ralfy review 861 Extras - The beauty of slow-motion malts-moments.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

One of the reasons I like whisky is that it's all about taking it slow. In an age where everything is instant, to drink something that often takes a decade to make is a privilege and we should take our time with it.

[@alexmil002]

Well said, indeed.

[@christopherwoolnough2160]

I am in my sixties, been a whisky drinker for 50 years. I have listened to web sites where the “expert” tells you which is the best and what you should ignore. Of all the sites this is far and away the best. As you say there is ALWAYS something to learn. The one thing I do not like is the whisky snob. Just as the wine snob it is to me,, very off putting. So thank you Ralfy 👍

[@martinbeen]

I went to a site where they told what they are drinking, and it was always stuff like damn, so exclusive haha. And i dislike it when people with money buy it all, so i can't get that bottle to taste and drink. But i am glad i got some friends that are also in whisky.

[@keithl7700]

This is an important video, honestly. Bit of a wake up call for some I'm sure. Good on you Ralfy

[@davidowen2834]

Love these X’ tras Ralfy, sound and solid advice, Cheers.

[@mikehunter5137]

Thank you Ralfy for all that you do!

[@nicktheflybradley]

Hi Ralfy, Invaluable advice in these Xtras! I was introduced to malts when I got a job taking me up to Scotland every 4 - 6 weeks in 1985. I said to my wife that we can educate ourselves about malts if I bring a different bottle back after every trip. I mentioned this to a lawyer connection in Aberdeen & he asked if I could pop in the following morning which I did. He gave me a bottle of 25 to McAllan. The benchmark ever since. Furlough hobby was getting in to Cocktail making, but spin off is getting back into malts and your analysis details have changed mine and my wife of 42 years appreciations. We have in our whisky store an opened Ardbeg 10 to and an unopened, Laphroaig, Tamnavulin & Tomatin, and a lovely Islay, your 2021 best, each with only a modicum out. Last year, I got a peated Glendronnach which was fantastic, I still have the box and can replace the bottle at circa £37. Your advice is so honest. Well done. Nick from York

[@jean-baptistevaziaga7651]

"To have enough is to have a lot. To have too much is a disaster." Ralfy :-) & "The proper drinking of Scotch whisky is more than indulgence: it is a toast to civilization, a tribute to the continuity of culture, a manifesto of man's determination to use the resources of nature to refresh mind and body and enjoy to the full the senses with which he has been endowed." David Daiches

[@Robert_Fiori]

Excellent video. This content is what rounds out your info about enjoyment of whisky. For those that have taken up whisky appreciation as an active hobby, their increased tolerance to alcohol can lead to over-consumption. A measured approach is therefore a must with this indulgent hobby, and sage words as yours help. Thank you Ralfy.

[@2bdiogenes443]

It is of course impossible to judge someone's character over the internet. But if I had to bet on an 'internet personality' being an honorable man, here he is. Cheers.

[@willemkilian9563]

A good dram can easily last for the entirety of a full-length feature film. It sure is worth it taking time with a bottle so that you can fully and completely form a comprehensive opinion of it. After a year into my whisky hobby, I am sure no expert yet. There are still many distilleries and types and expressions of whiskies left to explore and learn from.

[@Andre-nt4dn]

Good company or bad company..... With you Ralfy, we sure have GOOD COMPANY !

[@andrewjudd9001]

Such a wonderful video! Since I have been married my whisky drinking has slowed down a bit and at most I will have one large dram in a night and I try to make it last at least an hour and I have found that I enjoy it much more than when I was drinking glasses of whisky multiple nights a week.

[@murduk88]

Perfect message and happy to see you take the time to spell it out so there's no misunderstanding. 👏👏👏👏👏 The more I learn to slow down, the more I enjoy what I'm sipping. Cheers!

[@leejaybrown5567]

Great words indeed Ralfy. Always learning cheers.

[@greenvalley651]

its always refreshing ,sometimes funny and wise advices from Ralfy, thank you Ralfy and hello from all the way on the other side of the world in Nothwest Arkansas from a Cuban-American guy still learning about the complexity of scotches,

[@alexmil002]

Even if you don't like spirits or drinking, Ralfy's channel is great. I listen all day while I work from home honestly. Learning and entertainment all day. Take care everyone. -Alex

[@johntonge9818]

I drink very little whisky but I like to give it as a gift to my friends and family who appreciate it. Ralfy has helped me find great whisky to give.

