Your hitting the nail on the head here. Americans make a much larger effort in their wood used. Coopers are held in high honor and are often employed by the distiller directly. Even Jack Daniel’s has its own cooperage. By the way; The Malt that “did it for me” was Highland Park 15 (discontinued now). What an experience that was. An amazing Malt. I have a few bottles stored away for nostalgias sake.

5:33 Case in point: In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust. The protagonist eats a madelaine and the smell and taste of the cake results in triggering a memory that goes on for the 7-volume, 4300 page long book.

Regular old jack daniels keeps some nostalgia for me. Not for sipping and savoring but the few times my dad would get personal was over a shot or 2 of Jack (in the basement so my mom wouldn't see, I was under age at the time). I keep it around now and do really enjoy the Gentleman and Single Barrel offers as a better quality offering in their line.

It always bowls me over how powerful tastes and aromas can be! You can be instantly transported to a previous time, I tend to get quite emotional when I taste both Laphroaig, and Glenmorangie - the smoky camp fires of ancient times are conjured through the mist with Laphroaig. Glenmorangie was the very first 'single malt' I discovered, and I suddenly 'got it', why single malt whisky is prized, this was on a plane journey back to the U.K after many years of being an expatriate, so this is always a moving experience for me.

Great topic. I do think this applies in many ways for people who are more self-aware of how their own senses interact. Driving and listening to a new album for the very first time works the same way for me. You hear what you see, and then later you see what you heard. I’m fortunate that my first purchased bottle of Laphroaig many years ago was enjoyed in my backyard on a crisp, Fall evening with a birchwood fire keeping the kids entertained. And it’ll never be as good today as it was then. Just sayin’. 🙂

Lagavulin 16 and Bunna 12 have a special place for me. When I went to Iceland we stayed in a little cottage in the middle of nowhere on someone's farm. My mate and I got two chairs and put them outside with a dram of each and turned off the lights and we saw the Northern Lights for the first time. Now whenever I have a Bunna 12, it takes me right back to that time and place.

As I own a winery I can fully recognise and 100% agree with what Ralfy is relating to here in regards to the oak regimes used. The selection of oak that goes with the various grape varieties that we make into wine from our vineyard, the percentage of new oak vs used oak (and critically, how used) and the way that you back blend them into the wines we make is super important. It's our biggest individual cost with the making our wines, but if done well it becomes just the frame of the wine with the fruit and structure of the wine being what you want to show through. Really appreciate having Ralfy help me through my whisky discovery period - my capacity to appreciate the malts has doubled through ticking through a few videos a week. Keep safe everyone.

I remember the transition from the old to the new presentation. Westend Garage in Dingwall had both versions of bunnahabhain for sale at the same price, until the stock of the old stuff sold. I was working in Alness quite a bit at the time so would call into the garage for fuel and a bottle as I was westering home to wester ross. I very much like the new UCF NC 46% style, but I do have a certain nostalgia for the old style and should have bought a few to put by at the time. As it was, the first time I spotted the new bottling I bought a bottle of both so was able to make a direct comparison. Wouldn't turn my nose up at either but the higher abv appealed to the frugal indigenous stereotype in me.

I used to buy books for an academic library, and I often used The Book Depository to get requested books fast. That's where I went for your "Search For a Whisky Bothy". However, I just looked up who owns The Book Depository... Amazon.

from a malty mariner in the mountainous meadows of Vancouver, thankyou for all you do. Paul

Macallan 18 at the Turnberry golf course bar in 2009 was my entry into single malt scotch. I ordered mine neat. My dad ordered his with ice. The bartender would not service it over ice. He served it neat and gave my dad a glass of ice and said sir do as you must. Great times, father and son trip to Scotland from California to play golf and hang out. Since then with Ralfy's guidance I have branched out to appreciate all types of quality Scotch. Thanks Ralfy!

Nostalgia isn't what it used to be. :(

The very reason I watch ‘Ralfy Extras’ 🥃 I was recently gifted your book for a birthday. I’ll start reading it soon. I imagine it will be just like this episode. Thumbs up and five stars 🥃

Inexpensive is good, but cheap is a waste of money; there's a difference.

