ralfy review 845 - Old Pulteney 15yo @ 46%vol: (2020)

[@zaphodbeeblebrox9109]

RIP Old Pulteney 17. You were the best of the lot.

[@catnapgee5357]

I have 2 unopened 17s which I've kept, if you're interested, I can sell you one of them for $1000 CAD, just pay shipping and I'll take care of the rest.

[@zaphodbeeblebrox9109]

@@catnapgee5357 thanks but i would rather shit on my hands and start clapping before i a. trust randos on the net and b. Pay silly money for £70 bottle of whisky.

[@markmcmillan1075]

Bingo- I guessed your mark before you revealed. We count on you NEVER rebranding, Ralfy!

[@danhammer106]

:) Ralfy, you seem to hit a lot of malts I've been eyeing lately, thanks! Pulteney is such an elegant dry malt (17yo!). Imagine the core range 12 even at 43% (and in some potent refill bourbon maybe) one can dream... Anyway, cheers from Czechia mate! I've finally found your book where I can get it :D

[@3dtemptube]

Old Pulteney 12yo is really fruity, crispy and salty malt, one of my favorites. Now need to try 15yo. Thank you Ralfy.

[@bryanabrams5916]

I like the signature in this bottle! Letting it sit definitely helped! The dry bitterness was refreshing! A perfect dram for the warm Florida summer evening!

[@robmanzanares]

I am nosing a 12 yo. And it's blowing My mind Ralfy. Old Pulteny has a great grasp on the coast

[@francescoalbanese9215]

This was a good review. I agree with you Ralphy, not enough oak variety as there should be. I know of some distillers playing with Hungarian oak, and some brandy distillers using Slovenian oak. Why not Canadian oak? Because like you said they want to go with the most efficient option, which will be the cheapest on their wallets. Ultimately the few Inovators who think outside the box will be rewarded. In general scotch should be a nice mix of good first fill bourbon casks with a couple of second fill, bottled at 46%, 12 years old. To me that’s a classic bottling where you can taste the distillery character such as with craigallachie 13 or aultmore 12.

[@AmericanScotchDoctor]

I agree with you that there should be a good portion of first fill casks used along with second fill... but we really must investigate our distilleries to know what we’re getting and we’re often not told... BOOOO. Also, Craigellachie 13 is so good for what we pay. One of my favorite bottles for the price. CHEERS!

[@markmcmillan1075]

On the topic of using new oak, what about Westland’s Garryana? It isn’t age statement whiskey so I suppose it doesn’t fit your review filter, Ralfy? I haven’t tried it because $160 is a bit much for my adolescent whiskey pallet {I’m 53, metaphor for my tasting age}. But that is my Patreon pal vote for future tastings!

[@witsch123]

A minimum of 15 years, 46 abv, 1st fill Bourbon and Sherry finished... that's all what a good Dram needs. *Slàinte Mhath* ✔️

[@billyhughes9776]

I wouldn't mind try this one but, it's not available currently where I'm located. Glad I stashed a bottle of the 17yo -- that's excellent stuff.

[@mcomiskey7]

Try amazon.

[@donaldfschiff1229]

@@mcomiskey7 Lots of US states require alcohol sales to be made in person.

[@noirceur100]

I gotta say that here in Canada I was quite disappointed in the new pricing that came along with the new bottles of the 15 and 18 year

[@AmericanScotchDoctor]

That is so unfortunate how much you have to pay. That means you’ll have to sip and savor your glasses that much slower! Cheers mate.

[@riheg]

I feel your pain. I hope bourbon is cheaper there than here in Denmark though.

[@noirceur100]

@@riheg Depends on the bottle but I can't imagine what you guys are paying!

[@loughery2010]

$135 CDN in New Brunswick and $115 in Nova Scotia Canada for the 15yr old.

[@SteelheadTed]

$90 US here.

[@gman1052]

On my whisky journey, I have so often tasted whiskies that just taste the same, and wondered why people wax lyrical about these whiskies that taste of the vanilla from American oak. I thought it was just me and my taste buds - glad to have ralfy confirm what I suspected.