[@dram_mondays]

Bang on! Well said Ralfy. I’ve regretted finishing bottles within a month as many will just start to open up and really perform after being opened for a month. Now I open more and drink less. 👍

[@11thstalley96]

I’m so glad to hear you extoll the benefits of managing oxidation. It can be very rewarding.

[@sandrofazzolari8833]

Thanks Ralfy I appreciate this video very much . I am on week three of No Whisky and will detox my pallet and liver for another three ... and have a dram on Valentine’s Day with my beloved who is doing the same. Take care and kind regards always, SF

[@FerNightwalker]

Thank you very much Ralfy, I am especially a fan of your Extras for all the invaluable information that you share in them, I continue to see some from several years ago, and they are very educational. So thanks again and waiting for the next one! Regards from Paraguay.

[@tigerluv8]

Your channel has taught me so much about whisky!! Always great information and I’m glad to have found your channel!!!

[@liamomalley1105]

You are pure class malt mate. Total learning experience

[@johnw1597]

Videos like this are so important, especially in the current climate (lockdown etc). Above all else, it's our health that matters the most, and in the case of single malt whisky..less is most DEFINITELY more! Cheers Ralfy, take care.

[@BrianKirby_The1andOnly]

Amen Ralfy! Spend some intimate time with your malts... Truly get to know them. This is how one gets their money's worth out of a bottle (or dram for that matter). Love it!

[@madscientist1756]

Thank you Ralph for the honest experienced explanation on why we should drink less and enjoy more, time is in the essence ✊

[@jamesnichols9496]

Hey Ralfy! Huge fan over the passed 6 years or so. Just wanted to say WHATEVER you do my friend, do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to avoid getting the Rona. My wife and I had to assist her Mom several months back as she needed transport to hospital in Nashville for cranial cancer surgery. She's recovering now. But though EVERY precaution was taken, she contracted and unknowingly gave it to us on our way back home after isolating ourselves between hospital and hotel for three weeks! Anyway, though we were lucky to have a mild case, Kel and I both COMPLETELY lost our senses of smell and taste! I would say that we have regained only 75% of those senses...and it's been MONTHS! I can discern various types of whiskeys/whiskys...but CANNOT enjoy them as before. ALL the subtle flavors/spices/herbals/nuisances...you name it...GONE! Depressing to say the least! Are you going to have that guy produce another official cap this year? I swear, I jumped online the MOMENT you announced it and he was sold out. Thanks for being here. I watch your other channel as well. They say there's a chance we may never get back our senses as before. I'm not worried YET. But can you imagine? What a disaster that would be.

[@michaellehner2164]

I think leaving it in the bottle the quality inxreases for about 3-9 month and the after about 2 years the whisky detiorates slowly. I never used gases being frightened influencing the taste. Tend to use smaller bottles works for me. Or get friends around works even better.

[@mike-th5kr]

thanks ... i'm new to malts . and i love yor reviews. i'm 1 year from retirement and setting up a small collection to enjoy. SLOW

[@11thstalley96]

I retired a year and a half ago, and had assembled my retirement collection by sometimes buying two at a time...one to enjoy and one to save. I also returned to the shop and bought bottles that I had previously enjoyed. The impending tariffs quickened the pace of my hoarding and I’m glad I did now that we’re seeing the effects in the US. It’s satisfying digging into the back of the cabinet for old treasures. Good luck with your retirement!

[@andycox9862]

Thank you, Ralfy. I was a little concerned as a newish whisky ‘appreciater’. I drink very little but have lots of current open bottles. I had read that these should be consumed within two to five years. I have about 6 different bottles open and won’t try any more of my collection because I probably won’t get through the opened ones in that period. Hearing your comment that whisky will last for decades makes me feel more confident in tasting some of my unopened and untried whiskys. Thank you.

[@scottyblog]

Some drams change a great deal with air. Some don’t as much. Same goes with water. It takes a lot of time and effort to make each bottle sing. The challenge is finding out what combination of air, time and water reveal the true potential of the malt. It’s almost exhausting but worth it. I won’t be sharing my 21 year old malt with just anyone. Good money is wasted on those that don’t appreciate it.

[@Milian89]

I have oposite "problem". Every bottle in my "collection" is opened for over a year. No problem for me, enjoying every dram. Which is like once a month

[@Jan-Sietze]

I am happy to hear this; I still have two bottles that were opened in 2018, and even a Glenfiddich Caoran Reserve which was opened in 2016 ...

