whisky review 360 - Benriach 25yo Authenticus

[@ronaldbeerguy]

Hi Ralfy, if you see comments on old videos i’d sure like each general thought on this particular bottle and how you would mark it today with your more conservative malt marks. I was lucky enough to find two bottles of this very single malt sitting in a lonely spot in one of my local liquor retail shops in Regina Saskatchewan Canada. I bought them both because of the age and the perceived quality of what would have been new Meq spirit going into the barrel back in 1990 according to the bottling date on both bottles. I still haven’t opened them but I have every intention to drink them. I bought them for $250 Canadian each or about £145. I was over the moon thrilled with my purchase even further when I saw out this review from you. I have a fairly extensive scotch whiskey. Library am my own home bossy in my basement. About 150 different bottles of single bolt scotch, and about another 70 or so bottles that make up my bourbon, Irish, Canadian single malt and a smattering of world whiskeys. Regardless, I have been following you for the past five years or so and I am a Patreon subscriber also. Your old videos are an excellent archive to go back and look at single malts of yesterday year. Thanks!

[@albertmiller3082]

Ralfy you are absolutely the best friend I've never met but can never spend enough time with either. These vlogs have gotten intrinsically better exponentially -- and I now inevitably ask myself "What would Ralfy do?" when scanning the bottles on the shelves... You do yourself proud time and time again, mate. Love it!

[@ADSCP]

Oh my I think this is the best whisky I ever tasted! What a way to start the year.

[@welshtoro3256]

A great Ralfy review this one. He's in top notch form and it is a top notch whisky. You can still buy it for under £150. Try finding a 25 year Islay malt for that money.

[@ADSCP]

Tasting this with you right now, opened it to start the new year.

[@MaltMuserWhisky]

Hot damn! What a score...I need to hunt this down.

[@PeatSmokey]

Nice straight-forward review of a rather rare yet novel whisky! See, even-though most of us more conventional maltmates will never have the opportunity to taste B25! ...& if we do, by the time we get our hands on it, it would most likely be a different bottling than yours! (& none of us wanna crawl back into that hole) More down to Earth malts/blends Ralfy! after all, ..."We Are All the Common Man" Peace

[@MrTurtle3006]

I'm more of a bourbon drinker, but I do enjoy a good single malt now and again.What I have noticed with bourbon is that it doesn't take much to over mature the bourbon. The first bourbon that I noticed this in, was Elijah Craig 18yo. At first sip, I felt that it was a little too oaky and not as complex. After that, I simply dismissed it as "bad". About 1 month later, I poured another dram of the Elijah Craig 18yo, while sitting in a quiet room. I realized that the maturation was the experience.

[@jonastrom3851]

I love Benriach! Please Ralfy I would like to se more of them in your vlogs!! :)

[@mattmcwax]

You may take note of the foods you are eating prior to your whiskey session. While not quite the same thing, I notice the heat from hot peppers is more overwhelming if I've had sweets before hand. Perhaps the tastebuds are overstimulated in some way. I don't eat sweets much anymore but I haven't noticed this when I've eaten 70%+ dark chocolate (lower in sugar) prior to drinking whiskey.

[@KidCharlemage1962]

Thanks for all the reviews! I enjoy them and have learned a great deal.

[@5tanw0rr311]

Ralfy ... a 92! First review I’ve seen over the 90 mark ☺️ but what whisky has your top mark? At this moment in time ....

[@StevenCalwas]

This has just shown up in California, but it's $280. Ouch! As a comparison, a 25y Caol Ila costs around $200 (six months ago).

[@deadgirldelilahable]

Might i suggest a review on "Booker's True Barrel Bourbon" by far the best I've had in my life. Bottled straight from the barrel. LOVELY taste!

[@StevenCalwas]

Like some older whiskys, this BenRiach is only 700ml. And no mention of chill filtration, so I assume it is. Just two more things to consider when deciding whether or not to buy.

[@kellydrover1994]

Benriach 25 is available in Alberta at Kensington Wine Market in Calgary, as well as at thier online store. Hope this helps.

[@minneapolisnico]

Hey there, Ralfy! I've been following you for a year or two now (first from the US and now from Holland) and I become more and more fascinated with whisky thanks to your entertaining and educating reviews! Anyway, a question for you: Have you tasted Islay Storm single malt, or heard anything about it, or have any idea which Islay distillery it comes from and importantly, is it any good? Either way, thanks for the effort you put into every review.

[@SpydieFan]

One to look out for, haven't come across this one in the USA though.

[@jonastrom3851]

I recommend Benriach sherry wood matured 12yo.

