Wow a new Overrated and Overpriced video? What a welcome surprise. I feel like in today's market most releases could be considered overrated and overpriced. With the number of distilleries releasing young product at prices that used to have age statements it's become more difficult to find value.

Totally agreed with you, Rob! Thanks for the advice. Here we should have a Mac 18yo category... I was in the USA and the bottle is at usd 399.99, close to the cad 535... even cheaper than last year's price at LCBO where it was $600, here part of the problem I believe it is the monopoly in addition to limited availability 😢🤬

Great to see you doing one of these again Rob. Excellent selection. I think what we see is not just the individual expressions but the distilleries behind them. They really suck. I entirely agree with what you say about Balvenie and that is a real shame. They don't have a single expression that I would be happy to spend my money on. That's pretty much true of all Irish whisky for me. Most of it's bottled at 40% and if not there's a premium to pay. There's some good stuff but not worth it. I suppose I might as well chuck anything to do with Japan into that box as well. Macallan are a kind of joke/villain of corporate greed. They almost shouldn't be included as they occupy a special space of crap value along with Dalmore. I could say the same of Johnnie Walker Blue. They exist in a bullshit bourgeoise atmosphere that promotes wealth over content. (Rant deactivation mode on alert.) I'm so glad you included Glenmorangie Signet. I thought I was the only one on the planet that thought is was grossly overpriced. This old stuff in a NAS has to be called out. Big Peat has Port Ellen in it but it must be a thimbleful in each barrel/barrels, we don't know. I'll repeat my Signet alternative: Buy a cheap Spey and some chocolate and eat and drink them together to save yourself £100. Excellent advice on the anCnoc 24. Most whisky is insultingly priced over 20 years now. Even Glenfarclas have pushed up the price of their not great old whisky. I've talked about this with Ralfy and we are agreed that old whisky is becoming a thing of the past except for the very wealthy. Seriously, how much is a bottle of Talisker 18 now? Glendronach 18 and, sorry, Tamdhu? I'm going through the Paul John Oloroso and that is half the price of these and a great sherry whisky. So many whisky distilleries that we loved have been sold out to asset strippers jumping on the whisky gold rush. Macallan, Dalmore, Glenlivet and much of Diageo: par for the course. Here's the thing though: Balvenie; Glendronach; Benriach; Old Pulteney; Balblair, Bowmore, etc, etc. Superb distilleries which we used to love but they aren't part of the conversation for serious whisky drinkers. Cheers Rob. WT

Rob this is a fabulous, bang on list! I have always regarded JW Blue as grossly overpriced for what it is. It’s $400 at our BC Liquor stores, low ABB and IMO there is no complexity. For that price I could have some fabulous single malt scotch whiskies non chill filtered and without the colouring. It’s absurd. Great opinions and I appreciate them a lot! Have an amazing day!! Stay warm!!

Hey Rob, great video! Bang on! It's getting harder and harder to enjoy a good pour when the prices are getting so high. Really appreciate the recommendation vs these overpriced bottles. Will be picking up a few of those. Salute!

Wild how prices have jumped across the board, especially here in Canada. Another distillery that is way over priced in general is The Dalmore, seems like they are trying to follow the Macallan model haha. One I hate to mention because I really enjoy a lot of their core range, but just seems to keep creeping up in price is Highland Park. To follow your style - I would suggest Speyburn 18 as a great alternate choice for both the 18 yr category and as a direct alternate to Highland Park 18. cheers from East Coast.

Good topic. I'll take issue with the Tamdhu 18 though. Better at 1/4 the price? How about 1/3 the price. Somethings gotten to their heads and it's $280+ CAD for an 18yo. And talking heads can't stop singing it's praises because it's cheaper than Macallan. If Macallan 18 WASN'T $800, no one would have a kind thing to say about Tamdhu 18 at that price. That being said, great video XD

Great video. Macallan is overpriced at all ranges.

I ordered a 12-year Macallan at a bar not too long ago out of curiosity to find out how it tastes these days. It has a very nice aroma, but it is lacking in flavor. It tastes like water that sat next to a glass of whisky at some point in the past. Considering how unimpressed I am with their flagship entry level product, I'm not about to waste money on the expensive versions. Not too long ago, I saw Macallan 25 at a bar selling for about US$400 for a pour. An entire bottle of anCnoc 24 is less than that, and it isn't watered down and filtered to death. I remember that Macallan used to be good years ago. Maybe my taste preferences changed and I outgrew it, or maybe it really isn't as good as it used to be. Nowadays, it is nothing more than a status symbol for rich people. I'm perfectly happy with my bottle of anCnoc 24.

