whisky review 541 - Benromach Peat Smoke 2005 Single Malt

[@maltfusion6743]

Benromach is one of the shining stars of the increasingly inflated and commercialized whisky market. Just finished a bottle of 10yo CS and it was sublime old school whisky with bold flavors and gutsy presentation.

[@scrimmy45]

One of his best reviews ever..he covers so many topics and goes off on so many relevant tangents.Education for the whisky masses..! And he is a top bloke.Have had a blether with him on several occasions..

[@cobblewright]

Story time with Uncle Ralfy and it's a full 26 minutes. Excellent! My favorite time of the week.

[@mirqo9657]

Christopher Cobblewright Yep, my fav.time of the week as well.

[@brunothor2696]

I've been enjoying your whiskey, scotch and spirit reviews. I'm getting an enormous education watching these. What a public service!! Thank you very much!

[@zvileshetz3685]

Excellent ! and a big shout from Israel. Those Ralfy vlogs are by far the best whisky source of info out there. A real gem of a Malt moments as Ralfy would have put it ...

[@geoffolehane]

You have become my favorite whiskey reviewer on the web. Keep up the good work.

[@INDYNOIR1]

Ralfy, last day of 17 in Scotland. Beautiful country u live in, and friendly people. Springbank & Glenfarclas were some favorite tours. Isle of Mull, Tobermory some of my favorite places. FYI, you're more well known in the states than in Scotland. I turned many Scots onto you. Interesting notes: scotch more expensive over here, I'm coming home w/ a few scotches but ironically a scarce bourbon in the US. Four Roses Single Barrel 2014 private edition. I came to Scotland for golf, hiking, castles, but also partly due to your great reviews inspiring my interest in Single Malt Whisky. Cheers to you! Best reviewer online or offline.

[@rxwarren]

Loved this malt moment Ralfy - taking a blowtorch to a lump of peat! Not tried a peated Speyside yet so this bottle is definitely on my watch list. Thanks!

[@jashayou]

thanks for another in depth review with some more history and depth of knowledge of Scotch. I'm glad you did this one. It's one of the bottles I brought back from Scotland with me.

[@ianmason2296]

I agree with the extra bottle idea. I have 21 bottles put away till retirement and it gives one more reason to look forward to it. I will continue to do this until the day finally arrives.

[@maltreviews]

Ralfy, we learn something new in every video. Cant wait to try this one. Thanks

[@timotwo1]

Yet another informative review. I haven't yet opened my 10 YO Benromach and now I've another to buy! Thanks Ralfy! Lol. Always look forward to your vlogs...

[@Derek-zd3xz]

We finally got a shipment of this in my city (Calgary, Canada). Just tried it. Fantastic! My personal favorite peated whiskys are Laphroaig 10 and Bowmore 12. I must say, this is right up there with them. Nice fruitiness mixed with peat-smokiness. I hope it will still be available in the future. It's quickly become a favorite. I wouldn't have noticed it unless you had reviewed it. I had tried the Benromach 10yr and fell in love with it too. Great review!

[@FishplateFilms]

Another great review Ralfy! This one is a definite for me, a mix of all my favourites it seems! You mention storing whisky in the fridge, I live in the sub tropics in Queensland, Australia, which is hot and humid most of the year. Can I store my whisky in the fridge long term? Thanks and cheers Gregg.

[@ArtMorte]

It may feel like a one-way conversation sometimes, Ralfy, but I hope it gives a little warmth to your bothy, like a peat fire burning away, to know that your monologues provide the backdrop to some of the best malt moments at this end of the Internet : )

[@fuckthisfuckbullshit]

I've never seen Benromach here in the US, after all your praise I'd be tempted to try it if I could.

[@Tasman_Tea]

Another wonderful review, Ralfy! Thanks! Your mention of peat areas around the compelled me to remind your viewers/readers of my own dear island-home of Tasmania! Plenty of peat and plenty of wonderful whisky. Any chance of reviewing one of these? One of the Nant range, perhaps? Just hoping...

