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A year ago, on February 17th, I arrived in England to settle in this beautiful country and work. I didn't really speak English. Thank you Ralfy because your videos have helped me a lot, even if sometimes your accent is a bit strong ! I am passionate about spirits, beers and wines. I work in a shop, and when customers sometimes ask me, where can they learn things about spirits, I immediately recommend your channel ! Thank you for your objectivity and well done for your independence. As we say in France "bravo" ! But I prefer the UK so as we say here, congratulations and cheers Ralfy !
Well Ralfy, I never would have taken you for a "Rave" music fan mate! I guess we all, at some point, pigeon hole people by the way they come across dont we? Me? Well I like to listen to a bit of Classic Rock while enjoying my classic malt.
Stay safe mate and keep posting.
I look forward to Monday and Tuesday every week because I know I will learn something new!
I recently subscribed to your channel, Ralfy, and am enjoying your company more and more all the time.
Many a true word spoken here.
Who would have guessed Ralfy was sipping with trance music in the background? This guy just gets better and better…
Ralfy, it’s quite simple. If a Food critic/reviewer like say Anthony Bourdain or Gordon Ramsey, had a channel on YouTube describing to the viewers how certain foods are supposed to taste like and what we should like or not like. We would disapprove. They do tell us what they find good quality or not. But nobody knows your tastes for food better than YOU. Whisky is similar.
Of course with bottles being so pricey and the whole collecting being on a different level than food, we rely more on the whisky reviewers opinions. But make no mistake. Ralfy is right. Trust your own palate. Use their expertise in helping you choose wisely. However don’t allow anyone to tell you what is best or what is worst. Pay attention to a combined show of hands as to what is worth trying, and you be the judge.
Thanks for your guidance Ralfy. But by now you must have figured out we don’t all stick around strictly for your whisky advice. You are a unique and interesting personality and that’s why you’re always number 1 in my book.
Why have a man cave when you can have a bothy!
If Ralfy isn’t an expert than Superman isn’t a super hero. I respect your opinion (even when I disagree) more than the so called ‘experts’
Words of wisdom! Thank you Ralfy
Good points. Yeah, don’t take the word of a certain guy (Jim) that has a certain annual publication with the word Bible in it. IMO he doesn’t know his arsehole from his earhole.
I have the self-confidence to say Glenmorangie Signet wasn’t all that great. Sure it’s a flavor bomb, and hidden underneath those flavors is some solid whiskey. But taken as a whole, just did not live up to the hype, at least not for me. Shame because it’s supposed to be a creation from some of the oldest and finest casks the distillery has to offer. Eh
Yoo you're into house music, Ralfy? Who are some of you're favorite artists?
Well said, Ralfy. I'm enjoying the journey!
Trance music and house music. Didnt see that one coming!
Exclusive Ralfy, nobody else. Just lovely!!
How worried are you of catching the virus and loosing your sense of taste, as it will affect your Chanel and your hobby?
i am just trying to figure out how to taste anything but booze
This is great, thanks Ralfy. I think its less about expertise, and more about experience. If we have a genuine interest in Whisky, and you see 100s of distilleries, and 1000s of releases, most of us have a natural curiosity to experience the variety this provides… I guess we still have our favourite 'tastes', but the enjoyment is also in experiencing something new/different, to challenge our palettes a bit more and as our breadth of experience increases, there is also more chance of finding a broader variety that we do really like, as opposed to being very narrow in our selection.
Part of the problem now is with the costs going up, it is expensive to buy something just to experience. We want to reduce the odds of it not being to our 'taste' so for many this means sticking with what they know/familiar with.
I do think it is important that even the occasional buyer becomes more demanding in terms of integrity bottling though, NCF, natural colour and at least 43% etc – so that we all experience the dram at its best, not as a compromise etc. We would all benefit and it would only enhance the reputation of the distilleries
Hi Ralfy, what is your opinion on the new “Standards for Labelling Japanese Whisky” defined by Japan Spirits & Liqueur Makers Association?
I have found that I really enjoy peated whisky, but it does not mean that I enjoy any type of peated styles. How to describe it, it is sort of either Islay or Highland Park levels. The middleground does not work that well for me.
Also 8 years in on my journey and closing in in 100 different whisky tasted 🙂
I would never in a million years have put Ralfy down as a Trance/House music kinda guy!
Well said Ralfy. Slainte!
It's funny, the first thing I thought of trying the GT 10: it's not a bad whisky but its gonna last a while and so far none of my whisky friends asked for a second glass. It's definitely some different/ unique whisky.
Hi ralfy
I love your reviews and I might add that we live in really good times right now, because we have a pletera of scotch that we seek out, and we can get many different whiskeys and it is a great time for all malt heads to search and find many bespoke bottles, everything is available now where as a few year's ago we had to deal with alot of people who were competing with each other to buy a particular product from the shelves, ralfy would you ever sell a bottle of whiskey that you have, and sign it and send to a consumer or loyal watcher of yours, that's a goal of mine, I would love to have a bottle on my bar signed by you, if so please let me know, in the meantime cheers brother and keep the videos coming sir !!!
As a minimally maturated malt mate of only six months and one who is enjoying a whisky education nearly as much as the whisky itself, I’m finding your vlogs as educational as they are entertaining.
After purchasing several sample bottles, I have now taken the plunge and bought my first two bottles ( the Deanston and Tobermory 12 year olds). The latter in particular has interested me after reading about the distillery’s ups and downs over the years. Apart from re- branding and marketing, how does a distillery go about improving its reputation as I assume there’s not a lot it can do in the short term to improve its product?
Beer and a whisky = pure bliss
Short, Sharp, shock? Are you also a Pink Floyd Fan?
Ralfy, I drink every day – but only about 2 or 3 small drams. Do you think it would be better to drink less frequently?
Hi Ralfy, I really enjoy your extras. We always hear and learn something new. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. You are a good malt mate.