Good list. Old Pultney 12 at Asda in the UK for £25 is a great buy, Arran Quarter Cask at £50 for me is a good buy and Thompson Bros are keeping prices affordable.
Thanks Sandy! OP12 is a good addition to the list. Arran Quarter Cask is an even better recommendation and can be had on sale occasionally around me for $68CAD(£40!). In fact, I think I need a a bottle of that soon. Thanks for the idea, hope you're doing well! Cheers 🥃
Canuck in Australia 🇦🇺. Moved here 40 years ago &love everything about the country except the whiskey prices which are double Canada. The alcohol tax Nazies think we drink to much here! Therefore am changing my purchase habits from the likes of Octomore to Deanston 12, Craigellachie 13, Glenadam 10 & 13 & Port Charlotte 10. Was a commercial salmon fisherman on the West Coast in the 70’s operating out of Rivers Inlet & Port Hardy. Great time. Love your videos mate, keep up the great site!
Thanks for the comment Tony! I've heard the prices in Oz are a bit nuts! Glad you're still able to get quality pours like Port Charlotte 10 and Craigellachie 13. Kinda jealous you got to fish RI and PH in the 1970's. The runs must have been incredible back then compared to now. I know he was a sportsmen and not a commercial fisherman, but I love reading the books written by Roderick Haig-Brown about fishing in B.C. They always inspire me to hit the river again for some Coho and Steelhead. Cheers 🥃
As you know, Matthew, there are few bargain whiskies down here in Puget Sound. However, thanks to pressure from Costco prices, Total Wine has recently dropped Laphroaig 10 to $50. For our market getting the Classic Laddie at $60 and Craigellachie 13 at $64 are relative bargains as well. BUT my best bargain last year was, funny enough, right in your neighborhood! The Duty Free in Abbotsford had 1 litre bottles of Laphroaig Quarter Cask for $59CDN until I cleaned them out over the course of our many trips to BC last year. I think I brought home 6 bottles. Only one left in the cupboard now though....hey, it's not my fault it's a great backpacking whisky. Thanks for all the videos!
Competition for the contents in your wallet is only a good thing. I really do adore that Classic Laddie. I know I already commented on your Barflies post but wow, that's a fantastic deal on a full litre of Quarter Cask. Yeah Laphroaig anything is perfect for backpacking and the outdoors. Thanks for watching Jerry! Cheers 🥃
I am exiled to Seattle. I was in Phoenix in early May and saw Laphroaig 10 at both Costco and Total Wine for...I shit you naught...$29.99. If I was driving, I would have bought a couple cases.
Well done Sir, power to the People on this May-Day weekend, we are lucky in the UK it is a small place & nearly all the shops have opted for a site to sell extra stock so competition helps keep prices reasonable with big firms like Amazon being able to under cut the bottom Tier prices, so both build up repour with their customers & do a few offers on better brands. The secret is not to buy crap for a better price, it will still be relevant to use community for info over Business.
Thanks James! Hope the May-Day weekend and sales have been good to you! A healthy commerce eco-system is important and anytime it makes reasonable sense to buy from a small independent is a good thing. Keeps everyone honest and taken care of. And yeah, if you get crap for a great price you've still only got crap and lesser money! Buy quality seems to be the consensus. Cheers 🥃
In Toronto, these are at least 20% more expensive than the Alberta prices, and the selection is better at most gas stations across the border. Private whisky shops would solve the selection issue, but we have more liquor laws than liquor bottles in Ontario.
I really feel bad for you guys in Ontario woth the HELL-CBO. Hope it changes for you one day. Until then, look west! It's a bit maddening too with the LCBO having some of the best buying power in the world but it doesn't benefit you guys at all. To better days and good whisky. Cheers Merlin 🥃
Nice list! I would throw in Compass Box Orchard House. I’m in AB and it’s generally around $65 and it’s just such a good bottle. That would be my pick for value. Cheers!
Great choice, it's so good and a great value! It was one of the last cuts on the list, but I thought I'd give it's spot to someone else since it was just on the Spring list last week. Might have been a tiny bit unfair to the good ship Orchard House. Cheers Sheldon 🥃
Hello from Oban! I work here at Oban Distillery in the west highlands of Scotland. Our whiskies such as Oban 14 rarely cost over $100 but definitely cheaper here at the distillery 😉
Hey Mark! Thanks for checking out the video! I have some special memories of very reasonably priced Oban 14 year old while walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain. I think it was 45 Euro at that point in 2016. Love that bottle. Good news for you is that it is a great price in the U.K. Bad news is the price for me in my province is the equivalent of £100. Not the fault of those at the distillery though! Keep up the brilliant work! Cheers 🥃
Thanks Debby! Glad I could help with the list. Prices are out of hand and seemingly only getting worse, especially for those whose income isn't going higher. Hope you can find some of these local to you and at affordable prices. Cheers 🥃
Solid list -- good to see Glen Garioch getting some love! Good value Scotch whiskies in my market (Japan) are AnCnoc 12, Benromach 10, Arran 10 (until recently), Nikka from the Barrel, Ledaig 10 and Glencadam 10.
Thanks! Sounds like you have some great options in Japan for good value picks! That's encouraging to hear. Of those 7 bottles you mentioned, is there one that stands above the rest in your opinion? Cheers 🥃
A little discussed, affordable single malt that has been a go to for me is the Glenglassaugh Evolution. 50% ABV, Tennessee whiskey cask matured and can be had for under $45 US. I have a back up for my open bottle. A bit more expensive, recent find is the High Coast, Berg. Very tasty.
Hey, that's a familiar name :) Thanks for stopping in Whisky N Wine Trails. Glenglassaugh certainly is little discussed! I'm very intrigued by them as they do sort of seem like "that other" former Billy Walker owned distillery that Brown Forman owns. I'll have to take a shot on that Evolution at some point, though it's $100 here. Cheers 🥃
In the San Francisco area, Benromach 10 & Compass Box Orchard House are a steal @ around $40. My last Deanston 12 was on special for $46. Any Arran is good value IMHO. I picked up an Islay Single Malt from Costco that’s surprisingly good for $35. It’s an Alexander Murray sourced malt (Caol ila?) at 50 abv.
Those are steals Tim! And they are both excellent whiskies. I've heard about that Kirkland Islay single malt as well. I've yet to try it but it sounds like a great utility peated whisky. Cheers 🥃
Pretty comprehensive list. Nice to see Glen Garioch get a mention that distillery deserves more love imo. I would throw in Glencadam 10, Classic Laddie and Ancnoc 12, which has a surprising amount of flavour for 40%. Cheers.
Thanks for checking out the video Jon! I appreciate it coming from one of the real positive yet honest reviewers on Whiskytube. Enjoy sunny Vancouver man! Cheers 🥃
Recently new subscriber here from Wales in the UK. Great list here Matt. I've tried most of these and have to agree with you. Arran 10 is the top for me, especially considering price (at least in UK, around £38 as of Aug 23). Bargain! Congratulations on your channel by the way Matt, and keep up the great whisky work.
Great to hear from you Paul! I always love hearing where people are watching from! That Arran 10 is becoming a modern day classic, glad it's just as affordable and available where you are. Thanks for the kind words! Cheers 🥃
Thanks for the kind feedback Alan! Glad you enjoyed it! I happened to visit the West Coast of Scotland for the first time this year and loved it. Already dreaming of going back. From the West Coast of Canada to your West Coast of Scotland, cheers Alan 🥃
Interesting list. I don’t tend to buy official core releases these days so I’m a little inexperienced in terms of what they offer these days. Thankfully there are still sub £50 single cask, cask strength single malts to be had here in the U.K. I tend to focus on those whilst they remain available.
Thanks for the comment Mendip! You've got the right idea, I do the same. I sometimes struggle with the OB/IB divide. More and more of what I buy is good value and interesting IB's. But those are so singular that they don't have the same broad appeal and relevance as the whiskies on this list. When my friends ask me what they should grab, It's often hard to tell them the G&M CC Glen Elgin 2008 Refill Sherry that costs less than most OB's because they aren't at that point of their journey...yet. Sounds like you're on a great path with those good value single casks. Hoping they last longer than you or I would assume. Cheers 🥃
I'm in Davao City, Philippines. Some great values here are the Deanston 12 ($56), Glenkinchie 12 ($42), Cragganmore 12 ($40), Bunnahabhain 12 ($52), Glenmorangie Lasanta ($55), Old Pultney 12 ($55), and the ultimate bargain Glenmorangie 10 ($35). This is all in U.S. dollars at current exchange rate.