[@AmericanScotchDoctor]

I think Ralfy is on point with the simplicity of most AO casks. I like to give bottles and distilleries a chance, but there are a few companies that just seem to continue to disappoint me. Though I love Scotch and will sip on any glass... even when I don’t like it... just to remind myself “what is quality... and what is crap”. Cheers.

[@riheg]

Good points again Ralfy. Old school production is always best it seems. Springbank help the demand for quality casks I’m sure✌️🥰

[@brandonhartman3368]

You ought to have Clive put in a slight delay in the clicker so we get to hear the satisfying click 😅

[@THEPHYSICALSPIRIT]

Ralfy's on fire here. We don't want them industrializing and ruining the experience. Fully concur.

[@thegoatchild3545]

I share your feelings about whisky rebrandings, Ralfy. I’m a bit nervous about Benromach tbh. The 10 is pretty much my desert island whisky. I discovered that one (among others) thanks to you. Cheers you Malty Jedi Master!🥃

[@AmericanScotchDoctor]

I agree too. Rebranding makes me skeptical. That must mean we are paying for the resources that go into making the packaging “look” pretty??? The bottle could look like shite and I would be happy as long as the whisky is quality. Glenfarclas is a really cool brand to me... the simplicity and old look is nostalgic! Cheers.

[@MkUltra75]

Sorry but Benromach is a Speyside not an Island Whisky

[@fuckoff2809]

Not to worry, the new branding of Benromach is arguably even better, particularly the 15 .. it is rich and full and I'd even venture to say better than the Springbank 15

[@jasonleadbeater5815]

The Benromach re-branding has just put me off buying a new bottle. At first I thought I’d gotten it confused with a similar sounding distillery. It looks like a cheap supermarket blended whiskey label. They used to have such tasteful unique labelling, that gave greater attention to the colour of the beautiful contents.

[@saschaoswald480]

Yes! The old Benromach bottles were so unique and classy....I will miss them.

[@Matt-gf4gd]

Haha yeah I'd love to meet the marketing guy that sold them on that one.

[@bongson691]

Hi ralfy I have never disagree with you on many things, but I for one like the lid on the box, because where I buy whiskey there all packed in like sardines and you have to grab the boxes by the top of the box and pull it out, I bought a bottle of old Pulteney 12year old and half way down on the bottle, I gave it to my wife to mix with dr.pepper (ugaaaa) I don't care to buy old Pulteney anymore, just didn't like it, out of 150+ plus bottles there have only been 2 that I didn't like, and the other one was the balvenie double oak, just my palate I guess, after all whiskey taste is subjective right, moving on, I love 💘 your reviews as always, can't wait for your extras on ,do distillers put artificial flavors in the the barrel before the bottling there whiskey to make it stand out against other brands. I look forward to more reviews in the future, cheers ralfy !!!

[@JW58JW]

Thanks for those comments on continuity! Old Pulteney was a favorite of mine but it's been a while since I've been able to afford it. Now I'm too hesitant to buy it if it has changed that much.

[@salamisaver]

Ralfy review and a wee dram, best therapy against the monday blues.

[@jasonmossman3680]

Exactly! Jura and Tobermory both going the same way. Replacing the original coastal briney 10 year old, giving them a sherry finish to richen them up but in the process deviating from the original style! I'm with you all the way here Ralfy

[@jasonmossman3680]

Hmmm. This was on my list of next malts to buy. Should I stick with the 12 yo? Maybe I should because this isn't cheap for a 15

[@presstodelete1165]

I had already ordered some this morning, nice to know I made a good choice.

[@reasonandlogic4652]

Great review Ralfy. Love the pros and cons that you give a bottle and of course the insights which obviously take years to develop.

[@craig_z]

100% agree that a re-branding in a product gives me pause. Through too much unfortunate experience, I've learned that it seldom portends a change for the better.