[@dane5896]

You reviewed it in #418 and the extra time in the barrel really raised your score!

[@johnhenfrey5936]

Another great review Ralfy. With lots to take in, it really has to be a one way conversation, or you just couldn't digest all the information you are giving us.

[@ic3105]

Take a sip of the same and enjoy every second while listening to Ralfy. Quality time.

[@redlightsprinter]

This is an instant new favorite.

[@jamrb1]

Another interesting review Ralfy. I'm really looking forward to the review of that Glenfarclas 15yo cask strength, that you trailed a while back!

[@Hogibaer]

Listening to your review while enjoying an IB Springbank sherry single cask bottling, yum yum. After being pleasantly surprised by the Benromach 10, I might try the Peat Smoke as well. Good thing they put dates on the label, I am a bit of a 2015-non-NAS-buyer myself... :-)

[@ZZZZZZZZZZZ11breach]

Hey Ralfy, Very good review as usual. I was just a bit surprised that you did not mention the new 5YO from Benromach. It seems to show that at least some of the whisky industry are listening and agreeing with your thoughts about NAS whiskys and introducing very young age statements. Maybe a sign of new times? One more thing: in a previous review you mentioned whisky brokers and that you plan to talk about them a bit in detail. I always find very interesting when you are revealing this kind of background information. Are you still planning to cover this topic? Slainté!

[@maffyoot]

just picked up a bottle of this online for £33 cant wait to try it

[@ByKindPermission]

I dont usually buy NAS whiskies but I bought a Glenlivet Nadurra First Fill CS 59.8% on friday. I bought it simply because it only cost the equivalent to £50 which is really cheap for that kind of abv. here. Im not a very experienced scotch drinker but I thought it was pretty decent with some splashes of water in it. And being so strong its gonna last a good while. At least its not chillfiltered! Great video as always ralfy!

[@RadioLaboratory]

Glenlivet Nad is a 16yo malt! Luvly stuf.Njoy w/care

[@ByKindPermission]

Radio Laboratory I did some research and apparently the Nadurra 16yo is discontinued, both the First Fill and Oloroso are NAS. If they were 16yo they would probably state it on the bottle dont you think?

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

ByKindPermission Both the 70cl 16 YO Nadurra (56.1%) and the 1 Litre 16 YO Nadurra (48%) are still readily available where I live. The 1 Litre is actually cheaper than the 70cl version! I've already gone through about three bottles. Maybe I should stock up before it all disappears?

[@RadioLaboratory]

ByKindPermission O my, realy?? NAS Nadurra. 16yrs is a badge of honor n yur rite it wud certainly b sumwher on the box or th botle. My State stor still has sum 16's on th shelvz so thnx 4 the heds-up. Gona hav 2 grab it wile its stil availabl. cheers

[@antiquariancrafts2454]

Excellent review. I tried this one last night.

[@xixit]

Nice review. :) Speaking of whisky experiments, I tried a funny one at a tasting a few months ago. The person in charge took a bottle of Ardbeg 10yo and put it in a sodastream, and ... well, carbonated Ardbeg is weird, really weird. If you haven't tried it, you should, just for the experience. :)

[@thewhiskybothy]

Jens Boye Hansen . . . I will check this one out as it sounds fascinating.

[@tc1836]

***** Sounds like a subject for a Ralfy Review?

[@spookytruth9307]

Ralfy, thanks so much for what you do. Why do they give a distilled on and a bottled on date rather than just call it 9yo on the label? Sounds a bit tricky to me...

[@dansemcabre]

I had no idea North America had peat bogs! I have a great interest in peating scotch style ale. This requires some reserch!

[@flyingchilders]

Just tried the distilled 2006 bottled 2015 version, excellent stuff, and very well priced :-)

[@kellyj5389]

I'll also add that Ardmore traditional cask peated is very good and pretty cheap. But the peat smoke is superior. IMHO.

