STOP BUYING BIG NAME SCOTCH

[@DonnerPassWhisky]

Good to see you making content aimed at people starting there journey. Cutting through the high volume mass market bottles will bring you so much better quality Whisky to enjoy. Cheers

[@WhiskyInThe6]

I wish I had this advice when starting. Would have saved me a lot of money.

[@krisandroid88]

I don't often upvote videos, but when I do, it's the stuff like this. Awesome list!

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Cheers

[@djbeacon6895]

Rob, great listing. Really enjoying many on your list, especially the Arran Bodega, Craigellachie 13 and the Glen Scotia Victoriana. Cheers!

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Cheers DJ

[@antipodesman]

Wow . . . very surprised that you found Victoriana. I'm envious. Excellent choices by the way.

[@WhooshFlyingHorse444]

Thanks for your excellent alternative choices. Any of these superb Scotch whiskies makes so much more sense in these fast changing times. Thumbs up from me.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Cheers

[@geofre44]

It took a while to get me there tbh, and I had to go through the Glenfiddichs and Glenlivets of the world to acclimate my palate to Scotch Whisky. Once I did, my palate started changing to the “craft presentation” that we are now familiar with. Some of those I needed to build up to. Now, it’s hard to drink those Glen’s because I figured out my palate had moved on. Just enjoy the journey, and allow advice like this to accelerate your palate. Great insights here!

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Ya unfortunately it took me a long time as well.

[@thewhiskyvlog]

Real great picks in there, handful of new ones for me to try too! Thanks for the recommendations👍

[@WhiskyInThe6]

My pleasure buddy. Cheers.

[@bennyfriis601]

Tremendous recommendation line-up, Rob! And great idea doing this type of video, kudos!

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Thanks buddy

[@andrewblatherwick8758]

Fully agree with all of your recommendations but I'll add a few more. Not sure on availability in North America. I've put British prices on as a rough comparison NAS Redbreast Lustful 46%abv (Irish not Scotch) £45-£50 GBP Glencadam 10. 46%abv £35-£40 GBP Balblair 12 . 46%abv £40-£45 GBP Bunnahabhain 12. 46% £40-£45GBP Not had the cask strength version yet. Deanston 12. 46%abv £45-£50GBP Craigellachie 17. 46%abv £90-£100GBP Bladnoch is another distillery producing good quality Scotch but is slightly pricier than the suggestions above. Nothing compared to Macallan and other trendy brands though.

[@markevans7244]

All great choices Rob. Glencadam 10 and Bunnahabhain 12 are also good choices. The Bunnahabhain 12 cask strength 2022 is an absolute belter, but I'm not sure how available it is in US/Canada.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Dying to try the cask strength Bunna.

[@danydanoo5712]

@@WhiskyInThe6 Especially 2022 Edition Bunnahabhain CS is absolutely gorgeous. Additionaly if you got a chance to find Ledaig 18 it will be worth every single dollar.😀 By the way exellent list for everybody who want to start your journey in whisky world. Best regards from Poland!👌🥃👏

[@WhiskyInThe6]

@@danydanoo5712 need that one too

[@djbeacon6895]

@@danydanoo5712 Loving my first Ledaig 18.

[@christinecamley]

Rob what an outstanding video! It is absolutely packed with information that gets me on the journey, a little more quickly, to the place I am moving towards, as I get into some amazing scotch!! This is fabulous! Thanks so much! Cheers.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Thanks Christine! Glad I could help. Cheers 🥂

[@christinecamley]

@@WhiskyInThe6 🙂

[@willemkilian9563]

It's always a good idea to do your research and go for quality bottles over the easier big brands. I know someone who last year bought a bottle of Glenmorangie 18 simply because it said "extremely rare" on the bottle, even though there was Aultmore 18, Loch Lomond 18, Timorous Beastie 18, and more on the same shelf. The marketing really gets people. I just wish that Craigallachie 13 was cheaper than Glenfiddich 12 where I live 😛

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Even if you have to pay an extra $10-$20 it’s worth the reach.

[@kurtludington5986]

Nicely done! Great educational video!

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Thanks, cheers

[@Adrian802]

We'll grab what we can because prices are up yet again. Sigh.... but i do agree not to get the big names as the prices doesn't seem to make sense now.

[@McIntyresMalts]

GREAT concept video mate, tonnes of value here!

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Great list of recommendations and well thought. I have to fix myself and finally try the Loch Lomond 12, skipped right over it to the 18. Cheers.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

I also have a bad habit of doing that. Earlier on I did it all the time.

[@olivierbeltrami]

Glenlivet has risen from the grave with its new Illicit Stills and Licensed Dram expressions both 12yo and 48% abv and very reasonable pricing. Highly recommended.

