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2026 Overpriced Whiskies on the Market Right Now (and What I'd Buy Instead)

The Whisky Pour

13,725 views

Some whiskeys are genuinely great. The problem is the price. In this video, I break down 5 bottles that I think have become overpriced or overhyped, and recommend better alternatives that deliver more value, flavor, and drinkability. From Japanese whisky legends like Yamazaki and Hibiki to Macallan 18 and Weller Special Reserve, this is about what’s actually worth buying right now.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro – Great Whiskey, Bad Prices
00:35 Yamazaki & Better Japanese Whisky Alternatives
03:25 Glenfiddich 21 vs Better Rum Cask Scotches
05:35 Hibiki 21 and the Luxury Whisky Problem
09:06 Weller Special Reserve & Macallan 18 Alternatives

#whiskey #scotch #bourbon #japanesewhisky #whiskyreview #macallan #yamazaki #hibiki #weller #glenfiddich #whiskeytube

20 Comments

@mickporter84 4 months ago

Weller Special Reserve is currently £26 in most large Tesco stores at the moment!

@oiuicxch 4 months ago

This topic should become a weekly series. Great job! Thank you! ❤

@Baloogified 4 months ago

Yes to Part III. This is a great series.

@devinphillips9704 4 months ago

Fortunately the Weller Special Reserve is becoming more readily available at MSRP, at least in the States. Moreso than the other Weller whiskies, to be sure. Although I did manage to score a bottle of the Antique 107 for regular retail a couple of weeks ago, so I was very happy about that. Also, your other alternative recommendations are SPOT-ON!

@bigow100 4 months ago

Спасибо! Хороший выпуск. Только в конце нужно было сказать, что за напиток вы держали в руке все 14 минут ролика 😊.

@chentim1751 4 months ago

Your topics are worthy of exporing!!

@dextercool 4 months ago

4:05 Rum cask finished deliciousness can also be found in Kilkerran 16 :)

@murosemsur3351 4 months ago

Thanks a lot for your efforts to make us aware of cheap and good things.

@kurtjohnson3840 4 months ago

Great review! Absolutely yes to Part III….

@gcheck-h7r 4 months ago

maker's mark cask strength never disappoints!

@ImDaBigKahuna 4 months ago

An overhyped bottle is the Willett 4 year purple top. Most of the reviews I've seen say it's just "meh" and it's priced at $75.

@joethebar1 4 months ago

I was gifted the Glenfiddich 18 small batch for Xmas a few years ago from my daughter. I couldn’t believe how much I hated it. I can’t imagine that 21 is much better than

@renplastina4808 4 months ago (edited)

Japanese whiskey is made with wonderful precision, but the prices for age stated bottles far exceed their quality

@calummccreath2345 4 months ago

The problem with cask strength Makers is it changes so differently from batch to batch! There’s no consistency with it.

@TheChianello 4 months ago

Have you reviewed Arbeg Ughadial?

@Burrloin 4 months ago

I would even take the Tamdhu 15 over the Damone 18.

@danchapman7958 4 months ago

In the UK Weller Special Reserve is currently listed at £26 on tesco website

@JR2K80 4 months ago

Yea Weller should be $35 not worth $65...This or Blantons, Buffalo Trace is a great sub. Larceny is a good one too!

@edfriday7709 4 months ago

I like Balvenie but have never loved the Caribbean Cask. Black Bull Rum Cask is a lovely blend by Duncan Taylor which I’d far prefer and often have a bottle of on my shelf.