Slàinte from Philly, USA! Ralfy, love your reviews, and you've hinted contempt for a long time about Blue Label. MOST of your reviews you say you only review what you would buy? What about this one? The second half of this video, you LEAN into Blue Label like you've waited a long time to say what you said haha! Great review, and yes, I'll take 4 bottles of Talisker 10 over 1 bottle of Blue Label!!
so this is a case were more money doesnt mean better quality or taste ? i love good cigars as well as scotch and i can tell you ive tryed 22.00 dollar apiece cigars and i liked them no better then some 4.00 dollar apiece cigars so my point is drink what you like regardless of cost , a good cigar is a good cigar and a good scotch is a good scotch
nice review Ralfy...great videos on you chanel I watched them all...some of them over and over again, also I prefer to watch your reviews and sip a good scotch.
JW Blue is the only JW in the range (appart from Red Label) that didn't like...for that price you are not getting a top end Blended Scotch you should!
Then you have versions of JW Blue...The King George V. edition and 200th Anniversary which are of course a collectors edition...
For the price of this blue you can get a Bottle of the Green Label(my personal favorite), plus a bottle of Ardbeg 10yo (quite peaty and strong but a tasty sipper) and a bottle of Laguvalin 16yo ( I havent tried the Lagavulin 16yo yet but its my next special bottle). Those are just some of the ideas I would offer but Im sure there is countless options and personal favs for everyone else.
I had a chance to buy a pint of the blue on a cruise ship one time but I passed because it was still pricey. But a couple years ago I was at a casino and noticed half price drinks during happy hour on the day I was there so I figured wth, I'll try it out since it was 17.50$ a glass instead of the normal 35$. To my horror when the bartender delivered my drink it was in a glass full of crushed ice. I almost yelled at her but I stopped myself and asked for a repour.
They would not do a repour so I strained it into another empty cup but the damage was done. It was a very weak drink and to this day I have regretted it very much but honestly after seeing this review I will knock buying a bottle of blue off my bucket list. I was thinking of maybe buying a bottle for the next wedding or bachelor party but now I think I will try something else. Its heart-breaking to buy a bottle of something because its popular and find out it was a huge waste.
Thank you much. I will not waste my dough. I have found the same diminishing quality curve with many different products. It can almost be defined as an economic law.
are you a real hounest to goodness scotsman? Just wondering not that it makes a differance, I had Johnny Blue once it was strong but the mildest burning sensation on my nose ever and it doesnot bite you right away, I think it tastes good.
82/100?! Thanks for the invaluable and insightful review, Ralfy. I'm glad I didn't sink my money into Blue. I bought JW Black today partly because of your recommendation, partly because of Christopher Hitchens' (RIP) recommendation.
Hey Ralfy, love these reviews. I wanted to get a bottle of scotch for my dad on his birthday. He's always drank Johnnie Walker Black Label on the rocks and enjoys it. Could you recommend something I could get for 50-80 Canadian dollars?
The Whisky Bible named Old Pulteney 21yo the best whisky in the world for 2012. What are you thoughts on this?
I thought I knew good english until you started throwing out those words from 6:00 :) hah great review Ralfy :) made me go google some words up to get the point of the taste :) cheers !
Ralfy big fan for a while been taking ur advice since day 1 of my malt days! Im trying to see if u have reviewed as a malt mention this one little mean spirit called Nadurra The Glenlivet 16. I tried it the first time for new years with my wife. I had thought their 18 yr was one of their best works and yet this little one knocked my feet off :D. When i looked up the price i was shocked that it was the same price range as the 18yr old predecessor. Yet worth every penny!
ralfy, wow, not a week old with over 9600 views ! You have 2 year old reviews of good single malts that have not received 5000 views. I guess marketing at work ?
Picked up a bottle of Green label $51, they had a bottle of Blue label $195, it had dust on the box. Keep up the good work.
Oh Ralfy, thank you so much for posting these. All my life I hated scotch, all I'd ever had was blended whiskeys and always thought they were vile. Then by chance I went to a local scotch bar for dinner here in St. Louis, 'The Scottish Arms'. The waiter suggested a dram of Gglenmorangie finished in a burgundy cask, my first single malt, and I became an immediate convert. It's great to find a place where I can get the straight dope as it were from such an authentic and entertaining gentleman.
I still enjoy Black Label and Green Label from time to time. Though, the price tag for the Blue Label is a joke and I'd rather buy a couple bottles of quality single malts for the same price of one bottle of Blue Label.
I surveyed wine shops in my town ( in India ) and i found that all malt brands and some of blended brands ( chivas regal, black/blue/red label ) are beyond my budget. The ones which r within my reach r
1. Vat 69
2. Teacher's Highland Creame (New packaging)
3. Black & white (James Buchanan's blended whisky)
Hello there. Great thing you have going here. Very helpful. Thank you very much. I'm new to the world of Scotch, & Irish whisky. My wife bought me a bottle of Blue Label around 2 years ago.Not impressed. Going with affordability, I like The Balvenie,& Highland Park. Being Canadian, I'm eager to try Glen Breton. I watched your review, & now I'm much less reluctant to give it a try. Kinda hard for me to spend close to $100 on something I've heard absolutely nothing about. Thanks so much.
@ralfystuff Hey Ralfy, I'm a new subscriber and I've been thinking about getting into the world of scotch. I'm no stranger to the hard stuff but I can't seem to settle on a bottle to get cozy with. I'm getting Glenlivet 12yo soon, what would you recommend to go with it? I was thinking Highland Park 12yo. Wild Turkey 101 is a favorite of mine if that helps.
Hello, Ralfy.Could You tell about Island of Islay peatcutting. It seems like distilleries cut the island and burn it. What's about the saving of the authentic landscapes?
I like what you said about paying for whats on the bottle, rather than whats in it. Its definitely the case once the name becomes as big as Coca Cola, but I would compare this more to Beer, since as far as sodas go, coke is alright. Bud, Miller, and Coors account for +80% of all US sales, and have the same watered down taste. With JWB, if you're paying top $ for the label, its more important that anyone can drink it, which is good if you're trying to impress someone who doesn't know the drink.
