I really enjoy the rants and calling distilleries on their bullshit. Keep this up, it's a voice of disappointment and anger that really needs to be heard!

Jim Murray scored Glen Grant 15 first edition a 97/100 in his whisky bible 2021 (he seems to have a soft spot for this distillery for some unknown reason) and I nearly pulled the trigger on purchasing a couple of bottles. Fortunately for my wallet, Ralfy posted a review the same day, telling us malt mates that this whisky is rubbish and personally, I would trust Ralfy over Jim Murray any day. Thanks mate for saving me a few hundred bucks. 🙏

Ralfy is the original gangster of whisky reviewers. When he talks people and distillers listen. Fantastic episode.

A Ralfy rant was just what the dr ordered for wrapping up this series. 😆

You’re spot on regarding the sales folk! There’s an older gentleman at my local shop who is a wealth of knowledge and has a joy for his job. If his car isn’t in the lot, I just keep driving.

"Imagine what that whisky would taste like if Springbank made it." That blew my mind...

Ralfy, the more time and experience with Scotch whisky I get under my belt, the more I tend to go for less well-known brands that provide real quality at an accessible price. Aultmore, AnCnoc, Craigellachie, Bunnahabhain, Glen Garioch… that’s where the fun is.

Ever educational. Ever relevant. No words could thank you enough, mate!

Bravo Ralfy! I've been watching your channel since 2015 when I began savoring spirits in earnest. If I had to pick a single show as your "Best Episode Ever" this one is it. It's just everything you love and appreciate about Ralfy all rolled into one. Big bonus points for the sound of the seagull and rooster in the background. All the best to you, and as we say in the USA keep on "keepin' it real".

Great video - on the subject of packaging the last Kilkerran I bought didn’t have a box at all - no problem as I don’t drink the box. The whisky is fantastic - cask strength, 8 years, non chill filtered.

I don't mind this series of reviews, but I just love Ralfy's policy of reviewing usually only products that are recommendable in his opinion.

I received an email earlier today about a new Ardbeg release that is to be sold via an NFT using a cryptocurrency with (supposed) value of ~£2300. Crazy levels of marketing fluff, I legitimately thought it might have been some delayed April fools day stunt... Talk about jumping the shark! I wish these distilleries would just focus on producing integrity product....

Ralfy, I chuckled (fairly loudly) at the 13:30 mark, when I realized that I have actually become that person you described, who can now walk into any liquor store, head to the "Scotch" shelves, and start scanning the shelves like a speed-reader, eliminating over half of the stock in seconds, rather than minutes, due to all the valuable advice you have given us over the years (well that, plus a little research of my own😉). I was getting so used to doing this, that it has become second-nature, and has saved me much time that I never realized I was wasting. I only hope that I don't miss a great whisky because of generalizing certain distilleries now (you know, just "assuming" that certain distilleries are going to be churning out CRAP product). We all know some of the ones in question... but is it too harsh to never give a company a chance to make amends and right their ways? The way things are going today, it's not like we really have the time/patience to wait long for a company to prove itself, or to right wrongs. You make very good points that distilleries must be careful to be upfront, honest, and quality-driven. If they take a few too many missteps, they are in real danger of losing customers that they may never get a chance to get back. Let's all hope that more of the newer distilleries will take note. We are lucky to have someone like you who tries to help the whisky community... "Live long, and prosper".

"They want to charge the customer, but they want to provide to the consumer" - that made a small explosion in my head!

I truly appreciate your knowledge, candour, and passion. Thanks for taking one for the team, and I look forward to seeing a mellow Ralfy 😁

This might be my favorite Ralfy rant of all time. 👍🏼 🥃

You have single single-handedly fast tracked my appreciation of quality malt. I used to find airport duty free shops exciting - not anymore

This Rum Rascal is glad for the upcoming rum reviews. Take care Ralfy and thanks. Alex

Priceless commentary. And, I think I’ve said it before, picture and audio quality are now top notch - note to other KZfaqrs…..invest in quality kit. Proud to be a Patron.

Shop owner: do you wish anything else ? Ralfy: a phased plasma whisky in the 48 watt range!