Thanks for the comment! Happy to hear about the prices in the Philippines :) Those are some excellent prices on those bottles. Particularly the Bunnahabhain 12 as that one has had a large price increase in my area, followed by a complete loss of stock! I hope it always stays at $52 for you! Cheers 🥃
Brilliant list Matt! Unfortunately most of the drams on your list are either expensive or don't exist in my market. The Loch Lomond 12 is 62 CAD in my market but the biggest bang for buck whisky here is Singleton 17 Cask Strength Special Release 2020 at 60 CAD!!! In UK it's sold for 211 CAD so yeah somehow they forgot to adjust the price of that dram and I'm just hoarding it 😃 Cheers my man 🥃
Thanks! Wow, Your market sounds tough! 1/10 is not a great batting average for my list haha. That said, you do get some things much cheaper including that Singleton 17 special release! That's got to be the best price on the planet for that bottle. Unreal price, definitely a bottle to stock up on like you've done. Cheers buddy 🥃
Lots of great whiskies on your list. I would add the Longrow Heavily Peated to the list and the Port Charlotte 10 yo. Both in the $80-ish range, and both delicious IMHO at least!
Thanks Gary! Can't go wrong with those two. I think I placed Longrow Heavily Peated #2 on my Top 10 affordable heavily peated list. It's simply a pleasure. And that PC10 just keeps getting better as we go. Cheers 🥃
I heard some Canadian folks complain about their tax uptick recently but in my market (South Korea) theirs sounds way more reasonable than here. Almost none of them listed are under 75CAD except for Deanston Virgin Oak and maybe Benromach 10 depending on the shop. Most of them are over 100CAD (75-80USD) here and Arran Sherry is around 180CAD the cheapest. Our alcohol taxes are horrible! But thumps up for a good list!!
Hi Juntae! Thanks for checking out the video. Ouch, sounds like you have it rough for pricing in South Korea. In regards to Canada, alcohol prices and taxes are set by each individual province. In many the government has a monopoly on sales and so sets whatever price they want with no competition. Some are worse than others. My province(British Columbia) is hit or miss on prices. For instance, that Deanston Virgin Oak would cost me $63.25CAD after tax, but the Talisker 10 year you asked about would cost me $138CAD. Alberta is the best place to buy whisky from in Canada and if you can ship from there the prices are ok, but in some provinces it is illegal to ship whisky from out of province. As I mentioned, I can get the Arran Sherry for $69CAD from Alberta, but in B.C. it will cost me $150CAD. Hope prices become more reasonable for you in South Korea in the future. Cheers 🥃
@@whiskyonthewestcoast Yeah right I lived in Toronto for a year like a decade ago so I remember their LCBOs! I think we’re equally in tricky places to be a whisky drinker. Most of the 10-12yo entry bottles are in that 100-150CAD bracket in my market, and sadly when we want to get bottles shipped from more reasonable markets like Europe we gotta pay around 90-150% import taxes, so when I buy a $60 bottle from Master of Malt, it becomes $60 bottle, $30 shipping, and $80 taxes, so it ends up being close to 200USD! Sorry for too much ranting but this is indeed frustrating, because even our neighboring countries’ prices like Japan or Taiwan are less than half for most bottles. Maybe you share the same sentiment towards the prices in the US!
It all sounds like it feels extremely similar to what we experience. It might even be a bit worse for you from that description. Cool that you lived in Toronto for a while, sorry you had to become familiar with the infamous LCBO haha!
Just found the most recent Campbeltown Loch - 46%, non chill-filtered, natural color. A blend of the malts (no grain whisky) from Campbeltown in a Springbank bottle. 40 Euros.
Yeah I just reviewed the Campbeltown Loch and loved it. The batch I tried was more KK Heavily Peated/Longrow dominated and delicious. Still tricky for me to source here but a worthy addition! Cheers 🥃
Great list. My market is in Sweden and the prices here are more fixed, ther's never any "on sale" prices...because of the state monopoly on selling alchol (for good and bad). We have simelar pricetags here but some of the whiskies on your list is more expensive here, and some are cheaper here. So i would say that if I bought all 10 bottles on your list, the total price would be approx the same as your price for those 10 bottles. Cheers!
Thanks Mats! Glad that everything would balance out in the end for you in Sweden. Years ago when I traveled briefly in Malmo and Stockholm I remember the grocery stores being very strict on what they could sell. I remember Guinness being a lower ABV% than usual off the shelf. I think it was 3.5%. I'm glad that it sounds like you have access to a good supply of whisky. Cheers🥃
Absolute bullseye value scotch list in the BC market Matt! Totally spot on 10/10 🎯 I would add the Glen Garioch Founder's Reserve (can still find a few bottles at $58cad) and Ardnamurchan AD 01 ($70CAD) and Deanston 12 😊
Thanks for the affirmation James! Those are good additions, I love my AD 01/21. I haven't tried that Founder's reserve yet but it's on the radar now. Cheers 🥃
Hey James. I was just chatting with Matt and indicated my intent to be heading out to lower mainland and the island in September. Let me know if you have some interest in connecting when I’m out there. Cheers.
@@Watchman999 Absolutely! Would be very much up for meeting up and enjoying a dram or two with you. Just let me know when you're going to be here and we'll arrange something for that 👍
It's really difficult for me: I don't tend to buy at retail or keep track of retail prices and those are quite different here in the U.K. anyway, plus I often go for 'arcane' choices, rather than mainstream. However, if I just pick the last 10 I got that seem to fit your criteria the list (not in any order) is: Tobermory 12, Kilchoman Sanaig, Glencadam Reserva Andalucía, Tullibardine Sovereign, Scarabus, Arran Robert Burns Single Malt, Glen Moray Elgin Classic, Laphroaig 10, Bunnahabhain Toiteach A Dhà and Tamnavulin Double Cask. Hope that's OK..
That's not just ok Andrew, that's excellent! That's exactly what I hoped for! There are some great value picks in that list you've purchased. I love Tobermory 12, Sanaig, Bunna Toiteach and recently tried Scarabus and would agree that it has its place on a shelf. I certainly need to check out more Glencadam, Tullibardine and Tamnavulin. Cheers 🥃
I’m from Ontario and prices have truly gone insane, with few deals left. Wee Beastie at 85$ Canadian is still good, and I prefer it to the 10 yr old, more complex with the fruit notes totally lacking in the 10…. Glengoyne 10 is fantastic, and Black Bottle has been outstanding lately and bottle bottom shelf prices, if they change it I’ll stop buying it, cheers🥂. Quebec, BC and Alberta are much better provinces for Scotch.
Black Bottle can be a sneaky good value buy to help stretch your dollars, eh? Sorry you guys have it so rough in Ontario with the HELL-CBO. Hope it gets better one day. Until then, I hope you get some good shipments from or visits to Quebec, Alberta and B.C. Cheers 🥃
@Andy King @DileepB Good call. It was the last cut on the honourable mentions. I used to be able to get it for about $70CAD. Recently has gone up to around $90CAD+ tax in most Canadian markets. That could just be us or it could be a price bump you also see soon. Enjoy the Laddie at that price while it lasts, It's a gooder. Cheers 🥃
Really hard to argue against Craigellachie 13 taking the number one spot. When Ledaig 10 inevitably crosses the CAD $100 threshold, Compass Box Peat Monster for just under $70 is a worthy substitute in my opinion. I'd also add Benromach Contrasts: Peat Smoke Sherry (46%) to my list. One of my all time favourites, period. I can get it for $85 taxes in, which is a damn steal for what you're getting
That Benromach is an absolute steal! I'd argue that for all of their lineup outside of the 15 and 21(not bad, just priced fairly). And yeah, Peat Monster. I loved the brown label version that was heavy on the Laphroaig and Ardmore. I need to try one of the more recent bottles but it's always served me well too. Great additions to the list! Cheers 🥃
Thanks Rick! Sorry to hear Arran isn't available in Ohio...yet. With them opening up their 2nd distillery(Lagg) on the south of the Island you would think that they have to be targeting expanding distribution and getting into more markets in the future. Here's hoping! Cheers 🥃
I live in ohio which is a controlled state. Lot of things we never see I have to travel to neighboring states to find. But there’s a couple real values when they’re available. Like Laphroaig Cask Strength for 55usd, Lagavulin Offerman Editions for 75usd, Weller Red Label for 50usd. Some great deals but it’s still frustrating some of the things we never see in my area. Arran, Springbank, Ledaig, Longrow, you won’t find in Ohio. Bruichladdich and Compass Box are also non existent except for a few core range basics. Sad 😢
I've heard a lot of sad stories about selection and availability in control states. Only positives I've heard is fair access to lotteries, reasonable pricing on some core ranges and a lack of secondary style price gouging. Your price on Laphroaig 10 CS is ridiculously good. Still your available options is not enviable. They need someone like you directing their ordering as Ledaig, Springbank, Bruichladdich and Compass Box are all things I'd imagine would sell for them. Hope it improves soon. Cheers 🥃
Good list Matt! The problem in my market - Quebec - is that despite having massive governmental purchasing power, the selection and prices are both pretty dismal. Almost have to set the bar at close to $100.00 to have a reasonable top 10 list. 😢
Thanks Dram Man! The SAQ is rough pricing wise, sorry the don't use that purchasing power for more good. The only bright spot is that you get Kilkerrran and Springbank release at reasonable prices(as well as Cantillon if you like beer). We don't have those bottles imported by our governement anymore. B.C. Liquor store is likewise pretty bad for prices. Alberta really is the only answer for us it seems, and lucky for me, I'm next door. Hope it gets better someday for you in SAQ land. Cheers 🥃
As a non-canadian, I find it hard to understand how your state system work, almost sounds like you live in different countries. Aren’t you allowed to go to another state to buy whisky?