I've found Johnnie Walker to be wildly variable as of late. 3 - 4 years ago, smoke was the dominant flavor (for blue, or black). This could be pleasantly amplified with a few small ice cubes. More recent bottles have had a kind of cloying nutmeg-ish, clove-y spice. In a conversation with Jim Beveridge, I was told that this is the difference between American oak and European oak barrels.
That may be the case, but I suspect they've found cheaper whiskeys to blend.
I have had Blue a number of times and have been underwhelmed by its taste so I appreciated your comments. Of all the Johnnie Walkers which one do you rate the highest or think is the best value? I like the Green Label and am disappointed it's going away.
You forgot about the gas meter seal and the fancy casket, plus there is the whole theatre of presentation, which is why it is not really a consumer's bottle of scotch. It's meant to be used as a complimentary arm-bender. It's how JW became the international big-boy. Geddit?
I love all your Scotch (and other) reviews, especially the ones on practical things like types of glass and literature.
I'm watching the entire playlist now. Hoping to see some advice for the budding connoisseur or collector who doesn't have the budget or cabinet space for a lot of bottles. ^w^
hi ralfy. i got a general question here. do not know how to contact you elsewhere, as i am not a twitterer nor a facerbooker ;-)
i just saw a statement of serge: Remember, phenols can be unstable... for the better! this said in conjunction with some laphroaig tastings. does this mean that laphroaig being phenolic can or is still improving in the bottle? what do you think?
....and hurry up if you want to review a Laphie CS...seems like they will fade away faster that one thinks...
phenol-effect can go any direction over time, diminishing, mellowing and occasionally becoming slightly more intense. Unpredictability is a beauty of whisky.
hi ralfy. that was absolutely new to me. i thought, once in the bottle, not opened, nothing will change a beauty of a whisky, as you say :-), provided the bottle is kept in a clean, cool location.
slowly but surely i am getting really confused. never ever heard that whisky would evolve once in the bottle and conserved well and not opened. now you say, all whisky's, CAN alter in one way or another over time, even when the bottle was kept closed etc.
can this just be to a such a small extent that it is often not realized, or are such bottles just so rare that everyone says, they do not evolve in the bottle?
how about a whisky review about this and about good storage of bottles WITH explaining why this and that is good or bad to the whisky in the bottle, and how it can alter and why and in which direction? you might even have a good example where you can remember a bottle drank "young" and the same bottle again drank many years after? .. as i know you keep them quite a bit after purchase.
A very fair approach to this review of the big blue. Sounds like it lacks a bit of depth which is no surprise, I've only tasted their Black but I think I'll definitely rethink the green. Very informative review as always.
Hi Ralfy loved your review on blue. Me and most of your fans would love to see a Gold Label review. That will be fine if we wait 6 months to a year for it. Gold Label is my favorite blended scotch of all time. I know you are against freezing it. I know you and I would like Johnnie Walker 21 Gold Label XR better than Blue Label. Funny how People compare Blue Label to a car called the Mc Laren F1, another overrated radical for rich people. If you can make a debut car review, review the Mc Laren
After having watched your review I have just checked the price at my local merchant for this and its a bit insane, so I'll probably get the green label (upon your recommendation), then! Thanks for the review.
It's sounds easy to compare this to Dom Perignon, which, like Blue Label is marketed as the top of it's class except that Dom (IMHO) can live up to it's hype. Dom has good years and it ages well in the bottle.
I've read that the main reason Blue Label doesn't carry an age statement is due to the young grain whisky in the blend (which would need to be mentioned on the label and possibly confuse consumers into thinking Blue Label is much younger). Just wondering if that makes sense because this was just a theory put out on the whisky forums.
So Ralfy, if not Blue Label, then which whisky (blended or single malt) would you recommend, if someone were to spend that kind of money for a scotch?
Excellent channel, love the reviews and the videos on E150 and adding water. No review for Power's irish tho, which surprises me somewhat. Keep up the good work!
Hi there Ralfy, just wanted to let you know that i caught up with all your whisky reviews and i enjoyed them very much. I know you have a lot of whisky reviews planned already but i was wondering if you might do a review of a Millstone in the future.
Greetings from Holland.
p.s. Even if you don't i will still continue to watch your wonderfull reviews ;)
Blue Label is not for enjoying, it is for "leveraging" profits coming from the "portfolio" upon the "fiduciary" that is sourced by your business partners.
There is an article about whisky in India... market development, availability for consumers and some local distilleries. Sounds interesting for me. How much difference from what winemakers used to call "terroir"?.
Wow, your discussion on blending mirrors my own experience when I decided to vat my own blends of Bourbon using 50 different bourbons. if you use little parts to make up a whole, it gets "muddy" and lost. however, if you use a strong base whiskey and then add the touches of various other whiskeys you suddenly get the balance back. Vary interesting indeed! Thanks for your review of JW Blue...I don't think i'll ever buy it now :)
The thing I like about Blue Label is that it's a chance to taste really really old whiskies, I enjoy the mellow, antique-iness of it. It's a whisky you could drink all night and not get woozy. I like my single malts and generally avoid blends because I find they lack character, but for me, there's always room for a bottle of Blue Label in my whisky collection. If you want to know what ancient 30 plus years old whisky tastes like, you ought to try Blue. In this respect it's bargain.
i am from India and i'm used to drinking Indian whisky with coke.i have tasted Teacher's highland creame with water and i liked it...what brand will u recommend for me based on the availability in my country? i really liked the taste of Teacher's and want to try more scotch brands...please suggest some brands available in India.
I recommend that when you see a Whisky that interests you, check Whiskyfun and Whiskybase sites for reviews. I will be reviewing some Blended Scotch whiskies soon.
I've been meaning to ask you about Elements of Islay. Found a bunch of bottles on the ferry between Finland and Sweden and they really caught my eye. Did I make a mistake not buying a bottle?
Lot's of folks asking for a review of Gold. I noticed in the video that you kinda "meh-ed" at Gold. I agree, I was very disappointed with the Gold Label. I'm sure it has it's devotees and that many actually enjoy the flavor! I just found it to be way too "smokey" almost like a cigarette smoke. I really enjoy the flavor of the Blue Label but only when I'm not paying for it! If I was buying, it'd be the Green all day! Thanks for all the great videos!