[@Deliquescentinsight]

Australia, we can access single malt at a reasonable price IF we shop around, but a bottle of Laphroaig 10 year old is around $100 here, Old Pulteney is $85 which is 46.89 in U.K-but that is the 12 year old!

[@juijgentan1281]

This was my first old pulteney and have been loving it since. Would definitely be looking forward to savour one of the old bottlings to taste the difference for meself. Great review Ralf! 👍

[@alexk3088]

Your comment made me think: we may gripe and rant about the degradation of quality, but for someone who hasn't compared, the current stuff may still be enjoyable. I'm fairly recent to spirit tasting myself, maybe 5 years, so I realize that I missed out on certain very good bottlings (i.e. age-stated Yamazaki, Glendronach 15, many others, etc.) but I don't know what I'm missing. Meanwhile I'm enjoying a lot of the ones I tried that were available. So we mustn't become too cynical.

[@foodquig]

I enjoyed the neck pour, but I could sense that there's more potential there... I found it to be as good as my memory of the 17, but maybe a touch less briny. Like I said, I could sense more flavor lurking just beneath the surface. Maybe a few months in an already opened bottle will allow it to reach its potential.

[@fuckoff2809]

Hey Quig, how's it going? Would the 15 be a repurchase for you?

[@Raymaster7482]

Ralfy, a very interesting video would be about how your taste for whisky has changed over the years

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . I'm on to it !

[@mihaiganea4387]

Hy Ralfy. When you will make a side by side Johnnie Walker Black Label 1970's vs 2020? Do you have any idea for what B36 is on the old labels of JW black label? Those labels have no alcohol content printed.

[@MikeC.11]

Thanks for the advice about the box. Just bought a bottle of the 18yo. You were right.

[@MikeC.11]

First time with the 15. I absolutely loved the discontinued 17. The 18 was definitely not as good as the 17. But the 15, at it's price point, is very good and definitely Pulteney. I found it does take some time to open up.

[@driftwood9098]

did you find it to really open up when you got further into the bottle? I'm guessing you've finished it by now LOL

[@willemkilian9563]

After waiting for months your book was finally delivered yesterday. I started reading it last night after a nice dram and am enjoying it a lot. Thanks for another great informative video as always. I quite like Old Pulteney 12, and I will just have to try the 17 yo one day as it's still available here for now. Cheers!

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . sorry to hear about the big delays, I hope you enjoy my book !

[@demamorgwai]

Malt Mention: My malterlicious maniac master of many musty maltations

[@thewhiskybothy]

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

[@robfut9954]

Ralfy, I have a friend who is an arborist. He told me that there are several varieties of oak found here in America alone. I was thinking of sourcing samples of each and putting a small piece onto miniatures and seeing how each affects whisky. Would love to see you try something similar, since it’s m sure you have access to many European oak varieties that I don’t

[@Stymfalide]

Like your whisky, your content is all quality, thank you, Ralfy!!!

[@donaldfschiff1229]

Ralfy, you slay me. You have me rolling on the floor several times during every review. I picked up a bottle of Old Pulteney in the US for about $120 in 2014/5 (I think.) Jim Murray had made it his Whisky of the Year, and the price was more than right. The Talisker 18 I really enjoy was already at $160, so why not? I was floored. It was delicious, a sublime expression of the Old Pulteney range I had discovered in the 12-year-old, with a distinct coconut undertones (tropical fruit.) It put a smile on my face every time! I liked it well enough to buy another bottle for $40 more a year later.

[@mikedarroch7247]

I’ve been looking forward to today’s review all day!

[@AmericanScotchDoctor]

American oak does seem to be over-used and the expression of most quercus alba casks tend to be overly soft and simple or very bitter and or sappy if fresh / virgin oak (in my experience). How many times can I say that a single malt tastes and smells heavily like vanilla and honey??? This is why Ports, Sherries and other wine style maturations attract my attention so much. Give me that Casks strength wine matured whisky Baby!!!!! Cheers Ralfy and all you Malty Mates.

