ralfy review 991 - Arran Quarter cask @ 56.2%vol:

/ ralfy . This is my Patreonm channel, for ad-free videos, released 24 hours early and with an extra weekly 'Update' video. Every month there is also a 'BothyLive' 90 minute live-stream from the bothy.
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[@BracchiAlessandroFineArt]

The Lochranza distillery is doing a fantastic job !

[@joaoandresilva2953]

Hi Ralfy, I'm Portuguese, more precisely from the Azores. This is my first comment after a few years of watching your videos. I'm really glad you started reviewing ageless whiskey because there's so much good stuff that's ageless. big hug sorry for my english

[@silverfox108]

I think you have done a great job and post more often. Cheers

[@Bringadingus]

I'm a long-time viewer and lover of your channel, Ralfy, and I recommend you to anyone looking to vastly increase their understanding of whisky manufacturing, marketing, aging, nosing, tasting, etc. I must say, however, that while I used to be interested in the scores you gave at the end of the video, I now no longer know what to make of them and largely ignore them. I still watch to take in the wealth of your knowledge, and to get your overall impression on a bottle. But I don't understand how the scores work anymore.

[@KNURKonesur]

My fav budget whisky on the market! Heavy gooseberry and pear notes if you ask me. Same goes for its peaty brother, the Machrie Moor Fingals Cut Quarter Cask. Gorgeous stuff for the money!

[@ccuellar6212]

Even Arran isn’t immune to Ralfy’s new rating scale.

[@natewhite8845]

I adore the quarter cask, it's amazing.

[@tangoblueyt]

Arran is really making some good stuff!

[@paologramatica9231]

Had the chance to taste the 25 year old just a week ago at the distillery, and brought back the remainings of my tasting glasses to live this moment again when i want to. Wonderful place and people.

[@guyharrald2567]

Arran QTR Cask is fabulous. Beautifully smooth but with a lovely long kick from the high %

[@sandrofazzolari8833]

A firm favourite as well as the sister bottling Bodega which is a sherry marvel. Thanks dear Ralfy and kindest regards. Looking forward to this Thursday. Ciao 👋 S.

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

I love the Bothy, it's a brilliant whisky for a great price. Glad you like it Ralfy, cheers!

[@WorldView22]

I read it's 9 years old: "Our Quarter Cask expression is a complex, rich and intensely fruity Single Malt, a cask strength delight and the perfect partner to our Sherry Cask Single Malt! The Arran Single Malt selected for this cask strength expression was initially matured in first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels for 7 years before being transferred for secondary maturation into smaller Quarter casks also made of the finest American oak for a further 2 years. The process of transferring our whisky into the smaller 125 litre sized casks for their final 2 years of maturation produces far greater contact between the whisky & oak and a faster, more intense maturation."

[@presstodelete1165]

Arran (along with Deanston) has been high on my favourite list since I first saw your recomendation of the 10YOs. If I had a telescope I could probably see the island without getting out of bed.

[@antipodesman2]

I have not seen Arran 10 here in British Columbia for many years. I was excited recently to find two NAS Arrans, a sherry cask and a port cask. Both were very nice.

[@rupertansell4662]

I’m a big fan of Arran. The Quarter Cask is wonderful, as is the 10 year old, the Bodega and the Machrie Moor Fingal’s Cut Sherry Cask IMHO of course 👍

[@jackharris4697]

Have several bottles of this Whisky and it's great !!!!

[@surrenderfleet]

As someone that grew up in Brodick, let me tell you that we used to get A LOT of people visiting during the summer months who were seemingly exclusively travelling just because of the whiskey and beer!

[@paologramatica9231]

And the Goat Fell !

[@surrenderfleet]

@@paologramatica9231 I wouldn't recommend it, at least not after a few drams!

[@paologramatica9231]

@@surrenderfleet but after it, the drams are mandatory ;)

[@porsche911c]

Ralfy! You were instrumental in getting me interested in Scotch back in 2016. Awesome to see you're still going strong!