Ralfy - I'm one of those big, multi-national company marketers. Kudos to you. I rely on your reviews to invest in potential whisky's to buy and try. Keep up the awesome work!
Not sure where I put the last comment about this, but just wanted quickly ask when you are going to review The Compass Box Peat Monster, which has received quite an unreasonable bashing. And since you are in the mood for accessible blends, I'd love to hear your review.
Ralfy, I agree with you that for the money, it sucks. But where did you get such a large (1 liter?) bottle, and what on earth are you going to use it for? :)
@77anorak he's an grown up man he can affort it! and besides Ralfy is an experienced Drinker. When you say Ralfy, i think Johnnie Walker.. he should have every Johnnie Walker Bottle and others there are in the whole world:P besides you should do one about Gold Label why not?
2 Month's ago I met whisky.. I've since greeted her three times a week and tried several different brands. Glenfiddich being my personal favorite atm. I used to hate alcohol what's going on with me?
Was wondering if you'd ever review blue label. And I agree with you. Blue label disappointed me as well, first had it with some friends one day when we brought some of our bottles and had a tasting. Drank the whole johnnie walker range that day, and blue just disappointed me (way too expensive for what you get) i prefer green. Nice and spicy (spicy notes come from talisker i think) are you also going to review gold label?
@ralfystuff Ok too bad! Was wondering on your notes, since you seemed to be a bit negative about it. Have you tried it chilled, as the recommend? That way it is actually suprisingly nice and a totally different experience from your normal dram. The way the flavors release when it warms up in your mouth. Lovely
@Timvanhelsdingen I heard that Gold label uses a large amount of Clynelish in the blend. So if it were me I'd buy a bottle of Clynelish 14 (not expensive) and enjoy that instead :)
@Timvanhelsdingen my review is - don't bother, I found Gold label just sweet and bland, strictly for Glenlivet fans who found the 15 year old too interesting
@chrish12345 As I said, I have had a bottle of gold before. But when you serve it chilled as they recommend it is actually a pretty nice experience, little on the nose but the release of flavor when you drink it and the way the whisky heats up in your mouth is lovely, you should try it that way. Much better than on room temperature.
@Timvanhelsdingen Sure yeah, I didn't know they recommended it served chilled, seems a bit strange but I guess its worth a try if it improves it somehow.
Did I send you the video of Jim McCaslin at Golden Distillery talking about single malt and his travels to Scotland? I couldn't recall, so I sent it again.
I heard today very sad news; finnish 7 times enduro world champion Mika Ahola died today. I think I have a quiet moment and a dram in silence to honour a loss of a great champion...
Isn't it quite deceiving to market this whisky as something it clearly is not? I have never considering buying a bottle of blue label, but this is supposed to be the finest of the entire JW range, yet they present it as a standard blend, being at 40% ABV, chill-filtered and with E150a added to it. I guess it's up to the customer to do a bit of research before buying whisky, but I must say, to ask £130 for this is quite frankly dishonest business.
not dishonest, just business. People are easily persuaded to pay premiums for the impression of 'class'. Quality is incidental, and this applies to most 'premium' products.
this was allot kinder than I thought you would be. Personally for the money I think blue label is heavily hyped and better single malts can be had for a fraction of the price; as you said though its all relative some are more concerned with the packaging
Speaking of blends, I too bought a newer bottle of Teachers Highland Cream last month, just before you posted your disclaimer about it, and discovered a transformed whisky of very poor quality. In fact, judging by the taste profile, I would question whether it still contains 45 percent malt, despite still sporting that claim on the bottle.
Could you let us know if/when Teachers returns to it's former formula? I'm sure I'm not the only one who's lost a standby whisky.
Now here's an idea for you Ralfy old boy that you can chew: Make some reviews so that you compare simultaneously two/three different bottlings. e.g Laphroiag Quarter Cask vs. Ardbeg Uigeadail or Big Peat vs. Smokehead etc. You can pick them as you like.
I looked up Mondrian and saw his paintings. It reminded me of cheesy fiberglass decorations that mob wives would prize, which I'm thinking might be close to the intended experience...or not. I feel lucky that I haven't bought it, the J.W. Blue, that is. I just might have bought a bottle, considering the J.W. Green was so tasty. Hold on...wait... I see that a bottle of J.W. Blue, in the States, costs $180. Holy moly, with the J.W Green selling for a quarter of that.
Indeed, the Green Label is sooo much more worth for the money. By the way Ralfy, I got a question. If you drink beer with your malt, do you mix it in the same glass? Or drink it seperatly?
It's interesting that your blue label bottle is 43%. The JWBL available in retail outlets around Australia is only 40%.... yet still sells for $190AUD. This makes it extremely poor value for money compared to other whiskies that can be purchased for the same or lesser price.
Good review. As I thought, the Blue label, is a long shot from a single malt. And at the price range of this bottle, you can get quite the single malt. I've tastet blends with a somewhat desirable taste and nose, but always easily beaten by single malts. I've also tasted single grain whisky, but despite it had 40 years on the but, the tasting notes was not all impressive.
I'm a novice whisky drinker (been enjoying nice malt whisky for under a year). I have paused this video before I start to watch it just to state my opinion without it being biased. I recently tried a dram of johnnie blue.. and found it to be one of the most overrated whiskies I have yet experienced. I must say I'm very glad it was someone else's bottle, because if I'd paid full Australian retail price for it I would be deeply disappointed.
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Slàinte from Philly, USA! Ralfy, love your reviews, and you've hinted contempt for a long time about Blue Label. MOST of your reviews you say you only review what you would buy? What about this one? The second half of this video, you LEAN into Blue Label like you've waited a long time to say what you said haha! Great review, and yes, I'll take 4 bottles of Talisker 10 over 1 bottle of Blue Label!!
Gregrg7 4 days ago
Comment removed
Gregrg7 4 days ago
so this is a case were more money doesnt mean better quality or taste ? i love good cigars as well as scotch and i can tell you ive tryed 22.00 dollar apiece cigars and i liked them no better then some 4.00 dollar apiece cigars so my point is drink what you like regardless of cost , a good cigar is a good cigar and a good scotch is a good scotch
Maddawwg45 4 days ago
Truth to power. Cynical but fair. Telling it like it is. Ralfy, you're righteous, loving, and clear as an unmuddied water. Cheers to you.
jerandai 1 week ago
Just re watched this.
