Wow Ben, nice words! Thank you 🙏 I hope you'll stay a while.

@@Aqvavitae Already shared the channel with family and friends... looking to catch you on a live stream at some point! see you then and keep up the good work!

That's a great point (and frankly it didn't take a PhD to think of that, Mr. Luening just liked to drop that title on us). But that only proved that HE couldn't taste the difference (or he and his son or a few more participants). And I have nothing against the gentlemen (both Luenings, father and son), they are clearly passionate and sincere about whisky. But they are in the business of selling whisky. And their perceptions represent just that - two men's opinions, which are worth about the same as anyone else. I would just say that it's been discovered more recently that along with tasting salty, sweet, bitter and sour, also astringent and savory (umami), our tongues can also taste fats and oils. If we can taste the difference between fat-free and full fat yogurt, sour cream, milk, etc. If we think something is "unctuous" or "rich", we are tasting lipids (fats and oils). And it works in tandem with other flavors, of course (i.e. a full-fat natural yogurt has the same flavoring components as fat-free, but it tastes better). And then there's the "texture" or "mouthfeel", viscosity. I'll give a strong argument that it matters. Pick up a commercial soft drink, such as iced tea, something fruit-flavored, i.e. Snapple, etc. It's reasonable to assume that it would contain brewed tea, sugar/sweetener and flavoring. But very often it also contains pectin or guar gum or a number of other similar "mouthfeel" additives (thickening agents). This is not jelly, not a thickened beverage, why would it need gelling agents (which are flavorless)? To improve mouthfeel - and it took a bunch of food scientists to come up with that. Now, I wouldn't argue in favor of adding something that wasn't there naturally. But I would certainly argue that removing something that was there naturally will detract from the experience, even if subtly. That's why I also agree with the rest of your points. I think that natural presentation communicates integrity in other production steps, while contrived presentation communicates that producer is manipulating my perception.

Awesome DPW, just remember - everything is a guide - and your brain is a little like an umbrella - it works best when it's open! 😉

Thank you Paul for the nice words and spot on with the DC. I caught you in last night but only after the show - shame I couldn't welcome you in, I'll look for you next time!

No worries chap. I'll be popping along regular now.

And a heap better than the 10Y

glen scotia is a fantastic distillery- enjoy now before the prices go the way of springbank and kilkerran!

Hey Max, thank you for the really nice words! glad you're loving the Virgin Oak - wait til you get to know the 12 and 18! Classy drams.

Ah! I'd wait 6 years to get a comment like this! Thank you and welcome in!

Thanks for taking the time to comment my friend - really nice comment and let m know how you get on with the purchases...

So glad you're enjoying the Deanston right now, me too! Thank you for the kind words and I'm really glad you enjoyed the video!

You add water because you can't handle the alcohol burn?

Thanks Hoyet!

Thank you Rover, it's comments like this that make it worthwhile 🙏

Welcome to a wonderful world of sensory exploration, you're in for a interesting ride! And thanks for stopping by this little channel. 👍

Hi Toon, I sent a package (Patreon exclusive coins) out to you in January, they have recently been returned, I think I used an old address (?) If you send an email to me I'd be happy to resend. Cheers!

Cool Kris - let me know how you get on with the purchases - loved the last vlog style video!

Really nice to have you here Jerry! Thank you. ✌️

Thank you Robert - hope you enjoy!

Thanks my friend!

Thanks Rob. Great for you to stop by fella, and a really nice comment to read.

Great information! ! ! !

Lockguy 26 thank you!

I had an "awakening" as a consumer as I got deeper and deeper into whisk(e)y. I have learned exactly what you are describing, both with bourbon first then scotch. Interesting times with demand skyrocketing and producers trying to capitalize on the market increase. I can be a sucker for a great label or bottle style, ie; Old Pulteney has one of the best bottle designs ever... and well it tastes awesome too. but there are some out there that are not good regardless of the packaging. I still get burnt every once in a while when I haven't quite done the research but that is on me at that point. I see it so often on facebook chats where someone is new and trying to figure out what to purchase. Reading labels, or listening the store clerk (who usually knows less than them) is pushing their mediocre brands. Videos like yours and others really do help us the general public take home a nice bottle to enjoy and experience. once again, keep up the great work and no worries on how often they are released. Slainte'

certainly agree with this opinion.

You captured the spirit of my message perfectly! I could not agree more with your sentiments Bill! Thank you for commenting.

Cheers again!

I struggled to reply to this earlier. If I was any closer to Ohio I'd have kissed you by now. Those are very kind words Keith. You're a gent and a scholar. Peace.

hahahahahaha....well I'm not blowing smoke up your ass...I meant every word. I appreciate everything you have done for my channel and the whisky community as a whole....let me know when you have time for a hangout and a dram.

Excellent comment! Thanks Jason!

Thank you for commenting! 😊

Welcome to the world which will change your life trajectory from here on in. I hope it's a blast. Stick around and share!

I recently started at 47 and am loving the journey.

