Does whisky ALWAYS get better with age??? (blind pours and brain scans)

You ever hear, "The older a whisky is, the better it gets."? Sure, extra time in a barrel can add magic to a whiskey - until it doesn't. Can a whisk(e)y sit in a barrel too long? If so, why does everyone believe an ancient age statement is the stuff of legends? Let's find out with brain scans, blind pours, and a giant excuse to mooch old, rare, and expensive whiskies.
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Want more ultrasonic aging experiments? Check out this episode from The Thought Emporium where he experiments with ultrasonic "aging" and a bunch of non-whiskey things. • Instantly Age Alcohol ...
outro song by, DJ Quads - Millionaire

[@spud1300]

This show has become the "Saturday Morning Cartoon" of my adult life.... Love you guys.

[@AndrewHandshoe]

Absolutely! The best part of my Saturday.

[@mossyshotgun5902]

No shit !! So true. HAHA

[@macmasks]

I need a massive bowl of sugar marshmallow cereal and listen to this under a comforter.

[@AndrewDembouski]

Same haha 😆 I always watch their weekly episodes during my lunch break

[@stevestojan]

Well, shit. That is the best description ever! :)

[@bloodgain]

Wow, Emma looks so young to know so much about whiskey and have such a refined, trained palate. That's amazing!

[@KungFu_Batman]

They are totally flexing their whiskey collection in this video... And I ain't even mad about it.

[@Matt-gf4gd]

Their main channel is called the "whiskey vault."

[@82spoon82]

It is because of theirs mine has become better than it was lol.

[@leeross3950]

We all need more Emma in our lives.

[@Abby_Normal_1969]

I related to Emma's story about gardening with her mother. I have read that the olfactory centers of the brain are adjacent to the memory center of the brain. It suggested that smell is the sense most closely related to memory. My experience with this was when I had my first la Flor Dominicana Cameroon wrapper cigar. I remember it like yesterday. 1999. My grandfather had passed the year before. And the scent of the cigar took me back to the late 70s when I was just a kid and would spend time with my grandfather while he enjoyed his cigar. I never had that flood of memories with any other cigar. To this day I cry when I have one.

[@kirbyculp3449]

Most famously, Proust.

[@OnsideHaddock72]

Deep

[@cubancigarman2687]

I wonder if my kids will remember me when I’m gone when they smell cigar smoke .

[@Michelle-1]

This made me think of my grandfather who used chewing tobacco. I can't for the life of me remember what kind, but maybe I have to get some just to smell it (and obviously give it away afterwards)

[@marcwhiskey]

Daniels face when Rex asks if the 30yr Talisker is the same mash bill as the 10yr Talisker.

[@friendly_inlaw]

Haha yeah I spotted it too. But really I think Rex just mis-spoke, I think he probably meant "Can we think of this as the exact same whisky - variety of barley, cask finishing, same master distiller, etc - just spent longer in the cask"

[@marcwhiskey]

@@friendly_inlaw Rex is a man of few words 😝

[@RecklessFables]

I love how he rolled with it

[@arielkotler]

This needs to be a regular spot.... nerding out with Emma. Love it!

[@cynthiastinson7059]

When I first tasted Laphroig, I tasted bike repair shop. It made me happy because when I was 15, I rode my bike all over San Diego. Going to the bike shop and lusting over the Bianchi bikes was fun . Talking with the bike repair guys made me feel grown up. I felt free and strong. So now 35 years later to have that smell in a bottle is priceless. Thanks for the whiskey education. You’ve given me a huge gift.

[@jamwheeler]

i feel like they should have Emma do a blind tasting of popular Laphroigs and Ardbegs and maybe throw a Bruichladdich Port Charlotte or a Lagavulin

[@ryanmccleave3562]

As soon as you said ‘Irish Whiskey’ and described all the fruits on the nose....I could immediately tell it was Cooley Whiskey stock. West Cork 10 has that nose and flavour in abundance and it’s a fantastic whiskey for the price.