[@marem19]

I get that its just that even at 40% alchol i still the the burn and the numb tongue feeling. then i would add more water and get it extremely low. This makes me feel that i am missing out on a lot of flavor

[@erikkz]

Ralfy did take us on a tour through Scotland's whisky regions, look for reviews 268 to 273.

[@TehNakidGod]

Another magic review Ralfy! Looking to try something new after my bottle of bruichladdich classic, perhaps give this a wirl. How does one suggest a malt mention? Monocled Mutineers, after the TV series in the eighties, also available on youtube.

[@snidelywhiplash]

For those who can't do the conversion, GBP105=$163. For a good 25-year-old bottle, that's not an unreasonable price.

[@nfltrrrqwsa7512]

Amazing facial hair

[@TokyoTraveller]

Beautiful! Thanks Ralfy

[@theycallmemrtibbs1]

This Whisky is immense

[@marem19]

Ralfy any pointers on how to build up the tolerance of alcohol on the tongue. I still i tend to get a lot of burn of the tongue with whiskeys even at 40% so I add a lot of water to bring it down. Consequently i feel i am missing out on a lot of flavor. Is there a way i can build up my taste buds

[@erikkz]

Talisker 10. Really wondering how you think about it 4 years later. I had the new Storm at the Whisky in Leiden festival a few weeks back, absolute great Talisker expression. Try it out some time!

[@kellydrover1994]

Love your review Ralfy another wonderful malt moment. A quick question if you could, would you be able to say what a decent price is for you? I only ask because prices in other countries vary so much compared to Scotland.

[@hardindr]

hello!

[@nedthepiemaker]

Perhaps you are looking for the TALISKER Storm? But it's from Isle of Skye.

[@kalm1531]

Thank you for sharing !

[@stevec.5010]

Probably thinking Talisker's Storm ~ a peppery monster ~ tho' not Islay & yes Ralfy, no age statement.

[@chefaaron77]

I would be very interested to year your reviews of beers.

[@notme123123]

I recently watched a review where the reviewer compared a brand new Ardbeg 10 to a 6 month old Ardbeg 10, which was very empty, so lots of oxygen interaction. He could barely tell the difference and could not say which one was better.

[@NatsTown]

Ralfy, how long do you take to finish up a bottle after opening? What is the absolute longest you should wait to finish before the oxygen ruins it? Thanks! Love the channel

[@dogmaticusfilosoof]

Again a very good review. I'm watching your videos more and more , its quite educational. Btw , I like sherried whisky a lot , matured in cherry wood or just a sherry finish , I once tried ardbeg and i found it really bad. But I want to like peated whisky as well. Which whisky would you recommend as starter to someone who wants to work his way into the peaty whisky world ? thanks

[@samuelmorse784]

Springbank 12, then graduate to Ardberg Ugeidail and at the top: the king of all peat, Laphroaig 10

[@seblacombe]

Hey Ralfy, have you tasted younger BenRiach? Would you recommend them? Here in Quebec, Canada the 25 year-old is not available.. Thank you and keep going I love your reviews!

[@miserablerhurensohn]

I'm have the Ben Riach 10yo Curiositas while watching this. I find it to be like a slightly sweeter and 3% more ABV version of 12yo Caol Ila, peat level quite similar. Is the peat level of this 25yo more subdued than that with more wood coming through?

[@TokyoTraveller]

Hello Ralfy, I know you have many followers, so I’ll keep this quick. I have tried and enjoyed whiskies out there that are particularly sweet, floral, or peaty, but I would like to know if you know of any whiskies that are particularly spicy, and has no peat, or very little peat. Thanks, T2

[@BruceinFalkirk]

No, there is a whisky called Islay Storm.

[@snidelywhiplash]

The problem is that alcohol has an anesthetizing effect on the tongue. So anything at, say, 55-60% ABV is bound to bollox your tastebuds. I'll have a small sip at full-strength to test it out, then water it to a level that works for you. Oftentimes that's 40% ABV.

[@MrBillybonka]

wow that's a pretty high score

[@ragingcao]

Have you tried the 20yr old and if so what is your take compared to the 25yr old?

[@Riverdale270]

Ralfy, hypothetically, could a whisky get 100/100 in your review? What characteristics would it need to get that mark?

[@officehsand9698]

Hi Ralfy..What do you think of Signatory Mortlach 21 Years 1991 53,8 %..As good as 1988 version?

[@BruceinFalkirk]

Benriach 25 is much cheaper than any available 25 year old peaty Islay whisky. Just see what 25 year old Bowmore, Caol Ila, Laphroaig, Ardbeg or Lagavulin would cost you.

[@borismorrison]

When Macallan Management decide to pay Ralfy few thousands and fix his tooth he will go for a 100 :)