Balvenie prices have been a joke in Ontario for years, DW is 140 and the Caribbean 14 is 200, Week of Peat 14 is 250. I recently picked up a Caol Ila Single malts of Scotland, Sherry matured, cask strength for 129 all in out of Alberta. I try and look for IB's because so many core range big distillery prices are so agregious. I would buy Jura before I bought any Glenfiddich.

Why buy a JW Blue when you can get a quality single malt for a lot less? Where I live, anCnoc 24 is the same price as JW Blue, so why would anyone get JWB?

Totally agree with comments on Macallan. Got to complement their marketing department for creating the feeling of a luxury product but the actual whisky does not live up to the hype. It’s good but not that good ,and certainly not worth the prices being charged.

This is a great topic to always keep in mind when shopping for bottles. I have access to a big variety of independent bottles, and when I go through all the ones available, there is a big range in price with similar ages and cask types. The name of an Isla distillery can more than double the price except Caol Isla. Spending time to look at everything you have available can get you quality products for much better prices. Cheers Rob

Hi Rob, thanks for another great video, bit of an opposite direction of comment but the Signal Hill Founders overproof is a great high ABV whiskey and Smith and Cross is a solid 57% abv rum, 60$ and 48$ respectively. Maybe one day i'll grab the Tamdhu you mentioned; bit pricey for me currently though

Great video. Its crazy how many bottles can be included on the overpriced and overrated list now compared to 5 years ago

Look at large price jumps. If course Macallan and Highland Park across their range. Oban 14 and Balvennie 13 are taking the piss with their increase. Now, in the past week, with their 15 ($175) and a couple of months ago with their 12 - Glenfarclas.

Macallan 12 double cask. 2 years ago you could get it for 94.50 at the lcbo. Its now 149.95. Decent value at

I love the 24 acnoc but unfortunately it went up here in California to about 350-400 now 😑 I can get balvenie double wood 12for 45 tho lol

GlenAllachie 18y is so much better than Macallan 18y at a third of the price👍🏻

I like the style of this video. My biggest overrated, over priced has to be anything from Ardbeg but the core range. They so quickly diluted their brand equity it makes me sad.

I agree that Compass Box is great! Love how transparent they are and Flaming Heart is one of my favorites! It’s crazy how much prices vary depending on where you are in the world… I grabbed the Dunsville Palo Cortado Cask for around $85USD and The Balvenie 15 Madeira Cask for around $150USD when I was in Dublin. I think there’s a lot of bourbons that are getting marked up way higher than MSRP that would make it on this list for me. However, I have noticed their prices starting to come back down over the last year.

2024 RANT #1 : YAY ! . . . life starts at 6:30 . . . may be LBOC is also guilty for that 850$CA price. . . even the much-loved Farclas-25 went from 270 to 340 to now 500 $CA last week !

Great summary of the current market situation, Rob! And I totally agree with you that Ancnoc 24 is the no 1 in the 25a-category! The only one which is affordable! Really great stuff and worth every $… Cheers, Ralf

Great list Rob! I'm about to retry the Signet, but have always found it highly overrated. Sounds like it's likely to underwhelm. Cheers man 🥃

You forgot possibly the most shocking which is HIGHLAND PARK get this - The 18 yr old is now $390 up from 190 just a few years ago, The 21 is now $740! up from around 400 a few years ago and the ultimate is the 25 which we thought was crazy at $900 a few years ago is NOW $2500! Are they trying to fail or what?

I have to agree with what you say in this video. I used to enjoy whisky but the pricing v quality now is really taking its toll. There are still some good ones out there. Springbank, deanston, ben nevis the glenlivet to name a few that appreciate there customers. Then there are others who i believe are living above there station. Macallan being o e, whi wint evem let you tour there facilities without an appointment these days. Wont be buying their product again

Great video and list. I absolutely love signet however and i thought it was reasonably priced. It always goes on sale in calgary so ill snag a bottle occasionally

Just a +1 vote for the Midleton Barry Crockett, maybe the price has been creeping up over the years (I bought a case when 'out west' were offloading them at $160 few years back) but it is a lovely bottling. I may be biased as MBC was a gateway whiskey for me that got me into the hobby, but it remains as one of my favourites. You can't even get MBC here in Ontario, I've not seen it out-west for the longest time either. Rob, happy to send a sample your way, let me know what you think.

Pretty much nailed it there dude. Can't disagree with anything you put out there. A' Bhunadh is my 'go to' for a sherry NAS these days - no idea what Canadian prices are like tho. Glencadam do some lovely NAS as well at totally reasonable rates. Auctions are becoming more buyer friendly too for snagging the occasional older bottle. Slainte

you weren't wrong with signet, I thought it was average at best.