[@sav7568]

Bourbon barrels are cheap

[@BizzaroworldcomicsDe]

In German shops this bottle is labeled with E150a but not chill filtered. 😕

[@andreasniggemann]

Only the 12 year old. The 15er is without: www.whisky.de/shop/index.php?lang=0&cl=search&searchparam=Old+Pulteney+15+Jahre and whic.de/old-pulteney-15-jahre.html "Bei diesem Whisky wurde nicht nachgeholfen. Die Farbe kam lediglich über die Fassreifung zustande"

[@perkristiansandgren4132]

We need more of this cinda label

[@andreasniggemann]

@@BizzaroworldcomicsDe Information from the distillery: "Thank you for e-mailing Pulteney Distillery. I can confirm that there is NO colouring added to our 15yo. Kind regards, Amanda Coghill, Pulteney Distillery"

[@BizzaroworldcomicsDe]

@@andreasniggemann find ich gut. Aber sag das mal den Kollegen von der Whisky Zone.

[@BizzaroworldcomicsDe]

Scoma listet auch noch mit Farbstoff.

[@tommyg5095]

An easy way to allow for more time in the glass, more time while sipping, is I now will pour two, but usually three wee tiny amounts, and of varying ages and not necessarily of the same region, thus allowing for a greater experience and not allowing my palate to become dulled by the same flavors... Caution, peated whiskeys can be dominate, be careful to not overwhelm the experience with peated whiskeys dulling your palate. But, if you have not poured two or three small amounts at the same time, you are really missing out on a great opportunity to enjoy the interactions created by doing so..

[@waferpie123]

I think you'd find Green, yellow and red spot single pot irish whiskies very interesting Ralphy. Looking forward to your review one day. Surprisingly, I would say green spot is the ultimate beginner friendly whisky to those just starting out. Beautiful stuff.

[@bjornmagnusson9216]

Hi Ralfy! Nice review! I would like add a comment on whiskyprices in Sweden. Not all whiskies are expensive here. One example is Longmorn 16. It goes for 705 swedish kronor (something like 57£). A Bowmore 15 Costs 499:- (40£). Kind regards!

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . those are good prices.

[@marsupian]

I remember buying a 21 yo back in 2012. Mesmerizing.

[@rafaelricci8881]

I like Old Pulteney, I think it's a good choice after a fish-seafood dinner. I'll try this 15 y.o..thanks for the review Ralfy

[@jniagassas]

Re rebranding and Benromach, totally agree! The new packaging has put me off buying the 15 again although it was an excellent whisky... maybe that is the problem I enjoyed it so much that I am afraid it will not be as nice... are you considering going back to it for a re-review?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . at some point, yes !

[@fredcostas1945]

Lost it's "Pinkish" hue...glad I picked up the older bottling.

[@KnowlesKnows]

I have a bottle of single cask 13 yo (2004) at 55%. Really enjoy that one and will be curious to see how it compares to the 15. I appreciate your perspectives.

[@nicolaswhitelaw5833]

Won’t ever buy it based on price point. It more than twice as much as the 12, which is nuts for the 3 extra years. Would be interested to see if you will be reviewing any of the emerging new distilleries any time soon. I’ve got some Ardnamurchan 4 yr and Nc’Nean organic NAS (but must be only 3 years - I can forgive new distilleries not putting age statements until they are established) to open soon. May also pop into Annandale soon as well.

[@andyatkinson1371]

I had never any Old Pulteney before trying the 15 year just now. It initially smells very musty. The astringency in the taste makes it disappointing to me. I don't get much salinity which is also disappointing. The vanilla is prominent. I wish it were peated to be honest. I have heard that Old Pulteney had lemon notes that I'm also not getting nor any sourness. It'd be better if I were. It is just the neck pour and I have been working on this dram for an hour. Maybe if the bottle rests for awhile, it will improve as I work my way through the bottle.