That first time we visited Scotland, we were hitchhiking from Poland, took us a week to get to Skye, then Islay. And I will always remember the person who gave us a lift from Port Askaig from the ferry, dropped us off in Portnahaven, and then we sat on their porch, sampled some Bruichladdich from many years ago with some smoked ham and pickles, cause by total coincidence, the person had Polish relatives. They gave us a tour around Islay and dropped us off just next to Bruichladdich distillery and left to catch a rugby match back in the mainland of Scotland. And we pitched a tent just a hundred yards from the distillery, some people must have been surprised when they were passing our blue tent on their way to the church. That day we visited our first distillery together, Bruichladdich. Fast forward 5 years, I've now been reviewing whisky for 2 years and just realized I have 6 bottles of very different malts from Bruichladdich, maybe nostalgia had something to do with this? :D

When the extras are even more inspiring, than the review itself. I can very much relate to these thoughts from my personal experience, especially with regards to that break through experience. Mine was the Macallan12 approx 3 decades ago. My dad was a whisky afficionado back in the days, when nobody over here knew about Scotch Whisky anymore than JW , Ballantines and the like and he was given a bottle of fine Scotch as a present for birthday , easter, christmas etc. Me as a youngster always pinched a wee sip from dad's bottles out of curiousity, but most of it didn't really float my boat back then, until he came across that bottle of Macallan, his first sherried whisky and i though: Wow , that's the real McCoy , if this is how scotch whisky is meant to be , I think I like it and i've been hooked ever since. Didn't start drinking whisky on a regular basis before the age of 40 though.

Ralfy, --- [1] Last night (Monday, 4/27/20), I had a nice dram of Bunnahabhain 12yo, 46.3%, from a bottle purchased in June 2012. --- [2] As per Ralfy 218, I preserve my spirits bottles after being opened by squirting CO2 into them the day after pouring a dram. Thus, my bottles remain fresh. --- [3] Until last night's dram, I had forgotten how good Bunna 12 is. That Bunna 12 dram last night was just excellent. Thanks, for getting me to enjoy a nice dram. Stay well. Richard

Just ordered two copies of your book, as a thank you (and for selfish reasons): one for me, one for a friend - same as with drams ;) Cheers, Sir.

Ralfy, I just came across a video called "Rosen Rye Revival". Someone is heeding your messages. In Pennsylvania they are growing heirloom rye grain for whisky, using vintage equipment and techniques and making historical style of whisky that came before bourbon.

Mine was Glenkichie around 8 years ago, still smile when I have a dram even though I've moved on to more quality spirits and integrity whiskies

Found myself a bottle yesterday. A very distinct flavour and definitely got the same bitter flavour you mentioned from the oak. The first glass was a little jarring but it’s starting to open up 👍🏻

I can feel your passion for quality ... good casks and barley in your description. Thank you. I'll be loading up on some more Springbank and Bruichladdich in the near future.

Ralfy you are the best. Not afraid to speak your mind (Because its true) I dont go anywhere else.....Thank you

£1 a dram! You lucky thing! This vlog definitely resonated with me Ralfy though; I've still actually got my first bottle that gives me all those memories you talk about, it was of all things, Laphroaig 10 from about 10 years ago. The bottle is empty but the memories are there, thank you for reminding me about that!

Mine is Laphraog 10. Was like a bomb, but me and my father in law happily shared it together. Because he liked it, I bought again. Then I started to appreciate the quality vs JW Black . JW Black was my first whisky I was taught about whisky appreciation in Taiwan, and how adding water changed the taste. Yes, the new bottle not as good as the old Bun.

Had some Bunnahabhain 12 last night. Soooooo good!! It's probably my favorite Sherry casked dram.

Now this is the kind of " raising awareness " that comes in at a proper trajectory to my atmosphere. Thanks Ralfy I found a bottle of this locally for $48.00 US. I'm going for it just for fun because damnit I need some fun.

Great vlog Ralphy - the swerve into Amazon was good to hear as I agree entirely. I'm relatively new to learning about and understanding whisky and starting to grow my collection. I did buy a bottle of Writers Tears cognac cask finish from Amazon recently (following a trip to Dublin to celebrate my 50th with my partner and close friends and a wonderful experience in a speak easy style cocktail bar - bit of nostalgia!). LOng story short the bottle was inferior and not as advertised with inaccurate labelling etc. They refunded my money and told me to keep the bottle which was more than fair on their part but taught me not to buy from them again and stick to specialist retailers.

When you talk about nostalgia, I immediately go to Talisker 10, my first proper whisky bottle. Still one of my favourite distilleries. Even though I've tasted much better ones, non chill filtered, natural colour, fully integrity-malt presentations from different distilleries.

