whisky review 47 - Recommended Blended Whisky

[ScreamingHunter]

If teachers why not VAT 69?? ARRGGhhh

[ralfystuff]

@ScreamingHunter

whiskyreview 246

[12345678967090]

Is thissss guy Drunkkkk.....Hehehhe so am i???????

[FIGHT1FOR2CHANGE3]

@12345678967090 No he is not, and you probably shouldnt be either, I mild warmness is the way to go, as in everything moderaton is key

[ThisIsnotHere666]

Is the Black Bottle the 10 year old, or just the regular one?

[ralfystuff]

@ThisIsnotHere666

regular, it's better.

[91gurre]

Hmm what is your job really? happy new years!

[samsman31]

Hi Ralfy, have you ever tried 'Something Special'?

[ralfystuff]

@samsman31

not yet, every good whisky is 'SomSpec' to me !

[bobivd6688]

I've only had Teacher's and the Black Johnnie and I actually enjoyed Teacher's more. It's true I'm drawn to it because of the low price tag but even if they were the same price I'd still go for a bottle of Teacher's more often than Black Label. Wonder if that's weird since I've heard people call Black Label THE BEST blend.

[jlim2397]

@bobivd6688 I marginally prefer the Teacher's too. Try Bailie Nicol Jarvie for another good and cheapish blend.

[SteleaTube]

i really love teachers here in Romania, is about 10 euros, great quality

[Iceninekills19]

I started out on Single Malts ( Islay's at that ) how do I move into blends ?

[Conejito22]

Hi Ralfy: love your reviews. Was wondering - have you tried Lang's Supreme 5 y/o blend? Main ingredient is Glengoyne I believe - I've been enjoying it recently.

[ralfystuff]

@Conejito22

not tried this one, so will look out for it.

[Conejito22]

@ralfystuff

Thanks for the quick reply!

I got my bottle from Lidl where I believe it's retailing at £14.99 or thereabouts. It sits alongside my bottle of Western Gold bourbon, bought from the same place, on your recommendation.

Happy dramming!

[smokedsquirrel]

Ralfy, love your reviews! I have learned a lot already. Back in college the only scotch I had ever tasted was 'Scoresby - $8.00 for 750mL - very rare 36 month.' Anyway, your videos have encouraged me to become a scotch connoiseeur. Thanks!

[possessedbyburzum]

Dewars 12 could be with these quality whiskies ??

[freedomsoldier187]

I tried monkey shoulder, leaves black and teachers for dead in my opinion, would like to try black bottle but can't find it anywhere here in Australia

[FosterZygote]

Your opening statement is what confirms your legitimacy in my judgement: You acknowledge the subjectivity of the exploration of whiskeys. This warrants your position as guide, sharing your experience of the world of whisky with others. It's just like music: Who is better, Thelonious Monk or Chet Atkins? The answer is, "whomever you like better".

[EHSEagleVideos]

What is your opinion of Famous Grouse?

[ralfystuff]

@EHSEagleVideos

at the moment I would not buy it.  ... the range quality varies.

[mackawack12346]

You don't know fine scotch from a glass of sheeps piss! Ya fairy merry why don't you go back to drinking breast milk you amateur!

[TheBeebopper]

I'd just like to make a correction to your commentary, the best whisky is without caramel. Caramel gives me (and probably you) headaches. The darker the tinting the worse the headache. This applies to whisky and brandy but somehow not necessarily to rum.

Everyone who wants to create whisky collection should have the classics of Teacher's and Black Bottle.

[bask8ballfoo]

Have you ever tried Prestige Blended Whiskey?  Please review it next. It's one of my favorites!

[ralfystuff]

@bask8ballfoo

... I have never come across this one !

[blister36]

Hi Ralfy. Do you recommend White Horse as well?

[ralfystuff]

@blister36

yes  ... it's decent enough for the price. !

[casadejoey]

I've never managed to get into Whiskey really, until. MONKEY SHOULDER. I would highly recommend it to people who want something easy to drink. Take little sips, it's delicious!!! Not too expensive either. Yum!

[vigil12348]

Hi Ralfy, I came across a blend of malts Blairmhor 8 yo of Inver house distillers. Never heard of it before, not so much info on the web, it comes at a very decent price. Do you know it?

[ralfystuff]

@vigil12348

yes, it is a 'basic' offering,  ... I was unimpressed.

[vigil12348]

@ralfystuff

Thanks!