[@bringonthemonsters]

There's one bottle of the old pulteney 17 year old left at my total wine. $100 price tag. The original case is missing though. Would you still pick that bottle up? Stupid reason to not get it but its seems to be a thing for me. Lol

[@SauliJP]

Totally agree with the newer packaging - not inviting at all and off putting for me too. The old style was much cleaner and classier. Now there's too much small print and the colour is bland. It's the liquid that counts in the end but appearance plays a big part.

[@alexandermitev5189]

as a huge op fan ive been waiting for this review for a while :) I was hesitating between this and the 18 year old op and got in the end the 18. I liked it quit a lot but many people are apparently not a big fan of it. Did you already had the opportunity to try it ralfy? :)

[@tjross1313]

Save up those coins and get the 15. That's how I did it too, bought the 18 first and am loving the 15 now 😁

[@conradesterhuyse]

Hello Ralfy. You should see the absolutely ridiculous spirit prices here in South Africa! What you often refer to as affordable in your neck of the woods, are well out of reach to the average whisk(e)y drinker over here.

[@SaltyCuban]

Ah Old Pulteney. Ever since I started this “hobby” I was intrigued by this brand. The whole talk of maritime and saltiness had me. So I bought the 12. This was about 8 yrs ago. I remember it being good but not what I expected. Still I bought the 12 a couple more times. Been years though since I’ve had it. I did get a few bottles of the 17 and two 21s. Haven’t had the latter yet. So since the revamped line I’ve had no interest in the new bottles. Partly the reviews and comparisons to the old. Partly the price. I’d be willing to give it a shot but to this new 15 yr old perhaps. With so much competition I just don’t see myself going back to many bottles/brands for the foreseeable future. You could do an episode about bottles that you aren’t likely to revisit that we’re old faves or go to malts at one time. Just a suggestion. Maybe it’s just me refining my tastes and the fact that inflation and skyrocketing scotch prices force me to greatly narrow my options. I still want the “good stuff”. And since I’m on a self imposed budget, I just can’t afford to seek out the wide array of bottlings I did years ago. If and when things get worse economically as it seems to be the case. I’ll probably even end up simply buying multiples of what I already like. Sounds boring but I won’t be disappointed with my hard earned and rapidly inflating money.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . always quality over quantity, and gaining the 'knowledge' 😊

[@SaltyCuban]

@@thewhiskybothy I think about that line of yours whenever I have to “settle” for one good bottle instead of two or three like years back. Your advice and outlook on things is another reason why I’m happy to be a Malt-mate for life. Thanks Ralfy.

[@pfalzgraf7527]

It is nice to see someone appreciating this. However, Pulteney usually has some kind of funk that I don’t like. Guess there’s more left for you, then ;)

[@stevenbrown7048]

We want the funk. We want the funk.

[@Matt-gf4gd]

I love me some funk. I don't get much from OP though... More-so salty salinity notes and a honey sweetness.

[@pfalzgraf7527]

@@Matt-gf4gd @Steven Brown There's funk I love and there's funk I don't love. Sadly this here Whisky has the latter.

[@Matt-gf4gd]

@@pfalzgraf7527 your stance on springbank? That's my favorite funksation I think.

[@pfalzgraf7527]

@@Matt-gf4gd That's the malty funk I like! I guess what Ralfy describes as bitter/sour is what puts me off in OP. Up to now it's only been Pulteney and Jura which gave me funk I can't cope with.

[@ertyuiiknbvcx]

Your brother or yourself should advertise more for your channel on BigCliveLive channel, i have followed him a long time due to electronics and did not know you did whisky review. I like whisky too so i like you both :)

[@AmericanScotchDoctor]

BigClive is hillarious too. If you haven’t seen the 10 year anniversary video with Ralfy and BigClive, you should check it out! Lol The end is hillarious when they hold the balloons backwards and don’t realize it. Hahah Here is the link. Cheers! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fX7Xl4Cnna5joKM

[@thefedorahatguy144]

On the back of the box on the very bottom it say haze is a natural characteristic of whisky that is non chill-filtered in very tiny writing.