[@chrishoyt7548]

Good one Ralphy...tell it like it is. The Glenfarclas 15 has a wonderful scotch mist. A also like the taste better in the dram a day later. A couple more spread out drams later this week then in the cupboard it goes for a week. I'm mulling over my next bottle in late spring. Perhaps anoc 12 or Balvenie double wood. I really don't miss the Laphroaigs sorry. I've moved on. Toodles!

[@Aircraftsystemst]

Ralfy I don't finish a bottle in two days. I enjoy my drink without going mad!!👍😁 You did great not to finish that bottle early!! You have great control 👍

[@alejandrochavez6084]

I agree with you Ralfy, I have my special bottles that will take me years to finish and I do have a handful that I replenish faster(6-8 months). Always makes me sad when one of my older bottles finally empties( always tell myself that I should have purchased a second one!).

[@First-fill]

This is something I’ve always wondered.... you review once a week a different malt each time..what happens to all those bottles you review once you’ve reviewed it ? 🤔

[@stevenharris5065]

Fantastic video......one of the best you have done.

[@GlennForbes20]

Just had a great bottle Ralfy, I opened it at the start of the review!

[@blackstar1138]

Fantastic Extras episode!

[@garycooper3363]

Quite agree. I made the mistake of scooping down a great whisky over a few weeks only to discover in one or two cases that the “when it’s done it’s done” was true. My good bottles now last 2or 3 years on average, some for more. It’s all about those flavours, experience and enjoyment. I guess this behaviour comes with age. Cheers.

[@simonsherratt1484]

Tonight I finished a bottle of Lagavavulin 8 year old that I opened over 4 years ago. Didn't use inert gas or film around the cork, just stored it sensibly. Interestingly I found the malt improved the further I got down the bottle. Sad it's gone now!

[@oconnormathew6949]

If you think you are an expert after one year in whisky, start again. Then takes a sip! Love it!

[@jrm_music7229]

Ralfy I just drank day before yesterday of some Green Label.. for me I enjoyed the flavor so much i drank half a 750 ml bottle!! I so regret after a bad hangover and after watching this ! Perfect timing ! I’m not doing that again ! Well enjoy slowly and build up a mini bar at home ! Thanks for the advice ! Cheers

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . keep it quality, not quantity.

[@GrandadIsAnOldMan]

Good evening Ralphy 😊

[@aguy1075]

Well said. Always wise advice. Refreshing.

[@ipad141]

I am also in my 60s and I’ve been drinking whiskey for 40 years now there are a lot of people doing what you do but you are the best . By the way how’s the book going so looking forward to it.sean

[@seabeebuilder1486]

Thanks Ralfy!

[@kenzen2]

Thank you for addressing this. Well said Ralfy.

[@1981stonemonkey]

Slow motion is key. Pretend there is a personality inside the bottle you just bought. If you make an appointment with someone you'd like to get to know, you don't get up and leave after 5 minutes. You also don't spend two days straight with them, because you'll never see them develop themselves, and you won't learn any secrets from them. You can go swimming with them, but not in icy waters. You don't let your new friend freeze. Hug them with your hands and let them warm to you. They'll open up more.

[@MrPsiman]

Hazelburn doesn't get the love that it should probably because there is so little of it and few selections every year. Last year it was the 10 and the 13 oloroso. Springbank is not putting out much but what ever they do I buy and it's always beautifully elegant and pretty whisky. it's the Catherine Zeta Jones of 25 years ago whisky. Do you remember ?

[@jknssang]

Still enjoying the same bottle of Hazelburn 14 since last summer. I concur sir.

[@martynsearle4924]

Just finishing off a bottle of Old Pulteney 12 that I was gifted 4years ago, it’s amazing how it has changed.

[@AndyCigars]

Time is the all too precious commodity. I am sure other married malt mates on here with kids know what I am talking about. A moments peace to reflect on a malt can be hard to come by.

[@PeterTea]

Sometimes I drink a dram so slow that I cover it and finish it the next day.

[@JI-tz1gz]

Surely the dislikes come from non-integrity-shops worrying for their sales...

