Is there no end of fascinating whisky vids this guy can make? He has a singular talent for it.

Ralfy don't ever stop making these videos please. Look after yourself so you can live for many more decades my friend.

Shear poetry in motion ralfy perfect 👌

Another review whereby I learn something more. Thankyou Ralfy for sharing your expertise.

I visited the distillery in September. Great tour, great whisky and one hell of a road to cross.

I totally agree with your comments on chill (or indeed any type of) filtration Ralfy. It's the same with good ale/beer etc. The ubiquitous crap that's punted out there for consumers is stripped of flavour as it is racked from a bright beer tank (BBT), whereas the same product for retail in cask is natural and wholesome, i.e. cask conditioned. I'm very confident that you know all of this, as do other informed and educated malt mates. The parallel with the whisky industry is clear......so it has to be NCF wherever possible please. Combined with no colour and decent strength, it is the true path to follow and enjoy.

Ralfy - Been away from single malts for a number of years. Love your videos - entertaining and very informative. Just purchased Deanston 12 and the Glengoyne 10. Both are wonderful, and you've done such a fine job reviewing and recommending them! My hat is off to you!

Ralfy is best 💪

If you want to visit loads of distilleries, all over Scotland, and see the warehouses, get a job driving an articulated lorry for one of Scotland’s biggest hauliers. That’s what opened the wonderful world of whisky for me, 35 years ago.

Happy to add Yamazaki and Hakashu as great distillery tours which show off warehouses as part of the process.Yamazaki a beautiful place to sip a dram as well..as is Yoichi!

Ralfy, throughout the years I learned a lot from you and others ofcourse, I have one key rule when I buy whisky (sometimes I forgot about it to be honest) and that is: no chill-filtering, natural colour and age statement, if possible higher ABV or cask-strength. For the last 4 or 5 years I have been avoiding famous brands for this reason, like Bowmore, Macallan, Highland Park, to name a few. Yes, sometimes we have one of those in our whiskyclub and 9 times out of 10 they are a big dis-appointment. Throughout the years I have learned to look at more "obscure" brands and independant bottlers and had some real gems, beautiful Blair Athol's, Glen Scotia's, Glenturret's, Linkwood's, Arran's and so on...……...for a fraction of the money you would spend on the "famous" brands. I wish you and your loved ones a beautiful, peacefull and tasty Holiday Season, thank you for your insight! Thumbs up again from The Netherlands!

Ralfy, you have to understand that Auchentoshan official bottlings are consistent all along the range. They are all about “easy Access”, accessibility and approachability and getting that “Single Malt” rich experience straight out the bottle, even from the first pour. They are not designed for the likes of us Ralfy. They are for those who don’t have any patience or maturity and demand an “instant coffee” whisky experience. Indeed, the 18 Year-Old for example, is very tasty with no need to add water or wait for it to settle down in the glass. You get a rich creamy malt with big white luscious fruit, caramel, honey bourbon barrel spices and black tea on the mid-palette. The finish fades away very quickly but then again, the target audience is not looking for a long finish. It’s all about instant gratification and quickly moving on to the next sensation. In that sense, Auchentoshan do a very good job (and I’m not being sarcastic here). It takes great skill to produce a whisky that tastes great straight out the bottle, even from the first pour. We visited Auchentoshan distillery last month (November 2019) for a quick tasting session. I had to stop the girl after 10 minutes and asked her really nicely, if she could just stop using the word “smooth” in every single sentence. But then again, doesn’t that word, with all its positive and negative connotations, simply sum up Auchentoshan? While in the shop, I was saying to my father that it’s a shame they don’t do more higher strength, non-chill filtered natural colour expressions. There were two senior distillery managers there behind the counter, bending down and looking at some computer screen. One of them lifted his head, having overheard my conversation, and started talking to me. He told me that almost nobody actualy cares if its coloured and chill-filtered. In fact, they would be put off if the bottles didn’t look the same. (I suppose he is right if you were producing instant coffee. If you bought two jars and one was a lighter brown than the other, it would look odd!). he said that they bottled at 43% abv so that the whisky is ready to drink straight out the bottle, which is what the vast majority of people want! I really didn’t think it was worth arguing with him. After all, I was talking 180 gram Vinyl records and he was talking mp3 190 kbps files. (Isn’t is strange how you see turntables and vinyl records everywhere these days!)

Ralfy your rant is always welcome and it's an honest reflection on what is happening. Companies should really listen because it is aiming to make the product better. Those who approach their products with a passion for the art will understand. Those who treat it purely as business may not.