[@gummybearkiller1]

Ancnoc Cutter? Because i dont agree that Ancnoc needs more time. It´s the youth that makes it really nice, but i agree that it ought to have a age statement Great review of a great whisky by the way.

[@mg428]

Raldy, what is your take on BenRiach's "wood finish expressions" (Maderia, Dark Rum, Sauternes and Tawny Port) in general, and if you have any experience with any of them, in specific? While I am sure the second maturation caliber would not be as long as Springbank's expressions, but are they at least sufficiently matured in the second cask?

[@johnholzhauer7137]

I bought this last autumn after watching this review. I was very pleased, thanks Ralfy. I'm relatively a novice at the whisky tasting business, but I think this is great stuff! It has become one of my favorites. I plan to experiment soon, by mixing some Benromach 10 unpeated with some Caol Ila 12, probably half and half, to try to get something sweet(ish) and smoky. Has anyone something like this? Also, how does Benromach Peat Smoke 2006 to Peat Smoke 2005?

[@johnholzhauer7137]

I've been "lurking" here for quite a while, this is my first post.I bought this last autumn after watching this review. I was very pleased, thanks Ralfy! I'm relatively a novice at the whisky tasting business, but I think this is great stuff! It has become one of my favorites. I plan to experiment soon, by mixing some Benromach 10 unpeated with some Caol Ila 12, probably half and half, to try to get something sweet(ish) and fruity vs.smoky. Has anyone tried something like this? Also, has anyone tried Benromach Peat Smoke 2006? How does it compare to Peat Smoke 2005 and/or Peat Smoke 2004??

[@skillet4068]

Ralfy, Any chance you might be reviewing the GlenDronach 8 year old?

[@EdwardChristos]

thanks for the review. Love the peat. You Manx Mogater, you....

[@themaltbar]

Hi Ralfy. I'm watching a special on the Bonneville Salt Flats motorcycle races. your team ready for breaking the existing record ? I think they said 182 or 184 mph! Good luck this year maltmate.

[@AJDuerr]

Ralfy, do you see distilleries moving to the distilled and bottled dates rather than the traditional age statement? I guess it doesn't bother me too much, but it would be easier if they just put the age on the label. Also, does that mean that they are not combining casks from different years? Thanks!

[@andrew_ep_curtis]

Will Turner? Does Jack Sparrow know he is drinking whisky, not rum? Haha Great video (Hopefully you get the joke)

[@FatCandyProduction]

Last week I came across the Benromach 15y/o for the first time. It's the 10y/o whisky of the year 2014 but then 5 years older. about €25 more then the 10y/o. Think you're gonna give it a go? (: I've got the feeling that it's gonna be quite tasty.

[@tweezerjam]

15:07 finally addresses the mound of dirt 😂

[@nsmalcolm]

another excellent review! and it's about time this whisky was done. tried it for the first time last year at a whisky show in melbourne and walked away with 2 bottles. it IS my favourite peated drink now. just curoious ralfy, is it the 67ppm bottle that you reviewed here or one of the lesser (i think its 54ppm but correct me if i'm wrong). i've only had the 67ppm version but interested to see the difference between the others

[@thewhiskybothy]

nsmalcolm . . . no idea of the ppm as I have now given the bottle away to a friend (the lucky maltster)

[@sushii1506]

great review, like allways, keep it up, greetings from "peat boggy" Germany

[@aaplayford2222]

What is the highest whiskey rating you have ever given in this series and what bottle achieved it?

[@Hume820]

Aberfeldy 12 review? It's one of the few single malts that's affordable where I'm from.

[@kormisosh]

I have a question on casks. As we know from Ralfy, talking about Scotch whisky industry, there's that phenomenon or production cost cutting technique of reassembling, reworking, revamping:) the casks. On the other hand, a legal requirement for producing bourbon in the US is, that the spirit has to be matured in new casks. So I'm wondering how is that the Americans can afford to use new casks or barrels as they say and the Scotch producers are jeopardizing the quality of their product by introducing such practices? I mean, they're selling the bourbon casks after, but still... Or am I just getting the wrong idea of the the whole process?