Thanks Ralfy what a great vlog ! If only workers in those shop understood their important role in a persons buying decisions. I walk out of a lot of shops without making a purchase because even the staff have no idea about their premium priced products.

I love rum and your rum reviews. It’s a nice departure from whisky and a good well aged rum is a good “malternative” as you say

2.5 weeks into my 'single malt investigative journey' (not counting a Christmas bottle of Glenlivet 12) and already I'm finding out from friends of mine who've been drinking whisky, and scotch whisky in particular for a long time that just about everything you present in these videos bears out. What's more, I've also learned about some very fine whiskies produced right here in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington) that I didn't even know existed. You've mentioned at least one yourself. This has been a lot of fun already and is only getting better. I have a very, very long way to go to understand what whisky drinking is all about. Ralfy, you've been a treasure trove of knowledge and I'm learning a lot from you and your videos. I think the wife is about to kick me out of the house into my own version of the 'bothy' (had to look that one up) whenever I get to binge-watching your videos. Good Lord, it's gonna take me years to get caught up with all your videos. Several I've watched more than once. I think it's about time for me to learn what the patreon thing is all about and buy you a drink. Excuse me, a 'wee dram'. Cheers!😊

On your advice (?), Ralfy, I bought a bottle of 12 yo Glengoyne recently and enjoyed it with some friends. Not the 18 yo as it is too expensive for this poor boy. The 12yo is wonderful and I will be buying it again.

Thanks Ralfy! Great extras episode as always. I found throughout my journey I went from drinking a lot of these over marketed whiskies down to a much narrower selection of Integrity malts. Especially Kilchoman, Glenallachie and Bruichladdich. Springbank when I miraculously can find it somewhere. But now thanks to your advice I branched out to Rum and it’s an exciting new world. Recently bought a Hampden Estate LROK 5yo. Very different to Whisky but very delicious and well made!

Ralfy, you are so right. You are the king of rants. Thanks for your love and passion for whisky and your whisky mates. Slainte mhath from Germany

Thank you for your teachings on Quality and what it entails in good whisk(e)y. It is fine tuning my Whisk(e)y Radar and keeping me away from wasting money and disappointing experiences. It has led me to the integrity of Arran 10, Glencadam 10, Deanston 12, and some other great and right-priced bottlings. I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate that. Cheers!

Straight to the point as always Ralfy. I look forward the Rum review, Killowen recently released a Peated Dark Rum which is very good.

I remember first trying GlenGoyne and thinking it tasted a bit neuterd. Then I tried Arran 10. Wow! A world of difference.

Single melt scotch in Vancouver BC Canada is extremely expensive. The very few that you can get under 70.00 are not that great and most have no age statement. I did get Ledaig 10 Year Old on special but it sold out quickly. Ardbeg you can get the Wee Beastie for 68.00 not bad. But anything decent you have to pay 75 plus. I’m buying more bourbons Canadian Rye and Irish Whiskeys because they are affordable. In BC Canada we are taxed so much for alcohol that’s it’s robbery, so visiting my brother in England is a treat because you can get a one litre bottle of Ardbeg 10 and its a deal.

some great points ralfy, and as you say the disappointment in many drams seems to be growing with each passing year since malt started booming within the last 10 years, and before i try a new dram i aways check out forums and reviews first. GL

Your videos have been so helpful on my whisky journey the last few years. I go to 2-3 liquor shops a week “hunting” for unusual and special bottles around Florida. I often gravitate now to smaller distilleries and independent bottlers but I’m a stickler for clear information on the bottle - it must say non chill filtered, natural color and be over 50% abv to get my money. Unfortunately knowledge store owners on whisky are rare here but at least if I stick with “integrity” criteria I have a chance at a gem. Also your reviews have definitely turned me on to lesser known distilleries like Arran, Edradour, Glencadam, Glen Scotia etc

I really liked this batch of "mid-priced" release reviews, a lot of contrasting styles and problems. Glen Grant disappointed me, it looked amazing for the price based on the vital statistics, and I made the classic mistake of buying two in one go, as I couldn't imagine it being as bland as it was. Such is life! The Clynelish 14 has been going for £10 less than usual for a long while on Amazon UK, I wonder whether it was due to a drop in demand for it(?) The Oban 14 on the other hand has gone higher than ever.

