and Murdoch), the support you give to Canada, and especially this distillery is incredible. I visited Macaloney Caledonia back in early 2020, and can say that their product is truly special. I look forward to the day that you get to purchase and review a bottle as it's incredible, especially for how new they are. I predict they are going to be a major player in the whisky world in the coming years. Canada loves Ralfy!

[@ARCSTREAMS]

has it happened yet? if so id love to see his review if you got the link

[@danmorgan7775]

Slainte to you Ralfy from this Canadian. I did not realize that a BC distillery was coming under this pressure. This sort of pettiness will ultimately only hurt the growth of appreciation for good spirits globally. I am definitely going to support them by seeking out their product (assuming it's available in Ontario which sadly is not guaranteed).

[@deeshmond]

Thanks for bringing attention to this, Ralfy. Caledonia has a deep history in BC and is still a place here. The fact that the SWA would have an issue with a BC distillery using that word is absolutely absurd.

[@WhiskyJapan]

I agree with Jon Wiersma's comment, Ralfy and others. Scottish heritage and culture is not just for people living in Scotland, nor is it the exclusive domain of big corporations and their representative bodies like the SWA.

[@miserablerhurensohn]

Thank you for standing up for Canadien Whisky. I'm of Canadien heritage and just across the border of Quebec here in New Hampshire. The good Canadien whisky even has a hard time getting to the Quebec Province and we hardly ever get the good stuff here in NH. Every time I visit my cousins up there I always check to see what I can find at the SAQ liquor stores. Sometimes I get lucky and most times not. Last month I was at one of our state stores and saw some Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye. NH got so little of it that they didn't even list it on their web site so when I saw it, I got extras. We used to have the basic Pike Creek and now that's gone.

[@nhenderson2094]

Thank you for bringing your personal perspective on this current issue. As a 6th generation Canadian with a very solid Scottish heritage I appreciate your support.

[@onewomanswhisky]

Well said, and thank you for addressing this. Sounds too Scottish. Tell that to my father's family, who were driven off their lands during the clearances and forced to emigrate. Tell that to the millions of people in Canada with direct Scottish heritage, and a fierce pride in that heritage. I haven't bought Scotch whisky since this fiasco began with Macaloney's Distillery. I won't until the Supreme Court of Canada rules this a farce, just as they did with the Glen Breton case. It's that simple. Nobody likes a bully. Just an opinion. Just a perspective. Marian 🇨🇦

[@tweezerjam]

I have no idea what he’s talking about but I like to listen to him when I’m doing chores or cleaning or whatever. I haven’t retained all of his knowledge because I’m usually stoned but he’s given me tons of fun facts to talk about. 👍🏼

[@sunryse111]

Like you, Ralfy - I too look forward to the day I can buy a bottle of age-stated Macaloney. In fact, I'd love to see a shelf of Canadian single malts at my local specialist shop. Well done for highlighting this important issue in such a tempered, well-balanced way.

[@luijdiaz]

Fantastic rant! 👏 Cheers from Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦

[@colinpurcell8586]

Greetings from NS. As a note, my neighbourhood is called Glen Moir. Also, some rural areas in the province where there were predominantly Scottish settlers have both English and Gaelic on most road signs. There are even license plates that say Alba Nuadh instead of Nova Scotia. If only we kept the accent!

[@mr.orange8205]

Great job Ralfy. I live down the street from the Caladonian distillery in Victoria B.C. I wanted to add that the Scotch whiskey association wanted them to change their name Macaloney. Macaloney is the founders and distillers NAME! He is Scottish. They are telling him he cannot use his own NAME! Absolutely ridiculous!

[@U100Maciek]

Fair play to Glen Breton! Scotch Whiskey Association is in the pocket of the greedy and unsavory business suit-wearing types from the multinationals... That's that. Thank you, Ralfy, for highlighting that case.

[@michaelm.9680]

Thanks Ralfy for this Extras!! Some years ago the SWA did the same with a small German Distillery in the Harz Mountains. Their Malt Whisky called Glen Els was supposed to action of the SWA aimed at not longer using the word 'glen'... The distillery deceided to avoid any legal fights, rebranded and now call their stuff Elsburn. Seems that the SWA experiences some pressure by the success of some competitors and tries to 'save' Scotch (or better: save profits) by any means. That wont work that way in the long term.