[@BorisLikesBeer13]

Hi fellow MaltMates, have any of you tried the 13 y.o. William Lawson's. I would like to know your opnion. I can buy 700ML bottles for about 12 pounds and im thinking about buying a couple of them. Much appricated a Dutch MaltMate

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

Benromach Peat Smoke is definitely on my wish list for August. You just had to mention Caol Ila and I’m sold! Very interestingly, you mentioned that Old Pulteney used some old Laphroaig casks to mature their spirit which gave it a slightly more peaty smoke flavoured Pulteney. I can understand this. However there are those who maintain that charring casks can give the whisky a smoky flavour. I find this very difficult to believe. Charring, from what I understand, should produce a toffee, butterscotch fudge flavour. At the most a burnt toffee flavour but certainly not smoky flavour. I would have thought that this can only come from peated malted barley or as you said, from ex-peated whisky casks. Am I right?

[@Cypeq]

Reb Mordechai definitely toasting casks don't create smoky flavour. I doubt that charred black parts of wood give any flavour... it creates carbonized layer that's absorbent of substances not releasing them... I think it only hepls to get whisky into wood and sterilizes the cask.

[@tc1836]

Reb Mordechai Tried it several years ago - maybe an earlier version. Loved it, but maybe not as much as out glorious teacher loved it. Have you tried a Port Charlotte?

[@bobg649]

Cypeq The charring of a cask can add smoke flavor to the spirit, but it's a wood smoke flavor, instead of a yummy peat smoke flavor, and it will usually only happen if the cask is charred and then filled soon thereafter. I'm not sure what "soon" means, but the longer the cask sets before filling the less smoke taste that will make it into the spirit.

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

NM Bob Is this simply your opinion that charring adds wood smoke flavours to the final result or are you basing this on any facts or experience? All the experts that I have spoken to told me that it's a total myth on par with peated water adding peaty flavour to the whisky!

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

Tony Cobb No. Never tried Port Charlotte but I'd love to. In fact I've never seen any Bruichladdich in Israel at all. Peated whiskies available in Israel are Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, Bowmore, Caol Ila, Ardmore, Ledaig and Tomintoul Peaty Tang. Old Pulteney is slightly peated and I almost forgot, of course we can get Talisker 10 although I avoid this one due to it's overpowering black pepper taste which puts me off.

[@zackinafrica]

Hey Ralfy. Have you ever tried any spirit bottled in a ceramic container? I know Springbank has some older offerings in ceramic decanters, and I was wondering if the ceramic affects the quality of the spirit over time. Thanks!

[@mistermalt3234]

I couldn't describe it better 😀

[@andrewlordon8734]

I really enjoy this bottle, can you recommend more that are similar? I don't like medinical, iodine, meat notes.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . Longrow 10yo, good luck.

[@Charles-bi2iu]

How about whisky and food? I mean as an aperitif or accompaniment. Just a suggestion for a vlog series perhaps.

[@philipeagleton8447]

Try Benromach 10YO with kippers. Makes for a long day if you have them for breakfast though!!!

[@Cypeq]

Charles Scott I like cheaper sweet whiskeys with chocolates... great dessert. Gentleman Jack with white ;3 works well.

[@Deliquescentinsight]

Any similarities with Laphroiag Ralfy?

[@foxhound5702]

Hey Ralfy what was the reason you never reviewed Glenfiddich 18 ? did you just not enjoy it enough to review it?