@@johnny1873 some provinces have some flexibility but Ontario and Quebec, among others, are prohibited by law from purchasing through other than the state-owned stores. They have a monopoly on liquor purchases
@Johnny Dram man basically covered it. Each province, under Canada's seperation of powers between the Provinces and the Federal government, controls how alcohol is imported into that province and how it is taxed. Some are more strict than others, Alberta having the lowest tax and the least impediments. If you can ship to your province great, but some are illegal to ship to. And for me to drive to the next province would take 10.5 hours, it's a big country haha.
Hello, I live in Red Deer and purchase most of my Scotch ftom Wine & Beyond in Red Deer and from Kensington Wine Market in Calgary. I quick question, why do anomalies exist such as whisky prices a that are the same in both BC and Alberta markets? With our lower taxes, the only way would be for these whiskies to be entering BC at a lower cost. How would this happen? 🤔
Hey Dave! Thanks for watching and sorry about my delay in getting back to you. A retailer may know better than I how this happens, however I suspect a it has to do with buying power. Alberta's prices generally are lower due to their highly competitive privatized liquor sales system, low duties and taxes on alcohol. Alberta is by far the cheapest place in Canada to import. Where Government monopolies like in B.C., Ontario or Quebec have an advantage is when dealing with larger companies like Diageo or Edrington. They are larger individual accounts, and as larger buyers can negotiate more favourable prices. This isn't usually passed on to the consumer. What I have heard from Alberta retailers though is that organization's like the LCBO negotiate or demand the "best" price in Canada. As a result the price in Alberta gets artificially inflated for products like Highland Park, Macallan or Lagavulin, ect. That's why we see the prices so similar for Highland park 12 across the country but something like GlenAllachie 12 is twice as much in B.C. than in Alberta. Another pricing policy I'm aware of is more positive. G&M and Benromach, at least in Canada, decided to keep their retail prices in line with the retail prices of their products in the U.K. That meant when the rebranding occurred in B.C. Benromach 10 year dropped in price by about $40. The price of Benromach 10 is fairly similar between B.C. and Alberta, even with the benefits the Alberta market affords. But again, I'm no expert in this particular topic. Hope this helped answer your question a little bit. Cheers Dave 🥃
Hi, If you can get the Craigellachie 13 for $49 stock up, its not going to stay at that price for much longer. Build your stash whilst you can, good luck.
Thanks for the head up! It did seem to be a weird discrepancy. I'll probably order two next time I have an order to place. Worth stocking up on at that price. Cheers 🥃
Ah good timing and nice list given the pricing environment we are in. I like your list including the best bang for a buck in Craigellachie 13. I have tried all of these, Deanston Virgin Oak, Ardbeg Weebeastie 5, Loch Lomond 10, Benromach 10, Arran 10, Glenallachie 12, Ledaig 10, Glengarioch 12, Bunna 12, Edradour 10, CBox Orchard House, and on the low end of abv, Arran Barrel Reserve, Bushmills Black Bush. You can still find good value and won't have to break the bank to enjoy quality drams.
Thanks for chiming in Rohit! That's exactly why I wanted to do it, because I even find myself complaining about prices so often and I need to remember that quality can still be had at a relatively affordable rate. I like your addition of Orchard House. It was hard to leave that one off this time. Bushmills Black Bush was one of my first whisky loves. Cheers 🥃
You need to try some other products. In rum plantation oftd, r l Searle 12 and doorlys 14. In bourbon four roses single barrel and wild turkey rare breed. In mexican spirits tequila and mezcal are great bargains.
You are not wrong Andrew. Thanks for the suggestions. I've been exploring Cognac and Armagnac more and more and really have enjoyed those brackets. I have owned a couple Mezcal but they all cost $50 plus and It's tough to afford to explore into every bracket of spirits. I would like to dabble in some high ester Jamaican Rum but again money has been going to Scotch mainly. Sticking to whisky, I intend to cover more Bourbon and Canadian but most of the nicer stuff Bourbon wise is impossible to get. Never seen a Four Roses Single Barrel for sale. I'd purchase an EJBP if I could. We have decent supply of Rare Breed and Eagle Rare so those are some go to bottle's for Bourbon. On Mezcal I am intrigued that we did recently get a new, reasonably priced option from Del Maguey. Any familiarity with them? It is a Las Milpas Single Village bottling for roughly $100 CAD. Cheers 🥃
@@whiskyonthewestcoast I have tried the Chichicapa village and it is good but about £75. I found a more budget version for about half that price.called qqrq mezcal. It is artesanal mezcal from espadin. Hope this information is helpful thanks Andrew
Getting around to this video a bit late, but some of your choices are either hard to find or have inflated in price over the past year, so in the summer of 2024 these are my Top Ten Budget Scotch under $60 in the USA... 10. Loch Lomond 12 ($35) 9. Scarabus ($35) 8. Glencadam 10 ($40) 7. Benromach 10 ($40) 6. Compass Box Orchard House ($40) 4. Bunnahabhain Stiuireadair ($45) 3. Laphroaig 10 ($50) 3. Craigellchie 13 ($50) 2. Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 ($55) 1. Ardbeg Ten ($55)
Man, I always heard stories of dusty bottles of Springbank being found in Austin, made me think Texas had decent selection. I guess that may have been the case in the past. I do know Texas is a huge place so the selection in Austin wouldn't necessarily be indicative of selection elsewhere too. Hope these start to show up near you soon! Cheers 🥃
Yo Matt, Don't know how to get a hold of you other than through comments on vids, but wanted to give you (and the WOTW tribe) a heads up the Strath in Victoria, BC have just put their now annual single cask Benromach bottling on preorder! It's 20 percent off in the preorder phase too, at just under $150cad. Only 306 bottles total of this offering and all at the Strath, to celebrate their 20 years of operation. Def going to want to snag a bottle of this CS badger!
James you're coming up big with that news! Thanks for the heads up, I've been waiting for this bottle to come out. With 20% off now is definitely the time to grab it. And cask strength sherried Benromach is about as much of a no brainer there is. Getting mine ordered this afternoon. Thanks again man!
Sound like another Stellar bottling of Benromach and a nice way for Brett to celebrate the promotion! Also, if you ever need to contact me, I post a contact email address in the video description. This way also works too though!
I live in Norway and drove to Sweden today for cheap shopping. There I bought two different bottles of Islay single malt "Mystery malt". Corrected: One was an Ileach 40% ABV , probably containing Laphroaigh by the taste. Corrected: The other was Finlaggan 50% ABV, probably Lagavullin, perhaps Caol Ila. With high prices people should learn more about single malt "Mystery Malt". Bargain quality 😎 (In the original post I came to switch the two. Corrected now.)