[@ForTheLoveOfAudio]

I'd just like to say that I really appreciate your preaching moderation in consumption. I've been seeing more and more friends having to embrace sobriety because their relationship with alcohol became toxic. I've got two small bottles I had purchased at Cadenhead's a few years ago, and brought back overseas. They only get opened a few times a year, and every time, it's a new experience. It's a blessing and a curse, because once that cask is gone, it's gone. However, that means that every time I have a pour from it, I had better do my part to get the most from it! (Worth a shot, but know any drams that have a "grassy" note to them? Of the two, the one I have from Longrow does, and I want another!)

[@juijgentan1281]

1 btl comes to mind for me is the glenfarclas 21. Getting better with time and oxidation in the btl.

[@dh2838]

a wise man once said listen to Ralphy, so I did and I do.

[@madscientist1756]

Hahaha killa

[@Roman-ch7eg]

Ohh. Perfect words. Amen.

[@maltontiger]

I like to keep at least 8 bottles open and rotate each week. That way they last at least 4-6 months. Ralfy, have you tried Loch Lomond's Inchmoan 12? An excellent dram that doesn't seem to have many reviews

[@michaellehner2164]

Your very right in allmost every word.

[@Mylatestdram]

I am under 30 years old, my pals don't believe sometimes, that few bottles on my shelf are over 3 years open. Most of them buy a bottle and empty that in 2 or 3 sittings and then move on to another bottle.

[@Allouran]

Which makes us ask the obvious question Ralfy - how many bottles do you have open? I have a couple of (small) drams most nights of the week, and over a year I'm still going through 15-20 bottles per annum. I usually have 10-15 bottles open and even then they usually last 6-9 months only - to drag them out I'd need to open another 10 bottles! Always appreciate the extras, good to be told to reset and rethink :) Cheers

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . about 450.

[@Allouran]

@@thewhiskybothy And I guess this is where your Malt Mates (and Patreon Pals?) and yourself do have a point of separation. I've enjoyed whisky as an occasional tipple for years, but recently I got more into it and with that I now have ~120 bottles of whisky (and 30 rums as my malternative!) and I have ~15 whiskies (8 rums) open. In my whisky club in town, I'm a massive outlier, most have 5-10 whiskies (with that 1-2 bottles of expensive stuff, normally an old Macallan) and to move away from their preferred malts is a big change. So when you promote slow drinking, even a dram a week from a bottle has it gone in 3-4 months, and not the 12-18 months you'd like to see. Maybe in a follow up extras you could discuss the building up of an "all round" selection of 15-20 bottles to try and get those with that 5-10 favorite selection to "streettch" slightly and then make those whiskies last. Thanks for the reply - not many would have seen it but it is very enlightening to me :)

[@perkristiansandgren4132]

Fantastisk stuff=) enjoying a Tamdhu 15=) stay safe take care

[@LPKJFHIS]

What an important PSA. I was looking for someone to tell me what I suspected but wanted to hear from someone else.

[@spunky0201]

May just be your best extras yet. Hear, Hear!

[@kostasmaziotis]

hello ralfy ! hello malt mates! ralfy so you recommend not to leave the bottles open without a cork when we first open them with peaty malts, as we do with the unpeated stuff? also another question i would like to ask because i am only a few years into malts, is that i came across a knockandoo 21 years and it is pretty cheap for its age ( 88 euros). should i buy it? is it worth the money and the experience?thank you in advance and thanks for all your information and your company!

[@simonsherratt1484]

Whiskybase is a good point of reference

[@kostasmaziotis]

@@simonsherratt1484 whiskeybase is a site?

[@simonsherratt1484]

@@kostasmaziotis yes

[@Andy_Holbrook332]

Priceless advice

[@theamazingspiderman7]

So, Ralfy, how often do you drink? 3 drams per week, 9 in 3 weeks, right?

[@antoinerowies9356]

Good advices.

[@xiamengbaby]

The Hazelburn 10 is around $90-$100 by me in the Chicago area. Seems high priced for a 10 year old standard proof malt.

[@brian6x]

How long can you wait before using the inert gas? If I have a glass once a week from a bottle, should I be using inert gas each week?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . after a couple of months.

[@andrewmainprice2179]

I always pour a dram and enjoy it over 1 or 2 hours.. I came back to scotch after trying bourbon for a few times and my taste was more intense.

[@bobroberts2828]

Love the videos, but please remember that bourbon is whiskey too!

[@Vic-sz4wx]

Amen to THAT, Ralfy! ;-)

[@Curratum]

Easier to give it a rest for months if you have multiple bottles, but I'm usually on a budget tight enough that I'd only have a single bottle at a time and go through it in maybe 3 weeks. Reasonable enough, I assume.