[vigil12348]

@ralfystuff

I liked it. A blend of malts, at least 8yo (fair enough), and as it is produced by Inver House I think it contains some of their own distilleries - Ol' Pulteney, Blablair, to which you gave favorable reviews. Here it is the same price as Johnnie Walker Red Label blend. I would much prefer for everyday sipping the blend of malts Blairmhor than JW RL. If the whisky becomes a bit paler and hazy when diluted with water, does this mean that it has some non-chill filtered malts in it?

[ralfystuff]

@vigil12348

hazy is good ! means it's less 'processed' and so flavour is better delivered, so yes, ... some or all non-chill-fill malts  ... happy your happy !

[puyeng1]

hey ralfy, how about some reviews for gins and vodca...i'm just asking.. great review!

[ralfystuff]

@puyeng1

... I am considering these for later !

[Polyfusia]

I see you've included Islay Mist here. Macduff International seems to be a very small operation, with limited info on the web. I was wondering whether you'd tried their Grand Macnish blended scotch, which has appeared at my local LCBO here in Canada, but which I can find very little info on.

Regards.

[Polyfusia]

@Polyfusia My mistake. It was Isle of Skye. Perhaps you have not tried either of the others then.

[ralfystuff]

@Polyfusia

Grand Macnish is a rather camply packaged gutsy old-school blend well worth the entertainment value whilst Isle of Skye is a good, robust and recommended Blend !

[CliveGains80s]

need affordable whisky. Any suggestions anyone?

like creamy soft,malt crunch toffee, grain notes. coal, fig

not tang firm dry nutty oak challenge (eg pultney12)

Thinking B laddie Waves ( B Peat liked. 1st islay + no chil)

B 2001 (wet dog! What?)

monkey b27 (mixed reviews),

C Box Peat (Ardmore in it),

ballintines 12 (loved 1950's Finest)

Teachers. Fits my palate 100%. Last 1 gasoline. maybe 1 bad bottle i pray. Looks like a Mars Bar currently. we now have it in cola too. ???

[barrywonderdog]

Hi Ralfy,

Did you ever review Monkey Shoulder? Loving your work, BTW.

[ralfystuff]

@barrywonderdog

no plans for this one !

[vigil12348]

Hi Ralfy.

About Monkey Shoulder - is it just the stupid name or it's just that the whisky is no good? It became available in my shop but I just have to have your opinion before I buy it.

[ralfystuff]

@vigil12348

have tasted one decent MS and three poor ones ! .... be warned ! ... the name comes from a repetative strain injury caused by manually shovel-turning barley grains during malting.

[AllinTMC]

do you recommend James Buchanan scotch?

[ralfystuff]

@AllinTMC

don't know this one.

[surfmmme]

great reviews ralfy. As you say, there is no best whisky. What about the smoothest whisky, something in the area of the jhonnie black? (maybe jhonnie green?). I live in the U.S. and i'd like to purchase a special bottle for my father's 53rd, any suggestions?

[ralfystuff]

@surfmmme

for quality Malts google 'loch fyne whiskies' and 'search' ACE ..... all results are good whiskies to consider sourcing locally.

[surfmmme]

@ralfystuff

thanks

[FletcherHabit]

@ralfystuff Hey Ralphy great video as always ..a while back you did a a video on Canadian whiskeys but I cant seem to find the video..which canadian rye whiskeys in particular do you recommend.

Cheers and merry christmas to you!

[ralfystuff]

@FletcherHabit

the Rye your looking for is Whistlepig. ... or any Alberta Premium.

Canadian Vlogs are 104 plus 107 to 111 (ralfy.com archive)

[jlim2397]

Black Bottle doesn't seem to exist in Australia :-(

[j2ndcaptain]

@jlim2397 Hi I live there too and looked too. 1 over pricer online store does but want 80 bucks. No never seen it at 1st choice. They have monkey shoulder in 1 but its like 90 plus bucks like most of the vatted. Like RALFY said the stores know a good thing and will price what they can get away with. No in the sky blend too as its independent.

[TheBeebopper]

@jlim2397 well, not for long.

[MyLATim]

Being someone who has never been much of a Johnnie Walker fan, I'm unsure if I've gotten a bad bottle or if it's just a flavour I'm not much used to, but I recently purchased a bottle of Black Label and it had a very strong plastic to chemical taste when I first had it. Is this the norm or should I write the distillery to inquire why my bottle tastes as though it's been contain in a plastic pocket flask?

