whisky review 99 - snow and Lagavulin Distillers Edition

[MagnusFender]

Hmm, was really looking for "intense". But still gonna grab I think. It's about 37 pounds.

[MagnusFender]

The 1995 one is currently on sale. What are your thoughts on this whisky?

[ralfystuff]

@MagnusFender

It's fine,  but standards will fall in the future.

[C5Rigzz]

Merry Christmas, Ralfy.

[Tampanda]

I enjoyed the snowball fight at the end

[zyxomma1]

I think 86 is Ralfy's favorite number.

[urfanorependra]

Hi Ralfy ! How come you think the Distillers Edition is that young ? No need to guess, the distillation and bottling dates are usually on the bottle. My bottle was distilled 1993 and bottled 2009 and as far as I know all the others are also 16 years old (well, should say minimum 15 years according to these dates ;o).

[C5Rigzz]

Ralfy, where could a lad get a nice, handsome scarf like that? All we have around here are short, flat ones.

This is one of my favorite reviews... playful, informative, and full of your seasonal, Scottish character!



[jacobreinvented]

Ralfy, what is the highest mark you have ever given a single malt? And, what was that malt?

[ralfystuff]

@jacobreinvented

see WhiskyReview 24

[jacobreinvented]

@ralfystuff Will do.



[jeje591301]

@ralfystuff hello ralfy , one question was it different with the years ? if i buy a batch of 1995 , is it different on 1990 (or others) ? skuz me for my bad english im french :$ . im a big fan of lagavulin 16 . and i want try this ^^

[ralfystuff]

@jeje591301

whisky certainly changes over the years due to cost controls and demand for intrinsic quality. I suggest whiskies bottled up to 2011 are generally better, though not always.

[EvanDavid666]

Hey Ralfy,

Wondering if there are any single malts/blends that you would suggest to enjoy outside. My friends and I are planning a big snow shoeing trip and we were trying to select a single malt to take with us to enjoy in the snow and the outdoors. We are from the island of Newfoundland in Canada so our selection isn't huge but still substantial enough.

Thanks

Evan

[ralfystuff]

@EvanDavid666

Drambuie and Laphroaig 10yo ... half and half, for cold snowy places.

[BigJamook]

@ralfystuff Hello Ralfy, I hope you can help. They've the Lagavulin D.I. 1994 in my local supermarket which I've been saving for with a view to buying for xmas (its £65) as I really liked the 16yr old. But after viewing this I'm wondering if I'm making the right choice. Any advice? They've also the Talisker D.I. and the Dalwhinnie D.I. too which I considered. I just would like to treat myself to something different and (hopefully) special. I'm only asking your opinion. x

[ralfystuff]

@BigJamook

I recommend the Talisker DE as the best option with the Laga good, substantial but with less complexity than the original, and the Dalwhinnie not nearly as good as the Original version.

[ralfystuff]

@ahmedkandiel

.... as I am planning some Advertising at ralfy.com and ralfystuff, I will have a better budget this year to review stuff I do not currently budget for.

The Pulteney 17 will certainly be included.

[GetzeyeDragon]

Is it just me or was there sirens in the background...roughly around 3:20

[ralfystuff]

@GetzeyeDragon

yes, there's a Hospital half a mile away.

[BozoTheBear]

enjoyed this one ralfy! appreciate the tips at the end - i will try and slow down when the senses are doing their thing :)

[Cadmium77]

I don't even drink anymore but I always enjoy drinking by proxy with Ralphy...

[ralfystuff]

@Cadmium77

.... awww ! thanks.

[Cadmium77]

@ralfystuff

Hey better your liver than mine, buddy. lol

[aphasia2]

take a review on talisker distillers edition to.

[ipsoZoltar]

FYI the WhiskyMarks.c-o-m site has Lagavulin at 85/100, yet the “whisky review” series here gives the 16yo a 90, with scores of 91 & 86 for CS & DE respectively. (I think Laphroig is out of whack too.) As for me - I have your numbers flipped for CS & DE - love that DE. Thought it was trying too hard at first with all that Sherry, but it's really growing on me. I think all the complexity is there and more. Maybe you were numb from the snow. Nice effort Ralfy!