Ralfy. Thank you for this insight across the broader range of considerations

There are exceptions, but basically I agree. My last purchaise was a Loch Lomond Blue Label NAS. For comparisons and retro memorybanks. Cost me 10€. Good fun.

Very interesting and valid points. The one that always comes to my mind when talking about the slippery slope into mediocrity and pandering to the passive consumers is Ardmore. 15yrs ago they were perhaps the most visible champions of 46% and NCF and their 'Traditional Cask' was widely loved. Then overnight they switch to 40% and chill filtration... When was the last time we heard anyone rave about the standard Ardmore? Hmm... Scotch will not be immune to declining standards. Just like Campbeltown wasn't in the early 20th century - as you mentioned. And like Irish Whiskey wasn't in the mid/late 20th century. I just hope we don't lose too many of the honest distilleries when Scotch falls out of fashion.

So glad I got one of the good Bowmore 15s. Glad you're calling out inconsistencies, people will remember when this boom is over.

Sir, the malt wisdom you offer has saved me countless hours and thousands of dollars, thank you!

I finally got around to opening my Glen Grant 15 expecting it to be horrible after Ralfy's review. It had a little more burn than I'd expect from a 15 (but it is 50% abv) and a little straight forward typical ex-bourbon cask Speyside - malt and vanilla. Speysiders are not my favorite but I do like to have a little variety on the shelf. This 15 year old was $60 and is a decent casual sipper in my opinion. I wouldn't pay more for it and I probably won't buy another bottle (as my repeat buys tend to be the Islays or Campbeltowns). But I'd score it in the low 80s, maybe 82 or 83. Perhaps maybe higher after the bottle has a chance to open up. I'm wondering if Ralfy got a tainted bottle or maybe batch inconsistencies.

Really appreciate your passion for whisky Ralfy.. we need more people like you. PS. nothing beats the Springbank 10 but it's impossible to get and that makes me sad

Fully agree on Glengoyne. I still have two 21 years old from their old packaging. Marvelous dram. However, I am done with their brand and their new products. Comparison can no longer be done.

Watching this series of videos had made me realize why the distilleries don't release more 50ml - 100ml sample bottles.

Bravo, Bravo!! I've been saying for the last year or so. We should have "light" scotch like light beer for the watered down stuff. The 18yr old bottled at 40% should be "light scotch" oh well, that is what it is but the poor chump that is saying I want the most expensive bottle you've got won't know. An EXCELLENT EXTRAS!! If folks insist on the proper ABV and non chillfiltered scotches they find no up charge for quality. The up charge is for the marketing department! They don't even drink! They make sales packets. Loved your EXTRAS, loved it!

The wealth of knowledge on these videos is gold! Thank you, good sir in the Irish Sea, you just gained another subscriber!

Well said, now I recommend a robust dram of something agreeable and a cigar 👍🏻

Wow! Love the honesty Ralfy! Never change

This was very interesting. Thanks for showing us the what to really look for. I'm glad your going back to reviewing what you want, but this was a little eye opening as well. I hope this whisky fad goes away soon and only the true malt mates are around to purchase true integrity bottles instead of wasting money on poor quality due to distilleries trying to pump out bottles for the people that just buy it to be cool. Once the hype goes away then perhaps we can have better spirits at reasonable prices. Cheers Ralfy.

The amount of intrinsic quality (information), much-needed rants/real-talk, laughs, etc. coming out from the Bothy, in the middle of the irish sea, is just can't-be-beat Integrity. Mark? - 93/100. 🤣🥳🤓

As usual thank you for the wonderful video and your knowledge. Prices in the US for a quality whiskey went up, I walk into liquor shop yesterday going to get the Deanston Virgin oak for a friend to try out the usual get it for $30 it was 40, Arran 10-year-old $64 and so on, I end up buying Irish whiskey Yellow Spot for $86 which is a good deal in my opinion. Sometimes I wish I stock up on certain whiskeys that most likely will go up on the price because of the quality and how good they are.