Finlaggan fan here in slovakia. Try Eilean mor. Finlaggan is definitely Caol Ila, it doesn’t have Laphroaig medicinal taste. If you are into peated (as me), Connemara irish whiskey is great for the price. Beware, not 12 year old, that’s garbage. Also, Loch Lomond single grain peated (green label) is good from what I heard. In more expensive category, there is definitely Ledaig 10 at the top of my list. Bought few bottles before prices went up. Laphroaig quarter cask and Ardbeg 5 Wee Beastie are still great for reasonable price. But obviously, in nordic highly taxed countries your view might be different
@@ZhuJo99 Sorry, I had tested a few glasses, so I mixed up the names. I also tasted an even cheaper Tomintoul Speyside Glenlivet peated single malt (€27.26) 😎 Should have beed Laphroaigh in Ileach and not the opposite. Several Loch Lomond are also available cheap in Sweden. Connemara I've tasted in Dublin. My kind of whisky 😎
@av chimay I'm glad you've got access to the Swedish market to help find some value bottlings! "Secret Islay" bottlings are some of my favourite value buys. Finlaggan is a great source of young Caol Ila. I've been fond of the Port Askaig 100 proof(57.1%) for a while now as well. I'm also keen on the Mac-Talla Mara(Cask Strength) and the Strata(15 year old Islay). You're on the right track with the "mystery malt" in paticular the Secret Islay's. Cheers 🥃
@Jozo99 Great addition's! So much good whisky listed in these comments! Why would we be eager to overpay for marked up marketing bottlings at this point? Cheers 🥃
Alberta has an entirely privatized liquor scheme. Free market and low taxation have allowed the best selection and prices on whisky in Canada(typically) to be found in Alberta. If you watch places like Craft Cellars they often do deep discounts on bottles like Craigellachie 13 for $45-$50. They also do 15-20% as do other Alberta stores. I Couldn't afford half of what I review in B.C. Hope this helps clear it up.
Kilkerran 12yo is such a gem at MSRP. Glad you're able to get it at a great price in New Zealand. People have really caught on to it in my parts but you can still find it around $100CAD from time to time. Cheers 🥃
Alberta is awesome... Ontario pricing is often 15-25% higher... plus you all have "sales"... My Aunt grabbed me a Talisker 10 for $72 after sale price and points. That's $150 at the LCBO 🤬
Feel bad for those who have to suffer the HelLCBO, terrible selection, poor prices. And yeah, Talisker 10 Year is nearly dead to me. I saw it here in Chilliwack, British Columbia for $130 + 15% tax = $149.50. Pardon? No thanks. Thanks for checking out the video! Cheers 🥃
Yeah, sadly they stopped shipping to B.C. and Alberta just after this video was posted a few months ago. Still available at some private stores and 3 Government stores in B.C. though the good price was in Alberta. Not so long ago(last year) it was $56. Uggh. Sorry 😞 We have Bunnahabhain 18 on a couple shelves too but over $200.
@@whiskyonthewestcoastIt got hyped and is now jacked to 100 CAD both in States and Canada. What is your favorite value for money 18 yr old single malt.
@xfghsthsh ooof, 18 year is tough in B.C. where Highland Park 18 will run $400 after tax and Mac 18 well over $800. If I was buying out of Alberta, Loch Lomond 18 was $100, it's gone up a bit but still good. Bowmore 18 is $120 and as much as I hate it being 43%, coloured, all that that's still a decent price. If it has to be from B.C. Glen Garioch The Renaissance chapter 4 is 18 years old and weirdly about $130 here. In Alberta I've seen it as high as $230.
Aww dang, I'm sorry to hear that they don't align much price wise. Here's hoping you at least have cheaper prices on Australian whisky 😂 Hope it gets better. Cheers JimmyJazz 🥃
Unfortunately 3 Ships isn't distributed(as far as I know) in B.C., Alberta or anywhere I've traveled recently. But, I trust Distell enough thanks to what they've given us from Bunnhabhain, Tobermory and Deanston that I'm sure they did a good job with 3 Ships too. Cheers 🥃
No such thing as an affordable whisky here in Ontario or Canada in general. Way overtaxed here... Tired of the crappy Canadian Dollar under Tardhole and the Globalists.
The prices in Ontario and B.C. are particularly brutal most of the time, I tend to agree, but there are some values to be found, at least for now. Cheers 🥃
Ontario I would agree. But since I moved to Alberta, prices are much more agreeable, and affordable. Craigellachie 13 is almost always on sale near me at $52, all in. Just picked up WT Rare Breed for $60 all in. I would argue these are affordable prices, no matter where ya are.
Hey Franks, thanks for your feedback. Sorry you didn't find this video helpful. If you were looking for a detailed review video I could see how this one wouldn't fit that need. This video was about moving quickly through a list focusing on affordability, hence a focus on prices and specs as they relate to quality. I tried to give more general tasting notes for most of the bottles as well but this is difficult as you really only get 45 seconds to a minute for each whisky. It's tough to fit 12 whiskies into 15 minutes, let alone give full reviews in that time. I do have full length reviews of 5 of the 12 mentioned in this video if you do genuinely want reviews of them. These are traditional detailed reviews with scores out of 100. They can be found I'm my reviews playlist(26 reviews so far and counting) but some are sample reviews and are found in the first Impression session Playlist where I indicate whether or not I would seek out and buy a bottle. Hope this helps. Cheers 🥃
Thanks John, that's good to note! I'm just glad that the Bunnhabhain 12 is back in stock for the first time in 6 months near me. Still, good to know the Stiuireadair is there if it disappears again. Cheers John! 🥃
Glad you're enjoying the Ardnamurchan AD! I love my bottle of Ardnamurchan AD/01.21:01. I paid $80CAD on sale which is a good value. Usually runs around $100CAD as far as my market goes. I hope they stick to the plan to keeping the AD roughly the same price even as the stock ages. Cheers 🥃
Good list. Old Pultney 12 at Asda in the UK for £25 is a great buy, Arran Quarter Cask at £50 for me is a good buy and Thompson Bros are keeping prices affordable.
Thanks Sandy! OP12 is a good addition to the list. Arran Quarter Cask is an even better recommendation and can be had on sale occasionally around me for $68CAD(£40!). In fact, I think I need a a bottle of that soon. Thanks for the idea, hope you're doing well! Cheers 🥃
Canuck in Australia 🇦🇺. Moved here 40 years ago &love everything about the country except the whiskey prices which are double Canada. The alcohol tax Nazies think we drink to much here! Therefore am changing my purchase habits from the likes of Octomore to Deanston 12, Craigellachie 13, Glenadam 10 & 13 & Port Charlotte 10.
Was a commercial salmon fisherman on the West Coast in the 70’s operating out of Rivers Inlet & Port Hardy. Great time. Love your videos mate, keep up the great site!
Thanks for the comment Tony! I've heard the prices in Oz are a bit nuts! Glad you're still able to get quality pours like Port Charlotte 10 and Craigellachie 13. Kinda jealous you got to fish RI and PH in the 1970's. The runs must have been incredible back then compared to now. I know he was a sportsmen and not a commercial fisherman, but I love reading the books written by Roderick Haig-Brown about fishing in B.C. They always inspire me to hit the river again for some Coho and Steelhead. Cheers 🥃
As you know, Matthew, there are few bargain whiskies down here in Puget Sound. However, thanks to pressure from Costco prices, Total Wine has recently dropped Laphroaig 10 to $50. For our market getting the Classic Laddie at $60 and Craigellachie 13 at $64 are relative bargains as well. BUT my best bargain last year was, funny enough, right in your neighborhood! The Duty Free in Abbotsford had 1 litre bottles of Laphroaig Quarter Cask for $59CDN until I cleaned them out over the course of our many trips to BC last year. I think I brought home 6 bottles. Only one left in the cupboard now though....hey, it's not my fault it's a great backpacking whisky. Thanks for all the videos!
Competition for the contents in your wallet is only a good thing. I really do adore that Classic Laddie. I know I already commented on your Barflies post but wow, that's a fantastic deal on a full litre of Quarter Cask. Yeah Laphroaig anything is perfect for backpacking and the outdoors. Thanks for watching Jerry! Cheers 🥃
I am exiled to Seattle. I was in Phoenix in early May and saw Laphroaig 10 at both Costco and Total Wine for...I shit you naught...$29.99. If I was driving, I would have bought a couple cases.
Well done Sir, power to the People on this May-Day weekend, we are lucky in the UK it is a small place & nearly all the shops have opted for a site to sell extra stock so competition helps
keep prices reasonable with big firms like Amazon being able to under cut the bottom Tier prices, so both build up repour with their customers & do a few offers on better brands. The secret is not to buy crap for a better price, it will still be relevant to use community for info over Business.
Thanks James! Hope the May-Day weekend and sales have been good to you! A healthy commerce eco-system is important and anytime it makes reasonable sense to buy from a small independent is a good thing. Keeps everyone honest and taken care of. And yeah, if you get crap for a great price you've still only got crap and lesser money! Buy quality seems to be the consensus. Cheers 🥃
In Toronto, these are at least 20% more expensive than the Alberta prices, and the selection is better at most gas stations across the border. Private whisky shops would solve the selection issue, but we have more liquor laws than liquor bottles in Ontario.
