ralfy review 925 Extras - Choosing better Independent bottlings.

[@lubomirkrupka8147]

Sadly I’m starting to have a problem with these whisky reviews… They were very helpful in the beginning of my journey and there is always entertainment in finding knowledge especially in the extras which became my favourite! On the other hand any whisky which gets decent review is then exploited by resellers and it’s price instantly jumps up therefore compromises value/price/quality ratio and makes the whisky out of reach for others. I just feel that price should be also a factor in these reviews as it might influence the outcome. As a result I salute to producers like Deanston, Glenallachie, Arran and dealers that don’t shoot up their prices up when their product gets a good mark. Actually I feel the bad reviews are more beneficial to us as customers rather that the good ones. End of rant 😄✌️

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . more bad reviews on the way 😭

[@lubomirkrupka8147]

@@thewhiskybothy Great! I actually enjoy them more nowadays but other people not so much. I like when you put pressure on producers to up their game. It would be nice to actually see a change and have two bottles compared when you show "...oh and here is one producer that has taken some advice from the customers and started making things more transparent and honest.." I wonder what producer that might be? Cheers to you and keep the reviews comming. L.

[@thewhiskybothy]

@@lubomirkrupka8147 . . . producers will 'try' and up their game when sales revenue falls badly due to a global recession.

[@etwadertod]

A passion-filled (malt) moment from our beloved presenter of malt moments.. really loved the energy and the conviction!

[@michaelg.4562]

I take part in choosing the Whiskys for our store, so thanks for this info!

[@z1reticuli]

I've fallen for IB's some 5 years ago, and encountered some misses, but the hits prevail. With many people catering for the new bottlings (samples, tastings), my contribution is buying IB's and sharing them - bottles pther people don't dare buying. That's how I make whisky friends

[@weichen7261]

This is one of the best clips from Ralfy! I am revisiting many of the old videos with an expectation of being granted a “Master Degree” from Ralfy at the end.

[@richardgenerazio5280]

THANK YOU FOR ALL !!

[@johnsnedden5619]

My local independent shop is Stevies Drams , Lomond Shores , Loch Lomond, they are very knowledgeable, very helpful, and I have never had a bad dram from any of there recommendations

[@ADSCP]

Hi Ralfy with the crazy increase of prices of whisky, I’m starting to move more and more to other spirits. I don’t know much about brandy, cognac, armagnac, aguardente (Portuguese brandy) or rum, but already found some great and cheaper malternatives. Only need to avoid added sugar products. Whisky prices are growing too much.

[@paulrobinson3528]

Its Ralfy time again. I enjoy your videos so much so, i have now joined patreon. Oh no, what have i done 🤣

[@adbl.d6324]

singularity vs. generality of cask presentation is a verrrry impt concept in my estimation…thank you for articulating both the difference and importance of the distinction here. Not that there can’t be excellent general presentations (and in fact it is such a special skill when a distillery can profer a solidly unique signature over decades while blending hundreds of casks to do so!) but the singularity curated, cultivated, and ultimately offered by these indpndnt bottlers who have sourced their distilleries well, is truly something to behold.

[@Balkonwhisky]

Hello Ralfy, I enjoy a charakterful integrity Bottling from Independent Bottlers much more than a "rounded" Version of an Official Bottling ! No Matter which Charakter when the Quality is right. ;-) I had a wonderful Version of Single Cask Glenburgie just 8yo but the Cask was sooo good. From this Point i preferred IBs. 1. They are most of the Time Integrity Bottlings 2. Sometimes they are cheaper than the officials , and 3. I dont like this Marketing- Stuff that makes me think to "buy something better" because of a fancy Box and useless BlaBla on the Label instead of Informations. Maybe i miss some Distillery-Indentitys but i think its worth that loss because i win a lot more Enjoyment. And thats why i drink Whisky and eat good Food. Have a nice Week. Thanks again for your Opinion and Knowledge Ralfy. Greetings from Germany

[@danadair1349]

Something I've noticed over a career in the wood biz, it makes a huge difference where that stave came from in the tree as well. I work around Larch a lot, the outermost layers actually smell like sappy whisky. Into the heart cut and its very subtle sugar smells. I really wish the SWA would change their ruling on inner staves.

[@robGwaldo]

Hmm...limited carried locally, Hart Brothers mostly with the occasional Gordon & McPhail Discovery and Old Malt Cask. Will see what lines up with the official bottlings and go from there

[@olivierbeltrami]

Had a lot of excellent HB and OMC bottles (Clynelish in particular).

