ralfy review 1062 Extras - Indi:-Bottler Malternatives.

[@IDestiny26]

Oh that Kilkerran 12. I still have 2 bottles from the 2016 very first batch. One closed and one open. Just tasted it a few days ago. Being open for like 2 years definitely improved it even further.

[@Bansidhe]

I was over a few months back doing tours at Glen Scotia and Glengyle (did Springbank and the Cadenheads warehouse tasting on a previous visit). Only just opened the miniature of Kilkerran that I got on the tour recently. Fantastic stuff. I got an odd lemon cheesecake thing that somehow works. A big bottle is definitely on the list🥃

[@mentalistp.s.9915]

Glad to see your videos after 10 years

[@SimonneNZ]

It really is a learning curve when exploring spirits and working out what is good and what isn't. It is also challenging as what is available in other markets isn't always available here. I am now getting my head around what to look for in a good rum thanks to reviews by whiskytubers like you Ralfy, and have purchased some good ones in the last year. Many thanks for all that you do to educate us. Cheers!

[@jackwilson4284]

Looking forward to the Kilkerran review, I really liked the 12 a couple of years ago

[@JonnyParker-]

I love Kilkerran 12 , really nice.

[@michaelwood3203]

My biggest gripe is the so called (in the uk) ‘recommended retail price’ which is then not stuck too but is used to promote ‘discounted prices’. Some things are genuinely exclusive, limited and true special editions but many are a disguise of the exact same product labeled slightly differently. Keep the flag flying for great quality at affordable prices. Thanks Ralfy, as always.

[@velviaman3206]

I had free sugar cane juice in Cuba, lovely. Visited a rum distillery in Havana but saw no higher strength rum available to buy.

[@heatherharrison264]

Rum is rather frustrating. It is a popular spirit, but it seems like almost everybody regards it as a cocktail mixer, so bars and stores respond accordingly, and the good stuff can be hard to find. Even rum-focused bars, such as tiki bars, lean heavily into the cocktails. To get high quality rum, I've had to buy blind from the few stores that have a good selection, sometimes based on reviews or the reputation of the producer or bottler. Only rarely has one of the local bars stocked quality sipping rum. In the United States, we don't get products from all of the independent bottlers in the UK, and quality rum is rather scarce. Fortunately, we have independent bottlers in the country that are doing a good job, and some whisky distilleries also make rum. Nashville Barrel Company is a fairly new independent bottler that has become noticed for the quality of their bourbon and rye. I found a cask strength rum from them (rumored to be Foursquare but not stated on the label) that turned out to be very good. Also, a local bar had some Belize rum from Gregarious Grump, an independent bottler in Texas. That was excellent, but unfortunately, I could not locate a bottle. However, they also bottle Cognac at cask strength and additive free, and the price is reasonable for the age statement. I was happy to find this (Total Wine had it), as official bottlings of Cognac often leave a lot to be desired, as they are usually 40% and full of additives. There are probably other upstart independent bottlers like these in the United States; I'll have to keep an eye out for them. I've never been fully attached to any one type of booze; ever since I started drinking higher quality booze decades ago, I have appreciated variety. I drink a lot of wine and whisky, not necessarily because I like those drinks better than everything else, but because availability is better. I also enjoy beer, mead, sake, cider, rum, brandy, baijiu, agave spirits, and infused spirits such as gin and absinthe. Why stick to one thing when there is quality and complexity to be found in all of these categories?

[@MortAllachie]

Here Kilkerran is just like Springbank. As soon as it hit the shelves, it’s gone 😢

[@anton7288]

Hi Ralfy, Isn’t it an older bottling of Kilkerran 12? Since 2020 the bottles are a bit dumpier than the one you have shown :-)

[@DonnerPassWhisky]

Yep, I love those older bottles. The current ones are fine but not on the level of those older releases.

[@carlubambi5541]

Good morning from Toronto Ralphy !

[@carlubambi5541]

Looks like our conservative premier may be retaliating with a tax on American alcohol products if he sticks his 25% tax on Canadian made goods .we won't be drinking any bourbon for a long time if that happens .unfortunately for we Canadians the LCBO is teg biggest purchaser of alcohol in the world and they have a monopoly and use it ..The crazy part is my brother-in-law's cousin ,a construction worker/land developer runs the show just like an old school Italian mobster

[@WhiskeySavages]

Awesome to see a fellow Ontarian in here!!

[@carlubambi5541]

@WhiskeySavages enjoying the cold with my tree crematorium and a nice snifter of brandy tonight .Need an excuse to bake some potato's with bacon on the coals

[@WhiskeySavages]

@@carlubambi5541 very cool enjoy!

[@andypike1234]

You´ve reviewed few armagnacs in the past

[@saintuk70]

Always strikes me as odd the way Cadenheads is pronounced - we always called it "kadd'en'head" over "kaid'en'head"

[@Bansidhe]

I assumed "kaid" but when I did the warehouse tasting at Springbank the other year, the lad doing it pronounced it "kadd"😅. Assuming given he works there it's the correct way but still hear folk saying it the other way.

[@ArunR70]

Kaddenheads is how they said it was to be pronounced when I visited 😂

[@saintuk70]

@ indeed - it's "kadd"

[@paulrutasikwa1728]

Borough Market

[@DominikK45]

Borough Market, not Osborne Market!

[@MARMALARD49]

That’s what I thought!

[@raulalfonsin9975]

Rum ❤🎉

[@brian6x]

Sugar cane...get it from a West Indian shop.

[@clayperdue1798]

It's going to be the new vodka

[@somewaresim]

Interesting that you gave the Dominican Rum 85/100 but Smith and Cross got 86/100.

[@Gungrave123]

But i despise sugar and all stuff sugary..

[@vettefatty]

ralfy why do you hate plantation rum ?

[@razumov22]

I can't speak for Ralfy, but Plantation is usually criticized for two reasons: First, they add sugar to many of their rums. They are better about being transparent about sugar content than many producers, but it is still not a welcome practice. Secondly, due to their partial ownership of rum distilleries in Barbados, and Jamaica, they have acted as the sole obstructing party to GI or other quality control laws that both countries have attempted to pass for their rum industries. Plantation would love to add sugar to their Barbados and Jamaican rums while partially aging them in France. If GI laws in these countries are passed, they will still be able to import, age, and bottle rums from these countries but will not be able to label them as Barbados or Jamaican rums. In short they act as interloper throwing their weight around to the detriment of quality in the Caribbean rum industry.