[HOTMALEDEEP]

What's your opinion about Hankey-Bannister?

[ralfystuff]

@HOTMALEDEEP

... competent but not a sparkler !

[YingJungTV]

I recently purchased a bottle of JW Black Label at $34.99 +tax USD. Glenlivet 12 Year Old was at the same price. According to your advice, do you suppose I should have gone with the Glenlivet?

[ralfystuff]

@YingJungTV

The Glenlivet as a Single Malt would be my preference because you can add a drop of water and it enhances, whereas the JW does not !

[rainbowfirewave]

Isn't blue label supposed to be better than black? Also I think you should do a review on the American take on whiskey- the sour mash. Most popular but by no means the best sour mash would be Jack Daniels.

[ralfystuff]

@rainbowfirewave

... aAmerican Spirit reviews coming along in a few weeks time at ralfy.com

[jeremyIfisher]

shocked Chivas isn't in there

[ralfystuff]

@jeremyIfisher

... Chivas 12yo is a competent but not great !

[jeremyIfisher]

@ralfystuff Its not my very favorite blended whiskey but i personally think its better then black bottle.

[RYECoTV]

Ah! As an American myself, I'll be looking forward to your seasoned and discerning input on the matter. I certainly appreciate your ability to 'cut the crap' and give subjective reviews, rather than brand-plugging rubbish.

[ralfystuff]

@RYECoTV

... thanks, I know that I am irritating some Marketing Department 'gurus' because my style exposes their superficial hyperbol, ... and they don't know how best to respond.

[TheBeebopper]

@ralfystuff  Er, get the retail price under £20 ?

[RYECoTV]

Ralfy, I've wondered, how high is your view of American whiskeys like Kentucky straight bourbon or Tennessee whiskey? Do you have any remarks?

[ralfystuff]

@RYECoTV

... several American Spirits will be reviewed in October/Novemebr.

[mcdevster]

love your reviews.. love black bottle.. I am wondering what you think of a blend called islay mist - which, they say, is made with mainly laphroaig - I love laphroaig so a blend for half the price sounds interesting.

[ralfystuff]

@mcdevster

... proceed with caution, these Ind-Islays can be a peat-bashing !!!

[Markohoppis]

I always thought Dewars White Label was one of the top blended whiskys.

[prebblezx]

hi ralfy, i was wondering have you ever tried or do you have a bottle of VAT 69 blended scotch.i first heard of it from the tv mini series band of brothers, if you do have a bottle it would be brilliant if you could post a review seeing as you give alot of info and make it interesting.keep up the good work.

[ralfystuff]

@prebblezx

... I do know of, and have tried Vat 69 and as a Blended Scotch it's OK, however I have no reason to review it soon as it has not made it to my 'buying' List !

[prebblezx]

@ralfystuff cheers ralfy thanks for the reply

[prebblezx]

great vid!

[doodydude234]

I'd pick the Teacher's thanks. The best all arounder for me. Black Bottle second though.

[aphasia2]

hey ralfy i really enjoy your reviews.but can you take a test of bruichladdich full strenght second edition 1994? i have never taste one bad "laddie" yet

[ralfystuff]

@aphasia2

... I will review a 'laddie' as and when a 'standard' version appears reflecting the signature of this Distillery.

[mazafuzle]

black bottle is actualy a green bottle

[millrhighlife]

ralfy,

I was just curious as to how much these run for you? I know you said Johnnie Walker was something like 50 pounds (correct me if I'm wrong) which runs something like what in the U.S.? My conversions are terrible lately with the inflation of the U.S. dollar. Thanks for your time and keep up the great work I really enjoy your videos!

[ralfystuff]

@millrhighlife .... Blend prices in the UK run from £14 to £ 24

[shuboy05]

@millrhighlife A 750 mL bottle costs $28.99 at BevMo (24.99 if you're a member).

[alex1herrera]

damn ralfy you have a lot of bottles !!!

[Almlacher]

hi ralfy,

I'm actually starting my "whisky journey" at the moment, which is one the one hand down to my age (i'm 18 now, and therefor in access of everything in germany for a while now) and on the other hand i can't stand drinking all those tasteless clear spirits people only drink in order to get drunk - you probably know what i mean, who wasn't young at any time? :P

well, i finally happened to have a taste of my father's glenfiddich single malt, and i really liked it.