[@langbroekmd]

Thank you Ralfy for this Extras report on the Macaloney Distillery's legal battle with the Scottish Whisky Association. I agree with most everything you said and as a Canadian I appreciate your support of our country's very young malted barley whisky industry. You are so correct in stating that the amount of publicity this type of action gets a distillery cannot be purchased with advertising budgets. I look forward to a future review of a bottle of Mac Na Braiche if it ever reaches your shores. 👍 👌

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . I look forward to buying a bottle.

[@braddean939]

The Peated Mac Na Braiche became one of my favourites after the first sip.

[@mitchero2000]

I know what I'll be purchasing on my first trip to B.C!...If not before.

[@lebon40]

I live in BC not far from the Macaloney distillery. A small town just West of me is called Cumberland. There is a street called Penrith.. my grandparents lived on Penrith in Dundee. I was born in Glasgow. I love my Scot heritage and love Canada and love whisky!

[@jakehanlonjazz]

amen sir. I live around 1.5hrs from Glenbreton's distillery in Nova Scotia, and the folks here hold their Scotish heritage very close to their hearts. The battle of the glen's was a slap in the face to Cape Bretoners, and winning that court case meant a great deal. I live in the town with the longest held Highland Games 157 years until covid 19. I'm not scotish (not much) but it means a lot to the people here.

[@whiskyfishing5257]

Thank you for covering this Ralfy and another excellent video. I won't dive into my own Scottish Canadian roots but I will say I've had a number of Macaloney's Whisky and what Jim Swan was able to do with their Portuguese Red Wine STR casks was phenomenal.

[@haroldhuntley4411]

Looking forward to trying a Macaloney, I’ll have to get my brother in law who lives on Vancouver Island to send me one. When I visited him three years ago I drove up to Shelter Point and toured the distillery, I had a wonderful time. I’m sure we’ll win this in court and if it takes a crowd-funding effort to do it I’m willing to contribute. Thanks Ralfy for being an advocate for common sense.

[@jonison6847]

Well said Ralfy, and good luck from GB to our fellow Canadian malt-mates!

[@richardagnew4959]

Well said, sir! VERY well said! It's all a bit pedantic in the extreme, eh? (from an N.Irishman, educated in Edinburgh, and now living in Ontario).

[@scottmcneill6333]

They should have a CSMS (Canadian Single Malt Society) stamp printed on the labels, corks, or a wax seal on the bottle to create their own single malt association per say. Just an idea.

[@MoultrieGeek]

and a great idea at that

[@rparco]

Could not agree more. But how typically Canadian for us not to have any balls in that dept.

[@alexpaterson4149]

A proud Canadian of Scottish Ancestry here - Bravo Ralfy . Many of these names and places being targeted are a hommage to Scotland itself. Hopefully cooler heads can prevail. I don't see the Scotch Whisky industry in anyway being negatively effected by Canada's acknowledgment of our roots. Sutherland, Wolfe, Douglas, - all names that have undoubtedly laid the foundation for this country since before confederation. Thanks for this Ralfy.

[@r.bruceorrell6903]

Hello Ralfy from Aurora, Ontario, Canada. You are very correct that Scottish heritage in ingrained in Canadian culture. Not only Scot, by Irish, English, Welsh, German, Dutch, French and so on. Unfortunately our country is going through a cathartic process of trying to make good on things that were done centuries ago. True there were some bad things. However officials are taking the tact to rescind any sort of recognition of what they did of benefit in payment of what they did bad. Case in point. The city of Toronto is about to spend in excess of 50 million dollars to erase any reference to a Scot Member of Parliament from the 1700s because he slowed the freedom of slaves. Henry Dundas, who never stepped onto Canadian soil, will have streets, squares, subway stations, schools with his name on them removed and renamed. How is that!

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . selective appropriation. Politics.

