A sheep farmer was tending his flock when a city slicker rolled up in his fancy flashy car, hopped out and said, "Hey, if I tell you exactly how many sheep you have, can I take one?" The farmer nods, so the city slicker opens his laptop, calls up some satellite photos, runs some algorithms, and announces, "You have 1,432 sheep." Impressed, the farmer says, "You're right. Go ahead and take one." So the city slicker loads one of the animals into the backseat of the car. "Now," says the farmer, "I'll bet all my sheep against your car that I can tell you what you do for a living." A gaming sort, the city slicker says, "Sure." "You're a consultant," says the farmer. "Wow!" says the consultant. "How'd you know?" "Well," says the farmer, "you came from nowhere even though I never called for you. You drive a flashy car, and wear a fancy suit. You charged me for information I already knew, answering a question I didn't ask. And you don't even know anything about my business. Now give me back my dog."

this is the only channel where the vierwer gets ecxitied when the host enters with a bucket

I'm happy I found this channel, it's like watching a wise whiskey uncle pass on his knowledge and wisdom. Happy to watch.

This is why Ralfy is the best whisky reviewer. Passion and honesty. Good on you Sir!

"This information is precious" says it all. NAS is simply a form of lack of information for the consumer. Lack of information equals risk. The more information on the bottle the better the customer can manage their personal risk. If I have to go to website to learn about a whisky, that is better than no information available, but the average person won't go to that trouble. Transparency of the information is the most powerful marketing to me!

No idea if you will see this or not, but I just wanted to tell you that I find your content refreshing, original and extremely educational. I am just starting on my whisky journey and your advice is extremely valuable and it is evident in your videos that you are a kind soul. I read your book and really enjoyed it. I actually managed to get a 35cl bottle of Bladnoch 15 year in an auction with that same sheep head label on it. It isn't the same one you purchased after your visit and reviewed afterwards, but it's a little piece of Ralfy history that I will enjoy. I will of course keep the bottle as a novelty, but the whisky inside will not sit on a shelf for decades. It will be enjoyed! Keep up the great work. You are preaching the whisky gospel and I wish every distillery owner was subscribed to your channel!

Great overhand volley back at us. Nothing but respect for you Ralfy. Cheers!

Speaking of package sizes. I don't know about over there, but here in Canada, and probably the US, all sorts of food products are coming in ever smaller packages, like juice for example, from standard 2 litre cartons, to 1.75 to now 1.65. The price doesn't change, but you get less. That's how you give the customer the illusion that food prices are stable.

I've only just recently started exploring whisk(e)y and I had wondered why some people turn their nose up at the NAS bottles. My first inclination was it was just elitism, or snobbery...but they way you explained it really brought it to light. This is a reason why having maestros of malt magnificence majestically and meticulously maze through the myriad of magical mash makings is a must! I could have been easily lead astray by unscrupulous advertising. Thank you for the perspective Ralfy! You are doing the good work, sir.

"Now you know why I don't review N.A.S. whiskies; because it's the thin end of the wedge. And the more that wedge is battered in, between the customer and the people who care about making good liquor, the more dangerous it gets for our wallets and the quality of what we buy. It's that simple." - A perfectly summarised thesis statement from Ralfy c. 2020.

I love it; 20 min. in "don't get me started" always informative and entertaining.

Kilchoman Sanaig! Especially the "Dark Batch". Came for the fancy bottle, stayed for the taste! NAS, 46 % ABV, UCF, NC.

Lore is absolutely phenomenal. I don't understand folks that love Laphroaig that don't like this bottle.

I’m happy to see this, Ralfy. There are loads, loads of new whisky drinkers out there who let brands and the blogs/vlogs they’ve bought walk all over them. Cheers🥃🥃🥃🥃

Epic video, Ralfy, EPIC! I gotta say, it was because of you that I went on a search of above 40% cognac and armagnac a couple of years ago. I found them. Single cru, single barrel, single grape, single vineyard, single oak variety, etc. Distilled on the lees (or not), above 40%, no colorant, no boisé, no chill filtration - these do exist, although not all in one bottling. Cost less than the overbranded stuff from big negotiants. Hopefully with more people looking for these we'll get more variety from the smaller farmers.

You are absolutely right Ralfy. We need to let big business know that we won't take their shit and that we still demand a certain level of quality

Ralfy, I assume you spent valuable quality time in bars in Glasgow. I‘m amazed about your philosophical journey and appreciate the truths you‘re telling us buyers to be able to make better buying decisions. Greetings from Germany.

One of the few things that matter in the long run is a good warehouse with plenty of good contents. Those very few family-run distilleries have been steadily selling their whisky for 100+ years through much tougher times. And it doesn't even have to be the best malt around, just don't focus so much on the next annual ballance sheets.

