RPSharman Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Hello, Need help selecting a bottle of Scotch as a gift. Price range around $100. I was going for McCallen 18-year-old, but wondered if there was something "different" I should consider, or should I just go for what I know is reliably good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProSound Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 750ml bottle of Johnny Walker Blue is about $150.00 IMHO the best Scotch there is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted March 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Blended? Hmmmm.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWilson Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Bowmore Isle, The GlenLivet, Glenmorangie make some nice ones aged in Sherry/Port/Wine casks, 17 or 21 year old Ballantines(it is a blend), Strathisla, Loch Lomond 21yr old, or a Glenfiddich. But thats just looking at my collection : ) The spoils of lots of overseas travel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Moore Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Try something different: Auchentoshan, Knockando, Highland Park, or my favorite: Usquaebach in the ceramic flagon (around $100). John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Lightstone, CAS Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Im assuming you are looking for Single Malt Scotch Whiskey? It's all a matter of taste and price. No offense but Johnny Walker Blue is considered over priced, but if that's what you like and can afford it, why not. Perhaps this might help: http://www.maltmadness.com/malt-whisky/best-whisky.html I'm a Laphroaig fan. The 18 year old is about $90 or so... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWilson Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Sounds like we need to organize a whisky tasting night! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Moore Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 I'll sign on for that... but I'll have to wait until I get resettled in Maryland! Sounds like we need to organize a whisky tasting night! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Lightstone, CAS Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 I think this will be a "virtual" tasting. Or via Skype? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg sextro Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Glenmorangie 18 year is pretty nice IMO. When selecting a single malt, you really can think along the lines of either a "honey" scotch (like the Glens) or a peaty scotch like the Laphroaig. I personally like the honeyed ones, but I know some serious scotch drinkers who prefer the peaty ones... -Greg- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Deutscher Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 I'm a fan of the peaty scotches myself. Like Laphroaig, Ardbeg is another excellent peaty scotch. Any of the Glen's are a nice choice. This thread is making me thirsty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted March 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Thanks for the link, Richard. I had found that, but thought it to be a bit long and confusing, so I came here. Long and confusing too. I do drink Scotch, and I hope to share a bit of this bottle with the recipient. I have not stepped beyond the basic 12-year-old single malt, waiting for that special moment I suppose. The Glenlivet is my go to, but I've had Glenmorangie and Glenfiddich and Glenrothes. The Glenrothes was very nice. I've had the Johnny Walker Green and Gold, and honestly don't find it that much better than the Black. This is why I think I am steering away from the blended varieties, but the packaging of the Usquaebach is unique. As this is a gift for someone else, I suppose that I am trying to offer something unique as opposed to an effortless $150 bottle of Scotch. But I don't want the taste to be sacrificed. All of your advice is well-taken. Thank you. Has anyone tried The McCallen Fine Oak varieties? Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephane Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 For some unique suggestions from an independent taster, you should check out Jim Murray's Whiskey Bible. It's a yearly awards book, but you can see a short bullet form of his top picks by category on his web site at: http://www.whiskybible.com/2011whiskybibleawards.htm Ifyou want something really different, there's a category for best Japanese whiskey, and even a suggestion for an Indian whiskey. Stephane ...and now for some duty free JW Black for myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted March 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 If you want something really different, there's a category for best Japanese whiskey, and even a suggestion for an Indian whiskey. Stephane ...and now for some duty free JW Black for myself I have had some Japanese whiskey, a gift from my boom operator a couple of movies ago. I was very nice and unique. That might be a way to go. Robert The two Scotch whiskeys which seem to make the top of ever list are Highland Park 18 and Laphroaig 15. Talisker is up there a lot too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suresh Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 I'd say, Laphroaig or Lagavulin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundtrane Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 I love Makers Mark, i know it is not scotch... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWilson Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Great topic! You won't go wrong with the McCallen Fine Oak varieties, they have a great smooth off axis, but do tend to increase the sibilance tolerance level after 3 or 4. Look out for the cheaper blended ones, they have severe handling issues in most environment's especially windy ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil D Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 another vote for the peaty varieties..Laphroig, Ardbeg or virtually any from Islay.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Tuffrey Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 [table][tr][td][img alt=Bruichladdich 12 year old Second Edition 70cl height=125 width=100]http://www.laddieshop.com/acatalog/12_2.jpg Ref: w312secondcorerw Our Second Edition of the 12 Year Old The unusually tall, narrow-necked stills produce a refined floral, and fruity spirit. Distilled Matured & Bottled at Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay. Non chill filtered and colouring free for a fuller flavour. Hand-crafted by Master Distiller Jim McEwan. Traditional - matured in bourbon casks. Flavours of warm vanilla, mellow oak and soft exotic fruits. Price: £36.50 (Including: VAT at 20%)[/td][/tr][/table] http://www.bruichladdich.com/ The Bruichladdich is worth a try. It is more distinctive than the Glenmorangie in that it is a bit warmer though still smooth of course. (Have one on shelf currently). The Glenmorangie is honeyish slightly and soft. 15 year old Glenfiddich is ok but over priced and not as good as the Bruichladdich in my opinion. (Had a bottle of each for my 40th.) Laphoig is popular but it is very peaty and antiseptic tasting which might be a bit much if you are not expecting it. Tobermory I like but is less distinctive than Bruichladdich. Then of course there are hundreds maybe of others. Johnny Walker.... not really. I like a Benadictine and then a Drambuie to get started with and then a tour of the single malts... It's becoming a bit of a habit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthias Richter Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 if you want something special try an Islay whisky. I would recommend a Laphroaig or Lagavulin in cask strength. It´s amazing how these heavy 58.3% don´t blow your nose but explode a rich flavour on your tongue. Cheers, Matthias Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bartek Baranowski Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 +1 for Laphroaig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Gilbert Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Any of the Islays will be a treat, Ardbeg, mentioned upthread is my favourite, it's available in several expressions, one of which will fit your price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted March 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 I love Makers Mark, i know it is not scotch... Me too! It's what I keep in the trailer for a little after work toast. But I think the solution here is to buy the highly recommended Laphroaig AND a MacCallen Fine Oak, then decide which one to give away and which one to drink myself. Thanks to all, Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy P Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 If you'd like to try something different check out Compass Box whiskys, for a high end "artisan, bespoke" whisky. http://www.compassboxwhisky.com/home.html They have some modern ideas, and are not popular with all traditional whisky manufacturers and fans. They've got names like "Peat Monster", "Spice Tree" and "Hedonism"... I had a great time a few years ago making a corporate film for them up in beautiful Speyside, There's an abundance of distilleries, and we were eating Scottish venison and drinking whisky cocktails made by one the best mixologists in the UK. Good combination! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Visser Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Oh yes, I do love Scotch, when I can afford it, which hasn't been for a couple of years now. I do keep a "cheap" bottle of Glenlivet around on occasion. The "Peachy" variety is probably a safer gift choice. I do prefer the "Peaty" type myself, but have had some tastes which don't agree with me, seems to ride a fine line of taste and discomfort depending on how that taste swerves over the threshold. On a different topic, any Single Malt Gin drinkers here? I had never heard of such a beast, until my brother-baby-momma-in-law gave me a bottle as a gift from The Netherlands. It was quite tasty and definitely something different (for me). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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