[@reggieh6038]

old pulteney was my first and forever favorite whiskey and to me is already a really good beginner-friendly whiskey but the fact they changed it really bothers me.

[@robmanzanares]

You rock Ralfy

[@MasterTheCourt]

Ralfy in previous videos you said above 46% cant be chill filtered.What do you mean saying partly chill filtrated and how much this affect the quality compared to full filtration.Ty

[@kirkwagner461]

I'd love to hear how this compares to Old Pulteney 12, with which I am familiar?

[@tjross1313]

It's a must buy if you like the 12. The 18 is very good but high (90% at least) predominance of bourbon maturation, despite possibly talking about sherry casks being included. Back to the 15, I bought the entire new range (12, Huddart, 15, & 18 - can't currently afford the 25 year at $800 Canadian taxes in) and the 15 is my favourite of them all. 15 is being shared and enjoyed, it won't be long before I need another! Cheers!

[@xiamengbaby]

@@tjross1313 From what I've been seeing online, it looks like the new OP 12 is now bottled at 40% ABV, down from the previous 43%. Is this true?

[@kirkwagner461]

@@xiamengbaby The bottle of OP 12 I have here is still 43%. I've had it about a year.

[@tjross1313]

@@xiamengbaby Hey, it depends on your market. In the US the old bottling of OP 12 was 43% ABV, in Canada & I believe the UK it was always 40%. In Canada where I am, the newer bottling is also 40%, which I believe it is across the globe, but I'm not 100% sure about that. Unfortunately, two steps back for Inverhouse - the brand is getting thrown around in the mud a little at the moment 😕

[@Mylatestdram]

The whole Benriach range is reworked, even the contains. I like the old designs and contains.

[@craig_z]

Ahh... I'm sad to hear that. I've enjoyed a number of their bottles in the past. I hope it hasn't gone downhill.

[@bluecollarwineguy4447]

I am surprised that when you discussed the rebranding that do you did not mention how they removed the 17 year old from the lineup to put the 15 year old in.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . I don't want to say too much at once, Losing age statements is for another Vlog.

[@bluecollarwineguy4447]

@@thewhiskybothy don't get wrong, they did replace one age statement for another and is there a big difference between the 15yr and the 17yr? For a brand like Glenfarclas, there is very little difference between the 15 and 17 yr. I guess I will need to break open my 17yr and buy a 15yr to compare. I do have an independent bottling of a 21yr Old Pulteney I might have to throw into the mix as well.

[@jagsingh5652]

Hi Ralfy. You mentioned the rebranding of Benromach 15. It's has been one of my favourites but have not yet purchased the newly designed bottle. Do you know if the liquid has changed? Cheers

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . no idea yet ! I am nervous about trying it.

[@jagsingh5652]

@@thewhiskybothy if you are nervous then I am definitely worried! Hope it is still the same. I have lost many favourites recently...Arran 14, Balblair 00 and Old Pulteney 17.

[@SakariHapponen]

Ralfy, do you enjoy Cognacs, Armanjacs or Brandys? And if so, would you have any suggestions to a noob like me on those spirits? Greetings from Finland!

[@Matt-gf4gd]

Search his videos on here. He's done reviews/videos on various armanacs and other various spirits.

[@prestonw3878]

We have our ex bourbon we have our ex sherry, ex rum, the list should be endless. There's Jura 7 wood well there should be a Jura 70 wood. There so much diversity of wood out there and it's just not being utilized. Perhaps even Stainless steel would be a good option, might taste better than some of the casks that are being used. I wonder how new make rested for 3-4 years in stainless steel would taste? After that rest then put into a barrell for another 3 to 4 years. The possibilities are endless. Same goes for peat. Peat is everywhere but my understanding is that most peated malts use peat from Islay. Would like to see more variation and diversity and less rebranding!

[@chriswitham8736]

15 YO Pulteney is intended as the replacement of the 17YO. It's similar yet lesser.

[@Xminor79]

Ralfy, have you tried the 18? If so, is it worth spend the extra $ on??