I got so much out of this video, truly packed with honesty and details.

Its was so weird traveling overseas that in Europe they force you through the travel retail area where as in the US you have to actually look to to to the duty free shop...surprising, but I would assume at some point when the airports in the US get renovated they will shift to the European model

The best way to educate people is through examples. By watching your videos and going to review websites I learned to shop better.... Thank you Ralfy!! 🙏🥃 The Rant episode whit Rob & Jeremy was just great 👏👏👏

I live in the US, so I don't get the selection of Scotch/Irish whiskeys that you guys do back in the isles (at least not as easily), but I have been experiencing this with finding a decent Irish whiskey. I tried the proper 12 because of the reputation I was hearing (I think it has to do with MMA endorsement) and it's absolute garbage. It tastes like you got the cheapest whiskey you could possibly find, added a shot or two of Vodka to it, and that's it. I tried Jameson, it was ok, nothing to write home about, so I wont probably buy anymore. I tried Bushmills Black label, and it tastes like it was aged all of 3 weeks in a pine box instead of a cask. The Bushmills green label was one of the first Irish whiskey's I could find that was pretty decent. Connemara, probably one of the more interesting Irish whiskey's I found. Probably the best non-peated Irish whiskey I have found to date is Eiregold. It didn't have any fancy packaging or writing about it's provenance, but I could tell when I added some ice and water, it went cloudy (good sign) and actually tastes like good whiskey. I've had a heck of a time with Irish whiskey lately for some reason.

Absolutely hit the nail about airports. Completely devoted to making profit. A longtime supplier of Edinburgh Airport told me the people who own and run it “wouldn’t sell their own Granny for a buck, they’d do it for a cent!” I know some whisky companies cannot afford the charges simply to have their bottles on sale in travel retail. Hence the same old multi national owned brands are all that’s available.

I know what you mean by ‘salespeople’. I am soooo lucky that my local Whisky Shop in Oxford has a young chap who is passionate about his job. I went in, told him my budget, and that I wanted nothing I could buy on Amazon for a few quid cheaper. He knew EXACTLY where I was coming from and I ended up with 3 amazing bottles because he listened to my tastes and made suggestions accordingly because he knew his stuff despite being less than half my age. These are the people that are absolute gems when you come across them. In airports everyone is in a hurry and sales staff are just that - all outline with no detail. But it’s not their fault; it’s just a job to them. Give me the small, quirky shop anyway, even if it does end up costing me an arm and a leg.

Great series! Curious now as to what new things you’ve got planned.

Enjoying the passion and the guidance but am looking forward to seeing some better drams

Ralph exactly.....your rant is also the reason why you got to expand your horizons and look for intrinsic quality Rhums, Cognacs and Armagnacs......

Very true about Bowmore. I have bought bottles of Bowmore 12 back to back. The first one was awesome the other one, really hard to drink...

I just wanted to bring a point about the scotch journey. Imo, quality and flavours can’t be narrowed down that easily and that’s what imo makes scotch great. Scotch isn’t just its own little world, it’s about life experiences. It’s all about what you went through and where you came from, the tasting notes come from things you experienced, the good, the bad and the ugly. The diversity is what made me love scotch. For instance, I can’t stand brine, because when I was younger, I almost drowned in seawater on a boat trip and for me, Talisker is a no no, but that’s my life experience and it won’t be transferrable to someone else. I think everyone can love the scotch they want and to broaden your horizons, you need to broaden your life experience to be able to really taste the limits of scotch. Scotch is life.

The usual perfume shops compare to the cold filtered ordinary 40% whiskies. That chemical smell is a sort of fixative. But as like good whiskies, there are good niche perfumes. I tested once a ambergris niche perfume that hung on an overcoat for an year, dry cleaned twice.

So true, you don't have to pay through the nose to obtain high quality, you just have to be discerning as Ralfy describes. Merry Christmas malt mates.