Its true, my first whisky was 'the famous grouse' somthing id not touch with a barge pole now
Star12121 1 week ago
Fantastic this Johnnie Walker Blue Label Without words!
TheLacosanostra123 2 weeks ago
What did you do with your arm at 1:14? :O
tint93 2 weeks ago
@tint93
kettle scald !
ralfystuff 2 weeks ago
Imo, the best blend ive ever had, couldnt taste the joins.
But ralfy is right, its more about the label, and there is for the price tag, more decent alteritives, blackbull 40yo is an example
Star12121 2 weeks ago
...of course for that money you can get a Ballantines 30 or almost Chivas Regal 25....
...but you don't need to go so high, the Chivas Regal 18 or JW Green Label are much better whiskies in that range!
olaguma 3 weeks ago
nice review Ralfy...great videos on you chanel I watched them all...some of them over and over again, also I prefer to watch your reviews and sip a good scotch.
JW Blue is the only JW in the range (appart from Red Label) that didn't like...for that price you are not getting a top end Blended Scotch you should!
Then you have versions of JW Blue...The King George V. edition and 200th Anniversary which are of course a collectors edition...
olaguma 3 weeks ago
Fantastic review! very informative, feels like a marketing lesson.
Thank you!
yetkiny 3 weeks ago
Awesome review and love to hear your honest opinions. A good message especially the pros and cons of cooperates..
alphaomegha006 3 weeks ago
I noticed the copper bracelet on your wrist. Is there a story behind it - made from the old stills from Port Ellen or something like that?
degmar 4 weeks ago
@degmar
not Port Ellen, . . . Littlemill
ralfystuff 3 weeks ago
For the price of this blue you can get a Bottle of the Green Label(my personal favorite), plus a bottle of Ardbeg 10yo (quite peaty and strong but a tasty sipper) and a bottle of Laguvalin 16yo ( I havent tried the Lagavulin 16yo yet but its my next special bottle). Those are just some of the ideas I would offer but Im sure there is countless options and personal favs for everyone else.
crazyzee81 1 month ago
I had a chance to buy a pint of the blue on a cruise ship one time but I passed because it was still pricey. But a couple years ago I was at a casino and noticed half price drinks during happy hour on the day I was there so I figured wth, I'll try it out since it was 17.50$ a glass instead of the normal 35$. To my horror when the bartender delivered my drink it was in a glass full of crushed ice. I almost yelled at her but I stopped myself and asked for a repour.
crazyzee81 1 month ago
They would not do a repour so I strained it into another empty cup but the damage was done. It was a very weak drink and to this day I have regretted it very much but honestly after seeing this review I will knock buying a bottle of blue off my bucket list. I was thinking of maybe buying a bottle for the next wedding or bachelor party but now I think I will try something else. Its heart-breaking to buy a bottle of something because its popular and find out it was a huge waste.
crazyzee81 1 month ago
cool, wont buy then... this is $175 in the USA...
Hamporkcheese 1 month ago
Thank you much. I will not waste my dough. I have found the same diminishing quality curve with many different products. It can almost be defined as an economic law.
garlic555 1 month ago
are you a real hounest to goodness scotsman? Just wondering not that it makes a differance, I had Johnny Blue once it was strong but the mildest burning sensation on my nose ever and it doesnot bite you right away, I think it tastes good.
manga12 1 month ago
82/100?! Thanks for the invaluable and insightful review, Ralfy. I'm glad I didn't sink my money into Blue. I bought JW Black today partly because of your recommendation, partly because of Christopher Hitchens' (RIP) recommendation.
MrPeterFinland 1 month ago 7
@MrPeterFinland you forgot to add, partly because of Saddam Hussein's (RIP) recommendation.
PrivateWarrior1 1 month ago
Comment removed
synstheshit 4 days ago
@MrPeterFinland Christopher Hitchens (RIP) LOL
synstheshit 4 days ago
J.W. Does Talk the talk, but it seems not quite walk the walk.
koeliejoelie2 1 month ago
Mr. Ralfy,, You just Nailed it ... Absolutely,,,
bussia97 1 month ago
Hey Ralfy, love these reviews. I wanted to get a bottle of scotch for my dad on his birthday. He's always drank Johnnie Walker Black Label on the rocks and enjoys it. Could you recommend something I could get for 50-80 Canadian dollars?
The Whisky Bible named Old Pulteney 21yo the best whisky in the world for 2012. What are you thoughts on this?
Thank you so much.
SnowyChords 1 month ago
Hello Ralfy, did you tried new JWBlue bottling?
Lower ABV - 40% and new bottle, but I wonder is it better..
Amazing show btw, thanks to you my I started my sweet sweet romance with whisky, so many thanks to you! :)
hhuuurrrrduurrrrr 1 month ago
@hhuuurrrrduurrrrr
I doubt a lower abv will help much !
ralfystuff 1 month ago
I thought I knew good english until you started throwing out those words from 6:00 :) hah great review Ralfy :) made me go google some words up to get the point of the taste :) cheers !
ltz15 1 month ago
Ralfy big fan for a while been taking ur advice since day 1 of my malt days! Im trying to see if u have reviewed as a malt mention this one little mean spirit called Nadurra The Glenlivet 16. I tried it the first time for new years with my wife. I had thought their 18 yr was one of their best works and yet this little one knocked my feet off :D. When i looked up the price i was shocked that it was the same price range as the 18yr old predecessor. Yet worth every penny!
perezlogic 1 month ago
@perezlogic
whisky review 193
ralfystuff 1 month ago
@ralfystuff TY good sir!
perezlogic 1 month ago
Thank you for finally reviewing this!
DCsandMAN666 1 month ago
ralfy believe it or not i discovered blends two years after drinking sing malts .....
will we ever see any tequila or vodka gin reviews how about wine?
JoshuaStrader 1 month ago
I was a little surprised when I saw this vlog Ralfy.
Not because of the mark, oh no no no,
I’ve herd your views on the blue label before.