Great video Rob. This type of content is very appreciated 👍

Yamazaki 12 is overpriced but it’s a decent whisky, great for a Japanese whisky tasting. I confess I don’t much like glenallachie 13 - great finish but that’s all I get from it. Balvanie has been very disappointing in the last few years (sad coz I used to enjoy this distillery a lot) - the double wood 12 has gone down the tubes in terms of quality and the price in Ontario is now absolutely absurd. Their Week of Peat is awesome but pricey (250 or so when you can get it). MacAllan 18 - omg it sucks for the price (and actually, just sucks) - I just gave an older bottle to one of my 20+ yo sons coz I won’t drink it. It’s not even worth 150 bucks - almost anything is better. I have an acnoc 24 that I haven’t opened yet but am looking forward to it - I hear praise about it everywhere. Most Gordon & mcphails are awesome - I’ve bought quite a few in Glasgow when over there - just finishing a 25 yo single cask Highland Park. It cost about 400 bucks when I bought it just before the pandemic (as opposed to 900+ at lcbo for a standard 25 yo at the time) and it’s incredible but sadly almost gone …. Recently opened a 30 yo Caol ila I bought at auction. Very pricey but it’s heaven in a bottle!

Haha we all knew you’d say MacAllan 18. What a joke of a distillery. Still don’t get why anyone buys their garbage anymore. Must still be paying for that James Bond ad spot

Rob, Fantastic job on the culprits and the options. Can't believe some of those Canadian prices, I thought at half those in the US are still overpriced!

Great video buddy, totally agree with you with regards to Macallan, ridiculous price for a bang average whisky, who the hell buys Macallan anyway, any true scot won't touch that with a barge pole, so much more out there, which is far better whisky and for a fraction of the price, when Deanston can release an 18year old for £75, it just proves how much we are getting ripped off, just pure greed. With regards to Balvenie, they actually seem to be going down the Macallan route as are Gelnturret, they actually sell their core range 12yr at £13.20 a dram in their bar, absolute daylight robbery, it is a real shame with regards to Balvenie, as I used to love their whisky, but again they are overpriced and there is so much out there to try which is much cheaper and much better 👍🥃

Excellent list Rob and good on you for calling out some of the worst offenders.

Call them out!

Great topic Rob as it is controversial but someone has to call spade a spade. Some of the distilleries and products have gotten out of control. The good news is there are new distilleries coming up both Scotland and globally and hopefully the new offerings will take some pressure off these ridiculously priced products. Good call on those alternatives Rob!

I would agree with many of these. It is sad how Balvenie is going down that road. The Balvenie 12 was my first scotch I purchased and had. Got it for 50 dollars US. I remember getting there single sherry 15 barrel for like 99 Dollars US. I think last time I saw the Balvenie 15 single barrel the price was 180 dollars US. Yeah, glenmorangie signet was a let down when I purchased it years ago. Luckily I didn't pay full price. Sadly ever since Covid hit it made the price of scotches go up terrible. I noticed a slight uptick before. Everything has gone up too. I had to cut back in my whisky budget. I really don't drink much and I have a nice stock pile now I build up over the years. I might purchase in one year 3 to 4 bottles the most. Thank you for the video. Cheers!

Agreed. I do happen to enjoy the Glemo Signet, but the price makes it not worth it.

In the year before COVID, I bought a bottle of Macallan 12 Triple Cask for $90 that I haven't opened yet. I think in approximately three years, I might be able to drink a Scotch that costs about $300 a bottle.

Flaming Heart is a Blended MALT whisky while JW Blue is a Blended Scotch (Single Malt + Grain), right?

WHAT?!!! Yamazaki 12yo is priced at @ $150.00 US these days? I was buying that for $45.00 ten or 12 years ago, and it was just OK stuff, not anything special. That's crazy.

It's funny how the whisky world has changed. I am based in Scotland and started drinking scotch whisky 20 years ago. Amongst my early bottles were Macallan Gold, Balvenie Double Wood, Highland Park 12yo and Dalmore 12yo. These were considered top quality and certainly didn't break the bank. I wouldn't go near any of them now.

Every single Balvenie belongs on this list

Japanese whisky.... is clean and interesting but for that price they can keep it. I bought a lucky stash of 12 year old Hibiki years back for 30 pounds a bottle and still have about half a dozen... If I keep hold of them I'll probably be able to exchange them for a house pretty soon.

"I think, you know what I'm going to say".... in the 18 yo category. Well, yes! Yes we did. Not even a hint of doubt at all. Cheers Rob. Great great alternatives to look for instead in the categories.