[@exJacktar]

I am Canadian. I live in Nova Scotia and I was blissfully unawares of Graeme Macaloney and his Distillery on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Unawares that is until Canada Day this year when l read the story of the SWA trying to do the dirty on another small Canadian business. As a Nova Scotian l am all too aware of the SWA taking Glen Breton through the wringer about 12 years back. Back then and until only a few years ago my palette was unrefined and limited to mostly blended Scotch. Times have changed an so have my tastes, l now enjoy both blended and single malts. Which is very bad news for the SWA. I was so pissed off on learning the SWA not only want to rob Graeme Macaloney of his name but ruin his business too that l placed an order for 2 bottles of Glenloy, their World Whisky Awards winning spirit. This is the most expensive Whisky I've ever purchased but also the most pleasing for me too. The SWA have really kicked an own goal by raising my ire and turning my eyes back on Canadian spirits. Lastly the suggestion in their suit that I'm too fucking daft to differentiate between Scotland and British Columbia, can't understand the origins of either spirit really takes it to another level. What l spent on these two bottles equals between 8 to 10 bottles of my usual SWA tipple. Guess l won't be buying as much SWA now. Stupid bastards... Excellent video Ralfy, very well presented.

[@rabbitspliff]

The "reputation" the SWA is upholding of Scotch is one of an arbitrary standard that stifles innovation with no guarantee of return in actual quality. We can be absolutely certain that there are many distilleries, customs and practices around the world that output an objectively higher quality product than a NAS Scotch blended with Coffey still grain spirit and coloured with caramel. The SWA aren't interested in quality, they're interested in riding the coattails of an unearned reputation to maintain as large a market share as they can. Any aficionado who knows what makes quality, is not going to mistake a bottle of Canadian whisky for Scotch.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . very well put !

[@Everest314]

The saddest part is that the SWA damages Scotch Whisky more than they protect it with these laughable actions. Not just by giving unintentional publicity to the ones they try to take down, but by ridiculing themselves and by extension Scotch Whisky as a whole.

[@carleynorthcoast1915]

I'm from British Columbia and I live on the actual Island where the Caledonian distillery is. I just found out yesterday from another Ralfy video that malt whiskey was made in Canada! In Canada Most liquor is sold in government stores and they only do high volume orders so to buy from a small producer you have to go to the actual producer of find a private liquor store that carries craft offerings. Overall the Scotch and Canadian whiskies are in separate aisles of the store so you couldn't mix them. BTW I believe British Columbia was originally called "New Caledonia"

[@tonylastname6468]

All the Canucks coming oot of the woodwork. Glenora Distillery made the first single malt in North America. And the world's first to age single malt in ex ice wine barrels. And the malt they made when they won their own name, was called the Battle of the Glens.

[@tonylastname6468]

I might add, I happen to be from Nova Scotia. My wife from Cape Breton. And there's an interesting anecdotal reason that I did not say she was from NS, even though the fact is Cape Breton is in NS. Cape Bretoners (also known as Capers) are very loyal to their home. So much so, that if you ever ask someone from Cape Breton where they're from, well it's Cape Breton. They also, though not alone in this, have Highland Games. Some signs are in Gaelic. And though this is likely the Irish influence, so many red heads!

[@Albaronaow]

More or less the same happened to a German distillery called Hammerschmiede. They called their whisky Glen Els, because the distillery is situated in the valley of the Els, a small river. It is not directly at the river but not far away. Other than Glen Breton they lost and had to change their name. Now they call their whisky Elsburn.

[@cliffjamieson6059]

Grandpa moved from Aberdeen Scotland to the Canadian prairies to farm almost 100 years ago. He was just one of hundreds of thousands of Scots that helped to build the country. I’ve become a piper to keep the traditions alive, while the top of my bucket list is to see Scotland. Our two countries should celebrate each other’s successes, rather than use legal means to show dominance..

[@seanreeves3503]

The Scotch Whisky Association I’ve just given a big boost to this small Distillery ,By Giving them free advertising. Brilliant.

[@whompbiscuits8930]

Yep. It's the Streisand Effect in action.

[@Gord19]

Well said Thanks for posting. I’m Canadian my Mom was born in Glasgow. Love both Countries. Keep up the good work.