A couple months back we drove up to the Highlands from London and spent a weekend in Inverness and exploring Loch Ness. We visited the Glen Ord distillery and I distinctly remember this musky almost bitter smell in the air coming from the distillery. It had a kind of biscuity yeasty tang to it but with a sour aroma reminiscent of crude oil if that makes sense lol , that’s how I deciphered it anyway. Was a great experience and the Highlands are breathtakingly gorgeous.

Just bought a bottle of 10yr glengoyne....£26 amazon. Excellent dram thanks Ralfy

Was lucky enough to visit Auchentoshan distillery and filled my own bottle straight from a sherry cask. Different class to their standard supermarket offerings.

Best vid you have ever done In my humble opinion. You've the fire in you the day and I love it

thx for valuable discussion, enjoy Sir +++

One of the lucky ones in Canada. Available at 43% and at $55.00.

Ralfie, it sounds as though you are taking your critics a little too much to heart. As you said, your channel is still growing and your audience obviously appreciates what you are providing. You should ignore the whiners and naysayers in the whisky business and trust your experience and instincts. I come to your channel for your opinions, not for a standard industry marketing pitch.

great perspective, cheers!

I was undecided about which distillery to visit next month when I will be in Glasgow, Auchentoshan or Glengoyne. Now I know... ;-)

mouth feel. amen, ralfy. preach on.

Great review, 1st. Time trying Glengoyne, paid $48.00 after high U.S. taxes in Maryland, 43% distilled, matured & bottled by Lang Brothers LTD, Dumgoyne, Scotland. Couldn't pass up this whisky, quality, contract & price overwhelmed the overly commercial rivals. You're absolutely right Ralfy when it comes to the importance of mouth feel; I have no sense of smell, for me it's All about mouth feel, based on that my mind places flavors according to feel, just saying, just sharing.. I'm a rookie Malt Mate, thank you for your Orthodox interpretation of Scotland's finest!!

I too, noticed the no bunnet on previous review...but as you say, "a change is as good as a rest"...so it was a nice way to switch gears on things. Cheers!

Was lucky enough to get to try some of the developing liquid from Lindores. VERY tempted to get some friends together and buy a cask.

4 thumbs down? Are you kidding? the man's on the nail.

Hey Ralfy hope you gut and happy holidays

Did the Glengoyne Masterclass and it whas amazing love the place!

Ralfy may I ask why do you not like non age statement whiskys?

You are spot on about Auchentoshan. I've tried their three wood which goes for approx £40 and it is below par. Why would they put out such an inferior product for that price. For that price range you can easily find something better.

My bottle is crystal clear. I wonder if they've done additional filtering for the North American market.

I like the fact you don’t hold back on chill filtration, it does seem unnecessary as I’m not bothered if the whisky is hazy or misty with the addition of water, it’s the nose and the taste which are crucial. Keep up the good fight for distilleries to present a product they care about and can be proud to put out and one we want to buy because of the consistent good quality 👍👍👍

Love it.

Here are a couple more supermarket bargains for Christmas 2019: Aberlour Casg Annamh - 40 pounds at Waitrose, it's NCF and 48% malt mates Glenfiddich 15 ( solera version ) - 30 pounds at Tesco

I've often wondered why something like HP18 costs 3x times as much as HP12. I can't be down to just the six additional years of maturation. Is the distillate better? Perhaps. I would certainly think the casks are much better.

Pretty sure that smaller distilleries like Glengoyne do appreciate getting legit and honest reviews from well-known personalities like you sir. Let's not forget. once they rack up positive feedback from the community. that turns into increase in sales and demand. That's the blessing part. What happens after it? Can they keep up with the demand and keep the quality in check? If it turns out bad. it becomes a curse. For now, people should be happy that a non-mainstream single malt distillery is offering a decently and tasty whisky at a low price. Here in my country. the 10-year old only costs for $37 a bottle.

Ralfy have you ever done a video on Barelegs Islay Single Malt Scotch Whiskey?

Love the Still Game episode when they tour the Glengoyne distillery. Jack and Victor don't seem to share Ralfy's quality over quantity philosophy. There's something about Clark Gable ordering crates of the stuff for his parties?

I took my best mate to Glengoyne for the tour where you get to try the 12 then the 10 at the end. They 12 was far better and my mate said the same. Glengoyne is really cheap on Amazon at this very moment in time, and the 21 is only £82! But only 43%, which is what’s putting me off. Oh aye The cheapest single malt I’ve bought was last year in Morrisons Bellshill, £15 for the Glenallachie Distillers Edition... before BW took over I assume.

