Are you writing a book? You should write a book... I'd read your book! Great reviews - I'm really enjoying them!

man oh man.. Ralfy can paint a picture with his carefully chosen words! Love the reviews :)

Yoichi is a great whisky, and a wonderful distillery, but there are some major errors in this review. 1. Yoichi isn't the oldest "Scotch Style" distillery in Japan. Yamazaki is. Yoichi was second. Interestingly, the same guy, Taketsuru, set them both up. 2. Wabi Sabi doesn't mean the pursuit of perfection. As far as it's possible to define it in English, it means something like "a world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete"." So actually it means finding beauty in and appreciating imperfection and transience. A completely different meaning than used by Ralfy here. Note: He's right, that the Japanese diligently try to perfect things, to the point of obsession, but wabi sabi isn't the way to describe this. In fact, Wabi Sabi can mean that something isn't perfect, unless its imperfect...

Previously I've heard "by design" and "by default" expressions in relation to software development, but to whisky?! Ralfy, you've got rich imagination. Thanks for sharing.

I love your speech on the senses and perception. I think you are spot on. Whiskey tasting can really broaden and hone the senses.

As a relative newcomer to the world of (Japanese) whiskys, I must say I am very impressed indeed. Your reviews are amazing and I can't believe I have only just discovered this channel!

As a Japanese person, it was fascinating to hear your perspective on Japan.

Hey Raphie. Ive been watching your videos for about 7 or 8 months now. I started drinking scotch Whiskey a little over a year ago; previously, I didn't drink alcohol because I never really liked anything I tried (bear, wine, vodka, rum). When I tried Scotch for the first time I instantly fell in love. There are two names you have mentioned several times, and I have finally tried them Both. The Macallan and Auchentoshan. So far, Cask Strength Macallan is the best Ive ever had! Thank You!

From what I understand, if wabi-sabi has a goal, it is to accept flawed things as they are and to recognize their beauty. In a way It is really the opposite of the pursuit of perfection as you used it in the vlog. A common example is the simple, rustic pottery often used in the japanese tea ceremony.

Nice review once again! I've had the 10y old Yoichi, I'll have to try out the 15 now! Can't wait to see the review of the left one on the shelf (I won't spoil it), I've had the 12y old and loved it!!

11:59 Appreciate educational academic extras - this is why Ralfy is the king of whisky reviews

epic end. Ralfy you're like the best professor I never had. I learn so much with you. My respects.

Ralfy, You have an excellent grasp of some of the aspects of the mentality of Japanese people. I have found that they tend to be perfectionists, sometimes to odd results. And man, you are soooo correct when you said that it's easy to spend money here. I love Jazz, and it's quite possible to go to a small jazz bar, have 2 drinks, and have already spent over $100 in half an hour.

Such an astounding and open-minded review. Glad I discovered your channel!

Finally!! Been waiting for this one. Thanks.

Fantastic video, great to hear a bit of your experience and wisdom! Makes me hate that I'm only 22 and seen so little in life, gonna have to change that!

Hi Ralfy! I've lived in Japan for just over 2 years. I had never tasted a Japanese whisky before coming here, but I have to say that I've been VERY impressed with them. There are times where I've sworn I was drinking a Highland malt! I agree with you that the Japanese ethics/principles really shine through in the quality of their whisky. I'm looking forward to moving back to the States where I can get it much cheaper, lol!

Ralfy, you need another channel for history/ sociology. You're a great story teller.

Thanks for answering this. I found your Yoichi 10yo review after I asked you this question. I will buy myself the 15yo after sampling (and liking) the 10yo. 2 of my friends adore Japanese (style) whisky's, but two others don't really like them. I can't wait to taste the Yoichi 10yo. No off for some Glendronach 21yo parliament!

Ralfy I am drinking this as you speak! You are a poet my man...! I am a fan! You know, though I prefer the 12 and 18 year Yamasaki over the non-age statement, I prefer the non-age statement Yoichi for it's balance though not depth, to the 10 or 15. Maybe it's a wabi-sabi thing. Just my humble opinion..

Some malt mentions for you Ralfy (hopefully unused as I'm a new subscriber), malty moon men, malty masterminds, and malty maltophiles. Love the reviews

My wife is in Japan visiting her parents, and she is bringing back a bottle of this as my Omiyage. I cannot wait to try this whiskey.

interesting you say that. When i bought the bottle the first two drams gave me a bit of a headache too. But now its completely gone and im enjoying the bottle much more.

Love to see some French whiskys reviewed Ralfy. I have seen these more and more on the shelves.

One of my favorites, Ralfy.

Excellent review on Japanese Whisky Ralfy.The spirits coming out of Japan is sure giving Scotch whisky a run for the money in my opinion.Right at the moment I`am enjoying a dram of Nikka Haketsuru 21 year.WOW,,what a whisky,absolutely wonderful to enjoy.I also just picked up two bottles that just arrived at my local whisky shop,,Lagavulin 16yr Distillers edition and Edradour 25 yr Port finish.

Always an entertaining review!

What a great review and being part Japanese myself I have to agree with everything you said. It was a pleasure seeing your take on Japanese whisky. However the one thing I noticed was I've always known wabi sabi as meaning perfect imperfection or imperfect perfection. Basically from an art standpoint it means embracing the natural imperfections in a creation as perfect. Maybe it has different meanings but everything you said was still accurate.

Nikka from the Barrel is great, and value for the money too; they are sold at $20 in Japan. Nikka's product lines are more interesting then Yamazaki, only that those are only available in the distillery's shop.

Hi ralfy! Love the reviews! Live in Japan but haven't had a chance to try Yoichi 15 yet! (but will be on the lookout! btw, if you have a chance, Takesuru 17 is the best Japanese Whisky I have tried (I like the 21 year also but almost a bit too smooth). I recommend it if you haven't tried it!