[@hesa_jigalo]

Love watching these with a glass of whiskey. Makes me feel like I have friends

[@banjototingjoymonger]

An elaborate way to get Emma to stop putting Laphroaig on that shelf.

[@CPW1991]

"This is the episode we learn Emma is a cheap date" That had me cracking haha

[@AndrewDembouski]

Finally have a face to the name haha

[@darrensim295]

@@AndrewDembouski what you even on about?

[@Patryn71]

@@darrensim295 We hear Emma mentioned all the time but never see the person they're talking about. Now we finally have a chance to 'meet' her, so we can have a visual reference next time we hear her name.

[@darrensim295]

@@Patryn71 shes been in tonnes of old videos though

[@removelimitbreak7524]

Islay scotch always seems to hit the nostalgia button for everyone. And just as Emma said, I find that nostalgia is 9/10 times related to childhood memories with parents. Another example. My dad used to grill LOTS when I was a kid. And that's where lagavulin 16 takes me. Walking outside on a fresh summer day but the smell of that fresh air and beautiful day is obstructed by the savory bbq smoke or the chicken kabobs with pineapple and other fruits on it cooking. It just takes me back to the good ol days.

[@diegolezano2894]

Ron Swanson would be proud of you

[@richardpowell4281]

It definitely always comes down to preference. I recently got into Scotch, I really love Johnny Walker Black Label. So I decided one day to treat myself to a bottle of Blue Label. It was a great whiskey, but I felt quite disappointed. It was like everything I loved about black label was muted

[@nobodyimportant5417]

I got sneered at by a liquor store guy the other day when I asked for ardbeg wee beastie over the 10. I like the zippiness more, but he just thought it wasn't old enough to be "good". Pfft. I got my wee beastie, and enjoyed it greatly.

[@Matt-gf4gd]

I've been hesitant to pick it up personally.. half the age for only $10 less is a hard sell for me.

[@nobodyimportant5417]

@@Matt-gf4gd you should give it a shot. Its a different experience, brighter, sharper, more... brittle, maybe? Recognizably ardbeg, but with some different flavors emphasized.

[@wisepranker9194]

@@Matt-gf4gd I bought a special bottling of a 7yr old Caol Ila for my uncle a couple of years ago. I never even got a sniff. It was (apparently) brighter, definitely fiercer and a proper treat, even though the 12 is glorious.

[@anlsrnvschtny]

@@Matt-gf4gd So peppery. I still prefer the 10 myself but yes it's definitely another version of ardbeg that I would buy again.

[@Matt-gf4gd]

@@anlsrnvschtny it's on my to-buy list... Just behind a bunch of other things I can't afford at the moment. Hard to go wrong with more ardbeg.

[@markalexander774]

Gotta love Rex asking about the mash bill for single malts.

[@jriech4553]

Bring Emma back for more reviews. She seems very knowledgeable and is simply a pleasure to look at compared to you magnificent bastards

[@kurtlawrence3767]

Man so I can’t decide my favorite part, Emma’s reasons for loving Laphroaig or Daniel’s face when Rex asked “is it the same mash bill?” Loved this one guys!

[@Mowntandewey]

New drinking game: take a shot when that mysterious hand comes in a moves the bottle.

[@JasonHuebel]

So guys, having one of the ladies on the show is always a treat. We need more of this.

[@stevenreed007]

“I think we’re in American whiskey right now. Is this Speyside?” Hahahahaha yeah that alone made me like this video! Cheers MB!

[@elderblackdragon]

"The first time I tried Laphroaig it reminded me of gardening with my mom. I tasted fresh dirt..." And half the people that have never had Laphroaig have sworn off every trying it.

[@notadaytrader]

As you’ve said before on the show, the higher year doesn’t mean it’s going to taste better, it just means a longer investment into keeping that stock, which drives the price up. And the hype of drinking something that’s possibly older than you is exciting in itself. My favorite whisky is Oban 14, but I haven’t had too too many yet.