I was surprised that you bought a litre bottle.
captintt 1 month ago
ralfy, wow, not a week old with over 9600 views ! You have 2 year old reviews of good single malts that have not received 5000 views. I guess marketing at work ?
Picked up a bottle of Green label $51, they had a bottle of Blue label $195, it had dust on the box. Keep up the good work.
kimbalxyz2 1 month ago
thank you ralfy for this review you help me out alot.
mariaav887 1 month ago
Perfect summary of the concept of drinking whisky, I'll show this to my friends and hope they'll understand why I often drink whisky alone.
zalmanusa 1 month ago
Oh Ralfy, thank you so much for posting these. All my life I hated scotch, all I'd ever had was blended whiskeys and always thought they were vile. Then by chance I went to a local scotch bar for dinner here in St. Louis, 'The Scottish Arms'. The waiter suggested a dram of Gglenmorangie finished in a burgundy cask, my first single malt, and I became an immediate convert. It's great to find a place where I can get the straight dope as it were from such an authentic and entertaining gentleman.
AaronBenjBrown 1 month ago
I still enjoy Black Label and Green Label from time to time. Though, the price tag for the Blue Label is a joke and I'd rather buy a couple bottles of quality single malts for the same price of one bottle of Blue Label.
charvelgtrs 1 month ago
Hi Ralfy,
I surveyed wine shops in my town ( in India ) and i found that all malt brands and some of blended brands ( chivas regal, black/blue/red label ) are beyond my budget. The ones which r within my reach r
1. Vat 69
2. Teacher's Highland Creame (New packaging)
3. Black & white (James Buchanan's blended whisky)
4. Grant's family reserve.
Which one should i buy?
4.
paulrobbie100 1 month ago
@paulrobbie100
check out my next reviews and see ! (spoiler hint !)
ralfystuff 1 month ago
@paulrobbie100 Teachers! No doubt!
lepmeh 1 month ago
Hi Mate, love the show :)
Have you tried any of the offerings from Lark in Tasmania?
I'm yet to try it myself, but I've been doing some reading and it sounds very interesting.
Ktotheane 1 month ago
@Ktotheane
good stuff Lark, it's different, but expensive.
ralfystuff 1 month ago
Can you pleeeaaaseeeeee review glenmorangie nectar dor?
Agree with your tasting for the blue label. I bought it once and will spend those 190 us dollars on other quality whiskies.
What about buchanan's?
lokikoone 1 month ago
@lokikoone
not for a while yet, the G'morangies are a bit too contrived at the moment !
ralfystuff 1 month ago
Hello there. Great thing you have going here. Very helpful. Thank you very much. I'm new to the world of Scotch, & Irish whisky. My wife bought me a bottle of Blue Label around 2 years ago.Not impressed. Going with affordability, I like The Balvenie,& Highland Park. Being Canadian, I'm eager to try Glen Breton. I watched your review, & now I'm much less reluctant to give it a try. Kinda hard for me to spend close to $100 on something I've heard absolutely nothing about. Thanks so much.
CabWall 1 month ago
@ralfystuff Hey Ralfy, I'm a new subscriber and I've been thinking about getting into the world of scotch. I'm no stranger to the hard stuff but I can't seem to settle on a bottle to get cozy with. I'm getting Glenlivet 12yo soon, what would you recommend to go with it? I was thinking Highland Park 12yo. Wild Turkey 101 is a favorite of mine if that helps.
greenjibbles 1 month ago
Great Ralfy!Hölkyn kölkyn!;)
Dotsirammi 1 month ago
Would you say that this is worth the money? Its not cheap i know that...
IAMCanadian4ever 1 month ago
@IAMCanadian4ever
no it's not !
ralfystuff 1 month ago
Hello, Ralfy.Could You tell about Island of Islay peatcutting. It seems like distilleries cut the island and burn it. What's about the saving of the authentic landscapes?
Wayfarer8 1 month ago
@Wayfarer8
no harm happens as Islay has so much peat !
ralfystuff 1 month ago
I like what you said about paying for whats on the bottle, rather than whats in it. Its definitely the case once the name becomes as big as Coca Cola, but I would compare this more to Beer, since as far as sodas go, coke is alright. Bud, Miller, and Coors account for +80% of all US sales, and have the same watered down taste. With JWB, if you're paying top $ for the label, its more important that anyone can drink it, which is good if you're trying to impress someone who doesn't know the drink.
thomascrombie 1 month ago
Another great review!! Thanks Ralfy!!
uttonlj76 1 month ago
I've found Johnnie Walker to be wildly variable as of late. 3 - 4 years ago, smoke was the dominant flavor (for blue, or black). This could be pleasantly amplified with a few small ice cubes. More recent bottles have had a kind of cloying nutmeg-ish, clove-y spice. In a conversation with Jim Beveridge, I was told that this is the difference between American oak and European oak barrels.
That may be the case, but I suspect they've found cheaper whiskeys to blend.
zyxomma1 1 month ago
I have had Blue a number of times and have been underwhelmed by its taste so I appreciated your comments. Of all the Johnnie Walkers which one do you rate the highest or think is the best value? I like the Green Label and am disappointed it's going away.
karnac69 1 month ago
You forgot about the gas meter seal and the fancy casket, plus there is the whole theatre of presentation, which is why it is not really a consumer's bottle of scotch. It's meant to be used as a complimentary arm-bender. It's how JW became the international big-boy. Geddit?
TheBeebopper 1 month ago
I love all your Scotch (and other) reviews, especially the ones on practical things like types of glass and literature.
I'm watching the entire playlist now. Hoping to see some advice for the budding connoisseur or collector who doesn't have the budget or cabinet space for a lot of bottles. ^w^
HorrorFrogPrincess 1 month ago
hi ralfy. i got a general question here. do not know how to contact you elsewhere, as i am not a twitterer nor a facerbooker ;-)
i just saw a statement of serge: Remember, phenols can be unstable... for the better! this said in conjunction with some laphroaig tastings. does this mean that laphroaig being phenolic can or is still improving in the bottle? what do you think?