I really feel bad for you guys in Ontario woth the HELL-CBO. Hope it changes for you one day. Until then, look west! It's a bit maddening too with the LCBO having some of the best buying power in the world but it doesn't benefit you guys at all. To better days and good whisky. Cheers Merlin 🥃
Definetly Ledaig 10, Ardeg 5 Wee Beastie & Bunna 12- all bottles I’ve had: 100% belong on this list! Slainte 🥃
Most certainly. At the current prices, those all still feel like perma-shelf bottles. Cheers 🥃
Good choice, I've got them all on my shelf
Thanks! You must have a great whisky shelf then! Hope great prices like these become the norm once again. Cheers 🥃
Nice list! I would throw in Compass Box Orchard House. I’m in AB and it’s generally around $65 and it’s just such a good bottle. That would be my pick for value. Cheers!
Great choice, it's so good and a great value! It was one of the last cuts on the list, but I thought I'd give it's spot to someone else since it was just on the Spring list last week. Might have been a tiny bit unfair to the good ship Orchard House. Cheers Sheldon 🥃
@@whiskyonthewestcoast Yeah, I could see that for sure. Makes sense!
Thank you! I'm a beginner Scotch drinker (wine drinker) and you've helped me immensely!
Your welcome! And thanks for the feedback, I'm glad it helped! Cheers 🥃
Hello from Oban! I work here at Oban Distillery in the west highlands of Scotland. Our whiskies such as Oban 14 rarely cost over $100 but definitely cheaper here at the distillery 😉
Hey Mark! Thanks for checking out the video! I have some special memories of very reasonably priced Oban 14 year old while walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain. I think it was 45 Euro at that point in 2016. Love that bottle. Good news for you is that it is a great price in the U.K. Bad news is the price for me in my province is the equivalent of £100. Not the fault of those at the distillery though! Keep up the brilliant work! Cheers 🥃
This is the kind of video that I appreciate. I love Scotch but I'm retired on a fixed income and prices are killing me. I needed this list. Thanks.
Thanks Debby! Glad I could help with the list. Prices are out of hand and seemingly only getting worse, especially for those whose income isn't going higher. Hope you can find some of these local to you and at affordable prices. Cheers 🥃
Solid list -- good to see Glen Garioch getting some love! Good value Scotch whiskies in my market (Japan) are AnCnoc 12, Benromach 10, Arran 10 (until recently), Nikka from the Barrel, Ledaig 10 and Glencadam 10.
Thanks! Sounds like you have some great options in Japan for good value picks! That's encouraging to hear. Of those 7 bottles you mentioned, is there one that stands above the rest in your opinion? Cheers 🥃
A little discussed, affordable single malt that has been a go to for me is the Glenglassaugh Evolution. 50% ABV, Tennessee whiskey cask matured and can be had for under $45 US. I have a back up for my open bottle. A bit more expensive, recent find is the High Coast, Berg. Very tasty.
Hey, that's a familiar name :) Thanks for stopping in Whisky N Wine Trails. Glenglassaugh certainly is little discussed! I'm very intrigued by them as they do sort of seem like "that other" former Billy Walker owned distillery that Brown Forman owns. I'll have to take a shot on that Evolution at some point, though it's $100 here. Cheers 🥃
Evo is gooooood
In the San Francisco area, Benromach 10 & Compass Box Orchard House are a steal @ around $40. My last Deanston 12 was on special for $46. Any Arran is good value IMHO. I picked up an Islay Single Malt from Costco that’s surprisingly good for $35. It’s an Alexander Murray sourced malt (Caol ila?) at 50 abv.
Those are steals Tim! And they are both excellent whiskies. I've heard about that Kirkland Islay single malt as well. I've yet to try it but it sounds like a great utility peated whisky. Cheers 🥃
Pretty comprehensive list. Nice to see Glen Garioch get a mention that distillery deserves more love imo. I would throw in Glencadam 10, Classic Laddie and Ancnoc 12, which has a surprising amount of flavour for 40%. Cheers.
All great additions Lewis! I love the Laddie and I need to get reacquainted with Glencadam 10 again. Cheers 🥃
Called that Ancnoc 12 bang on right.
@@gareth630 If you can find the 18 at a reasonable $$ I'd recommend that as well. Give it time in the glass. Cheers!
Love your list, I would re-buy and enjoy any and all of these! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and encouraging quality without insane prices. Cheers!
Thanks for checking out the video Jon! I appreciate it coming from one of the real positive yet honest reviewers on Whiskytube. Enjoy sunny Vancouver man! Cheers 🥃
Recently new subscriber here from Wales in the UK. Great list here Matt. I've tried most of these and have to agree with you. Arran 10 is the top for me, especially considering price (at least in UK, around £38 as of Aug 23). Bargain!
Congratulations on your channel by the way Matt, and keep up the great whisky work.
Great to hear from you Paul! I always love hearing where people are watching from! That Arran 10 is becoming a modern day classic, glad it's just as affordable and available where you are. Thanks for the kind words! Cheers 🥃
SF, California: 1. Laphroaig 10y 37.99USD on sale, 2. Kirkland 12year single malt. Rest fairly overpriced. I usually buy when on vacation in Europe.
Wee Beastie is a definite win for a more full bodied Scotch!
Yeah, it's an underrated dram. The sherry influence on young Ardbeg is nice. Cheers 🥃
I can't argue with your list. It's a good one. I'd mention Glenfarclas 12. Its under $65 here.
Thanks for watching and for the recommendation. I do enjoy a Glenfarclas. Cheers 🥃
Great review Sir. You really know your Scotch. And your VFM.
Best wishes from the old town of Ayr (also on the West Coast !!) here in Scotland.
Thanks for the kind feedback Alan! Glad you enjoyed it! I happened to visit the West Coast of Scotland for the first time this year and loved it. Already dreaming of going back. From the West Coast of Canada to your West Coast of Scotland, cheers Alan 🥃
Interesting list. I don’t tend to buy official core releases these days so I’m a little inexperienced in terms of what they offer these days. Thankfully there are still sub £50 single cask, cask strength single malts to be had here in the U.K. I tend to focus on those whilst they remain available.
Thanks for the comment Mendip! You've got the right idea, I do the same.
I sometimes struggle with the OB/IB divide. More and more of what I buy is good value and interesting IB's. But those are so singular that they don't have the same broad appeal and relevance as the whiskies on this list. When my friends ask me what they should grab, It's often hard to tell them the G&M CC Glen Elgin 2008 Refill Sherry that costs less than most OB's because they aren't at that point of their journey...yet. Sounds like you're on a great path with those good value single casks. Hoping they last longer than you or I would assume. Cheers 🥃
Nice list. I enjoy most of your top 10. I agree about the CB Orchard House and would add the Glencadam 10 (@$40 US in my area).
Thanks! Those are both worthy additions to the list. I'm particularly fond of that Orchard House 😄 Now, how about an "Epic Dram?" Cheers friend 🥃
wow what a great video, glad i found your channel. looks like real quality content, i agree with all of your picks
Thanks for the kind comment Jakob! Glad you enjoyed the video and that you're in agreement with these picks. Some are just fantastic value. Cheers 🥃
I'm in Davao City, Philippines. Some great values here are the Deanston 12 ($56), Glenkinchie 12 ($42), Cragganmore 12 ($40), Bunnahabhain 12 ($52), Glenmorangie Lasanta ($55), Old Pultney 12 ($55), and the ultimate bargain Glenmorangie 10 ($35). This is all in U.S. dollars at current exchange rate.
Thanks for the comment! Happy to hear about the prices in the Philippines :) Those are some excellent prices on those bottles. Particularly the Bunnahabhain 12 as that one has had a large price increase in my area, followed by a complete loss of stock! I hope it always stays at $52 for you! Cheers 🥃
Great list, I can't disagree, they are all my regular go to whiskys except I haven't yet tried the Kilchoman Sanaig, but will soon
Thanks Euan! If you like sweet peat then I don't think you can go wrong with trying out that Sanaig. Cheers 🥃
Brilliant list Matt! Unfortunately most of the drams on your list are either expensive or don't exist in my market. The Loch Lomond 12 is 62 CAD in my market but the biggest bang for buck whisky here is Singleton 17 Cask Strength Special Release 2020 at 60 CAD!!! In UK it's sold for 211 CAD so yeah somehow they forgot to adjust the price of that dram and I'm just hoarding it 😃 Cheers my man 🥃
Thanks! Wow, Your market sounds tough! 1/10 is not a great batting average for my list haha. That said, you do get some things much cheaper including that Singleton 17 special release! That's got to be the best price on the planet for that bottle. Unreal price, definitely a bottle to stock up on like you've done. Cheers buddy 🥃
I was watching the video, and thinking about my number 1🤔 which is precisely that one.