Nostalgia... having fun reading books again. Brings me back to before my 16th. Studying really ruined reading books for me. Recent two books I bought: - The Founders Tale by Pip Hills and - Search for a Whisky Bothie by a certain Ralfy Mitchell ;) "A good idea and a glass of malt"

Another thought provoking review Ralfy - as always much resonates with my personal experiences & acquired whisky knowledge but a couple of observations, so here goes: Agree about barley & cask quality, my researches back up your comparison between quality SM Scotch & Bourbon wood but you could take that further by including yeast strains used in Scotland & Kentucky - chalk & cheese. Secondly, I attended an Old & Rare Whisky Tasting in Glasgow a few months ago- mainly whiskies distilled in the 1970s - it brought home to me the way Single Malts made then were distillate forward rather than cask wood dominated- it really opened my tastes to this steady change in the industry - would recommend anyone to acquire older SMs even if it's only dram samples. Thanks again for the enlightenment 👍

Very insightful, great extras and thanks for talking about Bourbon. I hope you start reviewing Bourbons again!

Before watching your video I have to quote the man whose head is my avatar: "DEATH BY NOSTALGIA: It isn't necessary to imagine the world ending in fire or ice -- there are two other possibilities: one is paperwork, and the other is nostalgia. When you compute the length of time between 'The Event' and 'Nostalgia For The Event,' the span seems to be about 'a year less in each cycle.' Eventually, within the next quarter of a century the nostalgia cycles will be so close together that people will not be able to take a step without being nostalgic for the one they just took. At that point, everything stops. Death by Nostalgia." (FZ) -- The Real Frank Zappa Book pg203

Hi mate, try Nichols and Perks, based in Stourbridge, West Mids. Good on line site and a great selection of American spirits. Prices on par with Amazon except no free delivery. £5 in UK I believe

Thats about the only thing consistent about Canadian LCBO prices are they consistent across the board , thanks for sharing Ralfy

Thanks 🙏 Ralfy malt mater Your review channel really calms me down during time like this , drink 🍷 more wishkey and stay healthy Ralfy

Can't agree with you more. Nostalgia defines the experience, brings back memories of my dad drinking Dewars' and me drinking an old Jack Daniels. Better days I never had.

Started my Scotch journey with Glenlivet12, then moved to Macallan12. Now I have Aberlour, Auchentoshan, and Bunnahabain on the shelf. Next I may try a peated Isla. Suggestions?

Really good Extra , right up there with your best ever!

Back in the early nineties, when I was visiting my then-girlfriend who was doing a postgraduate in Dundee, I went for a short trip to Edinburgh, where I went into a specialized liquorshop. When I said I did not particularly like whisky, the shopkeeper asked me which alcoholic drink I did like. I mentioned a particularly good cognac to him. He then suggested Springbank 10Y., which I bought. That was a good (maybe lucky) start.

One of your best videos. Thanks. I could hear a Rooster in the background, what time is it there? Haha

The bottle which you reviewed in 2010 was bottled at 46% ABV when Burn Stewart started bottling their whiskies as craft presentations!

Ralfy you should end of your 10 year anniversary with review the 12-year-old anCnoc, which was your first-ever whisky review in the Bothy, many years ago.

Keep it craft and keep it local

Highly recommend Balcones French Oak texas Single malt.

Any way American malt mates can help by sending rarer bourbons over the pond?

Some of the barrel proof bourbons that hit the market annually in America get great reviews on other youtube channels. The trouble is, they get snapped up almost instantly in the U.S. and who can blame them? The Elijah Craig barrel proof, for example, is taking the world (America) by storm but we in the U.K. can't get near it. I've had the Booker's barrel bourbon from Jim Beam which is good, and the Stagg Jr which is very hot and aggressive, but everything else is tough to get. While watching other channels like 'The Whiskey Vault', for example, I've found out how many of the craft distilleries are close to going under. They work within very fine margins and I wish them all the best.

@ralfydotcom Hi Ralfy, i'm not sure if you're accepting malt mentions at the moment, but here's an entry from me! (i bought the antiquary, it's on the way!) To the tune of 'singing aye aye jippee jippee yay': "singing highland island islay campbelltown singing highland island islay campbelltown and let the lowland and the speyside, not stay by the wayside singing highland island islay campbelltown!" whatever you make of that, have a good one ralfy, stay healthy!

Has anyone tried making whisky in the Falklands? I know they are colder, in general, than Orkney. Still, perhaps some barley could grow there? They have peet!