....and hurry up if you want to review a Laphie CS...seems like they will fade away faster that one thinks...
peyrolas 1 month ago
@peyrolas
phenol-effect can go any direction over time, diminishing, mellowing and occasionally becoming slightly more intense. Unpredictability is a beauty of whisky.
ralfystuff 1 month ago
@ralfystuff
hi ralfy. that was absolutely new to me. i thought, once in the bottle, not opened, nothing will change a beauty of a whisky, as you say :-), provided the bottle is kept in a clean, cool location.
is this effect only valid for phenolic stuff?
peyrolas 1 month ago
@peyrolas
no, all stuff !
ralfystuff 1 month ago
@ralfystuff
slowly but surely i am getting really confused. never ever heard that whisky would evolve once in the bottle and conserved well and not opened. now you say, all whisky's, CAN alter in one way or another over time, even when the bottle was kept closed etc.
can this just be to a such a small extent that it is often not realized, or are such bottles just so rare that everyone says, they do not evolve in the bottle?
peyrolas 1 month ago
@ralfystuff
second post as field is too short:
how about a whisky review about this and about good storage of bottles WITH explaining why this and that is good or bad to the whisky in the bottle, and how it can alter and why and in which direction? you might even have a good example where you can remember a bottle drank "young" and the same bottle again drank many years after? .. as i know you keep them quite a bit after purchase.
peyrolas 1 month ago
A very fair approach to this review of the big blue. Sounds like it lacks a bit of depth which is no surprise, I've only tasted their Black but I think I'll definitely rethink the green. Very informative review as always.
Cheers,
James
astroman2112 1 month ago
Terribly overpriced especially in N. America.
"super-brand" is bang on. You hit a six with that comment.
I prefer Famous Grouse any day compared to Blue, regardless of price.
Grouse is excellent, reasonably priced, and readily available.
knarfzxc 1 month ago in playlist More videos from ralfystuff
Hi Ralfy loved your review on blue. Me and most of your fans would love to see a Gold Label review. That will be fine if we wait 6 months to a year for it. Gold Label is my favorite blended scotch of all time. I know you are against freezing it. I know you and I would like Johnnie Walker 21 Gold Label XR better than Blue Label. Funny how People compare Blue Label to a car called the Mc Laren F1, another overrated radical for rich people. If you can make a debut car review, review the Mc Laren
wesleytaylorviadomus 1 month ago
After having watched your review I have just checked the price at my local merchant for this and its a bit insane, so I'll probably get the green label (upon your recommendation), then! Thanks for the review.
hanola7 1 month ago
It's sounds easy to compare this to Dom Perignon, which, like Blue Label is marketed as the top of it's class except that Dom (IMHO) can live up to it's hype. Dom has good years and it ages well in the bottle.
shuboy05 1 month ago
I've read that the main reason Blue Label doesn't carry an age statement is due to the young grain whisky in the blend (which would need to be mentioned on the label and possibly confuse consumers into thinking Blue Label is much younger). Just wondering if that makes sense because this was just a theory put out on the whisky forums.
shuboy05 1 month ago
i was wondering if you could do a review of a single malt that i enjoy out here in the usa. glen grant 10 year old.
downtownjj 1 month ago
So Ralfy, if not Blue Label, then which whisky (blended or single malt) would you recommend, if someone were to spend that kind of money for a scotch?
MrVipin121 1 month ago
@MrVipin121
try Highland Park 12yo.
ralfystuff 1 month ago
82/100 to blue label and 86/100 to black label?
huevoduro888 1 month ago
@huevoduro888
yes !
ralfystuff 1 month ago
Please change the color on your channel, the yellow burns my eyes out
neuroleptika 1 month ago
Excellent channel, love the reviews and the videos on E150 and adding water. No review for Power's irish tho, which surprises me somewhat. Keep up the good work!
storuggla 1 month ago
Greetings, Ralfy. You gave a Honest mark. After Blue Label we tasted Buffalo Trace bourbon and it brought more joy.
Wayfarer8 1 month ago
Where is Gold
seven47katana 1 month ago
Hi there Ralfy, just wanted to let you know that i caught up with all your whisky reviews and i enjoyed them very much. I know you have a lot of whisky reviews planned already but i was wondering if you might do a review of a Millstone in the future.
Greetings from Holland.
p.s. Even if you don't i will still continue to watch your wonderfull reviews ;)
Frankonero12 1 month ago
I once had Whyte and Mackay 22 years Supreme and JW Blue Label and believe me W&M was better.
Anupam Joshi
twotimer007 1 month ago
@twotimer007 it's truly so
Wayfarer8 1 month ago
OMG you make so much sence !
Tornbjergs 1 month ago
I almost bought a 375 ml small bottle of this a few months ago... I always thought it was overrated. Thanks for saving me the money :)
77anorak 1 month ago
Ralfy goes to the doctor to get his arm tended...
"Nurse, dress that arm wound. Prescribe the patient 2 drams of Glenfarclas 15y/o, a pint of beer and 'The Best of Buddy Guy'."
unclebud99 1 month ago
@unclebud99
Iv'e got the TCP and iodine ready !
ralfystuff 1 month ago
Blue Label is not for enjoying, it is for "leveraging" profits coming from the "portfolio" upon the "fiduciary" that is sourced by your business partners.
see: Johnnie Walker Commercial 2011.
fuckinick 1 month ago
Hey Ralfy, You hurt your hand buddy...all ok?
riteshnayak80 1 month ago
@riteshnayak80
all ok !
ralfystuff 1 month ago
i have new issue of whisky magazine...
There is an article about whisky in India... market development, availability for consumers and some local distilleries. Sounds interesting for me. How much difference from what winemakers used to call "terroir"?.
c0ven666zupa 1 month ago
Wow, your discussion on blending mirrors my own experience when I decided to vat my own blends of Bourbon using 50 different bourbons. if you use little parts to make up a whole, it gets "muddy" and lost. however, if you use a strong base whiskey and then add the touches of various other whiskeys you suddenly get the balance back. Vary interesting indeed! Thanks for your review of JW Blue...I don't think i'll ever buy it now :)
falcon048 1 month ago
The thing I like about Blue Label is that it's a chance to taste really really old whiskies, I enjoy the mellow, antique-iness of it. It's a whisky you could drink all night and not get woozy. I like my single malts and generally avoid blends because I find they lack character, but for me, there's always room for a bottle of Blue Label in my whisky collection. If you want to know what ancient 30 plus years old whisky tastes like, you ought to try Blue. In this respect it's bargain.