😄 Craigellachie 13🥃🥃
😄 Great minds think alike? Love it when that happens. I'm hoping it's number 1 for a long time to come. Cheers 🥃
Lots of great whiskies on your list. I would add the Longrow Heavily Peated to the list and the Port Charlotte 10 yo. Both in the $80-ish range, and both delicious IMHO at least!
Thanks Gary! Can't go wrong with those two. I think I placed Longrow Heavily Peated #2 on my Top 10 affordable heavily peated list. It's simply a pleasure. And that PC10 just keeps getting better as we go. Cheers 🥃
I heard some Canadian folks complain about their tax uptick recently but in my market (South Korea) theirs sounds way more reasonable than here. Almost none of them listed are under 75CAD except for Deanston Virgin Oak and maybe Benromach 10 depending on the shop. Most of them are over 100CAD (75-80USD) here and Arran Sherry is around 180CAD the cheapest. Our alcohol taxes are horrible! But thumps up for a good list!!
And how much is Talisker 10 in Canada? It has a mysterious good value in Korea (around 80-90CAD), despite being a Diageo product.
Hi Juntae! Thanks for checking out the video. Ouch, sounds like you have it rough for pricing in South Korea.
In regards to Canada, alcohol prices and taxes are set by each individual province. In many the government has a monopoly on sales and so sets whatever price they want with no competition. Some are worse than others. My province(British Columbia) is hit or miss on prices. For instance, that Deanston Virgin Oak would cost me $63.25CAD after tax, but the Talisker 10 year you asked about would cost me $138CAD. Alberta is the best place to buy whisky from in Canada and if you can ship from there the prices are ok, but in some provinces it is illegal to ship whisky from out of province. As I mentioned, I can get the Arran Sherry for $69CAD from Alberta, but in B.C. it will cost me $150CAD. Hope prices become more reasonable for you in South Korea in the future. Cheers 🥃
@@whiskyonthewestcoast Yeah right I lived in Toronto for a year like a decade ago so I remember their LCBOs! I think we’re equally in tricky places to be a whisky drinker. Most of the 10-12yo entry bottles are in that 100-150CAD bracket in my market, and sadly when we want to get bottles shipped from more reasonable markets like Europe we gotta pay around 90-150% import taxes, so when I buy a $60 bottle from Master of Malt, it becomes $60 bottle, $30 shipping, and $80 taxes, so it ends up being close to 200USD! Sorry for too much ranting but this is indeed frustrating, because even our neighboring countries’ prices like Japan or Taiwan are less than half for most bottles. Maybe you share the same sentiment towards the prices in the US!
It all sounds like it feels extremely similar to what we experience. It might even be a bit worse for you from that description. Cool that you lived in Toronto for a while, sorry you had to become familiar with the infamous LCBO haha!
I must say I enjoyed this video maybe we have similar
Tastes ❤ , keep up the good work, more islay please 😂😂
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video. I should have some Islay content coming in the following weeks. Cheers 🥃
Just found the most recent Campbeltown Loch - 46%, non chill-filtered, natural color. A blend of the malts (no grain whisky) from Campbeltown in a Springbank bottle. 40 Euros.
Yeah I just reviewed the Campbeltown Loch and loved it. The batch I tried was more KK Heavily Peated/Longrow dominated and delicious. Still tricky for me to source here but a worthy addition! Cheers 🥃
Great list. My market is in Sweden and the prices here are more fixed, ther's never any "on sale" prices...because of the state monopoly on selling alchol (for good and bad). We have simelar pricetags here but some of the whiskies on your list is more expensive here, and some are cheaper here. So i would say that if I bought all 10 bottles on your list, the total price would be approx the same as your price for those 10 bottles. Cheers!
Thanks Mats! Glad that everything would balance out in the end for you in Sweden. Years ago when I traveled briefly in Malmo and Stockholm I remember the grocery stores being very strict on what they could sell. I remember Guinness being a lower ABV% than usual off the shelf. I think it was 3.5%. I'm glad that it sounds like you have access to a good supply of whisky. Cheers🥃
Absolute bullseye value scotch list in the BC market Matt! Totally spot on 10/10 🎯 I would add the Glen Garioch Founder's Reserve (can still find a few bottles at $58cad) and Ardnamurchan AD 01 ($70CAD) and Deanston 12 😊
Thanks for the affirmation James! Those are good additions, I love my AD 01/21. I haven't tried that Founder's reserve yet but it's on the radar now. Cheers 🥃
Hey James. I was just chatting with Matt and indicated my intent to be heading out to lower mainland and the island in September. Let me know if you have some interest in connecting when I’m out there. Cheers.
@@Watchman999 Absolutely! Would be very much up for meeting up and enjoying a dram or two with you. Just let me know when you're going to be here and we'll arrange something for that 👍
Any stores I can hit up for Ardnamurchan near metro Vancouver? Always wanted to try!
@@ryujrme Sorry, don't know about Vancouver, but The Strath in Victoria has bottles and will ship 👍
It's really difficult for me: I don't tend to buy at retail or keep track of retail prices and those are quite different here in the U.K. anyway, plus I often go for 'arcane' choices, rather than mainstream. However, if I just pick the last 10 I got that seem to fit your criteria the list (not in any order) is: Tobermory 12, Kilchoman Sanaig, Glencadam Reserva Andalucía, Tullibardine Sovereign, Scarabus, Arran Robert Burns Single Malt, Glen Moray Elgin Classic, Laphroaig 10, Bunnahabhain Toiteach A Dhà and Tamnavulin Double Cask. Hope that's OK..
That's not just ok Andrew, that's excellent! That's exactly what I hoped for! There are some great value picks in that list you've purchased. I love Tobermory 12, Sanaig, Bunna Toiteach and recently tried Scarabus and would agree that it has its place on a shelf. I certainly need to check out more Glencadam, Tullibardine and Tamnavulin. Cheers 🥃
I’m from Ontario and prices have truly gone insane, with few deals left. Wee Beastie at 85$ Canadian is still good, and I prefer it to the 10 yr old, more complex with the fruit notes totally lacking in the 10…. Glengoyne 10 is fantastic, and Black Bottle has been outstanding lately and bottle bottom shelf prices, if they change it I’ll stop buying it, cheers🥂. Quebec, BC and Alberta are much better provinces for Scotch.
Black Bottle can be a sneaky good value buy to help stretch your dollars, eh? Sorry you guys have it so rough in Ontario with the HELL-CBO. Hope it gets better one day. Until then, I hope you get some good shipments from or visits to Quebec, Alberta and B.C. Cheers 🥃
That’s funny Hell-CBO never heard that one, good one!
I'm surprised the Classic Laddie didn't make an appearance. It's been great so far, and I paid about $65 US for it in the Midwest.
I paid $55 in Florida. I would put it on the list instead of Benromach.
@Andy King @DileepB Good call. It was the last cut on the honourable mentions. I used to be able to get it for about $70CAD. Recently has gone up to around $90CAD+ tax in most Canadian markets. That could just be us or it could be a price bump you also see soon. Enjoy the Laddie at that price while it lasts, It's a gooder. Cheers 🥃
Redbreast is one of my all time favorites.
RB12 is great value for money as is the 12 Cask Strength. Awesome pick! Cheers 🥃
Really hard to argue against Craigellachie 13 taking the number one spot. When Ledaig 10 inevitably crosses the CAD $100 threshold, Compass Box Peat Monster for just under $70 is a worthy substitute in my opinion. I'd also add Benromach Contrasts: Peat Smoke Sherry (46%) to my list. One of my all time favourites, period. I can get it for $85 taxes in, which is a damn steal for what you're getting
That Benromach is an absolute steal! I'd argue that for all of their lineup outside of the 15 and 21(not bad, just priced fairly). And yeah, Peat Monster. I loved the brown label version that was heavy on the Laphroaig and Ardmore. I need to try one of the more recent bottles but it's always served me well too. Great additions to the list! Cheers 🥃
Great list and presentation!
Thanks John! Cheers buddy 🥃
Love the blended whiskies... great for boilin' me tatties
Great for oiling up the old joints too 😆 Thanks for watching 🥃
Not sure if you can get it but try a bottle of, The Dalmore 12. One of my favorites.