[ralfystuff]

@ipsoZoltar

... thanks for being so observant as regards 'whisky marks' scores against 'whisky reviews' scores.

The 'whisky marks' scores are for the whole range of Malts experienced and I have found old (25yo +) Lagavulins to be shockingly expensive and under-whelming hense the 85/100

The great thing about whisky is that were not like those wine snobs, we have differing opinions with which importantly, we can happily agree to disagree.

Excellent stuff !

[bishop131313]

I don't think the 1991/2008 necessarily means it is 17yo. Maybe it's distilled in November 1991 and bottled in March 2008. That's more than 16 years, but away from beeing fully 17 (Find any other matching combination if you like).

[chrish12345]

I definitely rate Pedro Ximenez. Its often sold as a fortified desert wine, and good mature examples can be found at a very good price. They dry the grapes out in the sun and, as Ralphy says, the result is an intense sweetness than can rival a good Sauterne. As to this whisky, I'm still saving the pennies...

[Tantrum777]

great review, I loved it!

Ralfy isn't this 17 years old? I kind of got confused when you were talking about age. the one I have is 1991/2008 so that makes it 17 the one you have is less then 17? or the same?

[ralfystuff]

... guilty !

... have checked the bottle and the label states 1991 + bottled 2008 = 17yo .... which I missed when recording, so my apologies to you'z all, ... but interesting to note how a 'finished' Malt can appear younger than it's years.

[Webofscience]

Is this 1991/2007, 1991/2008 or 1993/2009?

Great review though!

[Silky2dope]

i am soo glad i found this chan i enjoy my scotch very much but am new at it :) so it helps to hear what others think of them

[thegreatbasher]

Plz don't laugh at me...only being silly... If you keep re-playing 04:06 it kinda sounds like he is farting when he says "frrean"- hehe. Merry Xmas and happy New Year to you all as you are walking in your whisky wonderlands.

[ralfystuff]

.... yeh! I did fart, ooooh! you SherlockHolmesDude for noticing.

[thegreatbasher]

Thanks for enjoying in my little rubbish joke. You are a legend!!! Glad you not too offended, brilliant. Happy New Year! I'm going to Edinburgh for my birthday in the 24th Jan- yay!!!!

[engwar4evr]

Great malt review as always Ralfy! Really looking forward to #100! Have a Happy New Year and wee dram for Auld Lang Syne!

[charvelgtrs]

I like when he tells stories.

[ralfystuff]

... thanks for that info:  ... it states it on the label,.

[butephoto]

In my opinion the finishing of this classic dram does it no favours and it loses all the power of the original. If it ain't broken, don't fix it!

[BourneAccident]

Great review... In fact, it's my favorite Ralfy review so far! Thanks Ralfy...I'm headed outside right now for some snow for my drink!

[endgiver]

Great review!

P.S the man speaks truth on memory of scents- Psych Major.

[thegreatbasher]

Happy Christmas from Devon, UK! Deck the halls...

[berkeleyfish]

Stay warm Ralfy!

[boxant]

Happy holidays, whiskey and snow ;)

[maxygg]

Cant wait for your 100th whisky(ey) review...wonder what its going to be maybe Hibiki 12 yo or JW Blue label, or something special to you. In any event cheers and glad to watch your reviews theyre classic.

[xcelldx]

i think the 100th review will be a talisker.

the 57° north, the18yo or the 25yo talisker

[jimmlunn]

Somehow a whiskey review sounds better in scotish......Great stuff;-)

[terrypk1]

hay MERRY CHRISTMAS

[fortunatfool09]

merry christmas ralfy!

[ralfystuff]

.... and seasonal best wishes and a malty moment to you all.

... thanks for watching and commenting !!!

... ralfy.

[guyinhead]

Merry Christmas

[Silky2dope]

Merry Christmas ralfy and here is a toast to you

[ZICKUP]

Merry Christmas Ralfy

Good review!!!

[JackeShan]

THanks for review! I'm about to crack up a bottle of Caol Ila 12 yo

[jesserobins]

your so lucky u have snow here in canada ontario we have rain and its frezzing rain at that and now snow

[Tenkterian]

Thank's for the advice! Now I'll go for the Talisker DE (it's a wee bit cheaper anyway^^).