[@colinbrash]

My boss got me a 35 yr old talisker... not sure how it compares to the the 30, but it was incredible. Definitely preferred it over the 10. But hey, I knew what it was when I drank it so maybe that psychological aspect played into the happiness! Don’t really care either way, I loved it!!

[@Furry_Viking]

YOU BRILLIANT PEOPLE! lol Thanks Daniel, Rex, and Emma!

[@canadianwhiskysmith6453]

One of my rep friends turned 65 last week, and a few of us got together to share a dram or two. He was kind enough to share a pour of an amazing Glen Grant, distilled in 1955 (his birth year) and bottled 2011. People sometimes wonder if older whisky is better than younger whisky. I'm not sure "better" is the right word. There are characteristics that only come with age. A depth and a presence that can only be achieved with time. Age isn't everything, but sipping an older whisky can feel solemn, and always makes me a little pensive. The culmination of years of craftsmanship, deserving of respect and appreciation.

[@haradrima3137]

This show has gone from fun curiosity to impressive and must watch programming in the matter of a few watches for me KEEP IT UP!

[@JaysonBucy]

I love how Rex and Daniel (mainly Rex) are going on and on and on and Emma is just enjoying her whiskey.

[@toddgreen9982]

I am not a whiskey fan, and can not watch enough of these two. Post COVID, we will be traveling to Austin from Dallas to experience.

[@mixedmick]

Still haven't seen an episode that hasn't left a smile on my face.

[@greatnortoni]

I realize this is an old video, but I did make a purchase (like I have many times) based on what you presented in this segment. I know that Emma is no longer with you but I trusted what she had to say and bought the Laphroaig 10. OMG it smells AND tastes like Campho Phenique! This is the worst spirit I have ever tasted and gotta say that you steered me wrong on this one, but I still luv Emma and will continue watching the vids to learn more about whiskey and be entertained by your shenanigans. Keep up the good work - oh and by the way, I have a nearly full bottle of Laphroaig 10 you can have.

[@kempire4623]

The 3 favorites this panel picked are all in my top 10. Great selections team!

[@charles_the_elder]

I recently started watching the Whiskey Tribe videos and I enjoy them. I consider myself a bourbon drinker, I started drinking Wild Turkey as soon as I was of legal age. I also enjoy a good Rye and of course Irish Whiskey. I tried Scotch a few times when I was younger and didn't enjoy. After watching a few of your videos, I decided to give Scotch one more chance and purchased a bottle of Monkey Shoulder. I followed your advice and tried looking for distinct smells, and flavor (I mostly smell vanilla, and taste honeyed vanilla.) I discovered that I actually like Scotch (Monkey Shoulder at least.) Thank you for your informative videos.

[@Guru1ofatl]

Emma should be in front of the camera more. Great personality and good description of the whiskies.

[@Nmc01236]

I was just about to comment the same thing!

[@DarkCid7777]

More video time for Emma !

[@Robo0595]

When they were describing the apricot and mango nose of what turned out to be the Teeling 25, I was certain they were describing Laphroaig 25. Hard to believe that the 27 falls off so hard, but the 25 is phenomenal. The smokey medicinal qualities get tempered and very balanced and it brings a huge complex fruity character that's nowhere to be seen in Lap10 (as great as it is!).

[@heizelmejia5359]

Thanks to these guys I move on past Jack Daniels and Chivas Regal (which I still preferred when I am drinking with friends) but when you only want a glass after a long day, I use what I have learn here, and is amazing the flavors I was missing because I was too traditional.

[@andrewbutler7681]

So great to see Emma, the Queen of Laphroaig! (And not just because Laphroaig 10 was what made me fall in love with whisky, I've been serially buying it since 1982 and been a Friend of Laphroaig since 1996 - visiting my plot of land on Islay in 1997 - though it helps!)