[@Manglerdome]

I had a bottle of GlenDronach that was open for a bit over a yeat, it turned extremeley sour and ”tannic”. It lost all of its great flavor :/

[@rafyhay5916]

I'm not the biggest peat-head in the world, but a Laphroaig after a few months opened might be the most beautiful taste in the world.

[@martywong822]

Not really have enough time to taste the whisky in the glass. Only pour cheapy chill filtered stuff for a mind-refreshing moment. Not exactly a flavor-chasing moment. When I do have more time, will pour unchill filtered, aged stuff to enjoy slower. All thank to your advice.

[@xiamengbaby]

If I want a bottle to last 10 years, that would only be like two small drinks per year per bottle. If I have three drinks per night on three nights per week, that would be 468 drinks per year. If I can only have say drinks per bottle per year (in order for each to last ten years), I'd need a stock of 234 bottles on hand.

[@simonsherratt1484]

A fantastic whisky at a fantastic price: Kilkerran 12

[@gman5986]

Wowwwww...........15 years Ralfy and still good on a peated whisky? I find my peated whiskies go flat after 10-12 months. Ralfy do you "Gas" your whisky to preserve that 15 year Laphroiag???? I encourage anyone of you Malt Mates to answer this ?? for your bottles.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . look up 'Private Preserve'

[@garybunting3035]

I'm not drinking anything at the moment as Covid has destroyed my sense of smell and taste 🤬🤬🤬 but up side is remaining fairly well

[@pmckeown38]

Ralfy can you talk about accompaniments, things to drink and eat while you enjoy a malt

[@kirbyculp3449]

Some recomnend dark chocolate

[@BDCF100]

I did two 4 year apprenticeships as a young man. One to be a certified journeyman mechanic marine electrician and another to be certified as a Navigation Instrument Technician. Patience!

[@wasabista1613]

What's a good breakfast whiskey?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . save whiskey till after dinner !

[@wasabista1613]

@@thewhiskybothy Just taking the p*** as you Brits say! Keep up the good work Ralfy.

[@swedishburrito5073]

❤️👍

[@the_gilded_age_phoenix8717]

Lumping tequila in with vodka is a big mistake. Tequila is a much more interesting liquor. If you get a good anejo, it is more interesting and flavorful than a good cognac. Much cheaper too.

[@lordprefab5534]

When I worked in a distillery, I once saw a workmate drink a full pint milk bottle of Cardhu in one go, without it leaving his lips. Not very wise.

[@spiced32]

Legend! 🥃

[@МАКСИВАНОВ-у7с]

Ральфи вы хороший человек, я тоже не понимаю стремления прикончить бутылку по скорее

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . некоторые пьющие слишком спешат!

[@prestonw3878]

🤘

[@famcomp73]

Trust me dont drink a 1/2 bottle of lavalugin 16 in one night couldn't move the next day.

[@speedrakk]

scotch whisky is a living breathing thing. slow your roll take it slow .

[@spiced32]

When I drink whiskey I like to get drunk and I only drink once a week. Suppose we are all different.. I don't see the point in buying other bottles than what you enjoy. I've never spent over £70 on a bottle, usually spending around 45 so not going too mad. Really can't understand it when you see people spending 100s on a bottle either.

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

Hello malty menagerie madcaps of maltfullness

[@sachinkainth9508]

First

[@luke7709]

First!...ish............ishish......

[@degmar]

Keep this tripe to your philosophy channel.

[@mullettjf]

Don't like, don't watch. Simple :)

[@christopherwoolnough2160]

Always one!

[@degmar]

@@christopherwoolnough2160 Whatever. I just get tired of coming here to listen about whiskey and instead get lectured about how I'm living my life wrong. There is a lot of whiskey stuff out there he could be talking about - including all the rumors, gossip, myths and legends that he hints about but won't tell. Instead we get hit over the head, time and time again, about corporate multinationals, taking time to make time, no shakey shakey, how to drink, how not to drink, how to enjoy whiskey, etc. You know what, I know how to enjoy whiskey. I do it every night. I don't need Ralfy lecturing me about it. He knows exactly fk all about me, but he thinks to lecture me every single video. Should I stop watching? Probably. Couldn't hurt the blood pressure.

[@brian6x]

@@degmar You have the wrong idea.

[@degmar]

@@brian6x Thanks for explaining in such detail.