[@aleb9342]

Hi Ralfy! I would love to know your opinion on Old Pulteney 21. Best regards from Argentina. Cheers.

[@sav7568]

Old Pulteney 15 costs $180 in Australia. That's 99 pounds. Outta my league.

[@perkristiansandgren4132]

Same her in norway, ekspensive but the best of OP 12,15,18 15yr wins evry time

[@nickolaymiltenov]

Old Putin also drinks Old Pultney and envies comrade Ralfy for his button which is so big and red that undoubtedly is able to launch ICBMs. So...colonel Ralfyev, please drink responsibly and don't play too much with that toy.

[@chrishoyt7548]

I like your candle holder! Ralphy I'm drinking Talisker 10 and it is soapy is that normal?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . no, complain.

[@AllanSegalMD]

Malt mention: Multifaceted mellifluous melodious machinations

[@thewhiskybothy]

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

[@Shane4Bass]

You're not wrong about the high prices of spirits in Australia. We are exploited!

[@1stMemberEver]

Sad to see Old Pulteney as well as Balblair going down to drain. Volume goes up, quality goes down.

[@HerbertDuckshort]

Ah...if only everyone could have a Clivey Clicker.

[@tomaszstruszczyk]

I think Benromach can win "the worst repackaged whisky of the year" prize :D They had brilliant logo, one of the kind box and label. Just perfect. And now it looks like some Russian vodka :(

[@thegoatchild3545]

Sadly I kinda have to agree. The old packaging was absolutely on point. Pretty unique. I just hope the content of the bottles is still as good.🤞🤞 Slainté!🥃

[@Matt-gf4gd]

Oooffpphhh... Your comment just drove me to check the rebranding (I was unaware).. and you are spot on. Old bottle was super cool. Almost looked like a classy independent bottling. What a downgrade!

[@thegoatchild3545]

Matt yeah....Benromach’s new packaging sucks. I just hope the content is still as good. They also discontinued the cask strength 10, the new one is NAS.🤨

[@Matt-gf4gd]

@@thegoatchild3545 I knew about the cask strength, but they were doing vintage release (which was still 10 years old without the age statement) unless that changed... But yeah, that new bottle makes me not even want to buy it lol. Luckily I had already stocked up on lots of different benromachs to last me for years to come if I should need to scratch a benromach itch (I like benromach quite a bit and find it reasonably priced for the quality so I bought like every iteration from the last year or two... Currently sipping the 15... Old bottle, thank God). That new bottle hurts my eyes. Idea: keep your old bottles and titrate your new bottles into the old ones and toss the new bottle so you don't have to look at it.

[@tomaszstruszczyk]

@@thegoatchild3545 They do it like with 'Peat Smoke'. On new CS version you've got: Distilled 2009, bottled 2019 so it's pretty much the same, except for the strength

[@rossbarr4616]

I remember going to a launch of the re branding and honestly For me the balblair’s are great, even if it’s sad to see vintages go, but the Pulteney was all very disappointing, the Huddart especially.

[@ralphwatten2426]

I'm hoping the packaging throws people off the brand long enough so that people will ignore it on the shelf so I may get a nip myself. I wonder if the European oak was destroyed by ww2 so much that the good straight oak wood must come from Americay? And I also wonder if American wood would be disguised by sherry or port or something.

[@ralphwatten2426]

Nooooo not the clicker!!!!

[@billyboy9810]

The barrel issue really needs to be addressed Ralfy. Virgin oak isn't the answer, It hits my palate as too resinous if it is over matured. I think that the distilleries need to make their own barrels and either char them like bourbon barrels or send them away to be used and returned by good sherry or wine producers. Forward thinking seems to be a thing of the past but we need to find a way forward for good whisky's sake.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . agreed !

[@danswank3378]

Agree the green bottle glenlivet was better before the fresh American Oak barrels are used to improve New 12 year. The new white oak works better on glenlivet carribean reserve.