[@kevinetheridge7201]

Like everyone else I’ve had outstanding indie bottles, good ones, bad ones and totally bizarre ones. I’m a bit dubious when I see matured in a sherry butt on the bottle, I’ve had quite a few recently that are obviously American oak that have no way had sherry in them for a considerable amount of time probably just rinsed.

[@DayKlight]

especially it is a wet casks, so the whisky just gets some "sherry" color, looks fancy, natural color, maybe even unchillfiltered, but on the palate, hint of sherry, but most dominant vanilla, appleish, just some bold bourbon cask flavors. And then sold for 80+€ for a 8-12y "sherry monster"

[@klejfor]

happened to me with edradour from SV 46% 10yo. Dont remember which cask. Whisky was coca-cola color and had tapwater amount of flavor

[@erikevenson4303]

i love my indi bottles. SMWS and G&M always sell the product non chill filtered, Natural color and good age statements. you always know the quality you get provided the cork stays intact.

[@DavidUKesb]

Always had decent bottles from whiskybroker, including an absolutely brilliant 8yo sherry cask Aultmore.

[@MrLachlanmackenzie]

Thanks, looking forward to the next review.

[@octaveobsessions]

sounds like a rain squall brushing your bothy - exactly the kind of weather for spirits and malt metriculation

[@ezequielalgaze4736]

Exactly where i am right now.. just starting my journey on independent bottling. Starting off with a Signatory Vintage Edradour , Caol Ila and Bunna, with the intention of putting them face to face with their official brothers. latter on will play by blending them toghether

[@brianhansen6189]

I’m currently enjoying an Edradour 10 (43%) which makes me curious to buy a Signatory Edradour 10 NCF at 46%, but the Signatory version is 50% more expensive. That’s one hell of a premium.

[@DayKlight]

Edradour signatory is a very good whisky, also i can reccomend the edradour 12 caledonia, both really show a more dirty sherried flavour profile which i very much enjoy. To me, both their price worth

[@tcavaldoro]

I think the core 10 is chill filtered.

[@brianhansen6189]

@@tcavaldoro correct, which is why I’m curious to try the NCF 46%

[@brianhansen6189]

@@DayKlight I can get the Caledonia for $95, the Singnatory NCF is $98. I’ll probably go for the Caledonia first.

[@rhodes1591]

... made me smile, and kept me interested, as usual. Thanks. 🙏🏻

[@martingregory1114]

Dear Ralphy, thank you for your educational whiskey channel which I have followed for some years, and will continue to follow, however due to the increase in the retail price of single malt whiskey, your channel is as close as I will get, to experience these waters of life. In short, the industry has shot itself in the foot, as far as I am concerned, by making their product cost prohibitive. An unfortunate by product of my whiskey journey is that, having educated my pallete, I cannot go back, therefore no whiskey is better than inferior whiskey. Regards Martin Gregory, Melbourne, Australia.

[@jamesangus7253]

Don't forget the Facebook groups. Huge amounts of knowledge in some of them. Not Manic Malts though. Avoid them.

[@niktilling1501]

Cheers Ralfy, good info.. I’ve been wanting to start investigating IBs for a while, but wasn’t sure where to start.

[@sundowner62james69]

Great Extra , sure was useful, helpful and all the rest of it! Many thanks Ralfy .

[@johnw1597]

This a fascinating video for me Ralfy. I am just heading into the world of indie bottlings, and my first one was a belter. Bought the 2021 James Eadie Linkwood, and it really is fantastic. As I type this I have my second on the way, Berry Bros & Rudd Linkwood (120 bottles, so very limited!) - from the Aberdeen Whisky Shop, which I cannot wait to try. Love the fact these independent bottlings are so very honest. I mean the JE bottle I have looks like thick soup it's that un-chill filtered! Anyway, thanks for doing these videos Ralfy, if were not for these reviews, I very much doubt I'd be where I am on my whisky journey! Take care mate.

[@The.Epicurean]

100% on James Eadie. Superb. 👍

[@francisojavierpuertamaya9086]

Muchas muchas gracias por tan importante información en éste excelente video, pues definitivamente las embotelladoras independientes son las que hay que disfrutar, ya que las demás sólo buscan grandes volúmenes de whisky. Alguien que traduzca por favor, mil gracias a quien lo haga.

[@grahamokeefe9406]

The only Caol Ila I can find in my area is in the form of independent bottlers.