Thanks for watching and for the suggestion Steven! Cheers 🥃
Enjoyed your video!
Thanks for watching Richard! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Cheers 🥃
Nice list! Love all of them 🍻
Thanks for checking it out! Cheers 🥃
Great list
Matthew! Unfortunately,Arran is not available in Ohio!
Thanks Rick! Sorry to hear Arran isn't available in Ohio...yet. With them opening up their 2nd distillery(Lagg) on the south of the Island you would think that they have to be targeting expanding distribution and getting into more markets in the future. Here's hoping! Cheers 🥃
Great info
Thanks Major! Cheers 🥃
I live in ohio which is a controlled state. Lot of things we never see I have to travel to neighboring states to find. But there’s a couple real values when they’re available. Like Laphroaig Cask Strength for 55usd, Lagavulin Offerman Editions for 75usd, Weller Red Label for 50usd. Some great deals but it’s still frustrating some of the things we never see in my area. Arran, Springbank, Ledaig, Longrow, you won’t find in Ohio. Bruichladdich and Compass Box are also non existent except for a few core range basics. Sad 😢
I've heard a lot of sad stories about selection and availability in control states. Only positives I've heard is fair access to lotteries, reasonable pricing on some core ranges and a lack of secondary style price gouging. Your price on Laphroaig 10 CS is ridiculously good. Still your available options is not enviable. They need someone like you directing their ordering as Ledaig, Springbank, Bruichladdich and Compass Box are all things I'd imagine would sell for them. Hope it improves soon. Cheers 🥃
Good list Matt! The problem in my market - Quebec - is that despite having massive governmental purchasing power, the selection and prices are both pretty dismal. Almost have to set the bar at close to $100.00 to have a reasonable top 10 list. 😢
Thanks Dram Man! The SAQ is rough pricing wise, sorry the don't use that purchasing power for more good. The only bright spot is that you get Kilkerrran and Springbank release at reasonable prices(as well as Cantillon if you like beer). We don't have those bottles imported by our governement anymore. B.C. Liquor store is likewise pretty bad for prices. Alberta really is the only answer for us it seems, and lucky for me, I'm next door. Hope it gets better someday for you in SAQ land. Cheers 🥃
As a non-canadian, I find it hard to understand how your state system work, almost sounds like you live in different countries. Aren’t you allowed to go to another state to buy whisky?
@@johnny1873 some provinces have some flexibility but Ontario and Quebec, among others, are prohibited by law from purchasing through other than the state-owned stores. They have a monopoly on liquor purchases
@Johnny Dram man basically covered it. Each province, under Canada's seperation of powers between the Provinces and the Federal government, controls how alcohol is imported into that province and how it is taxed. Some are more strict than others, Alberta having the lowest tax and the least impediments. If you can ship to your province great, but some are illegal to ship to. And for me to drive to the next province would take 10.5 hours, it's a big country haha.
Can pick up a 1-litre bottle of Glenfarclas 105 for £69 now and again on Amazon uk
That's a great price for a classic Glenfarclas. That whisky changed the industry. Great pickup up from amazon. Cheers 🥃
Hello, I live in Red Deer and purchase most of my Scotch ftom Wine & Beyond in Red Deer and from Kensington Wine Market in Calgary. I quick question, why do anomalies exist such as whisky prices a that are the same in both BC and Alberta markets? With our lower taxes, the only way would be for these whiskies to be entering BC at a lower cost. How would this happen? 🤔
Hey Dave! Thanks for watching and sorry about my delay in getting back to you. A retailer may know better than I how this happens, however I suspect a it has to do with buying power. Alberta's prices generally are lower due to their highly competitive privatized liquor sales system, low duties and taxes on alcohol. Alberta is by far the cheapest place in Canada to import. Where Government monopolies like in B.C., Ontario or Quebec have an advantage is when dealing with larger companies like Diageo or Edrington. They are larger individual accounts, and as larger buyers can negotiate more favourable prices. This isn't usually passed on to the consumer. What I have heard from Alberta retailers though is that organization's like the LCBO negotiate or demand the "best" price in Canada. As a result the price in Alberta gets artificially inflated for products like Highland Park, Macallan or Lagavulin, ect. That's why we see the prices so similar for Highland park 12 across the country but something like GlenAllachie 12 is twice as much in B.C. than in Alberta. Another pricing policy I'm aware of is more positive. G&M and Benromach, at least in Canada, decided to keep their retail prices in line with the retail prices of their products in the U.K. That meant when the rebranding occurred in B.C. Benromach 10 year dropped in price by about $40. The price of Benromach 10 is fairly similar between B.C. and Alberta, even with the benefits the Alberta market affords. But again, I'm no expert in this particular topic. Hope this helped answer your question a little bit. Cheers Dave 🥃
Hi, If you can get the Craigellachie 13 for $49 stock up, its not going to stay at that price for much longer. Build your stash whilst you can, good luck.
Thanks for the head up! It did seem to be a weird discrepancy. I'll probably order two next time I have an order to place. Worth stocking up on at that price. Cheers 🥃
Ah good timing and nice list given the pricing environment we are in. I like your list including the best bang for a buck in Craigellachie 13. I have tried all of these, Deanston Virgin Oak, Ardbeg Weebeastie 5, Loch Lomond 10, Benromach 10, Arran 10, Glenallachie 12, Ledaig 10, Glengarioch 12, Bunna 12, Edradour 10, CBox Orchard House, and on the low end of abv, Arran Barrel Reserve, Bushmills Black Bush. You can still find good value and won't have to break the bank to enjoy quality drams.
Thanks for chiming in Rohit! That's exactly why I wanted to do it, because I even find myself complaining about prices so often and I need to remember that quality can still be had at a relatively affordable rate. I like your addition of Orchard House. It was hard to leave that one off this time. Bushmills Black Bush was one of my first whisky loves. Cheers 🥃
You need to try some other products. In rum plantation oftd, r l Searle 12 and doorlys 14. In bourbon four roses single barrel and wild turkey rare breed. In mexican spirits tequila and mezcal are great bargains.
You are not wrong Andrew. Thanks for the suggestions. I've been exploring Cognac and Armagnac more and more and really have enjoyed those brackets. I have owned a couple Mezcal but they all cost $50 plus and It's tough to afford to explore into every bracket of spirits. I would like to dabble in some high ester Jamaican Rum but again money has been going to Scotch mainly. Sticking to whisky, I intend to cover more Bourbon and Canadian but most of the nicer stuff Bourbon wise is impossible to get. Never seen a Four Roses Single Barrel for sale. I'd purchase an EJBP if I could. We have decent supply of Rare Breed and Eagle Rare so those are some go to bottle's for Bourbon. On Mezcal I am intrigued that we did recently get a new, reasonably priced option from Del Maguey. Any familiarity with them? It is a Las Milpas Single Village bottling for roughly $100 CAD. Cheers 🥃
@@whiskyonthewestcoast I have tried the Chichicapa village and it is good but about £75. I found a more budget version for about half that price.called qqrq mezcal. It is artesanal mezcal from espadin. Hope this information is helpful thanks Andrew
@@andrewmainprice2179 Definitely helpful, Thanks for this!
Nice list
That's the nicest thing a warlord has ever said to me, pizza or no pizza 😄 Cheers 🥃
😂@@whiskyonthewestcoast
Canadian prices are so high... Bunna12 is $30 here in Taiwan.
Unreal price, wow! I would stock Bunna 12 by the case at that price. Definitely envious of the prices in Taiwan now! Cheers eh🥃
Getting around to this video a bit late, but some of your choices are either hard to find or have inflated in price over the past year, so in the summer of 2024 these are my Top Ten Budget Scotch under $60 in the USA...
10. Loch Lomond 12 ($35)
9. Scarabus ($35)
8. Glencadam 10 ($40)
7. Benromach 10 ($40)
6. Compass Box Orchard House ($40)
4. Bunnahabhain Stiuireadair ($45)
3. Laphroaig 10 ($50)
3. Craigellchie 13 ($50)
2. Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 ($55)
1. Ardbeg Ten ($55)
They are no obtanium in northeast Texas. I can get Ardbeg.
Man, I always heard stories of dusty bottles of Springbank being found in Austin, made me think Texas had decent selection. I guess that may have been the case in the past. I do know Texas is a huge place so the selection in Austin wouldn't necessarily be indicative of selection elsewhere too. Hope these start to show up near you soon! Cheers 🥃
Yo Matt, Don't know how to get a hold of you other than through comments on vids, but wanted to give you (and the WOTW tribe) a heads up the Strath in Victoria, BC have just put their now annual single cask Benromach bottling on preorder! It's 20 percent off in the preorder phase too, at just under $150cad. Only 306 bottles total of this offering and all at the Strath, to celebrate their 20 years of operation. Def going to want to snag a bottle of this CS badger!