[@benjamincarter6095]

This is a great video for those early in their scotch drinking journey. I would personally upgrade the Ardbeg to Corryvreckan, but I'd take any bottle off that table over any bottle of Macallan I can find at my local shop.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Thanks, cheers!

[@BA-hk3ct]

Great choices

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Thank you

[@peterwhite507]

Great video Rob! I don't think Glenfarclas 15 is available in the US. Solid group of SM's

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Ah yes you’re right. De ja vu lol.

[@LGB007]

Glenallachie 8, 10, 12. and 15 are fantastic. Kilchoman Machir Bay. Bunna 12. Glencadam 10. And like you said the Arran line as well.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Great picks

[@gabrielg490]

I'll never stop Rob....I'll never stop...

[@Dafoodmaster]

I would swap out the laga 8 for a caol ila 12. This would be one hell of a little scotch collection. I've never had a closet filled with *only* hitters. Good vid!

[@gopenduchatterjee5246]

Perfect opinion from you.I think, every scotch lovers will be agree with your philosophy. 👍

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@albertomolina3868]

Great video. The prices today of the big name whiskies are out of control. I bought a laugavulin 16 nine months ago for $80 now it is at a $140. Ridiculous! I'm definitely going to try some of your recommendations especially the Glenallachie. Bunnahabin 12 and 18 are also fantastic choices. Where I live you can find the 18 for a $140 when it is in stock.

[@cgwami]

Is the Ledaig 18 actually available in Canada now?

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Not yet unfortunately

[@steveno7058]

Here are my picks for my local area. Love your picks but some like Tobermory are crazy expensive locally Sherry: Bunnahabhain 12 or Glenallachie 12 $50-$55 Peat: Ardbeg 10 or Ledaig 10. $50-$55 Campbeltown: Glen Scotia Double Cask $55 (very hard to find Springbank). Ex-Bourbon: Arran 10 or Deanston 12 $50 Cask Strength: Glenallechie 10 $80 15 year: Glenallechie 15 $80 18 year: Hard category because of price and availability. Keeping it under $150: Old Pulteney 18 $130.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Great picks

[@mauriciopacheco7987]

Thanks so much for the info Rob. I just learned so much on how to get better options, high quality and less expensive whiskies. Cheers 🥃!

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Glad I could help my friend.

[@arakafafian]

Great review, thank you.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Thank you

[@robocop1441]

started with johnny walker black, tried alotta different whiskies, came full circle back to ol johnny black.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Interesting. It’s not a bad whisky by any means.

[@whiskyinsv]

Excellent educational video Rob. Unfortunately the Glenallachie 18 and Arran 18 are almost impossible to find at MSRP for most of the year. I would add some Glenturrets and Bunnahabhains to this lineup by the way!

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Haven’t had the pleasure of trying a Glenturret yet.

[@JazznRealHipHop]

Solid, solid picks. All of them. Slainte! 🥃

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Thanks buddy

[@edgewalker7459]

Great list Rob proper integrity malts , some of my absolute favourites and a couple I really want to try , next on my list is the Glenallachie 18

[@WhiskyInThe6]

The Glenallachie 15 might even edge out the 18 depending on the year.

[@socomplex2994]

You Doing The Lord's Work Rob! 👏 👏 👏

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Lol wouldn’t go that far. If I’m helping I’m happy.

[@robertmourre3652]

Great collection of exceptional whiskey for anyone. Might be the best selections for this type of list I have ever seen. Have almost all and enjoy them greatly. Really only the Glenallachie 18 that continues to allude me, never find it. Being in Alberta which I find to be one of the best provinces for whiskey selections, have never seen it. Although not featured in your show bottles but in you other options, Ledaig 18. Here that one does not come to Canada. Keep up the great videos. Cheers.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Thanks buddy. As an Albertan I do think you can get the Ledaig 18. You just have to pay duty when it arrives. Cheers!

[@timloucks4325]

Good choices. There are a couple regional discrepancies here in California. Sadly, we don’t get Glenfarclas 15 in the states. The only available expression above 43% abv is the 105 which has gotten rather expensive ($100). Tobermory currently retails for $93 at Total Wine. Too rich for my blood. I could get 2 or 3 Glenlivets or Glenfiddichs for that. I’m on board with everything else. Cheers.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Ya that’s too much for tobermory. Easily replaced by Arran 10.

[@Jewer76]

Hi Rob. I very much agree with your list having enjoyed the majority on it myself :D At the moment I am teaching a friend about whisky and he have caught on quickly to the good stuff. An eye opener for him was when I presented him with the Bruichladdich Classic Laddie - in my opinion one of the best affordable examples of the raw and undisturbed taste of scotch whisky.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Classic laddie is solid. A little expensive where I am but solid for sure.

[@Altosax449]

Wonderful video. Great picks.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Cheers!