I'm at the point of the video where Ralfy pulled out a Longrow Peated. Ralfy, you taught me well - I bought it when I had the opportunity precisely because I learned from you that peated whiskies are peatier at younger age. And because Springbank. Of course, also learned that from you. This is very gratifying :)

Thank you Ralfy! Your rant against consultants and marketing in true. They're more concerned about packaging than the product inside.

Absolutely loved this episode! Ralfy, you never disappoint! Thank you for all you do in educating the malty masses in such a fun way!

Compass Box really does things right...they are honest with the customer and do things as close to the "Ralfy Way" as I have seen anyone do it. In the rum area, Four Square is the leading integrity rum producer...they are upfront about what is in the rum and about NOT adding additional sugar like some rum makers do.

Another great vid. I agree, Lore is beautiful. Uigeadail is also fantastic. These days I've been spending my money on cask strength bottlings. Be it official or independant, they just tend to be so much better. 46% at a bare minimum for an official bottling, and if the contract says it's natural color and non chill-filtered they immediately have my attention.

"Pish! Pish!" We can always count on Ralfy to give it to us straight (18:30)

I think this was one of the best Ralfy videos ever...

Love the passion, have only just found this channel but it’s been great and been going for over 12 years consistently - brilliant

It's hard to know who to trust these days. So many channels and accounts out there where people merely flex their collections, their good fortune, and their whisky inner circles and connections. Happy for them but I do often feel like an outsider getting a glimpse of what only the 1% get to enjoy. I appreciate Ralfy because I believe he genuinely cares about and looks out for the common folk. Cheers!

Thank you Ralfy for your passion and standing on the side of the consumer!

heheh, Ralfy you are so original ,unique , your videos are a mix of knowledge, old fashion, real, honesty, down to hearth mind and funny sometimes. I love it, you are a legend to us, the whisky fans , thank you, you deserve the # of subscriber you have ,

Thanks for the clarification, Ralfy, totally respect your views on this. The only NAS I have bought, were the Aberlour A'bunadh, I would have more respect for them and buy another if they put an age-statement on the bottle, even if it says 3 years and 1 day. NAS whisky just seems.....off....because you have no idea what you really get and the "big" companies out there price them as 18-21 year old whisky indeed. Some duty-free areas have 80% NAS now, I spent 20 minutes looking at one of these places until I found Jura the paps 19 year old. (it was crap, but at least it had integrity). Look at Kilkerran 8, it is ripped from the shelves as they are put in, because the content is wonderful and they are honest about the content. Your video about age-statement blends opened my eyes for those and I managed to secure two 30 year old Highland Queen 1561 for €90 per bottle. I liked the first and bought another for storage. (not sure if you like that one, but I found it nice, once it opened up). Great extras, thanks for the effort, Ralfy!

:-) Somewhere nearby somebodies garage door is going up-down-up-down

I believe it was ralfy whom I thought about regarding the ABV of in a much earlier video or videos and that has what has kept me being a more educated consumer - trying to look for ABV greater 40%/80 proof on any given spirit, Scottish whisky predominantly. It speaks to understanding more of the character of the spirit rather than just a blast of ethanol with dilution, in some cases.

absolutly true words.... thanks for your opinion because i like the age statement whiskys much more too.... have a nice evening and cheers:)

Excellent content, happy to be here, thanks Ralfy

This is top tier content but I have to say that the last 10 seconds is what keeps me coming back for more.

Great video. Would love to have you on our new podcast for a good old rant. Cheers Ralfy. God Bless.

One must draw a line in the sand. Enjoyed this one, Ralfy!

Hey Ralfy, Just finished a bottle of Bruichladdich Classic Laddie. Very good stuff. And today I bought the phenomonal Glen Scotia Victoriana. Absolutely stunning NAS too. Kind regards from The Netherlands

That was about time Ralphy, Lore is the best Laphroaig I've tasted, even better than 18 years that I've had.

Ralfy, Arran actually state on their website that their quarter cask is matured in ex bourbon barrels for 7 years before spending 2 years in quarter casks so it’s a 9 yr old cask strength, and for £40 is great. No idea why they don’t put that info on the bottle or box though

Great stuff. Always respect your opinion Ralfy, cheers :)

Loved this video. After all these years you're still on fire! Keep on keeping on!!

Ralfy, this video is one of your best in my opinion and most passionate. We think alike mate about many of these aspects about whisky. Good for you. Going for a cup of tea myself now here in Canada.

I am enjoying so much your reviews. There aren’t many channels about whisky in Brazil. I guess that part of that is because we don’t have access to a big variety of brands over here and also have high taxes on imports, which makes good whisky quite expensive. It’s a pity that not many of us Brazilians reach your videos, mostly due to language barriers. I recently bought a bottle of Arran 10 years, and after a review of yours, I can’t wait to get my hands on it.