[@stephenprentiss1021]

Cool to see Teeling represented hear. I tried it for the first time on my honeymoon and it's become my wife's favorite whiskey. So that distillery has a lot of sentiment for me.

[@Ian_P]

Brilliant episode all. Really enjoyed that dive into that subject. Very interesting. Thank you. 👍🙃 Goes back to sipping Glenfarclas 105. 🥃

[@Choobinski]

Love this channel, keep up the good work guys!

[@Retro_Rainer]

they always seem to have the greatest of times together. loving it

[@oldedominion8782]

I'm pleased with the Smooth Ambler sponsership, a damned fine pour

[@mastah_ig]

Guys you just awesome! Your passion and attitude is absolutely amazing! Cheers from Moscow!

[@croz711]

I want to come and visit you guys ASAP! I just moved back to Austin a month ago and discovered your KZbin two weeks ago. Love your content!

[@poli987789]

Pro tip - keep some coffee beans around, they're pretty handy when you need to "reset" your sense of smell. Not perfect, but better than most. My rule of thumb for the punchy Islay/Islands whiskies out there - I like them between 10 and 18 years old. Younger and it's unpleasantly harsh, older and it loses the punch. I liked Talisker 18 better than the 25. Distillery edition was also a treat. Only exception for the younger ones, as far as I tried, is the Octomore. Also finally Laphroaig 10 gets some love. Regular 10 y.o. was my first Islay, and it immediately shifted my focus from everything else to this type. I still enjoy it every time, but people seem to often think of it as something lesser for some reason.

[@rob2931]

Agree!! Just got a bottle of Kilchoman Machir Bay and very disappointed with it. Too young and harsh. Port Charlotte 10 is wonderful.

[@rob2931]

Laphroaig 10 hooked me on peat. Just picked up a 10 cask stregnth.

[@johnandrus3901]

@@rob2931 The cask strength is excellent. The regular 10 is quite fine, but the CS just walks on it.

[@johnandrus3901]

@@rob2931 I like the Machir Bay. I think that it is nice for a young whisk(e)y. It does have some 'bite', though.

[@johnandrus3901]

The younger Ocotomores are a bit rough for me. 63% in a five year or so Scotch is harsh and needs a nice amount of water to make them enjoyable. The 10 CS is a big step above the regular 10. The Talisker 10 is very nice, also.

[@Whiskeyman6276]

You guys are awesome. Excellent video

[@partyfarmer957]

I dig both of your channels. I cannot watch you guys without a bourbon, whisk(e)y, or scotch in my hand.

[@KR-sn5gp]

Hey guys, love whisky and stuff but apart from that you're legit entertainment. Every watch is like having a laugh with friends. Thnaks!

[@TheDudeOnTheDrums]

When you said SUPER OLD I admit I was anticipating some of the 50+ club and I was really hoping you guys had your hands on the Craigellachie 55 (better than the 13 but not as good as the 17), but this was a delight to watch, more Emma please!

[@aldenwilkins]

Guess the adds are working. Picked up the Smooth Ambler this morning. 😂

[@JimmyLeg]

I know you edited out Daniel laughing at Rex when he asked if the Talisker 10 was the same mashbill as the Talisker 30. I just want to make sure that a laugh actually happens. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA .... HA!

[@kylelockhart7066]

Best Whisky I've ever had in my life is Bruichladdich's PC5. Off the charts amazing smoke and complexity.

[@nicholasgoddard2360]

Awesome video guys, Emma looked like she almost changed her fav to that 27!

[@TheOldestSoul]

I've found that I prefer Glenmorangie 10 and Ardbeg 10 to any of the other ages of my two favorite scotch whiskeys. It's a nice balance of taste and price for me. It definitely aint all about how old it is!

[@GogiRegion]

Ironically it is about how old it is. It’s just that older isn’t necessarily better.