[@rayraymond2952]

HillaToppa 90'z At 9:35 in Whisky Review 96 (of the delicious & excellent Glenfiddich 15 Solera (88 malt mark, & in a blind tasting, I tasted some on this past Saturday night - yummy)), Ralfy said that he was not going to review GF18. He said that he had been sampling some of the GF18 Ancient Reserve &, with a thumbs up & a yucky facial expression, he said that he would not be reviewing GF18. In other reviews, Ralfy has stated that he does not review spirits that don't get at least an 80 mark. With this info, you can make your decision on GF18, & for that matter GF15 Solera. I can say that for $45-50, the GF15 Solera is well worth it. :) Slainte, Richard (Ray Raymond is an internet pseudonym.)

[@taylorgiffen8389]

Ralfy! Can you revisit a Canadian Single Malt, Glen Breton 10 year old, or the older 14 year old. Please and Thank you. Watching from Canada

[@dimitrisp.7367]

Hello Ralfy hello guys! Greetings from Greece! A fast advice! Best sherried malt under 100€? I am confused between Glendronach 15 revival or any Glenfarclas! Ah and a malt-mention for you! "Hello you malt-agapitikoi (means someone who loves something, prononounced as it spelled!)

[@thewhiskybothy]

Dimitris Prapas . . . Glenfarclas 15yo

[@mirqo9657]

Dimitris Prapas Hello malt mate. (I know, it might not be appropriate for some to talk about it here but.. I strongly support freedom for equality for your country, for all of your residents. It is yours state not the "troikas" and only you can and should decide whether Greece would be independent political society of equal citizens or just a society for some).. also would go for Farclas15. Cheers to Greece.

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

Ralfy, I brought a few lumps of Kilchoman peat back home to "repeat" (excuse the pun) your blowtorch demonstration for a talk I am giving on Saturday night to our Malt Whisky Club. I have already tried blowtorching some peat for around 15 seconds but it doesn't produce much smell and no smoke at all! I remember that the guide at Kilchoman mentioned that they soak the peat slightly before use in order to produce more smoke. Maybe I should try this? Do you have any advice for me for my demonstration?

[@thewhiskybothy]

+Reb Mordechai . . . watch out that the smoke detectors don't set off the fire alarms if there are any at your club venue.

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

+ralfystuff OK. I tried it again last night. I first soaked a bit of peat for 20 minutes then blowtorched it on a metal tray. It made a lot of smoke and the remainding peat let off a lovely earchy smoke smell.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . an unmistakable smell. And always lovely too.

[@billysaunders109]

Ralfy.... Need your opinion? My Dads got a bottle of 1966 Springbank the 61.2% version. He bought it 25 years ago brand new. Shall we sell? Drink? Or keep?..... Thank you.

[@mirqo9657]

Billy Saunders Am not Rafly but I suggest you to: 1. Sell it only If you desperetaly need some money..in that case I suggest you to either offer it to some good whisky auction or sell It on your own but before that do consult at least 2 well known experts OR you can collect a great amount of money for charity...etc. 2. Keep It in a shelf intact If you plan to open It lately for any kind of reason. 3. Open and enjoy every single drop to your fathers good health and you can invite me to drop by, no problem. 4. You can generously give It to me and I am gonna drink It slowly to yours good health :-) Cheers mate.

[@thewhiskybothy]

Billy Saunders . . . a very desirable auction malt if you sell, delicious if you drink it !

[@antoinem9411]

Billy Saunders the Springbank you have is the 1966 Local Barley-West Highland and is being sold for 4500 pounds at The Whisky Exchange. so there is quite a lot of money in it. personally speaking i am a Whisky fan and would sell it and buy a couple of other great bottlings that are of similar quality but cheaper. for that money i would buy a couple of Broras or something like that. but then again....oh man that's a hard decision.

[@ThePeaceableKingdom]

Billy Saunders Oh, that's a horrible bottle! Send it to me and I will cheerfully dispose of it for you. (says I, sittin' here pattin' me own bottle of the same...) :)

[@Ardbeg1964]

Billy Saunders I bought a bottle of Ardbeg 1977 in 2004 for £70 and a second one for £120 in 2006. I drank the first one over the course of two years but only opened the second, Christmas 2014, to drink a toast to my Dad who sadly had passed away the previous Christmas. Probably, I could have sold that bottle for £400+ but I decided that I valued the 'malt moment' more. And do you know what? - that whisky was so fantastic it actually made me laugh out loud :-). So, I felt I made the right choice - to toast my Dad with such a wonderful dram.