Totally agree with what you are saying here. What I often wonder about though is what is the guarantee that the age statement is accurate? Business being business, there must be a temptation to slip in whisky that is younger than the stated age. How can we trust the distilleries given the 'grey squares' that you mention?

That was a classic and of course he's right. NAS is the thin end of the wedge. Totally agree about the Cognac comment and same is true of Armagnac. 40 % is nothing for those beverages,.

By the end, I found myself applauding--I do hope more folk in the whisky industry pays attention to proper labeling and bottling integrity malts.

I'm glad to have grabbed a bottle of Wee Beastie when I did. All the way in the heartland of the US of A.

Love watching you, how you say you not going to rant, straight after a rant. But you are correct, a lot of Australian whisky in bottled at 500mL & is sold at a huge surcharge, blaming it on limited batch sizes. By the way, you got me onto rum & I believe bourbon & Irish Whiskey is tremendous stuff.

I found the Ardbeg 5 “Wee Beastie”! Can’t wait for Ralfy to find and review it.

I love Longrow. My favorite is their Red series, but they are tough to find.

The sheer disgust on his face at 18:30. Priceless. Cheers, Ralfy!

Love the Longrow NAS fantastic Whisky and a great value. I also love Bruichladdich the classic laddie but it's only NAS until you enter the code on the bottle into the website and then you get a big chart with all the information that you could ever want. It is really impressive to see the quality of what goes into what is there entry level bottle. Highly under rated and thank goodness for us to keep it well priced and available.

Damn!!! You just convinced me, Ralfy....Oh Corryvreckan how I will miss you.

Here in Michigan, Laphroiag Lore is $160 USD & Laphroiag 10 is $60. Laphroiag reports Lore has 7 to 21 year old contents. Ralfy has shown us how to ‘top off’ a dram of a less-exciting malt with a wee bit of an older richer version in order to create a much-improved but-still-economical hybrid. And it works a treat, too!! Now I look at Laphroiag Lore...& in my heart I know damn well Laphroiag took a disappointing vat of 7 year old & added “just enough 21 year old” to resuscitate the uninteresting younger spirit. And then bottled it & marketed it at 2-1/2x the price of the 10-year standard Laphroiag. They worked it exactly as Ralfy showed us. My bet is this is the whole NAS profit formula. A little mix-&-match and ZOOM goes the price.

Had big issues with Oban Little Bay in the begining, now several months later and half a bottle it is starting to taste and smell what it should have been from the start. IMO it benefits greatly from oxidization.

The Longrow and Laphroaig Lore are both excellent.

Ralfy, this is one of your finest rants!

"I'm not gonna go on a rant here, no no no..", ten minutes later he's still ranting. Classic Ralfy. :-) Anybody else tried the Arran QC? Very tempted. (Btw, I reckon Big Clive chill filtered his clicker)

On their website, Arran says that the QC is aged for 7 years in 'regular casks' and then for a further two years in 'QCs'.

Ralfy has a lot integrity ! He doesn't sell out .That is why I subscribed to his Channel

Just sharing! Thank you so much!...Great.

Thanks for this Ralfy. There is good NAS out there. I've always found quarter cask versions great...if I might add, I think Ardbeg Uigeadail is excellent too.

12:47 I'm not going to go on a rant

Ralfy, love this episode. You are right. I never buy cognac or Canadian whisky because they are so weak at 40%. They all taste alike. Greetings from Texas.

Great video. Happy to hear your thoughts on some NAS whisky and outlining the issues. I’ve certainly made a point of buying more age statement whisky since discovering your channel early last year. When I do buy NAS though I think it’s only fair to get higher strength and non-chill filtered. Otherwise I leave it on the shelf

Quality rant Ralfy and bang on the money re marketing fuds.

Thank You,RaIfy,for Your opinion!Its precious!!!

Thank you, Ralfy!

I totally agree with you. Love your rant about it, it saved my day :)

I've been watching your videos for a few months now and somehow missed that you were an author as well until now - I see your two books on Amazon, so I'll have to get those (I'll read them with the accent in my mind). My favorite N.A.S. scotch (and the only one I buy) is the Arran Barrel Reserve. I love their 10-year and 18-year, and I'm confident in their quality and integrity, so I can forgive the no age statement. It's lighter in [natural] color than the 10-year, and it's only 43% ABV, but as an everyday dram, I just love it, and I don't need to add water.