The Signet is batchy... I've had two, the first was really very good but the one I bought a couple of years later had some off notes.

Another great review

Oh man Rob, totally agree with you about Glenmorangie Signet, unfortunately. I bought this for myself a while ago and I’m actually trying it now for the first time. What a disappointment 😞 I get the chocolate and coffee thing on the finish but the nose is silent and it ends up just being weird and unbalanced. Total bummer. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had a Glenmorangie I enjoyed 🫤

Liked. I don't normally enjoy list or "top" videos, but this was well thought out and I couldn't agree more. As a long time malt drinker I have to ask: what's a macallan? 😎 They should just rename it to rolex or some other gaudy status symbol. Or maybe start making macallan branded purses co-branded with Vuitton or gucci or whatever 😏

Bal 12 is 60-80$ max in my area, still on the lower shelf.... regular pricing for most 12yo here

Got the Old Comber from Dunvilles at £40 recently and its excellent. The core Dunvilles are expensive - any suggested irish replacement for 10ish age statement?

Couldn’t agree more!

Great to see this. Most, almost all I never would have bought, but I appreciate the Under ratted and other recommendations too. Cheers!

Wow. Had no idea the Mac18 is now $845… I thought $300 USD was robbery. Holy hell. Who still buys at that price??? Geezus. But if people keep buying, why stop right? Wild Turkey is jumping on that bandwagon. And as much as people complain, they’re still selling 🤷🏻‍♂️ Great list here. Thanks for helping us avoid these, and offering the alternatives. Cheers!

Great video in discussion overpriced whiskies. I remember when LCBO released the Yamazaki 12yr back in Early November, I was like thinking " Are you SERIOUS?" ( Haven't gotten into the 18yr 100th anniversary ones). $350 we're spoiled for choices ( Suntory is increasing prices AGAIN this year). Probably even the Canadian Club 15yr is better than it at a quarter of the price ( bought it. Haven't tried it). Thank god I'm not into Macallan as prices are just pure ludicrous. The Bruichladdich Black Art is already creeping up the overpriced category ( I excluded the Octomore because I think you did a video about it in the past). The whisky I have around is the Nikka from the Barrel ( I know they added Ben Nevis in there but I ain't picky for its price point) as it's still up in quality at near basement price ( it can blow the socks off from alot of 12-15 yr whiskies). As for other Whiskies and other spirits, perhaps the Canadian Rockies 28yr ( LCBO is having it on clearance now so I bought a bottle), Lot 40 Port finish ( too lazy to get it), Canadian Club 15 ( I think it's a steal due to finishing the last 3 years in sherry cask ( don't ask which one). Armagnacs are still basement price despite being much much lower production than cognac, there are still many hyper aged stated Armagnacs are still available at very very very reasonable price( I don't know why LCBO couldn't get their hands on the good ones). I've tried to learn other categories in wines and spirits and often gets laughed at but the goal is to have several alternatives when prices just get out of hands.

Well, I pretty much agree with your choices.

Wow, Canada prices are horrendous. Pretty much everything is double the price of what it goes for in the US.

And I thought $450 Macallan18 sherry cask is expensive in our part of the world! Totally agree and thanks for a refreshing look at the current whisky state

JW blue used to be affordable not that long ago. they are in the Macallan camp now. Outrageous and it's a never buy even if the price comes down. Arran 10 is the only arran product i've had. Ralphy has guided me in my choices. SPOT on stuff. i'll try to find the older ones. Deanston is a great buy too. affordable 12 year

Great list and great content Rob. I agree with the Balvenie being over rated. I remember trying a dram at a tasting and the looking up the price on the LCBO app...mind blown. There are so many better offering in that price point and less. Keep up the great content.

Fun video Rob, and thanks for the recommended alternatives. Love the A24

Glenallachie 15 is $100 even here in Colorado. Should i give that a go. I'm in some craigaillachie 13 now and it's super good at $67

Get those AnCnoc 24s while you can. New price is $340 here in the States....

Nice list. At the 18 YO level, can I throw Ancnoc 18's hat into the ring? In my area it is US$150.00. Cheers.

great vid! When are you gonna do that Speymalt 2001 54.6%? It's an amazing whisky, just curious what you'll think of it!

Dunville's PX is $70 in my market (or was when purchased 1 year ago). That's fairly reasonable for Irish Single Malts these days. My nominee for grossly overpriced would be Blue Spot. I saw it recently in the locked cabinet at Total Wine & More for $299.99! For 7 year old whiskey? I reluctantly paid $120 for it a year or so ago. It's really good, but should be an $80-$100 offering. Congrats Middleton. You've done more than rebound from the Irish whiskey crash, but I'm moving on. Tamdhu is also too rich for my blood. I realize 18 year old whisky in general is not terribly affordable. I'd probably suggest either Ancnoc 18 or Tomatin 18 instead. It certainly appears that value is very much region dependent though. Cheers.