[@retiredfromthejob9319]

Question. What was Whisky's taste before American White Oak was discovered?

[@thewhiskybothy]

retired from the job . . . fruity, cereal-rich vodka, or sherry-spirit.

[@sveinndagur]

Will you ever review Black Ram?

[@antoinem9411]

for me there should be more peated Highlanders. yes we have Ardmore and Benromach, but since Brora is gone and has become way too expensive for middle class earners, we got almost nothing else. Suntory un-peated Glen Garioch in order to produce more commercial Single Malt. but nowadays, what is more marketable than peated Whiskies? they should bring the peat back, as i find peated Highlanders much more interesting than maritime peated Island/Islay Whiskies.

[@Cypeq]

Antoine M not every whisky should be peaty... not every whisky is suited for that, you'd cover up some characteristics with peat... we live in strange times of strange fashions. About Brora's... even milioners find that there's stuff they can't afford so there's no need to strain yourself or your budget over this type of things.

[@antoinem9411]

Cypeq that's not what i am saying. i mentioned only a few which were peated in the past but have been un-peated to be more commercial. Clynelish and Glen Garioch originally were peated Highlanders. so yes they were and still are suited for that. that is why i collect vintages of late 80s/early 90s Glen Gariochs. they are affordable old style Glen Gariochs. about Brora, well i won't go into debt for that, it's enough to pick up samples at Whisky Festivals.

[@maltfusion6743]

Antoine M As a complete Clynelish nut (contemporary bottlings) I would give an arm and a leg to taste Broras but the silly prices make that impossible.

[@antoinem9411]

Maltfusion www.whiskysample.nl

[@maltfusion6743]

Antoine M Thanks for the tip. I might just pull the trigger once for the experience even if it costs me 65€/6cl.

[@spinycrayfish]

N00b question, but when you talk about refilled casks, they have been emptied of the previous content and then shipped (either whole or dismantled) to be reused, right? Do any whiskys actually ship in the cask or are they always bottled locally? Any theories on what a month at sea would do to the spirit? Could the sea air or motion of the ocean possibly be a good thing?

[@thewhiskybothy]

spinycrayfish . . . by law, all single malts must be bottled in Scotland.

[@xiamengbaby]

I purchased a bottle of single malt whisky from the PM Project. It was whisky that was distilled and aged for 16 years on the Isle of Arran. The barrels were then shipped to France and aged an additional 7 or 8 years in ex-cognac barrels. Though it is clearly Isle of Arran single malt whisky, it is labeled a product of France since it can not be legally labeled as a Scotch single malt. I don't mind since it was a comparative bargain compared to a fully legal Isle of Arran scotch single malt of that age. It was a delicious bottle.

[@ArtificialFertilizer]

Ralfy! I've watched a few of your films and now I thought to ask if you ever have tried some beers based on whiskey malt? There're two known by me which are great but... they are brewed in Poland. I thought about sending as I'm going to visit the UK in the nearest month and the parcel sent from London won't make me go bankrupt as it would in case of sending from Poland. Would you be interested in doing a beer review on the channel? Cheers from Poland!

[@ArtificialFertilizer]

They are made on peated malt, one is called Smoky Joe from AleBrowar brewery, the second one is... I forgot the one of the one I'm thinking about. If they will be available before my coming to London, there will be no problem in sending you.

[@Robhalifax]

I really, really wish I could get into peated Whisky, but im struggling. At the moment im slowly working my way through a bottle of Ardmore. It got easier after the first couple of glasses but ive hit a wall and I cant say im enjoying the experience. I wouldnt dare spend money on an Islay, which is a shame as I seem to be missing out on a whole world of whisky.