James you're coming up big with that news! Thanks for the heads up, I've been waiting for this bottle to come out. With 20% off now is definitely the time to grab it. And cask strength sherried Benromach is about as much of a no brainer there is. Getting mine ordered this afternoon. Thanks again man!
@@whiskyonthewestcoast My pleasure buddy. I bought two and can't wait to try it! 👍
@@whiskyonthewestcoast Here's the review from Adam and Brett at the Strath to whet the appetite 🤤 czcams.com/video/pivkzVoHmB4/video.html
Sound like another Stellar bottling of Benromach and a nice way for Brett to celebrate the promotion! Also, if you ever need to contact me, I post a contact email address in the video description. This way also works too though!
@@whiskyonthewestcoast Ah, gotcha. Thanks Matt 👍
I live in Norway and drove to Sweden today for cheap shopping.
There I bought two different bottles of Islay single malt "Mystery malt".
Corrected: One was an Ileach 40% ABV , probably containing Laphroaigh by the taste.
Corrected: The other was Finlaggan 50% ABV, probably Lagavullin, perhaps Caol Ila.
With high prices people should learn more about single malt "Mystery Malt".
Bargain quality 😎
(In the original post I came to switch the two. Corrected now.)
Finlaggan fan here in slovakia. Try Eilean mor. Finlaggan is definitely Caol Ila, it doesn’t have Laphroaig medicinal taste.
If you are into peated (as me), Connemara irish whiskey is great for the price. Beware, not 12 year old, that’s garbage.
Also, Loch Lomond single grain peated (green label) is good from what I heard.
In more expensive category, there is definitely Ledaig 10 at the top of my list. Bought few bottles before prices went up.
Laphroaig quarter cask and Ardbeg 5 Wee Beastie are still great for reasonable price.
But obviously, in nordic highly taxed countries your view might be different
@@ZhuJo99 Sorry, I had tested a few glasses, so I mixed up the names. I also tasted an even cheaper Tomintoul Speyside Glenlivet peated single malt (€27.26) 😎
Should have beed Laphroaigh in Ileach and not the opposite. Several Loch Lomond are also available cheap in Sweden. Connemara I've tasted in Dublin. My kind of whisky 😎
@av chimay I'm glad you've got access to the Swedish market to help find some value bottlings! "Secret Islay" bottlings are some of my favourite value buys. Finlaggan is a great source of young Caol Ila. I've been fond of the Port Askaig 100 proof(57.1%) for a while now as well. I'm also keen on the Mac-Talla Mara(Cask Strength) and the Strata(15 year old Islay). You're on the right track with the "mystery malt" in paticular the Secret Islay's. Cheers 🥃
@Jozo99 Great addition's! So much good whisky listed in these comments! Why would we be eager to overpay for marked up marketing bottlings at this point? Cheers 🥃
Who do you use in Alberta to buy from. I like the idea of the craigellachie 13 yr for about 50 dollars
Alberta has an entirely privatized liquor scheme. Free market and low taxation have allowed the best selection and prices on whisky in Canada(typically) to be found in Alberta. If you watch places like Craft Cellars they often do deep discounts on bottles like Craigellachie 13 for $45-$50. They also do 15-20% as do other Alberta stores. I Couldn't afford half of what I review in B.C. Hope this helps clear it up.
For me at retail here in New Zealand: Kilkerran 12yo
Kilkerran 12yo is such a gem at MSRP. Glad you're able to get it at a great price in New Zealand. People have really caught on to it in my parts but you can still find it around $100CAD from time to time. Cheers 🥃
Craigellachie 13 Year Old is £55 UK stirling or $94 Canadian in the UK so buy buy buy in Canada
That is a stark price difference Anthony! Yeah, I think I'll go buy a back up now. Thanks for the heads up. Cheers 🥃
Alberta is awesome... Ontario pricing is often 15-25% higher... plus you all have "sales"...
My Aunt grabbed me a Talisker 10 for $72 after sale price and points. That's $150 at the LCBO 🤬
Feel bad for those who have to suffer the HelLCBO, terrible selection, poor prices. And yeah, Talisker 10 Year is nearly dead to me. I saw it here in Chilliwack, British Columbia for $130 + 15% tax = $149.50. Pardon? No thanks. Thanks for checking out the video! Cheers 🥃
No bottles in CalgRy as July….bunnA
No bottles of Bunna 12 left!? That's a shame and a big change! Dang, hopefully more comes soon. Cheers 🥃
Great list except for Benromach.
Thanks Dileep, I appreciate the comment, as always! I would have put money on your disapproval of Benromach! :) Cheers 🥃
Bunna 12 is not found in BC
Yeah, sadly they stopped shipping to B.C. and Alberta just after this video was posted a few months ago. Still available at some private stores and 3 Government stores in B.C. though the good price was in Alberta. Not so long ago(last year) it was $56. Uggh. Sorry 😞 We have Bunnahabhain 18 on a couple shelves too but over $200.
@@whiskyonthewestcoastIt got hyped and is now jacked to 100 CAD both in States and Canada.
What is your favorite value for money 18 yr old single malt.
@xfghsthsh ooof, 18 year is tough in B.C. where Highland Park 18 will run $400 after tax and Mac 18 well over $800. If I was buying out of Alberta, Loch Lomond 18 was $100, it's gone up a bit but still good. Bowmore 18 is $120 and as much as I hate it being 43%, coloured, all that that's still a decent price. If it has to be from B.C. Glen Garioch The Renaissance chapter 4 is 18 years old and weirdly about $130 here. In Alberta I've seen it as high as $230.
I wish these were cheaper in Aus 😂
Aww dang, I'm sorry to hear that they don't align much price wise. Here's hoping you at least have cheaper prices on Australian whisky 😂 Hope it gets better. Cheers JimmyJazz 🥃
3 Ships?
Unfortunately 3 Ships isn't distributed(as far as I know) in B.C., Alberta or anywhere I've traveled recently. But, I trust Distell enough thanks to what they've given us from Bunnhabhain, Tobermory and Deanston that I'm sure they did a good job with 3 Ships too. Cheers 🥃
Where's Shelly?
They're taking the Hobbit's to Isengard!
No such thing as an affordable whisky here in Ontario or Canada in general. Way overtaxed here... Tired of the crappy Canadian Dollar under Tardhole and the Globalists.
The prices in Ontario and B.C. are particularly brutal most of the time, I tend to agree, but there are some values to be found, at least for now. Cheers 🥃
Ontario I would agree. But since I moved to Alberta, prices are much more agreeable, and affordable. Craigellachie 13 is almost always on sale near me at $52, all in. Just picked up WT Rare Breed for $60 all in. I would argue these are affordable prices, no matter where ya are.
There out of hands because fools are paying for it
You're not wrong that if people stop buying them they'll eventually go down in price. Cheers Don 🥃
No detailed reviews just price and he likes it. Not very helpful video
Hey Franks, thanks for your feedback. Sorry you didn't find this video helpful. If you were looking for a detailed review video I could see how this one wouldn't fit that need.
This video was about moving quickly through a list focusing on affordability, hence a focus on prices and specs as they relate to quality. I tried to give more general tasting notes for most of the bottles as well but this is difficult as you really only get 45 seconds to a minute for each whisky. It's tough to fit 12 whiskies into 15 minutes, let alone give full reviews in that time.
I do have full length reviews of 5 of the 12 mentioned in this video if you do genuinely want reviews of them. These are traditional detailed reviews with scores out of 100. They can be found I'm my reviews playlist(26 reviews so far and counting) but some are sample reviews and are found in the first Impression session Playlist where I indicate whether or not I would seek out and buy a bottle.
Hope this helps.
Cheers 🥃
The Stiuireadair has a completely different taste profile than the Bunnahabhain 12, it is good but a substitute for the 12.
Thanks John, that's good to note! I'm just glad that the Bunnhabhain 12 is back in stock for the first time in 6 months near me. Still, good to know the Stiuireadair is there if it disappears again. Cheers John! 🥃
Ardnamuchan AD 🧨
Glad you're enjoying the Ardnamurchan AD! I love my bottle of Ardnamurchan AD/01.21:01. I paid $80CAD on sale which is a good value. Usually runs around $100CAD as far as my market goes. I hope they stick to the plan to keeping the AD roughly the same price even as the stock ages. Cheers 🥃