[ralfystuff]

@Almlacher  ... excellent, there is a big Malt World awaiting exploration.

[Almlacher]

i then went on by trying some more whiskies, in special johnny walker red & black label, which both happen to be blended whiskies and a little different from glenfiddich, but i chose them because of their high popularity and i felt like i couldn't really make a mistake in buying them.

Well, that just to tell you about my status of expirience, so to speak, which is of course not too much. So there are 2 main things i'd like to hear your opinion about.

[Almlacher]

first thing is, could you recommend some really accessable whiskies on a mid price level (~max 30€) i might want to taste on my "malt journey"?

and the second thing is, what do you think about johnnie walker red label? i didn't find a review from you about it, and i felt it a little too rough for drinking it neat, but it goes very well with mixers like coca cola or ginger ale in my opinion.

glenfiddich has many notes, i think i'll have to taste that more carefully and tell you more.

greetings

[RuudJH]

Hi Ralfy. I like your reviews. Very usefull tips on the singlemalts.

One thing i have to disagree with you though : I cannot say I share your enthousiasm about 'black bottle'. I've tried it after watching a review about it, and i wasn't impressed at all, allmost disliked it... very harsh smoky, pretty much nothing else than. I've tasted several Ardbegs and Laphroaigs, and found these far more subtle and superior.

(of course there's no arguing taste). Keep up the good work.

[ralfystuff]

..... oh no ! I hope it wasn't a bad version, ... but perhaps it is unfair to directly compare a Blend like Black Bottle with a Single Malt like Ardbeg. The two are different creatures, and different prices.

[beyond7]

Before I started drinking malts, Teacher's was my favourite. Maybe I'll try it again given that malts have become so expensive here in Canada. My favourite malts, Oban and Lagavulin are 5 times the price of Teacher's!

[Serkant75]

Lagavulin is about 50 € here in germany-teachers about 10 €

[TheMauestar]

Teachers...fantastic!

TEACHERS RULES

[ugizzat]

Two very good blends are "Islay Mist" and "Highland Queen".If you can get

them.

I'm a Single Malt man myself.

[p0c0m0c0]

On sec 2.15 you mentioned that if we find a "malt" less expensive we would buy the "malt". You mean if we find a SINGLE MALT isn't it?

Thanks Ralfy.

Keep on malting in the free world

[tiperevent]

Hi ralfy!

One of the blends i enjoy the most is the Morrison´s Islay Legends. A really good blend that i highly recommend for my friends( if they ask). For the cheaper malt whiskys i like Old Pultney and AnCnoc.

[ralfystuff]

... yup!

most of the Supermarket own-brand Islay whiskies are sound, with both Pulteney and AnCnoc, rather good indeed.

[erwin1999]

what should i choose between teacher's highland and Isle of skye, and when teachers in HK is 25% cheaper

[ralfystuff]

Teachers 25% cheaper ?

... buy it first, then save up for a malt !

.. good luck.

[nmarshall21]

Just found your reviews. They are excellent, exactly what I was looking for.

[NoiseMostBeautiful]

Bravo! You seem to be great fun, and I enjoy your straight forward reviews very much. You give lots of information and help novice malt muddlers such as myself greatly. Being afraid to reach out of my comfort zone of Crown Reserve (Canada) here in the US, I will look for these lables the next time I am at the liquor purveyers in town. Thanks again for showing me the light :-) Cheers!

[blahblahbleebleeblah]

I am really impressed with Teacher's Highland Cream.

[leestephenj]

black bottle is a nice one if you like islays

[lobzdik]

i though Baily Nicol Jarvey was a real good blend?

[ralfystuff]

B.N.J. can be a good blend, helped of course by being fairly free of E150a, but it's availability varies, and sometimes, it's not 100%!!!

P.S. in reply to your last question, the Wild Turkey is a spicy one, worth trying, but I would pass on the F.G.12.

[whiskeyminute]

Great videos! No Grouse?

[butephoto]

I've lost count of the times that I've said I need to buy some Monkey Shoulder.

Another excellent review which will prove helpful for those trying to find some good and inexpensive drams.

[boxant]

Thanks for the video, I will for sure try to pic these up!

Stay free brother.

[IloveAlexisBledel689]

Thanks for the video! Interesting as always.

Will you post a review of the Glenfiddich 15yo soon? You said you were going to talk about it later on. Anyways, I really enjoy all your videos, keep 'em up.