Macallan,Macallan and MACALLAN!!!!!!!

So on point Rob! 12 agree! 15 agree! 18 totally agree! (Insane Mac 18!!!)! Thank you!

Lol... I thought you were going to say Talisker... but you said Macallan....I've long given up buying anything with Macallan on the label.

I found the signet to be superb, but I got mine over a year ago. What year bottling were you disappointed with?

Ciao Roberto, eccellente video bravo 👏 saluti e buon anno 🎊 ciao 👋 S.

I'm a fan of the Signet. It's not exciting or challenging, but supremely enjoyable and works well as a desert drink. I have several bottles from the days when it cost $160 to $170 US. But sadly at today's prices, $275, it's no longer an option. 😢

21y dalmore shoulda been on this list. 1k is obscene

I understand your point on 25 years + ,but I feel a decent comparison a base so to speak could easily be found in armagnac 25 years and older as you can find extremely old and quite reasonably easily get a 25 yr bas armagnac by Delord in Texas roughly $85 and a 50 year old for like $225, yet in scotch it would be several times that

Brilliant Rob everything you say I agree and good thing you're giving alternatives. It's important that we do informed choices and these videos really help. I absolutely adore the taste of the Signet but of course it's ridiculously overpriced and taste is subjective anyway :) Cheers dude🥃

Two brewers is still not easy to find in the US. Johnnie walker Blue is consistently 180 ish here but yeah still overpriced. Agreed on Yama 12 being pretty absurdly priced in North America. Balvenie basic stuff is still ok at Costco here. Macallan 18 pricing is dropping I see is available at 350 which is down from 450 (yea, still way overpriced) Tamdhu 18 is better in every way. AnCNoc 24 is impossible to find cause it was shilled too much by whiskeytube!

Well said,100% Correct !!!

Off topic to this video, but I have a question. I know you loved the Hazelburn 12 year old (as did I) way better than the 2022 15 yo. But have you tried the 2023 15 year old yet (55,8% abv)?

prices in canada are ridiculous 0.0

We can't forget how ridiculous prices of Glenfarclas have become. It is criminal what the LCBO is charging now.

Did you say "Johnnie Walker Blue Label" costs about CA$400? 400 CAD = 275 EURO. That's insane. In Germany it is about €160 (standard version, no fancy box). Someone is ripping you off in Canada.

$200 for the balvenie double wood? Big yikes. You can still get it for $90-115 in Alberta

Overrated, overpriced. The list is getting longer.

There is one whisky to rule them all, in price and quality 😊 Ardbeg Lord of the Isles, one day I’ll sell a kidney to buy one

what the 24 years bottle did he mentioned?

What about the price of Springbank 25 or 30?

Balvennie Double Wood is £44, $200 seems crazy pricing. The whisky is good and for £44 it's worth it.

Since 2019, All I've heard is Drink and Buy what you like to drink, and share it with friends. Yet' time after time, another video is blasting what is over priced or over rated. If you like some a bourbon, price does not matter, since you can afford it. To many drinkers place price over taste. How can anyone judge a bourbon they have never tasted, because of price? It is a good thing to talk about a good bottle or a bad one, and help folks decide for themselves. But this Is better then Blanton mindset is a bit silly! If anyone is to be truly honest, All Bourbon is just Overrated & Overprice' moon shine. White lighting is 20.00.

In. defence of Balvennie they still make great stuff - Week of Peat 17 year old - fantastic - £107. As pioneers of the finish (David Stewart) the 14 Year old Caribbean Cask - £60. For £30 the 10 year old Laphroaig still a great whisky.

Signet imo is great just overpriced

Dalmore is another overpriced distillery. Watered down, coloured to death and chill filtered taking away all the flavour.

Buying single malt whiskies aged up to 15 Years is perfect. No need to go any higher🍎🍒 Cardhu aged 15, Glen Allachie aged 15, Old Pulteney aged 15 and Tamdhu aged 15🍓🍅

$845 cdn 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Why do you even bother mentioning the LCBO when you get 99% of your shit from AB?

No whiskey (or spirit) is worth more than $70. I won't contribute to the hype. I have 90+ labels of spirits plus mixers, bitters, liqueurs. I'm already pi$$ing away enough money. And I won't buy labels, that has got outta control and downsized their bottles. Don't play the marketing ploy...and keep the price down.

If i ever need a nap I'll watch this guy😪😪😪