Dear Ralfy I found a Tomintoul 12 yo Port Wood on offer here in Milan and it is unchilled filtered and natural colour. Bottled at 46% a few years ago I think. A great find at 50 euros. Thanks for this fine series. Kindest regards, S. PS: Shame on Gruppo Campari for the GG15 😣 sorry bottling .

Ralfy at his very best...speaking the truth and smacking the arse of falsehoods and bullshite the marketing departments spout forth. Listen Brand manufacturers - this man speaks truth! Brilliant extras - You are a true champion of the best single malts. So far you have hit the high benchmark for your recommendations of true single malts! Thank you for your guidance and honesty. All hail Malt-mate Ralfy!

Absolutely brilliant.....Ralfy at his best! My advice Malt Maestro: take all that industry flannel, PR and perfunctory packaging twaddle and shove it into that bloody TARDIS of yours 😂. Can't wait for the return of the good stuff; Glencairn glass charged and ready to go mate 👍.

After all this frustration, I was thinking, ‘Ralfy really needs to spend some time with some fine aged rum.’ It’s been far too long. Alas you mentioned some reviews on the way! Foursquare, Hampden, Worthy park, a Clairin perhaps?! We shall see!

Thanks for exposing the packaging farce of whisky. Let’s do away with boxes and tubes and buy the bottle with its precious content only!

I loves me some Ralfy when he really knows that something HAS to be said!

Way to let the distilleries have it, Ralfy! To be honest, after hearing this rant, I feel like I haven't truly been exposed to truly great whisky, despite having a pretty extensive collection in my "lounge". I started getting into whisk(e)y in 2015, right when all of the "bullshit" was taking off. All of the marketing to the mass consumer, with the pretty bottles, "limited editions" , and gimmick stories. I guess they did manage to get me despite my best efforts to be aware of them. Ralfy, this video has been very educational for me, and I thank you for it. It has reinforced the fact that I need to do some proper research before buying bottles, so that I might increase the likelihood of getting a truly good bottle.

I've been doing far more "walking away" than buying last few years, and it's not for lack of willingness to buy. I've bought a few premium American bourbons and ryes that I encountered at discount, bought some indy bottled single malts with integrity presentation, again, at discount, and bought a premium integrity rum or two. Of scotch I've purchased Springbank, Glen Scotia, Edradour/Ballechin, Torabhaig, Port Charlotte, Ardbeg, The Ileach, and some blends from Compass Box and Mossburn. Beggars can't be choosers, but choosers can't be snookered. I've stopped buying Highland Park and Old Pulteney due to rebranding and lowering of abv and age statements in the US (and I love these malts). Won't buy many of Diageo's brands due to overpricing and underpresentation. Did snag a few Talisker 10's, 18 and DE while the getting was good. Glen Grant, Scapa Skiren, Glen Rothes - never again, not even on sale. I only support distilleries moving in the right direction (Loch Lomond) or those already there.

This advice goes for everything - not just Scotch. I'm also very much into wine. It's the same problem in the wine industry. Many producers bring on the heavy marketing, and many make homogenized products that are devoid of character. Other, usually lesser known producers, make a good, honest wine with a lot of character. Finding a good wine shop or wine bar helps a great deal, as the experience staff carefully select the wines that they decide to carry. In my area, I have found two wine shops where I can pick wine at random off the shelf, and while a style of a particular wine might not be to my taste, I am guaranteed to get something that is well crafted and interesting. It can be interesting to visit wine regions, either famous ones or up-and-coming ones. Usually (although there are exceptions), the biggest, fanciest, most tourist-focused winery is making the most boring wine. Usually, it is inoffensive but uninteresting stuff, but on occasion it is headache-inducing demonic elixir. The little hole in the wall winery on the back road is often where the good wine can be found, but utter garbage can be found there too. Even the garbage is usually more interesting than the bland stuff that comes from the fancy winery, and sometimes the garbage shows promise that might be realized in a few years after the winemaker has a bit more experience. I'll take interesting garbage over bland beverages any day.

Thank you, Ralfy!

Thanks Ralfy for shouting out what most (hopefully ;-)) of Maltmates think.