[@noobgotowned]

i've been anticipating this video - excellent. support these guys if you can, friends!

[@paintballthieupwns]

Canadian here - Saw the news about this. Have not watched your video yet and the moment I saw the video and title and I knew you would give a well rounded opinion on this! Thanks in advance

[@garyrobertson7409]

Coming from a Scottish Canadian, thank you! I will be buying a bottle for sure. Also love Pike Creek, they have some great cask expressions. I love my Scotch, but Canadian Whisky always has a place in my collection. Keep up the great work Ralfy.

[@Mylatestdram]

They done this with the German distillery Hammerschmiede and their Glen Els brand, too. Now they renamed it into Els Burn. One of the best German whiskyproducers in my opinion.

[@WhiskyWhistle]

Great follow up, Ralfy. Macaloney’s Caledonian Whisky and Dr. Graeme Macaloney - stay the course. 🥃🥃🥃🥃

[@ericlarsen8401]

Great extras review Ralphy! Thank you for the overview and the history of Glen Breton and now Macaloney’s. Wish these whiskeys were more available outside of Canada. Would love to purchase some bottles! I’ve been on the hunt for a Glen Breton for a long time! That’s part of what makes this hobby exciting besides just enjoying good single malts! Cheers!

[@acreagedevelopmentsolution715]

Great perspective Ralfy! As a Whisk(e)y fan of all stripes this brings good information to light about the struggles some of these small start up distilleries deal with the whole time trying to build good product and run a business! Thank you!! Hope you get a chance to try the spirit from Macaloney distillers soon!

[@lonniemcintosh6239]

I'm a Canadian with Scottish back ground they can use My family name for a bottle of their best ( McIntosh) NO PROBLEM .

[@curtishopkins4160]

Ralfy, Thanks for bringing this up. Very sound points and I shall be looking to buy a bottle asap. All the best, Curtis Hopkins Canada

[@ronprichard6145]

When in Germany in '94 I was surprised and pleased to see New Zealand malt whisky on sale in a specialist whisky retailer.

[@barryandruschak]

Good suggestion Ralfy! Let’s ask the SWA what would THEY call our award winning Whiskey! And put it to a Canada wide vote. I like Canadian Caledonian Scotch!!

[@jakecormier3827]

Great review. As a Canadian Maritimer with French, Irish & Scottish roots. I first support our local craft products (including beers) and respects regularly purchase many great products from those countries. However, shame on SWA for having to resort to this bullying & cowardly tactic in order to compete against the small corporations. One does not make long term friends by being a bully. Much evidence in political history. Moving on, and placing my whiskey order with Macaloney.

[@Hotlog69]

When I saw the title I was like, "What has Ralfy got himself into this time!?". 😂

[@Gwhisky]

Canadian here with Scottish immigrant parents. Grew up surrounded by Scottish culture both at home and in the community around me. Sad to see this happening.

[@daveprentice]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Ralfly. I am a Scottish-Canadian whose ancestors came to Canada as a result of the Clearances. I live in BC (once called New Caladonia) and I appreciate your post. I had not heard of either Macaloney or Glen Breton. I will be supporting both. BTW, have you tried Centennial Rye Whisky from Alberta? Small independent distiller that produces a delicious, reasonably priced rye.

[@larrywagner1432]

The single malt industry in the US is starting to get big as well. There are a far good number of distilleries that are making magnificent single malts.

[@patrickwalsh6240]

Great video Ralfy. This just makes me want to try what comes out of New Zealand, Tasmania and Canada.

[@billyp8675]

Thanks for this Ralfy. Everyone I know here in BC is going bananas for this stuff.

[@quietstorm1347]

I was avoiding the videos lately.. but as soon as "controversy" popped up in the title... I was back... hahaha.....

[@albanana683]

I'd be cautious about opening up a public vote for a name. We'll end up with another WhiskyMcWhiskFace .

[@HerbertDuckshort]

Imagine the Indian Film Board sending a solicitor’s letter to my local U.K. curry house “ Bollywood Balti” warning them to change their name? It’s that f*****g ridiculous!