[@mrboomslang8852]

Ralfy just found a banger! Bought it in the airport but it is available on Amazon and other shops ! BUSHMILLS 10 SHERRY FINISH! 1 litre bottle 46% olorosso cask! Really nice whisky! Would love to see laphroig quarter cask too

[@larshermanns]

Hi Ralfy, to say it 1:1 translated from German: Your stories about whiskey sound to me like "Bohemian Villages". 😂 I have no idea about the differences of whiskey. Sometimes I'm drinking Whiskey Sour or also a Southern Comfort. I'm waiting for your next pipe related video. 😉 Happy Puffing 😎 Lars

[@hamo4558]

I picked up your recommendation a long time ago about allowing the dram to sit 20 minutes or more after adding water. I do it religiously now, marking everying bottle with a "watermark" whether to add it ( or not) & how much, so I can get the best experince from it according to 'my' palate. Great advice Ralfy !

[@AlchemistOfNirnroot]

Always love the classic Dalek up top :D

[@Rohit_M]

What a great whisky Arran is producing. I have tried the 10 yo, QC, Bodega Sherry releases and lately experimenting with the blend of their Barrel Reserve 3/4 to 1/4 portion of QC and it's been amazing experience. Great job keeping things simple and honest as always Ralfy.

[@raystewart829]

Try machrie moor cask with bodega roughly 2:1

[@Rohit_M]

@@raystewart829 that sounds delish! Thank you for that tip.

[@davet7185]

A fine choice Ralfy; Arran will always be on my list as a flannel-free, honest, integrity presented single malt. I do not concern myself with the scores....... it's what you say and my own discernment that matters. As you have often said yourself - this is one man's opinion. But of course, there are many of us who put great value on your opinion and long may that continue my friend 😺.

[@user-iw4ej2is8y]

Thanks, Ralfy. I've learned to drop some water in and let it sit from you. I let Craigellachie 13yo sit for an hour, and WOW! Couldn't belive it. Going to try this one, for sure.

[@andrewblatherwick8758]

The Arran 10 is a good staple for any cabinet.

[@maltontiger3144]

Whilst I understand why Ralfy has changed his scoring system it has also become completely irrelevant to the reviews. I now have absolutely no idea what a good score is with the new system and I'm so used to his old scores it's just ended up befuddling me I'm afraid. Are we never going to see an 89, 90 or 91 again?

[@Raymaster7482]

Imo Ralfy changed it to the measure Serge uses. Serge only gets into the 90s for really special stuff... bottlings Ralfy doesn't usually review so there will be mainly scores inside the 80s range

[@WorldView22]

It’s better, I think, and more meaningful to pay attention to what Ralfy says and forget the scoring. This single malt scored 83, the same as the Bladnoch 15, but it’s clear from each review that this Aran is a fine single malt whereas Bladnoch 15 is merely competent.

[@gregory8414]

If you think about it then the numbers meant nothing before so the loss of them is irrelevant listening to his thoughts on each one is seemingly more important anyway…. We’re still ahead for paying attention. Well that’s how I see it anyway. With this words are more valuable than numbers in my opinion.

[@wildturkeyuk3005]

Ralfy doesn't make mistakes. He just has happy accidents...

[@michaelhoresh-businesscoac8313]

I have bought this more than once. Love it every time. Great value

[@Bowman1999]

I'm a big fan of Arran Quarter Cask, it's a great dram

[@onYTsince2008]

Ah FINALLY an Arran QC Bothy review, in the Bothy, after so many times of me asking to review SUCH an excellent NAS product! 🤣🤣😭

[@johncarder819]

Quarter casks have a greater ratio of surface are to volume, so they accelerate the cask aging process.

[@Nikolay_Nikolov]

Arran brand is listed so high in my malt whisky book that I buy it blind. Provided the price is not outrageously high of course. Yes, some expressions I like more than others but so far I haven't come across a dud. As for the Quarter Cask I've been enjoying a bottle of it since September 2022. Lovely dram, young and vibrant, but not immature or harsh. The profile reminds me of a denser and more intense version of the old (pre-rebranding) 10 yo. Needless to say I got a backup bottle of it. Extremely good value too. I paid the equivalent of roughly 33 pounds per bottle by current exchange rates. The price have since gone up a little, but still it remains one of malts with the best price/quality ratio I can buy in Bulgaria. I had a brief taste of the old version of "The Bothy" too, but unfortunately don't remember much of it. At least not nearly enough to compare it to the contemporary version. Cheers!