TheEdelweissPirate 1 month ago
Hey ralfy!
i am from India and i'm used to drinking Indian whisky with coke.i have tasted Teacher's highland creame with water and i liked it...what brand will u recommend for me based on the availability in my country? i really liked the taste of Teacher's and want to try more scotch brands...please suggest some brands available in India.
paulrobbie100 1 month ago
@paulrobbie100
I recommend that when you see a Whisky that interests you, check Whiskyfun and Whiskybase sites for reviews. I will be reviewing some Blended Scotch whiskies soon.
ralfystuff 1 month ago
Very good and informative review. Thank's Ralfy.
11lightyear 1 month ago
Superb and informative review as always, Ralfy!
I've been meaning to ask you about Elements of Islay. Found a bunch of bottles on the ferry between Finland and Sweden and they really caught my eye. Did I make a mistake not buying a bottle?
floppaboppa 1 month ago
@floppaboppa
'Elements' is a generic Independent bottling series.
ralfystuff 1 month ago
Blue label is overrated
this is so true
this has opened my eyes
and i have tried blue label and i too would prefer green label
DylanDPetzke 1 month ago
Lot's of folks asking for a review of Gold. I noticed in the video that you kinda "meh-ed" at Gold. I agree, I was very disappointed with the Gold Label. I'm sure it has it's devotees and that many actually enjoy the flavor! I just found it to be way too "smokey" almost like a cigarette smoke. I really enjoy the flavor of the Blue Label but only when I'm not paying for it! If I was buying, it'd be the Green all day! Thanks for all the great videos!
guitartricky 1 month ago
Ralfy - I'm one of those big, multi-national company marketers. Kudos to you. I rely on your reviews to invest in potential whisky's to buy and try. Keep up the awesome work!
brhoten 1 month ago
@brhoten bill hicks marketing
sunnyztmoney 1 month ago
You are having a great time in life....and that is what counts! Cheers!
davidrcoulter 1 month ago
My favourite blend at the moment is W & M The 13
Superb stuff and now prefer it to JW 12 .
LordGeorgeRodney 1 month ago
This was a really good review (and rant). Keep up the good work.
elharlock 1 month ago
Not sure where I put the last comment about this, but just wanted quickly ask when you are going to review The Compass Box Peat Monster, which has received quite an unreasonable bashing. And since you are in the mood for accessible blends, I'd love to hear your review.
honigwachsreuben 1 month ago
@honigwachsreuben
CB reviews later this year !
ralfystuff 1 month ago
thanks ralfy !!
HarveyGrass 1 month ago
Ralfy, I agree with you that for the money, it sucks. But where did you get such a large (1 liter?) bottle, and what on earth are you going to use it for? :)
77anorak 1 month ago
@77anorak he's an grown up man he can affort it! and besides Ralfy is an experienced Drinker. When you say Ralfy, i think Johnnie Walker.. he should have every Johnnie Walker Bottle and others there are in the whole world:P besides you should do one about Gold Label why not?
LikaPyramid 1 month ago
@LikaPyramid Dude, lighten up. It's just whisky!
77anorak 1 month ago
@77anorak
Airport, will share with non-whisky drinkers.
ralfystuff 1 month ago
Ralfy what's your opinion/mark about Springbank 15yo?
christos990 1 month ago
@christos990
good stuff ! 90/100
ralfystuff 1 month ago
2 Month's ago I met whisky.. I've since greeted her three times a week and tried several different brands. Glenfiddich being my personal favorite atm. I used to hate alcohol what's going on with me?
mrCookinBeats 1 month ago
@mrCookinBeats
it's your life being lived !
ralfystuff 1 month ago
i always knew blue label is overrated
GIenfiddich 1 month ago
Was wondering if you'd ever review blue label. And I agree with you. Blue label disappointed me as well, first had it with some friends one day when we brought some of our bottles and had a tasting. Drank the whole johnnie walker range that day, and blue just disappointed me (way too expensive for what you get) i prefer green. Nice and spicy (spicy notes come from talisker i think) are you also going to review gold label?
Timvanhelsdingen 1 month ago
@Timvanhelsdingen
no GL review planned !
ralfystuff 1 month ago
@ralfystuff
no, I see no reason to buy it.
ralfystuff 1 month ago
@ralfystuff Ok too bad! Was wondering on your notes, since you seemed to be a bit negative about it. Have you tried it chilled, as the recommend? That way it is actually suprisingly nice and a totally different experience from your normal dram. The way the flavors release when it warms up in your mouth. Lovely
Timvanhelsdingen 1 month ago
@Timvanhelsdingen I heard that Gold label uses a large amount of Clynelish in the blend. So if it were me I'd buy a bottle of Clynelish 14 (not expensive) and enjoy that instead :)
77anorak 1 month ago
@Timvanhelsdingen my review is - don't bother, I found Gold label just sweet and bland, strictly for Glenlivet fans who found the 15 year old too interesting
chrish12345 1 month ago
@chrish12345 As I said, I have had a bottle of gold before. But when you serve it chilled as they recommend it is actually a pretty nice experience, little on the nose but the release of flavor when you drink it and the way the whisky heats up in your mouth is lovely, you should try it that way. Much better than on room temperature.
Was just interesed in ralphy's opinion on gold :)
Timvanhelsdingen 1 month ago
@Timvanhelsdingen Sure yeah, I didn't know they recommended it served chilled, seems a bit strange but I guess its worth a try if it improves it somehow.
chrish12345 1 month ago
@chrish12345 Yeah, freeze the bottle for 24 hours, doesn't freeze due to the alcohol. It's really nice that way. You should try it :)
Timvanhelsdingen 1 month ago
@Timvanhelsdingen Yeah I will thanks for the tip
chrish12345 1 month ago
Over the years tried all the JW variants - all overrated and over priced.
1954BJohn 1 month ago
Really interesting review.
Milverton68 1 month ago
Did I send you the video of Jim McCaslin at Golden Distillery talking about single malt and his travels to Scotland? I couldn't recall, so I sent it again.