[@robmanzanares]

Smiles... Goodnight

[@garyrebok9]

I’m still buying older bottles of Pulteney

[@perkristiansandgren4132]

Whas at the distillery last year ant this and the 15 and 25 whas amazing compared to the 12 and 18yr

[@robmanzanares]

I am quite sure people are NOT aware of the subtle sensitivity necessary needed for whiskey review.

[@AaronBenjBrown]

I see a Dalek, are you a Doctor Who fan?

[@daver9088]

From my hometown of Wick

[@murduk88]

As an American, I felt like I did something wrong watching the first half of this video. I'm assuming I'm just being a wee bit sensitive. 😉

[@liamomalley1105]

Think the general attitude was quite harsh towards this unique malt ralfy boy

[@ΧαράλαμποςΑλεξάνδρου-ρ4χ]

Same feelings with you about the changing of the bottles! Makes me not to buy..

[@Themilkmanskid.]

I want savory, bitter, and if there is a minute hint of salt, no problem; I love Oban 14! When the sweet or vanilla poke their ugly head out anything at all beyond, especially beyond my earth, nut, and spices, then I say no thanks. I checked out too many reviews (not talking about this review in particular) where the word "sweet" is mentioned. This "sweet" thing in almost every review of every scotch is getting so redundant and needs to be quantified with a scale, reference, comparison, or something needs to be done to help an amateur like me chose a dram w/o having to buy them all in order to find the goods. Maybe that's the point😄. Have to do the research and learn the different methods and how that affects flavor during maturation etc, along with listening to reviews. Maybe I'm catching on. Maybe not. One thing I hear is "oak flavor" in reviews. I've learned that there are many different oaks, and that different oaks impart different notes, so why do many reviewers say things like "the oak is coming through" in cases when the scotch has matured in multiple oak casks? I'm digging deep I guess and this is going to take a long time to learn this stuff. Thanks hugely for reviewing scotch, as I'd be even more lost without yours and other's reviews!

[@jimmypaul9424]

Very good points

[@Themilkmanskid.]

@@jimmypaul9424 Thanks, but I lost it for oban 14. Was different last holiday season than it was the year before. No smoke at all this last time and also a sugary sweetness that was a big turn off.

[@mikeaddison-saipe5820]

Much prefer the older presentations across the board. North Port (ahhh) , Springbank 10yo (bitter notes) so so many complex flavours available - I was going to ask why oh why do these distilleries do this ? Essentially dumbing down the experience. But then... The answer is obvious. Follow the money :)

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . follow the money, as they pay tomorrows pound to save todays penny.

[@theboyheedmackay2229]

Glenturret has rebranded with a square bottle.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . it's very art nuveau in style.

[@MrDankstar]

Sultana are like grapes right?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . white grapes.

[@iancrombie8862]

I guessed 86...i'm improving.

[@1981stonemonkey]

7:20 QUERCUS with a C, not 'Querus'.

[@danielfrozenwind]

Early! My Munificent Malty Magpie!

[@thewhiskybothy]

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

[@westaustralia9812]

Australia's alcohol and tobacco tax is insanely high...

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . beacuse they can. Not because they should.

[@claytonmacintyre2767]

Coming from Canada I can second what he's saying. Its ridiculous over here.

[@onYTsince2008]

Agreed 100%

[@Matt-gf4gd]

That quasi-socialism is not fun.

[@freddieslaughter1107]

Is a dram one ounce?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . 25ml or there abouts.

[@alexk3088]

Commenting while watching here... IMHO the old oval carton with metal top/bottom and old labeling on 12 and 17 (etc.) was so much classier (I was able to stash a bottle of 12 and 17). The oval cartons were distinct, they stood out. Absolutely no sense of style with the new label either. It's a bit like a modern bottle of Coca-Cola with a nod to the original "classic" bottle - a fake antique looks even worse than something purely modern. But it was also combined with a "demotion" of the lineup - the 12 stayed 12 but went down to 40%, the 17 became 15, etc. I won't be buying.

[@anjkovo2138]

Ralfy Boy👍😊👍