I started at 59...during the first covid lockdown. I was going down alot of KZfaq rabbit holes and need up on how barrels are made. Next thing you know, I have a big whiskey collection and quit wine and beer!

Hey boys great of you to stop by - You guys are sipping like Lords over there! Keep it up!

Thanks! And keep up the awesome feedback 😉

Cheers Dylan. Kid gloves though with newbies - it's all too easy for me to forget how over the moon I was with a new bottle of Balvenie 12 Doublewood, thinking it was the cream of the crop. All of these little steps are valid epiphanies - even if they don't meet these criteria. Thanks Dylan.

Aqvavitae okay, fair... I meant more friends who have some experience with whisky and enjoy it, but want to start exploring other single malts. Your advice is solid guidelines to follow, without making specific recommendations.

Thanks Dylan, sounds like you're sharing your own whisky evangelism! 😎

Thanks fella - loving the humour at your side - "the great unwashed" I literally gagged laughing! Keep it going and good luck with it!

I believe the one on the right was a Longmorn 16

Cheers to you Eti!

5 and 6 year old Kilchoman have blown me away. Thinking about it, Port Charlotte too. That's what Islay smoke can do. Cheers Eric

Ardbeg’s entire NAS line is tip top, but they use their older stocks to make them and throw in a splash of the younger scotch to give it some unique qualities. The Uigeadail just might be the best malt they make.

Awesome Tallesta! That would've been an impressive shift! And thanks for watching and commenting here too!

He's on his 4th birthday gift!

Thanks again Graham! 👍

Aristide Zoides thank you, I was trying to drown out the Scottish drone with the music. Feedback heard & noted. You're not the first to say. 😉

Many thanks for your reply. Never try to drown out anything Scottish. The whole world loves everything Scottish, from the breath taking, stunning and varied lands and islands to the warmth and charisma of its people to the food, and of course , the whisky, renowned and revered world wide above all other spirits. Your video was very inspiring. I worked at Selfridges wines and spirits department during my holidays in the 70s/80s where I was first introduced to single malts and bought my very first bottle; Glenmorangie 10 yr old. I thought it was absolute heaven and I always kept a bottle since. I've become a Scotch enthusiast and growing my collection. The taste of scotch is unique and from the finest SMs to the cheep supermarkets own value brands someone with a blindfold would be able to tell it's scotch. (I use the latter to experiment with creativity e.g. I fill them into jars and add such things as chunks of 80% plain chocolate, acacia bark, dried peel and store them for months. I won't waffle on any more but just to finish off by saying that the Scotch industry deserves credit in producing a wide variety of whiskies, boldly embracing innovation and variation in methods without compromising the core properties and quality as well as tradition of what distinguishes a spirits revered the world over.

Aristide Zoides wow, I love hearing how much people are loving whisky (and Scotland) I'm very glad you enjoyed this video too. I hope to welcome you in a live show one day. Thank you 🙏

Thank you Bernd - stay a while won’t you; the accent becomes easier! 😉

I think that's a pretty fair shout. I like that Laphroaig put them out at 48% too, it helps a lot. It's a pretty pricey prospect though (at least in the UK c.£80) to make the recommended list, but it's a good one.

@@Aqvavitae I agree, at that price it would be a bit tough to recommend. It's currently at around $90(U.S.) where I live. Still a bit pricey but more reasonable.

Thank you my friend - but if you grabbed the Caol Ila 12 you just picked up one of my "honourable mentions" for the 12yo standard Scotch slot I shared in the latest live. I love that dram!

Thanks Peter and yes, a nice dram recommendation right there.!

I love that PJL pot still whiskey - it's a peach. Japanese whiskies are tricky due to price right now but I'm open to all whiskies! Thanks Mark!

Mine too Preston.

This is also my fav affordable whisky. It was gifted to me twice. Probably wouldn't have picked it out myself! So I was happy when I got gifted the second, haha 😉

Agree totally Brandon, I bought the Longmorn Distillers choice and wasn't impressed at all. Went back to it a few weeks later and actually like it, tho I would prefer an extra 5 or so % over the 40%. Gerry

A dram good comment bigjoebob! Thank you!

Thank you. It's by the boys at urbanpirate.net

Whisky teaches you to slow down in more ways than one! Thank you for watching and commenting.

Did you watch to the end? The three NAS recommendations I still standby today. I also loved Signet (it appears in a RecycledReview) and although I didn’t love the Laphroaig PX I can see why so many do. Thanks for watching and commenting Major 👍

@@Aqvavitae Truth be told I got yanked away from the vid by work before I could finish so shame on me for commenting before I did! That'll teach me! ;) Cheers Roy!

@@Aqvavitae By the by...what was it about Laphroaig PX Cask that you weren't a fan of? I'm curious to hear!

Major Dramage I liked it, tasty enough but a wee bit thin on texture. Still good tho. Travel retail was it? 🧐

@@Aqvavitae It is (was?)! It's SO interesting how individual our palates are. I find it a mouth-filling dram with heaps of texture. A toast to our differences then! Slainte!

Thank you Martin - you're welcome here anytime!