[@everwind5691]

Arran 18 is just a gift from the heavens. Good choice.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

It’s excellent

[@jackthepickledhound]

Mighty righteous of you not to actually condemn in specific terms the ridiculous 40% eighteen-year-old offerings

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Price, abv and straight up quality definitely lack on those but bashing them wouldn’t necessarily help. Those who will be helped by this video will, without added shade thrown. Others will simply have to waste money to discover on their own. Cheers

[@jackthepickledhound]

@@WhiskyInThe6 last week, at Heathrow, I was able to taste a 48% 18 year Glenfiddich. And she had a wee dropper of water but wouldn't you know that for £98, it tasted just like whisky. Funny thing is that after chasing all kinds of casks and funk I forget what a simple scotch tastes like with the sweet and the sour and the bitter. The only thing that I have that comes close is a Clynlish 14 or Glen Scotia 15. The journey starts in the beginning. Loch Lomond 12 is great because it's flavors are bold. I am very grateful that y'all on the Whiskytube steered me toward quality and integrity.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

@@jackthepickledhound glad you find us helpful. Cheers.

[@donrumgay5200]

Do a blind tasting of 12yo…and a blind tasting of 18yo..make sure Glenlivet and Glenfiddich are in it then get back to me…(I say this because when these are done as blind tastings, they quite often land much higher than when potential personal bias gets in the way).

[@jackthepickledhound]

@@donrumgay5200 I'm sure they don't taste bad. They couldn't sell the way they do if the juice tasted like shit. If you allow me to quote Samuel L. Jackson from Pulp Fiction ---- it may taste like pumpkin pie, but I'll never..... Glenlivet 18, for example just dropped from 43-40%, and the price increased. Since I'm not spending my money on such a bottle I am curious who would. And I'm curious how I would react if I received such a thing as a gift. Aside from feeling sorry for the gift giver I do see your point. The juice itself is most probably worth drinking and I should grateful, full stop, I guess that's the snob trap.

[@simongilbert2704]

good choices ;;

[@drax14QC]

I have a bottle of Ardbeg Wee Beastie and Ledaig 10 and I agree they are great options for their price (at least in Canada) ! I also have a bottle of Deanston Virgin Oak and I think for the price it’s very respectable. I would add Compass Box Peat Monster for a great peaty option at 70$ CAD

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Peat monster is solid. Cheers.

[@jf9634]

How long do your bottles last after you open them?

[@WhiskyInThe6]

I believe based on experience the higher the abv the longer they last. Chill filtration has a lot to do with this I think. I’ve had bottles open for 2 years without going flat.

[@keithpetersen560]

Great choices.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Cheers buddy. Hope you’re well.

[@brianpage6932]

Nice video, lots of great options, I personally always try to have a wee beastie and craigellichie 13 on hand, they are solid options for price and taste, debated buying glenfarclas a few times but i very much dislike grape flavor and a lot of tasting notes say it has lots of grape, Maybe i'll start with the 12 to see.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Ya both great go to whiskies.

[@khaldounsamman9128]

Weird, I can buy 3.5 bottles of Glenlivet 12 for 1 Tobermory 12 in Minnesota. Glenlivet is $40 versus $135 for Tobermory. Way over priced!

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Big difference. Yikes.

[@iancrombie8862]

If that was my 10 bottle collection,I wouldnt complain.😃😃😃😃

[@WhiskyInThe6]

True

[@Rafael-jj1ye]

Rob was always ahead of the curve. He was talking about Springbank distillery before it became unattainable.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Lol I wish that was true

[@Whiskyfan519]

While I agree with you on most of this the issue is often availability for alot of people. Personally for me arran quarter and arran sherry are vastly more available than any Campbeltown offerings, or Glenallache for that matter. Same can be said for your recommendations at the 10-12 age region. I recently picked up my first ever springbank offering (hazelburn 10 yr) and that's the first time in 3 yrs of collecting that I've seen a springbank product on shelves. Sometimes it's tough for guys in smaller city centres.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

This is true.

[@samk7197]

very informative also Glengoyne 15

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Wish the abv was higher and they didn’t chill filter.

[@robfut9954]

Benromach is great value.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

100%

[@MrPsiman]

Bunna 12, Port Charlotte 10, Ben Nevis 10, Glenmorangie 14 Quinta Ruban, Clynelish 14 and Spice Tree would fit in there also pretty well and easy to get except for the Ben Nevis in the U.S. and around $50 to $75 each in the U.S.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Those are all solid choices

[@MrPsiman]

@@WhiskyInThe6 Keep an eye out for the new Glen Scotia 2022 CS Campeltown Fest. peated PX and the 2022 L.E. CS Amontillado that both just dropped here in the last week. $75 and $67 for the L.E.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

@@MrPsiman likely won’t be able to get any of that.

[@MrPsiman]

@@WhiskyInThe6 I didn't raise you to live in doubt. Have faith and priase your creator. Halleluyah !!!