Excellent as always

Just bought your book online, waiting for it anxiously! Greetings from Argentina! 🇦🇷🥃👋🏻

Compass Box is impressively transparent. They will send you ages of every single whisky in the blend if you ask. Ralfy you should give them a mulligan and review no name #2

Love your reviews Ralfy. I know you had reviewed the Kavalan whiskey before. I recently tried their Solist Ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky and Solist Amontillado Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky. Being a lover of Islay whiskeys, I was quite apprehensive but was pleasantly surprised. I would love to hear your reviews on these whiskeys if you could.

Have a bottle of Wee Beastie and I love it. Well priced too. It’s like sweet syrupy soot. Cheers!

This comes alive halfway through. Im with you in a lot of what you say here Ralfy.

For years Ralfy wouldn't review Glenmorangie's 12yo "Nectar d'Or" 46% NCF natural colored malt, which was a delicious dram and not candy-sweet, and now it's been demoted to a NAS "sauternes finish" (at the same price of previous expression). But we did get the Quinta Ruban upped to 14. Win some - lose some :)

Very well sayed Ralfy..

Proof of Ralfy's point is Macallan, after dropping age statements there sales fell considerably and now they are returning to putting age statements on there bottles, in fact we have just received the new 10 year old in Canada and it's selling out.

video = 10/10 - - - but - - - at 13:44 on Little Oban, start rant : one can see the disdain on your expression = priceless !

Wow your so right. Epic video. ''Make sure you use marketing people, who been in the warehouse rolling a barrel. Because those marketing people will know so much more than the office bone shallow consultant''. damn right

I love your passion Ralphy. Really enjoying reading your book at the moment. 5*

Pleased to see Longrow make the list, lovely whisky and in my view a lot better than many of the Islay offerings at the same price!

I live in Canada and can see now why Canadian whiskies (all mainstream ones) have been going downhill. It is hard to find one without chill-filteration, and no colorants added and then along with age statement...there are exceptions of-course but only a handful are bottled at more than 40%.(Lot 40 and G&W) Total Respect for ur education ralfy...!!!

green spot is one of the nicest whisk(e)ys that ive tried so far and its NAS. it's just a bit more than the base glenlivets or glenmorangies which all taste the same. green spot has character which no other whiskey is like.

I found your book locally. Pretty pleased :) I should get a bottle of that Longrow. It's well priced and I love the Springbank distillery. I much prefer age stated whiskies though, even if they state a young age on it. Thanks for sharing, Ralfy! Totally agree with you about marketing too.

It's true. Many tequilas are 38 percent because agave distillate is expensive. Cheap alcohol is creeping lower and lower, you have vodkas at 35% now, even 33%, and the clowns tell you it's because "people want to drink healthier". Bollocks.

the marketing department at Oban loving social media right now :D

I’m still a newbie, focused on experiencing the basic bottlings from different brands, but this is good information for the future if I ever get into collecting vs. just tasting.

I have a few N.A.S Scotches in my collection. Glenlivet Nadurra, Port Charlotte Heavily Peated and Speyburn Companion Cask. All quite nice. Three out of sixteen isn't too bad. I've had Laphroaig Select and Kilchoman Machir Bay previously and an odd one called King's Falcon. They were very good, also. Either way, I like to stick with age statement bottlings in whatever I buy. You know, then, that they at least put in a effort to make it a quality spirit and let you have that information to go by.

Ralfy ... does your clicker have an age statement on it? Probably not.

Well said Ralfy!

I've bought the middle three. I've never seen the last one and the Lore is outrageously priced here in Ontario Canada at CAN$195 or about US$155.

One of my favorite NAS so far has been Talisker Storm.

Yup. I didn't bother with a "rare and old" going primarily off of reviews. And I had a real old aged statement dram of the same distillery years before. Indie bottler.

Top info Ralphy! Cheers mate.

You know, there's one thing that keeps running through my mind when we are talking about age statements, and that is cask deviation. It is readily apparent that a distillery does not know how their casks are going to turn out, but they want to produce a consistent product, and the years in the cask may not be as important as the cask selection that goes in the vat to maintain the consistency that the distillery is known for. I am fearful that Ralfy is encouraging age statements over distillery consistency, which would be a negative for the industry. At the same time I do see the value of the out-rightness of the industry , to tell their customers exactly what they are getting in the bottle that they are spending their hard-earned cash for, so I feel it is a double-side sword and I hope that Ralfy understands this and accepts this message. The more information the better, especially for us malt-mates that are very particular in the quality that we expect to get. Very glad to hear Ralfy excited for the Ardbeg Wee Beastie, which is a fantastic dram and I know I am eagerly anticipating the Ralfy review from this rather unique relatively young whisky - I have been enjoying a dram of this fine liquid while watching this review and am totally enjoying it at the moment! A very welcome young age statement whisky.

RALFY, you are awesome. Dead on. Great vid. Appreciate you!

the store down my street have Wee Beastie in stock :P