[@silverdale6780]

I'm crazy about Arran products, but price in my home (british columbia) has absolutely gone through the roof! Arran 10 (when you can find it) is now over 100 CA...2 years ago it was 65

[@craigbutler623]

Crazy here in Alberta too, I managed some Arran 10 and a quarter cask at not too dear of a.price earlier in the year.

[@josephkiselica8923]

THE "HEEBY JEEBYS" haven't heard that phrase since my college days.... MANY MOONS AGO..... NAZDRAVYE RALFMASTER!

[@stephenmcvarnock]

Ralfy has explained the new rating system in previous vids but the shorthand of it is that a high Ralfy score in days of yore saw price hikes for said whisky on the shelves. So he added water to the scores to take them down a few percentage points (ahem) to prevent this. My formula is to add 4 or 5 to the new system to get it on old money. But really, if you want to know his view on it, just listen to the video in full. Stop being in such a rush. Or listen to it on x1.5 or x2 playback 😁

[@user-pt4oj6sd6j]

Only saw one bottle here in Massachusetts, at a bar on the way to the cape. Hard to get here. Had a dram and was glad for the Ralfy recommendation. It was the ten year old and never saw a bottle again. All the good single malt whiskeys around here are bought out as soon as they hit the shelves. A few months back I rolled the dice on a Hazelburn 13 Sherry cask. I think its the best dram Ive ever had and the folks I shared it with felt the same way. I went back to buy the 4 bottles left and they were gone in a week. Sad times, my knigdom for a Hazelburn 13!

[@grbadalamenti]

This script could be read in the parliament and it would not seem uncanny. Certain shades of whisky politics make it fit for such use.❤

[@konopamike]

I watch these videos with my 4 Month old daughter and when the cats make an appearance she smiles, no edits needed keep being yourself.

[@theflow1546]

I am totally with you. That Whisky was way too spicy without water. Sadly I couldn't get over the smell of glue I always get with Bourbon matured Whisky's. I also got with water a bitter aftertaste which didn't make me happy. Maybe I gave him to less time to develop. Nevertheless prefer the Arran 10 way more than that one.

[@DDugger]

One of my favorites for the money! It does come with a cardboard tube sometimes.

[@WhiskyLoversSociety]

They do make some pretty good whisky. And it’s not killing the budget.

[@djscottdog1]

Ten micron filted btw one of my jobs was to change the filters on the bottling line that did arran.

[@MyScottyboy1]

A 99 before my deathbed hopefully. Come on distilleries get your acts together!!!

[@medowucha]

Welp, just 9 to go! GO! :)

[@craigbutler623]

I probably wouldnt have tried the ten before i seen the ralfy review, it is darn good. Thanks Ralfy!!

[@henryDzieciontko]

Heading to arran later this month for a few days and to the lochranza distillery shop to pick up a bottle of this and some miniatures. Had booked the distillery tour but couldn't get my dogs looked after so un booked but what I saved on the tour I can spend on malt in the distillery shop but will do the tour some day on a day visit from Glasgow.

[@gerwinpot4230]

According to information from my local liquor store it is a blending from different vintages ( from ex jourbsn casks) and there was a finish from 18 months in a Quarter cask.

[@gerwinpot4230]

Jourbsn= Bourbon 😅

[@shifty7606]

We cannot get that one in Sweden but we do get the Sherry Cask (Hogshead 250L, 58,3% cask strength) and it is my favorite. At least for the moment. I usually add water and warm it in my hands a while before tasting it. Its a brilliant Whisky.

[@henryDzieciontko]

Excellent good value choice for a malt review 👍👍

[@GlennForbes20]

Ralfy, I just read a book called “Whiskey Galore,” by Compton Mackenzie. It’s absolutely hilarious, as the inhabitants of two islands salvage whiskey from a shipwreck while thwarting the British authorities. It also mentions in passing some whiskey facts from yesteryear. Among other things, aging whiskey by sending it round the world on a ship was a thing in the 1940’s.

[@jamesw6403]

Watch the movie - a recreation of the book. It's very good also

[@robthebold4589]

The movie is hilarious and has the same title as the book. It was also released under the title "Tight Little Island".