I wish I could like the video twice

I visited Clydeside distillery last August during my holiday trip to the UK and left disappointing for they did not have warehouses at the premises. They said that practically all distilleries are outsourcing aging to other companies. Which seems to be not completely true. I chose Clideside because it was easy to get to by just hopping on the Glasgow tour bus, but now I wish I made it all the way to Glengoyne instead.

For for info Ralfy I Visited the distillery today with intention of purchasing the 10yo and all it’s cloudy wonderment. But the 10yo was crystal clear. after asking a few folks on-site All of their core range is and has always been chill filtered to a degree. However we were not disappointed and came away with a bottle of Teapot. Thought I’d let you know out of interest. Stay malty.

It's funny you say it's a good winter whisky as I always think of it as a summer whisky due to the tropical fruit notes (particularly pineapple) I always get from it. Either way it's an enjoyable whisky for the money. PS I did ask for a tour of the warehouse and was told it's only as part of one of the more expensive tours, and if it isn't being worked in, that they do that.

If only I could find independent bottles of Auchentoshan here in Victoria, Canada...

A new crossing has now been added at Glengoyne, which makes it much safer. A new 15 year old is also on sale. Maybe a review, Ralfy?

Interesting.... I was put off Glengoyne after my last experience which was the 15 yo. I was unimpressed and decided I wouldn't bother trying again. However - I am always happy to be guided by Ralfy and so will look for the 10yo.

ralfy, i found a bottle of glen moray - elgin "classic". (classic in the loosest sense of the word) for £16 in a supermarket that rhymes with blasda about a year ago. just sharing.....

Just found this GG 10 for £22 at the local village Spar and had it not been for review 805 I'd have walked passed too, instead I bought one.

I love Ralfy's videos, and I learn a lot from them. I think he is slamming the Auchentoshan American Oak a bit harshly though. The funny thing for me is I visited Glengoyne distillery on my trip to Scotland this year. The first time I visited a distillery as a matter of fact, and while I loved the tour, the Whisky I tasted was too heavy on the Sherry for my personal taste. That is just a newbie's impression, I will definitely revisit it at some point. Weirdly enough I bought a bottle of Auchentoshan American Oak, because I wanted to try a Bourbon Cask Whisky without breaking the bank, and while it certainly is not the most complex affair, for me its a perfectly suitable beginner's Whisky. Of course I can imagine it being boring to an old Whisky connoisseur like Ralfy, but we all gotta start somewhere, right?

Hey Ralfy, is that baudoinia compniacensis on your walls?

Hi Ralfy - I'm new to your channel - excellent advice - thanks. Think about a review for the Glengoyne 12 year old please. I paid £27.99 on Amazon

hi ralfy, you are right about auchentoshan, i bought a bottle of the american oak last year for £17.60 and was propably the worst malt whisky i have tried.

Go to the distillery , buy the distillery cask ( draw your own ) , that is as good as Toshan gets

When Glen Keith first came out it was at twenty quid. It's a very good NAS single malt seriously under valued by the big multi-national that owns that distillery. It's now thirty quid after the distillery owners realised they had a winning whisky on their hands.

Auchentoshan American Oak - much more expensive than but only marginally better than Paddy Irish. The Glengoyne 10 year could have been the whisky mentioned by James Herriot, 1930s Yorkshire, as drunk together with Christmas cake and Wensleydale cheese! He also mentioned Glenlivet with a certain awe; no doubt rather better then than now, as I was disappointed to find.

Yeah I bought one of those Auchentoshan American Oaks at £20 from Tesco and thought it was a bit one dimensional.

You has to wonder what chemicals those thick whiskey filters add to the whiskey during the filtration process. Would love to know what kind of filters those are and how they are produced and where.

I picked this up yesterday on amazon, yes I know it's discount, but for £24 a bottle how could I not. That to my eye is a real bargain

Ralfy whats your thoughts on the latest Teapot Dram going up £30 from £90 to £120? I've been very disappointed by this.

I seriously don't understand why big corporations have anything to do with the chill filtration...I mean does it gives them any incentive to leave the product deteriorated for the only reason that it looks clearer... I can understand bottling at 40% since the same liquid gets more diluted and more dilution means more end product to sell...but can't really get the logic behind the filtration....most of the un-chill filtered product i see on shelf is not too cloudy to stop you from buying it...and perhaps an educated customer will especially try and find something un-chill filtered! kudos to u ralfy...u are a spirit-ual master ;)

Good tin of Shortbread, Duncan's of Deeside

Ralfy promoting a NAS at 8.56, haha. But seriously, the Auchentoshan Solera is a fantastic NAS.