[@Wielki000]

Agree with your comments Ralphy. The Canadian railroad was built by hard working Scots who named many of the towns along it with Scottish names. BC even has ‘craigellachie’ where the last spike of the railroad that united Canada in 1885 was placed by Donald Smith, a Scottish-born Canadian. Calgary, Alberta is probably the most famous example, along with Banff national Park? Is the SWA going to try and ban us of the name of one of our world famous nature reserves? Our country was founded in part by Scots. I have a little Scottish heritage myself, and dated a Canadian born girl who was highland dancer who celebrates Rabbie Burns with her family. The history of Canadian whisky in our country goes back to our founding fathers who brought it from Scotland and Ireland, and we appreciate Scotch whisky and culture almost as our own.

[@graemeyoung5280]

I applaud you Ralfy!! Macaloneys distillery is own by Graeme Macaloney, a Scottish immigrant to Canada. They have beautiful products that are produced in a scottish fashion as would be expected by a Scott!! I have a shelf-full of their products and they are outstanding!!! They are all naturally presented and are Gems!! Thanks and this video has helped support the distillery in this fight. cheers Ralfy. 🥃🥃🥃🇨🇦

[@fearociousfearocious]

Very informative Ralfy. As a whiskey lover, I will definitely try Macaloney whiskey. Maybe it is time for forget about the big corporations and look to smaller companies that care about their products.

[@kevinmaclean4808]

Thanks Ralfy. I live in Cape Breton and the distillery is 45 min from where I live. It’s called Glenora distilleries And Glen Breton is a wonderful drink I will have to check out your first video about it. I am new to the channel ( came from the dark side. Your brothers channel ) I enjoy your content and getting more knowledge about different spirits. And yes I look forward when you are on clives live stream. The both of you together always make me laugh.

[@gagandeepsingh596]

Those who know whisky know that its the little things in environment, ageing, distillation and blending intricacies, cask influences and so much more instead just a name that makes the whisky what it stands for... Those anoraks who want to spend on a good whisky(especially the ones schooled by u Ralfy like myself) look for 3 things on a Bottle or a box: Non-chill filteration Natural color & Preferably a higher than 40% bottling strength Your video is slap on face of these huge MNCs going weak in the knees after seeing real competition... its bound to happen coz they were never fair in the first place... But all the Kudos and Respect to you for bringing this up...slainté from a turbaned Sikh from India who is a Whisky lover and a very recent immigrant to This lovely country called Canada!

[@Firm04]

Being canadian this pisses me off a little bit. I will not name it, but I was about to buy a +100 CAD$ scotch bottle when I saw your video 3 days ago. I ended up buying a 90 CAD$ Cognac bottle. Thank you SWA for helping me broaden my knowledge, I am really condidering taking a break from scotch and explore other fine spirits for a while. I will surely buy scotch whisky again, but not in the short term.

[@davesmith5499]

Thank you Ralfy for a common sensical assessment of the SWA actions against Macaloney Distillery. This sort of frivolous, spiteful in fact, move has already caused me to abstain from Scotch whiskey. There can be no court that could find their argument reasonable, precedent aside. Business owners the world over name their companies and products after themselves and their location. No association has the right to challenge that. I agree that the foundation for this challenge must be the quality of the Macaloney product. I face west, with my back to Scotland, and salute this Canadian distiller with the award winning Island Single Malt, Glenloy. Slainte Mhath!

[@jimwhyte4490]

All the publicity of the court case has piqued my curiosity about this Victoria distillery and I’ll be looking to visit and taste their products. I couldn’t name a single malt using my name as it has already been used.

[@madzap]

I would happily lend my Scottish ancestry of Dalgliesh to ANY Canadian distillery that makes a descent single malt. PM me if you want me to sign on... My Scottish family has been in Canada for 200 years. To quote Spirit of the West, "There's none more Scot than a Scot abroad"

[@rickymherbert2899]

A good balanced video Ralfy; it's a pity someone with the same outlook isn't guiding the Scottish whisky mafia on this. Macaloney have a very polished website so I think they will be very "savvy" about using t'internet to their advantage. Especially if it came to using it to fund any legal battle. Canadonian has a certain ring to it. 😃 Anyway keep safe, keep sane in that bothy somewhere in the Irish Sea and keep posting such quality content Ralfy.