[@WhiskyInThe6]

@@MrPsiman Amen

[@fbi8364]

One of the best value single malt is the Amrut Fusion 50% ABV, $65 here in northern California. Probably the best imo under $100.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

It is excellent for the price. You’re right.

[@kmbawdry]

Wow! A whisky KZbinr not too far down the road from me and is singing the same tune about over priced scotch? Refreshing! I'm a big fan of Arran & GlenAllachie but the only places I know of for purchasing is the LCBO and the odd trip across the border. Where are you shopping that I'm not aware of? Please impart some knowledge upon a fellow Ontario Whisky fan.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Buy all your whisky from Alberta. Liquor Lodge, BSW, Malt and Grains or Kensington Wine Market.

[@kmbawdry]

Awesome@@WhiskyInThe6. Just placed an order via BSW. Pooled my bro-in-law in on a couple bottles to cut down on shipping fees. At least I now have an alternative to the LCBO . Thank you!

[@JRadian]

It's a shame what has happened to Whisky prices. We are now ready for an episode of "Budget world beater whisky" on this channel.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

I’ve done a best whisky for your money video

[@magnificumimperium8392]

Can you list the names? Thanks

[@WhiskyInThe6]

I’ll try to get that in the description soon

[@steveno7058]

Great video! Till this day I still see people recommending Glenlivet/Glenfiddich 12, Glenmorangie 10, Macallan 12 and JW Black to start on Scotch. Terrible advice IMO

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Totally agree Steven. Cheers.

[@WhiskeyForge]

I quickly got off the big name brands. Took about a year before I realized they were all filtered, colored, weak and highly overrated when compared to Arran, Glenallachie, Springbank, Glenturret, Bladnoch etc

[@WhiskyInThe6]

You saved yourself a lot of money.

[@jonathanbean7097]

but isn't bowmore, laphrioge a big name? What happens if Glenallechie becomes a big name, should we stop buying it? Sorry Rob, I value what you say, but I am a bit confused about this hence my challenging you on it, hope you dont mind :)

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Not at all. I’d avoid most expressions from Bowmore and Laphroaig to be honest. There’s the an exception in each brand likely. If Glenallachie maintains their current quality you won’t hear me complain. However, if becoming that big name brand brings a decline in quality, I’ll stop buying.

[@jonathanbean7097]

@@WhiskyInThe6 thats a good take!

[@ADSCP]

Some portwood missing.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

The Glenmorangie 14 will do for price and quality.

[@efuchsman]

Victoriana is so good

[@markmlinar1511]

Enjoy the journey and in no way fast foreword it.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

I think I’m terms of saving money, it’s important to avoid the bottles that don’t deliver for the price.

[@sandrofazzolari8833]

Bravo 👏 ciao 👋 S.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Grazie 🙏🏻 Salute.

[@kellywellington7122]

All GlenAllachie expressions are hideously priced here; more outrageous than Lag 16. GlenAllachie 8 is not available at all. Indeed, all the available GlenAllachie available here outprice the Macallan of equivalent age statements. It is easier to get an entry level tipple with Macallan than it is GlenAllachie. GlenAllachie has priced themselves out of my market, even when their oldest age statement available in my market, 13 year old, is near $200 US per 750ml. Tobermory 12 is well beyond the $100 US mark. The Craigallechie 13 is a really decently priced here. None of the Springbank distilleries' offerings are available here and the only Campbeltown option is Glen Scotia 15, which is a great dram. I disagree with you on the Glenfarclas 15 and would much rather have a Glenfiddich 15 Solera in my cabinet. Old Pultney 15 looks to be an excellent buy, well under $100 US.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

That is outrageous for Glenallachie. I’m shocked.

[@alexharrington44]

Farclas 15 is shocking these days, loads of 4th and 5th fill casks that give nothing, otherwise I agree

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Hmm I guess batch really matters.

[@blackfrancis55]

Moving to Canada = The end of the Scotch journey.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Lol

[@blackfrancis55]

@@WhiskyInThe6 Lol yes, but also serious. I can't justify paying/afford the prices here. Besides that, the scant selection and strict laws surrounding alcohol here also make it damn near impossible.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

@@blackfrancis55 you’re not wrong.

[@arunduvvuri3630]

Excellent thumbnail with proper label.. Such over rated stuff it is..

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Cheers. Thanks.

[@McIntyresMalts]

Only thing I disagree with is the Lagavulin 8 over the 16, the 8 is too young IMO too spirit forward and not in a good way.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Fair enough. Batch variation might be the cause. I’ve only had two different batches.

[@binray6457]

Laga 8 is better.

[@ralphwatten2426]

Please stop buying Laphraoig Cask Strength. It's terrible!

[@WhiskyInThe6]

I haven’t had it in a while but always like it.