Dear Ralfy, I never comment on youtube videos, but I felt you should have a look at the scientific article titled: "Bourbon or Scotch? A droplet’s dynamics reveal the truth". Also thank you for all your videos.

The auchentoshan American oak is humming but aquavit found a good auchen

Just bought a bottle in the USA for $45.00. It’s bottled at 43% ABV.

Picked up 3 bottles in Ontario, Canada at $64.95 for 750ml at 43%. Not a bad price over here.

This video was brought to you in conjunction with the Green Cross Man...........70s joke.

For those who are interested in amazon uk prices as of 17.12.19 they are: 21yr £82.50, 12yr £27.99, 10 yr £24.99

Love Glengoyne. But hopefully after this Ralfy Recommendation they won’t Balblair on us and crank the prices up.The increase in the price of the Teapot Dram’s not a good sign.

Cheapest single malt found. When I was in Forres Tesco last year I bought Glen Moray 12 for £18

You will be upset to know then that Glengoyne 10 Year old was on offer at £22 on Amazon on black friday.

Please review the 12...43%abv,as its very good...better than the 15 in my humble whisky opinion!😁🥃🥃🥃

Glengoyne Legacy Chapter 1 NAS 110 CAD

I got two bottles of Dalwhinnie 15 yr for £14 a piece "reduced to clear" in Tesco last year. x

6:28 Bladnoch, Ralfy, Bladnoch!!

If chill filtration is an extra cost I wonder why companies still do it?

Amazon have it for £24:99 👍😊

OK, you talked me into buying a bottle of Glengoyne 10, but if it turns out to be bad, I will curse your name until my dying day.

I picked up a bottle of the Glengoyne 12 for £28. Absolute bargain. Felt like I’d robbed them

I think Glengoyne 21 is still my favorite whisky I’ve had to tade

My favourite is Glenturret absolutely beautiful.

Suggestion for next time: simply turn the cap around. 1. Doubles your "attitude". 2. Takes 20 years off. (must squint a bit)

Sad thing is I usually give those cheap scotches a chance

Awareness...

Amazon

4:20 Independent bottlers... and the NAS-expression known as 'Valinch'. If you can still find it. And the 21yo called Silveroak. 6:20 Don't have experience with GlenKinchie apart from a distillery-only sherry bomb which I've found was an absolute BELTER - also in terms of complexity and harmony! Don't over-generalize Ralfy!

I don't fundamentally disagree with any points that Ralfy brings up in his videos but I have to admit I'm getting tired of being ranted at every week about chill filtration, 46%, natural color, bad distilleries, etc etc. Again, I think we all agree on those topics. Everyone wants quality. I just feel like Ralfy has turned into the crank uncle who just can't stop complaining. His knowledge is massive and I've learned a ton from his channel and am grateful for it's existence but I feel like I'm just being lectured at nowadays, in his extras videos mostly. Anyway, I keep tuning in so there's that.

Ha. I bought that Auchentoshan and was disgusting 🤢

Becoming the 666 like... it must be a sign of the Evil Gods of Whisky!!! Jajajaaa...

I know, it is only a few sentences of this review I am talking about (6:22) but I'd still like to adress this issue, since it baffles me quite a bit. The issue is the bashing of certain brands on the internet in general and youtube in particular. While I get it with some of the brands, for example The Dalmore since I've already suffered through a bottle of 12yo, I really don't understand how Glenkinchie manages to generate this much hate. Is it a mindblowing juice? Certainly not. Can it stand up to Bladnoch 10? Not in a million years. But it's decent enough to blow some competition out of the water, especially when in direct comparison to Auchentoshan 12, which I did when I first started to explore the Lowland-style a little. I would also prefer it over Glenmorangie 10 or Glenfiddich 12 any day. Now I get it, that palates are different, but I dont get the unanimous bashing of Glenkinchie, I really don't. Up to now, I was under the impression, that Ralphy does not howl with the wolves on this issue, but well - things change, I suppose. And I will not criticize an opinion, because there really is no point in doing so because of the nature of opinions. But I will say this, even if I still think that you are the most competent whisky-reviewer on KZfaq, Ralphy: You don't help your reputation with blatant contradictions (being fully aware that spirits, palates and opinions are subject to change, mind you). You see what I mean if you open the link below and skip to 12:09. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Z7uXY6ZzrLepiIk.html

A rubbish version of Auchentoshan for 20£ is nothing to get excited about. I've seen Tomatin Legacy for only 18€ and that is way more decent stuff in my opinion.

You have to watch out for bad whiskeys, unfortunately.

First

Dont think Ralfy likes Bullshitters!😃💩💩

Rally you’ve swerved Glengoyne 15. Is it no good?