[@Mikego55]

I always figured my great grandfather was kicked out of Scotland and settled in Nova Scotia because he didn’t own a distillery, at least it makes for a good story. It’s always the little guy who loses out at first, hadn’t really thought about all the people depending on that little guy.

[@westcoastski6198]

Why is the SWA allowing DIAGEO (with 3 seats on the SWA Council) to continue to sell its Bagpiper whisky in India, when the SWA is trying to stop ex-pat Scot Graeme Macaloney from using his own name in his Canadian single malt whiskies?

[@elixwhitetail]

I think we all know the answer to this.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . a very valid point.

[@carlton9523]

Bagpiper is the tip of the iceberg. The following names are deemed acceptable by the SWA: Royal Stag, McDowell’s No. 1, Royal Challenge, and Peter Scot. These are all top brands in India but couldn’t even be sold as whisky in most other countries due to being made from molasses. Great job of protecting the good name of Scotch Whisky, SWA!

[@daviddivelbiss]

Very interesting! Thank you for your perspective and history on this, This is why i watch your channel. I agree with your opinion! thanks!

[@jasonthornton6657]

Can't wait to find it here in Australia, I did like vat 357 from Quebec and early forty creek from Ontario

[@steveno7058]

Nice video Ralfy. I also like to blend different spirits. I put a couple of drops of Armagnac in a boring peated Scotch and it gave it a nice layer of flavor.

[@LGB007]

I have enjoyed thier products for a few years now. I have the first inaugural bottling in fact.

[@wasabista1613]

Cheers from a Canadian abroad!! 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@Connor_Sherlock]

Reminds me of when scottish landlords kicked everybody out in the late 18th century because it was more profitable to have sheep than people on their land. The evicted either became poor fishermen, or went to Australia. The new aussies then started raising sheep, and massively undercut the scottish prices on wool.

[@adams5202]

It's videos like these I'm especially happy to be a pat pal. Never change Ralfy. Cheers from Ontario 🇨🇦🍁

[@jakelongley283]

* Technically Glen Breton is made by the Glenora Distillery..

[@christiansteiffen2581]

This is ridiculous. Having large multi national companies trying to hold back good quality local spirits rather than investing a bit more in the integrity of their own bottlings reflects very poorly on the scotch industry. While I know that the SWA is not only made up of large conglomerates and generally serves a useful purpose, it is sad to see them going after small distilleries that proudly celebrate their Scottish heritage by making single malt whisky the way it should be (46%, unchill filtered, natural color, valid information like bottle number bottling date etc. on the label). I will definitely stop buying from large spirits conglomerates and focus on the few small independent scotch distilleries, that fortunately still exist.

[@Alex-pr6zv]

A friend recently brought me back from Canada a bottle of Shelter Point artisanal whisky. Fantastic stuff. Impossible to get over in Europe. SWA should be out creating good will, not bad blood. Local whiskies are gateways to a hobby that ultimately engenders curiosity in Scottish whisky .

[@lebon40]

Shelter Point is just down the road from me. They are doing well with their spirits and have lovely copper stills, made where... you guessed it...Scotland!

[@dieisler8303]

Shelter Point has fantastic product. Non-chill filtered, natural colour, bottled at 46% and has cask strength bottlings as well as expressions with different grains and cask maturations. I'm very happy to have 2 amazing whisky producers on Vancouver Island.

[@blindtomuk]

Canada has always taken things like traditional dancing and highlands more seriously than Scotland typically does. I've enjoyed Canada and their whisky. It's a beautiful country with lovely people. I often think the SWA is an awful organisation that is too protective and stifles innovation. I feel like I should set up a distillery on the French territory of New Caledonia in the Pacific to see what they do.

[@WhiskyJapan]

Vote with your wallet people - buy Macaloney's Caledonian whisky, especially if you are in Canada. It is good stuff too, a much better deal than most of the Scotch available there.

[@elixwhitetail]

Macaloney's distribution is very limited. But as someone who could be at their door before supper if I wanted, I'll be doing my part and I'm not buying Scotch for a while.