BuyWA 1 month ago
Wow, I'm glad I didn't spend 7000 ISK on this down at Trúnó...
TommyLongstockings 1 month ago
I heard today very sad news; finnish 7 times enduro world champion Mika Ahola died today. I think I have a quiet moment and a dram in silence to honour a loss of a great champion...
havisFin 1 month ago
Isn't it quite deceiving to market this whisky as something it clearly is not? I have never considering buying a bottle of blue label, but this is supposed to be the finest of the entire JW range, yet they present it as a standard blend, being at 40% ABV, chill-filtered and with E150a added to it. I guess it's up to the customer to do a bit of research before buying whisky, but I must say, to ask £130 for this is quite frankly dishonest business.
SingleServingJohn 1 month ago
@SingleServingJohn
not dishonest, just business. People are easily persuaded to pay premiums for the impression of 'class'. Quality is incidental, and this applies to most 'premium' products.
ralfystuff 1 month ago
That must be a record low score on the smile-o-meter.
It undoubtedly sounded as if you held yourself back on the critic !
chanocarlsen 1 month ago
I haven't tried either (poor) but I've heard good things about the King George V edition, have you tried that?
theshaunmeister 1 month ago
@theshaunmeister
Another blogger here, Sku (of Sku's Recent Eats) found it to be nothing special and even more overpriced.
shuboy05 1 month ago
ouch def not worth $230 at my local place
hartenskim 1 month ago
Been waiting for this review for awhile finally haha NICE
KeaneUndertheIronSea 1 month ago
No offense but, I think you are a little biased against Blue Label. In other videos,you've also trashed it.
alexkont 1 month ago
Hey Ralfy. Have you tried double black label at all? If so, how do you rate it in the JW Label's order of quality?
dvdbloke 1 month ago
@dvdbloke
different !
ralfystuff 1 month ago
@ralfystuff
Good different? Bad different? (i'm contemplating a purchase! :))
(RE: Double Black Label)
dvdbloke 1 month ago
@dvdbloke - I've had the Double Black. It's like a very slightly more intense Black. Not a whole lot of difference in my opinion.
degmar 1 month ago
Ralfy, have you changed position, or am i drinking to much whisky?
tinus046 1 month ago
@tinus046
yes and yes !
ralfystuff 1 month ago 2
this was allot kinder than I thought you would be. Personally for the money I think blue label is heavily hyped and better single malts can be had for a fraction of the price; as you said though its all relative some are more concerned with the packaging
rollerpodger 1 month ago
I like the black label quite a bit, but at $35 a bottle thats a very different story.
Equity213 1 month ago
Why must people speak softly when criticising this drink? It seems theres an almost universal consesus that its not worth the money.
Johnny Walker isnt going to show up at your door step and thump you with his walking stick, hehe.
Equity213 1 month ago
@Equity213
hang on ! ... there's someone at the door !
ralfystuff 1 month ago 16
@ralfystuff
Hey Ralfy, you should start your next review with a bloody bandage wrapped around your head
shuboy05 1 month ago
wow, Chivas Regal got better marks then that...
Hamporkcheese 1 month ago
YES! ABOUT TIME!!! great review ralfy...
chasiubaau 1 month ago
Speaking of blends, I too bought a newer bottle of Teachers Highland Cream last month, just before you posted your disclaimer about it, and discovered a transformed whisky of very poor quality. In fact, judging by the taste profile, I would question whether it still contains 45 percent malt, despite still sporting that claim on the bottle.
Could you let us know if/when Teachers returns to it's former formula? I'm sure I'm not the only one who's lost a standby whisky.
Polyfusia 1 month ago
Now here's an idea for you Ralfy old boy that you can chew: Make some reviews so that you compare simultaneously two/three different bottlings. e.g Laphroiag Quarter Cask vs. Ardbeg Uigeadail or Big Peat vs. Smokehead etc. You can pick them as you like.
There's something for you to think about ;)
havisFin 1 month ago
@havisFin
I will have a think about it.
ralfystuff 1 month ago
I looked up Mondrian and saw his paintings. It reminded me of cheesy fiberglass decorations that mob wives would prize, which I'm thinking might be close to the intended experience...or not. I feel lucky that I haven't bought it, the J.W. Blue, that is. I just might have bought a bottle, considering the J.W. Green was so tasty. Hold on...wait... I see that a bottle of J.W. Blue, in the States, costs $180. Holy moly, with the J.W Green selling for a quarter of that.
mu99ins 1 month ago
@mu99ins
as you so rightly say, holy moly !!!
ralfystuff 1 month ago
Indeed, the Green Label is sooo much more worth for the money. By the way Ralfy, I got a question. If you drink beer with your malt, do you mix it in the same glass? Or drink it seperatly?
Cr4Lx 1 month ago
@Cr4Lx
absolutely separate ! when having a beer 'chaser'
ralfystuff 1 month ago
It's interesting that your blue label bottle is 43%. The JWBL available in retail outlets around Australia is only 40%.... yet still sells for $190AUD. This makes it extremely poor value for money compared to other whiskies that can be purchased for the same or lesser price.
crthebigo 1 month ago
@crthebigo
you hit the nail here !
ralfystuff 1 month ago
Ralf is it true that they even add grain whisky to this, plus did you get some free tins from Heinz yet?
chrish12345 1 month ago
@chrish12345
yes grian whisky is involved, and no free Heinz tins (thank goodness, they are flavouless soups)
ralfystuff 1 month ago
Good review. As I thought, the Blue label, is a long shot from a single malt. And at the price range of this bottle, you can get quite the single malt. I've tastet blends with a somewhat desirable taste and nose, but always easily beaten by single malts. I've also tasted single grain whisky, but despite it had 40 years on the but, the tasting notes was not all impressive.
Gnurk 1 month ago
Lol, 9 out of 10 drink to get pissed...
FrontSideBus 1 month ago
I'm a novice whisky drinker (been enjoying nice malt whisky for under a year). I have paused this video before I start to watch it just to state my opinion without it being biased. I recently tried a dram of johnnie blue.. and found it to be one of the most overrated whiskies I have yet experienced. I must say I'm very glad it was someone else's bottle, because if I'd paid full Australian retail price for it I would be deeply disappointed.
antonc81 1 month ago