[@chadg3985]

Thanks for another great video Ralfy!

[@Wu.Tang.Financial]

Haven’t had the QC but the 10 is a very nice whisky. Kind of a soft honeyed lemon profile but still alive and fresh. Arran produces good stuff

[@dougowen9873]

Thanks for all the years of great reviews. I have loved every episode so of course the 64 thousand dollar question (as we say in the states), naturally arises, What is planned for number 1000? Or is it a Ralfy surprise? Either way I am waiting with baited breath.

[@torbjornkarlsen]

I'd love it if you'd talk a bit about the price of the bottles you're reviewing, and whether you think it's good value for money or not. That way, we who don't live in the UK can compare prices and have a clue if we're paying too much or not.

[@azeriztatime5120]

am looking for this bottle, wow Thank you review it seem must to be test.

[@chevyvette96]

Never heard of a "geriatric" whisky! But I'd love to try one! 😂

[@pmckeown38]

Cheers, your good health Ralfy

[@ahpercin]

Başkan her zamanki gibi harika video ama 1000 heyecanından sana odaklanamiyorum

[@sebassebas1374]

Esperando por el video 1.000 desde España!!!

[@ahpadt]

MeloDRAMATIC, Ralfy..! :-)

[@grbadalamenti]

Lovely blooper, too❤

[@cecilrobbins5182]

An absolutely magnificent review!!!! So, many gems of information! I went to Nova Scotia last summer And the only "quality scotch" I could get. The next 2 weeks I spent loving this wonderful dram. However, I didn't add water. So, as with the high number of Cask Strength scotches I have come to enjoy I wonder if I have damaged my palate? How can I tell and if so, how can it be healed? Along those same lines have you ever experienced peat blindness? What do you recommend as a remedy? So, thanks for your guidance since Glenallachie 12 in 2019 through the decline of Glendronach and now that adjustments to your scoring system which I also appreciate. I just wish you could revisit the Glenlivet 12 yr 40% comparison with the Glenlivet 12 yr illicit still at 48% non chillfiltered on the label. You only gave a 1 point difference between the two and I knew then the system didn't take into account the adulteration of the 40% chillfiltered release. So glad you are calling that trash out and marking it down. Yes, scotch is generally thought of as the low ABV chillfiltered scotches that are the vast majority of what is on the shelf in my area. I always tell folks to check the ABV! Avoid lower than 46% and look for non-chillfiltered on the label.... it's a beginning. Keep up your quality you have taught me so much....

[@utoobia]

When did they remove “The Bothy” from the label? Even my last bottle bought 4 months ago had it.

[@simonsherratt1484]

Now I know that 3 x 5ml of water adds up to 15 ml cheers Ralfy!

[@Soldano999]

My Arran Quarter cask does have a box here in France and in Spain as well.

[@RichardHowells1234]

Good bottle 🍼 ralfy 😃

[@guillermobarrios6692]

Ralfy, Arran 10 was a solid malt. I will give this one a try

[@craigbutler623]

You should have a tasting with the grail girls, that would be so bloody awesome. Might be hard to get a word in edgewise but holy hell would it be entertaining! Racheal Jen and Ralfy! Epic!

[@dogmile9397]

Thank you Ralfy. I believe Scotch Whisky reputation is going down because too many bad whiskies are produced, and not only the 40%.

[@crouisk]

Not long till 1000 !

[@Raymaster7482]

06:48 careful Ralfy - it's behind you!! 😁😉

[@Hotlog69]

Will you be readjusting previous marks to line up with your current philosophy?

[@swedishburrito5073]

I really like the Arran Quarter Cask. It has its own unique character. Too bad it is difficult to find another bottle in Sweden.😩

[@ChipAK49]

Ralfy, Thank you for your review, I appreciate hearing your thoughts and learning more with every episode I watch. Being as though you have adjusted your rating marks on whisky, have you thought about changing the format of your rating system to differentiate the old system from the new? i.e. rather than this malt being an "83" it would be an "8.3". It may help for folks like me that still go back and watch your old videos; just a thought. Take care, all the best.

[@lightplays2181]

Ralfy the best ))) Slainte !