[@cristianatala101]

A malt mention: hello malty malternative mixers from the maltyverse. Ralfy, have you ever tried pisco? A spirit from Peru and Chile that can also be complex and fascinating, especially from some small distilleries... cheers from South America!

[@Trumben]

I can’t remember which video it was, but he had briefly talked about it I think. He said it was interesting if I’m not mistaken :)

[@thewhiskybothy]

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

[@travisash8180]

@@thewhiskybothy Hello Ratty Old Ralfy Reprobates !!!

[@iliasel3661]

Looking forward to the Berry bros bottling review!

[@gareth630]

That 12 yr old I told you about is winging its way to Phil in Manchester, the reason I told you was you're reaction to that Watt Caol Ila was like mine to the Ledaig 12 yr,. So lets hope Phil has a sense of humour ;-) Ps buying that 12yr Orkney BB+R got me into Indi bottles :-)

[@timshulepov]

I'm not sure why, but for some reason the last 5 or so independent bottlings I've tried were either underwhelming or downright unpleasant. I think a part of the problem is that many of them were aged in ex-bourbon hogsheads, which seem to impart very little flavor on the spirit. For instance, I've tried indie releases of 14-year, 17-year and 20-year Highland Park, all of which turned out to be very "anemic" on the taste, as Ralphy calls them. I'm not sure about the 14-year, but the other two were aged in ex-bourbon hogsheads. At the same time, I've tried HP's official single barrel releases aged in ex-sherry hogsheads, and those were spectacular. The same thing happened when I tried a release of 9-year Aberlour, and while the bottle didn't state the casks it was aged in, it was pretty clear that no sherry casks were involved. It tasted almost like a new make. Considering that most of these bottles cost around $100 on average, I've become really hesitant to try any other independent bottlings. Maybe I've been getting malts that just don't age well without thorough sherry maturation? Perhaps I'm just buying from the wrong independent bottlers (I honestly think that not only do those prices not align with the quality, but some of those releases shouldn't have been bottled at all). Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

[@reneblatte2228]

Ralfy, I have thoroughly enjoyed your channel. Learned a lot. Wife and I are heading to Scotland next May....soooo much looking forward to it. Speyside seems to next many distilleries. Any recommendations in terms of tours? My wife is worried I'll want to go to all of them. Cheer Maltie. Stay well.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . plenty to choose from, so mix it up a bit witha big distillery visit like Glenfiddich/Balvenie, followed by a small distillery visit like Benromach. Have a good trip.

[@mincey808]

Do love Signatory's unofficial (but official? 🤔) bottlings of Edradour. I have had a couple stinkers of their 10 year old recently though which apparently isn't the most uncommon thing for Edradour... Nevertheless, it was a blessing in disguise as I've been using the saved funds to be more adventurous in exploring other independent companies. Trial and error but it's all part of the fun.

[@stevenhallberg2985]

Hi Ralfy. I'm fairly new to your posts and have been enjoying your insights. One of your past posts mentions English whisky distilleries and in particular I was wondering if you might cover the Lakes distillery sometime soon? They're too new for age statement whisky but most of what I've tried is delicious. Thank you

[@stephenclark5815]

I agree

[@farshadp6114]

Greeting from down under, very informative as always. There is 2 or 3 nice and big bottle shops in a different state from what i live which I usually order my rare and independent bottler whiskies from them. That would be really nice if you provide some info about touring in Scotland or direct us. I am planning to visit Scotland and hear different versions of what I should so and where I should visit. I really appreciate if you give us some guidance.

[@thomaswalton4262]

Ralfy, I'm visiting Scotland and Ireland June 11-22. My father would love to meet you or hear from your recommendations.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . .I don't live in Scotland, but have a good visit.

[@restorer19]

14:26 at 1.25x and he's suddenly a motivational speaker selling a life enrichment course!

[@markatherton2172]

Anyone looking for excellent interesting indie bottlings should check out what Iain Croucher is doing over at North Star Spirits. Continually putting great bottles out there and constantly raising the bar.

[@lazarozarate4802]

HAHAHA What a great malt mention

[@ronprichard6145]

Curious I checked some of the independent bottlings at one of the local importers. One brand was mostly priced between one and three thousand dollars. As the kids here say, "yeah nah."