[@thewhiskybothy]

Rob J . . . if you don't take to the peat-stuff, no worries, just avoid them.

[@TheJusnic82]

Rob J Peat is not for everyone you either love it or hate it...

[@koeliejoelie2]

Try Lagavullin 16 yrs . It's rather heavy peated , But it has a counter balance with sweet sherry casks. It was my first big peat whisky and I was pleasantly surprised by the complex aromas. Perhaps a miniature first if they are available? Highland park 12 is even softer and perfect to enter the peated whisky, although it's a bit different compared to Isla peat. Not that phenolic coastal character.

[@Player_Review]

Rob J When I'm in the mood for a cheaper peat scotch, I go for Cutty Sark, which I find yummy.

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

Rob J Try a Caol Ila 12 Year Old as the best indroduction to Islays within most people's budgets. It has the peat smoke and seaweed but also that lovely gentle fruity and lemony flavour. More expensive though are Laphroaig and Caol Ila 18 Year Olds where over time, the peat influence has rescinded and the fruitiness has come to the fore.

[@Andysbitsnbobs]

Nice one Ralfy

[@WoutBoswinkel]

How about Benriach 10 yo Curiositas Peated? Much cheaper.

[@johncarder819]

Why does whisky need to be stored "standing up"? Wine is typically stored on its side, to ensure that the cork does not dry out.

[@MadDog769]

A different kind of cork is used for whisky. Also, the higher alcohol content of whisky breaks down the cork and there's a chance the cork could taint the whisky.

[@ironbooze2937]

John Carder but the cork of a whisky bottle is a different one. it is designed to be opened several times. there is no need to keep it moist, so just store it "standing up", as it decreases: the danger of tainting the whisky/Alcohol "attacking" the cork/Whisky leaking out (never experienced any of those things...always had 'em standing tall (:

[@ThePeaceableKingdom]

John Carder A wine cork is a driven cork. It's sides are perpendicular. A whisky cork's sides are angled. Only the smallest ring at the bottom is actually compressed in contact with the bottle. Compared to wine, the high proof of a whisky is a powerful solvent. Continual contact with the cork will deteriorate the seal. In fact, with age, whisky corks tend to deteriorate anyway; if you open a very old bottle - not old whisky, old in the bottle - the cork usually crumbles. If the fill level has not diminished too much, that is, if the seal held, the whisky will still be fine. But corks will also shrink if they dry out. It's a good idea to take old bottles that you want to shelve for long periods and occasionally, say every couple of months, tilt them so the cork is re-wetted. But a decade or two down the line the cork will still be crumbly. Serious oenophiles sometimes remove corks and replace them on precious bottles, or dip the bottle's end in wax to seal them. (Not something to do if you ever intend on selling on the bottle, though...)

[@ThePeaceableKingdom]

***** It's a powerful solvent. Big Peat is almost half alcohol, where the typical wine is about 7/8ths water...

[@thewhiskybothy]

John Carder . . . wine corks are much stronger than whisky corks.

[@kellyj5389]

I love this scotch.

[@effingosprey9434]

Any plans on doing more rum reviews? Kracken is great, and its affordable!

[@DanKeeley]

I love these reviews. But I've only seen two of them. Is there ever a whisky he doesnt like though?

[@tweezerjam]

Many

[@dansemcabre]

Also for anyone who is searching for review #40 here is a link! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpzFn3pne7ibq5Y

[@RadioLaboratory]

This guy apears 2b a re-rev Ralfy (WR418 - 86/100) wow 4point upgrade we got here 2day! Wat gave it such a big bump maltmate?? hmmm. ...even better still ex-bourbn cask u thnk theyr usin??

[@jazzpianofingers1997]

Radio Laboratory Nope - different label, different year, different age

[@girlcrazy7]

laphroaig 10. my love life defined.

[@juliankung847]

first!

[@thewhiskybothy]

Julian Küng . . . verified first !