Cheers, Ralfy! I know that I have minimal experience, but nonetheless, I decided to do my own little analysis of only the best whiskies/distilleries I have tried over the last 12 months. Two-thirds of them are ones owned privately or by IBs or family-run. The other third of them are owned by bigger companies, but they allow their distilleries to bottle at 46% with natural presentation. None are from the top 4 producers, and the only one which falls under the top 5 (Bacardi) is Craigellachie, which I think you also rated as good. I really believe that true quality in single malt whisky is with the smaller and more careful producers at the moment.

Ralfy…. By Gosh… if ONLY our politicians had such heart and conviction… we would live in a better world!!! God Bless and Happy Easter!!

Never tried it , but next time I see a bottle of Arran I'm buying it ! (Not many shops stock it lately in Australia )

As to one of your points Ralfy, I took a bottle Talisker Skye 45.8% for just £25.00 in ASDA today. So many whisky's at less than £30.00 most with aged statements too.

You crack me up Ralfy. Great video. 👍

Thanks for keeping us right bud!

Dear Ralfy, Thanks for giving a heads up that you have to do your own homework to get your quality whisky for your buck. I’m hearing from other whisky lovers that sometimes their purchase tastes like molasses alcohol, have you heard it to ? Kind Regards

Malt-mention: mysteriously-mumbling miscellaneously-motivated melodramatic mumbaikar maharajas I would raise Deanston 10yo Bordeaux finish as rare counterexample of Travel Retail Exclusive that is actually great quality of taste (also: non-chill-filtered on the bottle and 46.3%)

The Clynelish 14 I have open clouds up heavily with water. I am not so sure they are doing the chill filtration castration

Cracking video, love your videos :) I always look on masters of malt at reviews before buying.

amen !

Newly minted MBA’s with Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint decks, and their managers, have done much to drive a throwaway consumer market. If lowered quality makes a ton of money then they are heroes - when that line of products dies then “the market has changed” 🙄

You should keep a running list of your top 10 or so distilleries and post it in the description of each video. I know I for 1 would keep an eye on it and check it before I went shopping. Thanks for the rant.

Good. This was interesting, it needs not always to be rosy fingered and sky high.

I've only been following the malt-world for a decade and I'm already pissed off.

Ralfy, I recently bought an imported Tomintoul 14 and there’s a notion on the label in German saying ‘Mit farbstoffe’. So Tomintoul 14 unfortunately isn’t a natural color.

thank you sir!

Thanks Ralfy! Forward a link to this video to the Scotch Industry Leaders.

Highland Park has fallen into this trap IMO ,their presentations lately are ridiculous lately on the flipside Ledaig 10 is a superb package I've just opened one the whisky is also superb 😁😁

comments that apply not just to Whisky but to consumerism as a whole

In my opinion, Ralfy gave away the best bottle of the 7. I've not had a bad Glenmorangie or Clynelish yet, but I've certainly had boring or adulterated ones. Tomatin on the other hand ide happily throw down cash to experiment on any weird and finishes they come up with - purely based on my experience so far, their presentation, their social media team and their value for money.

It's the same in every line of business now. A few high profile brands smother the competition with their aggressive, omni-present ad campaigns, with links on every website you visit. And the smaller brands with the truly great stuff suffer because they can't get your attention. They're counting on the laziness of the consumers, and the average consumer is VERY lazy. There's an old saying by H.L-Mencken that NOBODY ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the public. Truer words have never been spoken.

Airport "Duty free" are now MORe expensive than my local shops, even in Canada ! ! . . . may that Ardbeg Fon Fhoid reach you soon ... (( puke ! puke !! LOL )). I am of your generation and u speak for me ! . . . time to give rums a chance.

so many people in an online whisky community bought the whole aston martin series of bowmore, sometimes even 2, one for storage and one for drinking... people are seriously buying that stuff....

Iam here for the rant….!!

As some who works on a digital media / advertising company I can assure you rally, you’ve barely scratched the surface on how far the advertising types go just to get your attention!

Thanks for your honest opinions, and I will be sure not to buy any of the ones that have fallen from grace. Its a shame that they have to lose customers in order get back on the straight and narrow. Hopefully they learn the lesson, there is no cutting corners. cheers Ralfy!