[@theodosios2615]

At the Jameson distillery tour, one of the distillers told us that whisky peaks around 23 years. Older than that, several of the smooth flavors dissipate. And the bitter aspects from the oak increase. It's the rarity you're paying for, due to evaporation loss.

[@okiepita50t-town28]

You guys make whiskey fun.

[@larryfurman6735]

Great video. I find Green Spot more appealing than Yellow or Red Spot. I also like the 12 year Redbreast better than the older bottles.

[@user-ii5im7zm2t]

They recently filmed a tasting of Glenturret for the first time ever on the channel. Glenturret's pretty much impossible to get, and the only bottles I've ever even almost got my hands on were minimum 30 years old, because all the young Glenturret goes straight into Grouse blends.

[@anicientbolt]

Yes Rex the SINGLE MALT Talisker 30 is the same mash bill as the Talisker 10.

[@JointFive]

People forget, the quality likey has changed as newer version i hear dont match their older releases (usually)

[@theeatonmess6063]

Daniels face when Rex asks is gold, straight at the camera like "I know you guys are gonna pick him up on this"

[@texlad04]

Research into the impact of phenolic ripeness of wine grapes has shown that ripeness as measured by sugar content (not phenolic ripeness) has the biggest impact on taste perception. (That said, underripe grapes will have more green or vegetal flavors, so it’s not a one dimensional thing.) The higher the sugar the higher the resulting alcohol will be. And when alcohol is higher the palate perceives the fruit flavors more strongly. I would expect a similar effect to exist in whiskies, at least up the point the alcohol overwhelms the palate.

[@sugarcaneross]

11:21 Daniel's reaction to Rex here is hysterical.

[@usmnt4423]

The fact they threw KOTOR like that makes me seethe so hard

[@OvelNick]

Not going to lie... I think of "Head Distiller that is lended out to other distilleries for their opinion on how they're doing things" and Emma isn't what pops up in my head. I think of Billy Gibbons. Lol. That's pretty fucking badass!

[@ardbegcam8875]

Hahahah “age changes things in whisk(e)y.” Love it guys

[@kilxler]

Zork. Wow! I loved Return to Zork. I hope one day they bring back that franchise.

[@biscuitninja]

Emma and shenanigans! Love it!

[@PeacefulVictorytoTruth]

Love this trio....!! Bringer out of the dungeon more!!!

[@thegoodfooddude7395]

Ok so I make my own Meade and there is a saying.........Time Heals all Brews........meaning the longer you age your Meade and let it mellow , and finish the product the better it gets..mainly cause of gasses coming out and chemical reactions and flavor developments etc., but I can totally see Age pretty much making all spirits better....in my experience the longer I wait to drink my Meade the better.......currently I have 3 gallons from my very first brew and well I am excited to see what it will be in maybe another 5 or 10 years

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

I find most Kentucky bourbons to be overaged after 12 years as they become too oaky. I’ve also liked Old Pultney 15 more than the 21. So, cask quality can be more important than age and maturation rates are relative to climate. So age statements are only meaningful in context of where it is from.

[@fturla]

Knowing that in blind tests some of the whiskey I have is preferred over many other competitors always negates the feeling that expensive liquor is better, and makes me feel I got a good deal on the best product available.

[@AridiumInsane]

That was pretty cool to do the giveaway at the end. Thanks

[@daniellasalle4073]

Great episode!

[@jimmyboyle3543]

Oh man! My favorite game of all time appearing as a giveaway on the show. I knew they had good taste.

[@hoytoy100]

Great point at 4:00. Things are expensive because you’re told it’s expensive and good, not that it is intrinsically good or better than other versions. These guys should do all blind taste tests , with the brand and version revealed at the end once they have provided their impressions.

[@Ototox]

You guys should try New Holland's Brewing Co's Dragon's Milk bourbon. New Holland is known for their bourbon barrel beer, Dragon's Milk, but they have a limited edition bourbon to go with the beer. I can't find it so I'm hopping to live vicariously through you guys.