[@snapperxv]

I was once gifted a Polish "whisky" by the name of Glen Green - not the Montrose blend that was a bit rough- this was also more than a bit rough imho. I wonder if they had a letter as I can find no mention of it online. I still have the rather splendid rocks glasses that came with it.

[@jayteegamble]

Caledonia, Minnesota is located on the Mississippi about 50 miles from where I grew up. I never knew it had anything to do with Scotland.

[@TheRealJoseramirez]

Oh dear.

[@brucesnz]

Ralfy's righteous anger is refreshingly rarefying and gives the reflective capacities room to ruminate on matters most edifying. (As a poor antipodean lad, who is of larger than average gravity and no doubt has some Scotch ancestry, I've always wondered how far, precisely, I could toss a caber or some such as)

[@bigpoppahugetime9142]

I buy this whenever it gets stocked at my local store. The big guys don't want competition, and it's better than theirs. There is masterful work happening here. They should be hiring the people involved to improve their own swill.

[@icewaterchrist]

It's Glenora Distillery, not Glen Breton Distillery. Glen Breton is the name of their whiskeys like Kilkerran is the name of the whiskeys from Glengyle distillery.

[@SteveHB59]

An interesting side note, you said that in Canada, Scots whiskey is more expensive than local whiskey. Here in Australia our local whiskey costs more than most imported whiskeys, now that’s what yer call a ripoff

[@xiamengbaby]

Here in the US, American single malt whiskey typically comes from "craft" distilleries and so we end up paying a premium for relatively young whiskey as compared to the larger and well established scotch whisky producers.

[@pierrehedstrom4249]

I can sort of understand the risk of confusion with naming a whisky Caledonia. Edradour released a whisky with the same name. Also, as a consumer, if I saw the name Caledonia on a bottle in the shops, I would almost assume that it was made in Scotland. That is until I would spot the maple leaf. More confusing to me why they don’t double down on the fact that it´s new world spirits. In my experience, especially in the higher mid segment of price, the whisky from Scotland (and Japan) is usually overpriced with regards to quality in comparison with many new world distilleries. If you live in a country with specialty shops there is usually a level of curation of the assortment, and in my experience the “minimum quality level” seems to be lower for Scottish whisky. What worries me is if this is what the Scottish whisky association want to protect, the idea that Scottish whisky should play in its own league without foreign competition. That Scottish whisky should be held as the standard of quality, with other nationalities being seen as a sideshow. Just look at the way we classify distinct whisky regions, detailed for Scotland, one shelf for Japan, and the rest of the world can have its own shelf… I would love to see an extras video on how you could rework the classification system to focus on the flavour of the specific bottle and not the distillery that is from.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . Good observation.

[@suerussorogers7591]

The idea that a cultural identity or name can be owned by these deep-pocketed corporate entities is absurd. I learn so much from you and your articulated truths, Ralfy! I hope the Canadians do take to social media and Macaloney wins the next round. 🥃🇨🇦

[@vtbn53]

An even greater scandal: Australia spirit excise is A$87.68/litre (£47.29) as opposed to UK excise of 28.74 - I have been wondering how it is you can afford to taste so many whiskies LOL.

[@WhiskeyLore]

Transparency in Canadian whisky, you've hit on a whole other controversy. Yeah, too many lawsuits and not enough common sense. Cheers!

[@johnmcmunn3827]

GREAT Ralfy .. you sound like your wee brother when he rants about a TV license ... the apple landing near the tree :) cheers

[@reneerikolsen9694]

Great way of addressing a subject of high interest. Of course the Canadian distilleries should have the right to call their whiskeys what they want.

[@djscottdog1]

As long as they dont call it scotch

[@benbell100]

Interesting comparison of the New Zealand and Canadian environments for distilling Ralfy. Have you sampled the Cardrona single malt from New Zealand? The history of this malt is very relevant to the points you make.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . not available where I am.

[@adrianquinlan3989]

Ralfy, I'd so love to meet you at a bar some evening and just talk about everything life throws at us on a daily basis and maybe get to whiskey, rum and other beverages if there's time.....