Haha those last few moments Bye

Hello Ralfy , I'm living in Belgium ( sorry for my English ) ... First of all I would like to congratulate you for sharing your whisky passion . I have one question ... do you know the " infinity bottle " and what do you think about this ?

What whiskey would you recommend to someone who likes oban 14? Doesn't want to go anymore peaty

hi ralfy. what are the names of these old haunts in glasgow you used to drink in? im a bit of a fan of visiting pubs with a bit of authentic old world character - hard to find these days. really enjoyed visiting the laurieston last time i was in glasgow and brechins bar in govan stand out, it felt like a time before i was around, half expecting a load of workmen from the shipyards to burst in the door during the lunch hour along with the quality dram bars like bon accord, pot still and the ben nevis etc.

Amazon? No, I am thinking of waiting for "the Perfect Collection" to go back on auction. More in my price bracket, I wish!

PS: Ralfy we need your book downloadable for a kindle!

Which American whiskies in particular are you impressed by, ralfy? I am new to the scene and, due to a bad run-in with bourbon (similar to your tequila anecdote), I've stuck primarily to scotch single malt.

Ralfy seriouse question can the buyers tell if a used cask is going to produce a good end spirit when empty or is a lot of it guess work?I realise you touched on this in the video but are there signs or is it more guess work or luck?

Thumbs up

How are you feeling during these hard times Ralfy?

Ralfy, we met a number of years ago on John Lomands Advanced Whisky trail course and I am looking to have a chat about the process of your book, how to I get an address for you, I cant find a conact at ralfy.com or on your channel

Hey, Ralfy, how about giving a malt mention to all the machine head manipulating musicians in a future video? Cheers.

You can buy your malts on Amazon? Mind blown! If we had alcohol on Amazon, I would probably be bankrupt. Enjoy the ease of access!

It's not laziness it's old age. Your mind is young but your body is old.

You've ruined me Ralfy... I refused to buy the Oban Distiller's edition even though the reviews are good because of the added coloring :D

My first introduction to whisky was when I worked at Tatton Park in Knutsford in 1987. I was given, I think, a glass of J&B and the guy asked if I could taste the flavours. Of course, I had no idea what he meant, and he said something I never forgot, he told to chew the liquid as it was a way of releasing the flavours. The more I moved the liquid around my mouth the more I tasted. It was amazing. I have been a whisky drinker ever since, and when I can, I like to treat my self to a single malt. Thanks to Ralphys videos I now know of whiskys that I hadn't heard of, and when government measures are lifted, I hope to be heading to the Ben Nevis distillery this summer, while the wife rides the Jacobite train (she's a harry potter fan). All the best Ralphy, stay safe.

Everyone who ever played World of Warcraft would benefit from this video lol

hello malty monothistlewhaaaaaa...

Hi Ralfy, any chance you can message me? Would love to see if you keen to do a masterclass with us at our festival

Ralfy review 823, "if there's a Malt Mention it means one thing; I'm going to do a review." Ralfy review 823 extras, here comes a Malt Mention but......nostalgia instead of a review. I know, I know, Captain Literal is everywhere he doesn't need to be. Just sayin'.

A bit disappointing, this video. When I look back, talking about nostalgia is really not what it used to be. Memories were much richer back then. Seriously though, in conversations with winery owners here in Israel, it seems that organic grapes (and I assume it's a similar story with barley), is all a bit of a scam. To be truly organic and not use any pesticides at all, will leave the crop almost totally destroyed and damaged. Using Organic approved "natural" ingredients agents however, might be listed at the Ministry of Health, as actual poisons and harmful to humans. Yet in order to get their certification, wineries will be encouraged to use them. Other pesticides not listed as organic approved, have ironically passed Ministry of Health checks as being totally harmless to humans yet they are banned. Grapes grown with safe pesticides in family or cooperative estate vineyards, and used to produce wine in the same estate winery, are far healthier, more interesting and tastier, packed full of flavour. (In my opinion). If the whole point of "organic" is to produce a healthier, more natural, closer connected to the ground, full flavour product, then it seems as if it's a bit of a scam. (Again, my opinion). All quality boutique and estate wineries here in Israel use virtually no chemical agents whatsoever, where as the organic wineries might use organic approved agents to clarify and filter the wines, effectively killing most of the mouth fill and natural flavours. My advice. Stay clear of organic wineries and buy from small boutique (less than 120,000 bottles/year) Estate wineries.

Do the world a favour and try your best to avoid using Amazon. Simple