I am very much enjoying the Japanese whisky series.

Ralfy, which one you like best between this one and the Yamasaki 18?

Thanks for the reply!

You can see the future my friend, thank you Ralfy

That ending cracked me up

BSA Starfire. Great reviews, cheers!

I'm not sure I want to spend that kind of money on Japanese whisky as I've never had any experience with any before. Have you tried the non - age statement version of this? If so could you recommend it?

dude you are soo cool.... great reviews ! great personality ! and you respond to your viewers , im sure im one of many that would love to have dram with you ! but i do, in spirit !!! pun intended !

Just been looking back on your early vlogs. Miss your outdoor recording Ralfy! Guess it might be harder on IOM? Keep on truckin.

Really like your reviews, having been to Japan a couple of times you really hit the nail on the head as regard their work ethic, Out of interest have you ever visited A whisky Bar in Shinjuku area called Shot Bar Zoetrope, I had the fortune of finding out about the place before I travelled earlier this year, Incredible place With some very unique Ichiro bottling especially for the bar which had the chance to taste, Probably my fave of all my tastings though was the Taketsuru 21yo delightful.

great review! i have seen all of your review and love it. but, i have a question. did you every try the Chinese liquor? (i mean the Chinese liquor which is made in Taiwan.) like you say "more alcohol ,more flavor",there's 58vol,66vol,72vol,80vol and 82vol. the color is like water,but it's tasty and complexity. (forgive my strange English) have a nice day!

Ralfy. My parents would like to give me a bottle of whisky for my birthday, they asked me what I'd like. I'm really curious about the Yoichi 10yo. Have you had dram? I cant get any samples so I'm out on the hunt for opinions.

I'm new to the world of whisky (and therefore new to your excellent reviews as well), and I don't think I will be able to catch up on all 304 reviews. So what are the best whiskies you have reviewed so far?

Hello ralfy :) Recently when picking up a HP 12yo as a gift for a friend, I also bought a bottle of Lagavulin distillers edition double matured 1995 (as a gift to myself) I wondered if I could impose upon you to say if you had tasted it, and in that case what you think of it?

Ralfy, just had an amazing tequila last night. If you haven't tried Herradura anejo tequila it is HIGHLY recomended by me. It's like no tequila i have ever had. Amazingly fruity with cake icing suger notes, lemon puffs, pear and a long finish to die for. So yea check it out if you see it, get it, you will not be disapointed. 92/100 are my marks. XP

sounds like a damn good dram, raisins, coffee, toffee just to name a few!

Hey Ralfy have you tried Nikka from the Barrel? Thoughts? Perosnally I think its fantastic.

It's funny you bring up Japanese whiskey because I have an interesting question to which you are best suited to answer it. I have a bottle of The Yamazaki 12yr, I am having difficulty trying to figure out which type of 'Scotch' whiskey they're trying to emulate. Are they trying to emulate Highland, Lowland, or Speyside? (They are certainly not emulating Islay!)

Ralfy where does the " aromatic" quality in SMS come from & why do many malts lack this property? thanx mate.

Do you like old British bikes? I have a TR5MX, B50MX, and a Victor 441 :)

Hey Ralfy. Hows life?!! Yea I just finished perusing the Ralfystuff Whiskey Marks sec. of your website. Couldnt help notice theres quite a few marks between 91-95 !!! Now thats Bigstuff! Any chance that you'll be doing "live vlog reviews" of any of these Stunners?!(U can always dip into the ol Ralfy Whisk(e)y closet rite?!) Thanks malt mate.

The average whisky reviewer would stop at 9:37, but Ralfy takes it the extra mile which is why we all watch him.

yeah fair point

ralfy: Not sure that this is the best place to ask this, but which malts do you think an occasional (once a week) whisky drinker should keep on hand? I personally love Islay, and already have something of a collection, but I'd love to expand the scope of what I keep around.

your my hero

Ralfy....have you ever had any of the Compass Box Whiskey's??

ralfy can you make a video sometime of your bike ! if not all is good and thanks for the videos

I have, and it’s an okay dram. Nothing special though. But it does give me a headache.

How good is this whisky? I'm looiking for a real good single malt that is good for sipping

Great review. Entertaining and informative, as always. I'm afraid you got the meaning of Wabi-sabi wrong, though. Wabi-sabi is kind of untranslatable and refers to the beauty of imperfection. As for the pursuit of perfection, you might be referring to kaizen, meaning "improvement".

that looks tasty

Correct.

Sounds like D# and D Natural

A lesson in integrity.

I would like to try this one, but it's way over priced. £ 85 in TWE!

That's strange. Me and my mum were talking about Japanese whisky just the other day.

KAMPAI!!!

thats a $1000 AUD bottle of whisky right there

I thought only scottish and irish whiskey is allowed to be called whiskey.

you had a headache because it's 51% alcohol..... it you take it neat you probably would get the headache bonus!

you even got the JPN pronunciation right

Nobody like Criticism, yep not even Ralfy the Maltster, understood. But we gotta give in when it a purely academic mate. you can blow off the constructive criticism if you like, just heed the advice. We're all friends. Peace.

I bet the battery wasn't made in japan!!!

is £85 'affordable' :/

Hello you Malty Makka Pakkas!

Nope!

Hey mate! Ralfy, you sure about wabi-sabi?? concerning its relative meaning in relation to this Vlog? If you Wiki 'wabi-sabi' you might wanna redo this video as you've placed too much emphasis on this error. Its about "imperfection" maltmate. NOT perfection! When using foreign terminologies it important to research first- lest we risk looking foolish and you're light years from that! You DO know what I mean right?? Sianarra (spelling??) Ralfy!! cheerio.