[@Mikego55]

Just when I thought I knew what it was all about, here comes the indie coefficient. Ralfy can you explain what guidelines that independent bottlers are held to vs the official bottlers. For example they are allowed to blend casks from the same distillery, but are they allowed to refill that product into another cask? What kind of language do you look for on the bottle that tells you of the shenanigans behind the label are being played. Thanks for another great video.

[@thewhiskybothy]

Idi bottlers simply bottle other makers whisky under their own label, and usually to a more 'integrity' standard.

[@MEADVICE]

You mention the small bottles of whisky for taste purposes. My wife and I visited Glencoe last year and rode the Jacobyte from Fort William. We visited the Whisky shop on the high street and found it to be hideously expensive, but they had a massive range of 5cl bottles. I bought a number of these as I wished to try Glenfarclas, but a 70cl bottle was marked up at £175 (no thanks). I also saw that Glen Moray was marked at over £40, but could be bought at tesco for half this price. I ended up with a bottle of Shakleton from the supermarket for £18, which I was rather impressed with for an evening tipple. I was wondering what your opinion is on these 5cl bottles, I'm told that some people collect them.

[@barryhamilton7845]

Yeah I'm a miniature collector and have roughly 1100.Most are exactly the same whisky as in big bottles.

[@graham2954]

For our whisky club end of year bottle last year I bought a Mosstowie 1979 IB from Gordon and MacPhail. Cost us $1600AUD. When we opened it the cork had dried out and we had to gently get the rest out. The cork was of complete rubbish quality and not for purpose. I then wrote to them asking if they had any other feedbacks on this issues but got no response. Just before our first club night this year I wrote again and again got no response. The email address was the one on their website. Needless to say I'll be thinking twice before buying anything else on offer from them.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . you have good reasons to boycott the producer.

[@seanreeves3503]

Thank youu very useful information as always. ❤️

[@peterholmlund9454]

Hello Ralphy (or others here ;) ), found this in the Finnish license shop. Anything you have come across? Hepburn's Choice Caol Ila 9 Year Old Wine Finish 2010, botteled by Langside. I enjoy peated stuff but maybe need to be careful with those independent offerings as you have often stated :)

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . .check reviews at whiskybase and whiskyfun

[@petrsladek3743]

Thank you Ralfy, can you please specify procedure of selling casks from distillers to independent bottlers? When the cask is sold? As new make or after several years? They can order type of cask to be filled? Where is the main benefit to get better whisky?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . .It varies a lot, but usually younger, surplus stock to get some money in to help with monthly sales figures.

[@bzzz1800]

Bought Gordon and Macphail Bunnahabhain discovery series one day... Before trying the original 12 yo one. In that specific case sure it was a loss in quality little I knew about indi bottlers... Nonetheless just a part of journey and experience gained right? 😎

[@dominiccummings1893]

I'm not gonna tell you it's a Williamson because I told ye yesterday

[@Bob-ts2tu]

how much difference does storing the casks in their own warehouses rather than the distillers have? - any thoughts? i would have thought a potentially big difference

[@DileepB]

What about independent bottlers like Douglas Laing who blend whisky from multiple distillers?

[@TasmaniaIsAHole]

Yeah I try to always keep a bottle of their Rock Island blended malts on hand. It's a great everyday dram. Their "Cauldron" Campbeltown blend is good too but is rather hard to find.

[@neelsrademan7930]

Hallo Ralfy How are you ? Please help me whith advice. How long can i keep whisky in a small oak barrel of 5 liters ? What will happen to the whisky if i leave it in there for a long time ? Kind regards Neels

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . monitor it frequently, changes happen fast, so look at weeks or months before bottling.

[@intothefeints8506]

How do you know what direction a cask is going? I know you have some casks, and I am wondering what feedback you would give picking when to bottle. How often should you sample?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . smell and taste.

[@klejfor]

Hello! Do you have any opinion about the independent bottler - Van Wees (The Ultimate)? They have very good prices and simple packaging. So far i've tried much above average stuff from them. Especially the reasonably priced Glenlivet bottlings from first fill sherry casks.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . decent, if selected carefully.

[@maxmustermann5612]

... except Talisker 10 mostly every scotch has gotten worse and more expensive.

[@TasmaniaIsAHole]

More expensive yes (thanks inflation) but worse? Nah you just have to do your homework.

[@maxmustermann5612]

@@TasmaniaIsAHole your name seems to be program 😁

[@tillmanmcadams1534]

Did ya ever find 7 Yr CS Blue Spot?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . not yet.

[@swedishburrito5073]

👍❤️🥃

[@cato451]

All the great indies are gone