[@benjohnston3369]

Emma is super human! Would love to see her on future videos

[@ardbegcam8875]

This is marketing 101. Also there’s a great conversation to be had about E159a (caramel coloring) and it’s effects in the same relm

[@Ed_Zachery]

I like the american bourbon around the 5-10 year (i guess regular bourbon) the irish/scotches I’ve noticed a big difference between the 12 year and 18 year......I did buy a 21 year glenfidich and have yet to crack it open as it was $$$ (for my budget LOL) and I’m waiting for a goooooood reason to open it LOL

[@clintonsummers85]

Redbrest 12 is my all time favorite whiskey! I prefer it over the 15 and 21.

[@Whiskeyman6276]

Zork. Brings back memories

[@lavantelemar3098]

I wish I could find rum guys like this

[@DJSweep75]

I for myself have found, that 12-18 years is the sweet spot for scotch. Except for some unicorns. Most of the whiskys I really love are in that range. They feel more balanced, than younger or older ones.

[@jeffv774]

Good to see guys got a Bottle Placement Autofix.

[@damyoutube9991]

Getting all the know from you guys ❤️👍

[@PeterPetersNL]

Laphroaig 10 👍 I always have a couple of bottles at home. And others too.

[@joshuasteele5108]

Ahhh ranger creek .36 that classic home depot lumber section flavor profile.

[@Reodor_Felgen]

I'm kinda the same way as people who enjoys it more if its more expensive. Only difference is i'm the kinda person who enjoys it more if the bottle looks a certain way, if the bottle is aesthetically pleasing to me i know i'll enjoy it more.

[@ahmctech104]

Have you had Lusty Claw? Epic looking bottle and cork. The cork is as heavy as it looks too

[@Reodor_Felgen]

@@ahmctech104 No can't say that i have, i think that is one of those hard to find whiskeys in Norway but i'll try!

[@JwupCapslock]

we definetly need more Emma

[@-RONNIE]

Good video 🥃

[@haiku7728]

"we about to find out!" LoL

[@jonnycollins9880]

Jameson brought out 3 bottle a few years back with no ages on them just different names. Coopers crow, Distillers safe & Blenders Dog. They said it was to make people appreciate the flavour over focusing on age.

[@groton27]

Been drinking the RedBreast 12 a lot and the finish is like Rex said wish it was more rounded

[@BigJonkulous]

KOTOR is an amazing game. Hopefully somebody picked up that tossed disc.

[@B1gC4st]

So, Canadian Whiskey as you know is a blend of mostly single grain whiskeys. Crown Royal is a blend of 50 whiskeys that is then finished in Limousin Oak. So I wonder, was Entrapment a whiskey that was a pre-blend barrel or a post-blend barrel?

[@LondonWater]

I don’t ever want to like a rye whiskey. I feel like it would change me into someone I don’t want to be🤣🤣 Bourbon… yet to be determined. It’s in my “hard no” category.. so it’s also a hard no from me. Give me sea salt, dirt, grass (but not that weak grass. This grass grows where it’s wet, windy, and cloudy). Throw in some mold, and campfire smoke… and I’m living and feeling like a king. I’m missing the castle… but aren’t there like a million of those? I’m sure someone abandoned their castle eons ago. Back when there were dragons and stuff🤣🤣

[@frusciantenc]

I think Willett 4yr rye is a whiskey that makes a lot of people realize older /= better

[@rometimed1382]

Emma is my spirit animal. "Is this bs better than your Laphoraig?" ... "No."

[@darrenc8776]

Emma is a funny gall we need more emma haha

[@Y34RZ3R0iscoming]

My favorite daily drinker scotches are laphroaig and ardbeg, both 10's and people ive told that to have turned their nose up because they think their glenfiddich is more complex based on its age. Glenfiddich is good, but ive encountered this type of thinking.

[@jimbaranresidence8]

It nice to listen diff age group ladies opinion on their sniff, scent, taste, looks and mental finish...