[@robfut9954]

Without a box, in a sunny shop shelf facing the window that whiskey will suffer over time though… just saying.

[@harrylee1985]

Another great review, cheers from the U.S.! Also, any updates on the OSWA’s for 2023?

[@grbadalamenti]

Check out tomorrow with Roy

[@robtudor3785]

Ralfy, great review. May I ask what your highest Malt Mark is?

[@davidreynolds6718]

Cheers Ralfy. Couldn't this also be an integrity mark?

[@matttopcat9677]

Maybe the gourmet tbf is all those fancy French apple tarts

[@ChristiaanBurgel]

I'd like to try this version of Arran, but just a question: Whats the poin buying cask strength when we dilute it down to say, the strength of the regular Arran. Would't that be almost the same product, aside from using a different water source?

[@ralfydotcom]

. . .not quite ! diluted whisky loses flavour prior to bottling. Cask strength whisky retains flavour due to concentration of alcohol, then, when we add our own water, we witness the release of flavour and smell at point of consumption.

[@makinhotcoffee6230]

Would love an extras on quality of water. Different bottled water too. Here in Texas it’s hard, heavily chemically laced water. I wouldn’t put that in my whisky. Also picked up a bottle of ardnamurchan, but can’t understand the cask maturation sheet.

[@nickashton3049]

"Highland Spring" is probably the most well known bottled water here in the UK.

[@DavidWilson-ps8gx]

Ralphy, I enjoy your review and base most of, if not all, my purchases on your recommendation. I came across a new Scotch here in Canada. I was wondering if you could review "Bad na h-Achlaise." Thank you

[@Doddo13]

Hi, can’t see the real mist in spite the high alc. volume and the non-chill filtration . How come? 10 vs QC, which one do you prefer? My warm regards. ❤

[@terrortower666]

I find it takes around an hour or so for proper mist to come out

[@mattpetersen4620]

His score are correct for those of us who have had exceptional whisky in the past ( 1990's to mid 2000's). Those days may be past for the newer guys, but for those of us who have had "mind blowing drams", it is not.

[@silverfox108]

Ralfy it should be rated higher than a 83.... I was surprised how good this Arran was. Yes it is a NAS but good value compared to others I have tried

[@tonylastname6468]

A little Austin Powers came out this episode.

[@chrisp4170]

Why argue for high alcohol content at cask strength of 56% and then almost drown the dram, reducing the alcohol concentration to say 30%? You might as well start with more conventional 40% or 43% in the bottle and then add say 5ml water to get to exactly the same point of about 30%, surely?

[@wayne9124]

Hey ralfy, can put up a score board like mat from adhd whisky does to clarify where the score sits for us simple people

[@triplecap4307]

A virgin quarter cask? That's an interesting choice. I'd be surprised.

[@centuriolegion2514]

💪👌

[@devperatetechno8151]

hey ralfy you should try honey before whisky zip-zip, its a game changer, even better than adding water to my judge, i mean in order to extract flavors, warm greetings

[@rhodes1591]

yea, 8 vids to go, and then comes the BIG one ☝🏻 ! ... Nr. 1'000 ... I am curious ... 😏

[@ralff1977]

No comments on the "The bothy"?

[@whompbiscuits8930]

At this point I'll never know about Arran 10. I had a special order in place since last November but it's not here yet. Not sure it'll ever arrive. Oh well.

[@djscottdog1]

Why didnt you chase it up

[@whompbiscuits8930]

@@djscottdog1 Because I'm not going on some ridiculous safari for any whisk(e)y.

[@MrCamel254]

Nice review Ralfy and i agree that its a really good whiskey, but the rating confuses me. Its a more premium product than the Arran 10 (meaning it is considerably more expensive, at least in Germany) and it is 3 points below Arran 10, yet you said it is a great value whiskey. That sounds like a contradiction to me? Why not just buy the Arran 10 when its better and cheaper?

[@DileepB]

I paid $84 for mine, compared to $59 for the Arran 10.

[@danielboulter931]

Far too many Whiskys get 82 or 83, have you checked that malt mark pot for other numbers?

[@zahibad1976]

usually i dont add water to my whisky

[@neilmattos2756]

😁