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The chart posted by Davsel is excellent. Pick from the chart and go horizontal and you should be ok. If you go to the top of the chart the flavor changes dramatically with the smokey flavor and I'd expect he would be less pleased. Glenfiddich is a very popular single malt only 2nd to Glenlivet in quantity sold. If you want to spend more money I'd suggest the 18 year Glenlivet.Quote:
Originally Posted by fitterjohn
Bob
OK, fine. Blue is more of a premium than Gold.Quote:
Originally Posted by feal
If he doesn't like a really smoky, peaty scotch, The Balvenie Double Wood is nice.
My favorite for years.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gman
I'll second (1) the Balvenie Double Wood recommendation; and, (2) the need for recon. While it means nothing to your quest for a good gift, I like the Balvenie a lot, but can't stand the smoky scotches. So, for instance, if you bought me one high on the smoke, it would be a waste. Perhaps your friend has a wide palette, but also think of beer taste profiles--some people like bitter IPAs, some people (like me) can't stand them. Hope you find something good.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gman
If he likes smokey, Talisker Storm is pretty good. It's their blend to get what they say is their smokiest of the lot, though this 10-year of theirs I had is also pretty smokey (they say that it can change from year to year, hence the blending process for Storm where they choose different quantities from different years as needs require). They had a cool distillery that we visited.
Don't know what it'd be in the US (don't think I've seen it on shelves but maybe), but buying it from their distillery ran me about...I want to say $60-80 or so.
(And on the side note, indeed to reiterate what Ginsue said (which I learned on that trip, was cool), once scotch is bottled aging stops. A 10-year scotch that's been in a bottle for 100 years is still a 10-year scotch, unlike wines that keep aging).
Have been staying out of this until this question was answered. As a rather seasoned scotch drinker with a very large collection let me advise:Quote:
Originally Posted by fitterjohn
So it sounds likes Speysides (good choice), but doesn't sound like he has a really refined pallet or maybe hasn't tried a lot of different ones (Glenlivet is one of the largest distillers in the world with massive distribution). My recommendation would be to get him something that may he doesn't normally see. Speysides are typically floral, light and grassy, with malts and that give good carmel/toffee flavors.
With that in mind what I would recommend (at your price point - and what you can probably find locally):
- MacAllan - Fine Oak 18 yo (there is a Sherry Oak - which is, IMHO, the best scotch ever made - but its probably outside your price range)
- MacAllan - Elegancia 12-year-old
- Balvenie - DoubleWood 17 yo (there is a 12yo version - at a much cheaper price point - which is also really good and is my 'daily drinker')
- Balvenie - PortWood 17 yo
- Aberlour - 15 yo
- Glenfarclas - 25 yo (if you can find this, it is quite good for a 25 at that price point)
- Tomintoul - 25
Stay away from things like Ardbeg,Talisker, Bowmore, Laphroaig, and Lagavulin - not because they are bad scotches, but they are Islays. Islays are the exact opposite of what he is saying he likes. Islays, to most people, taste like dirt/bandaids/iodine.
Drink "old" gold next to platinum. They are the same age but they are VERY different scotches.Quote:
Originally Posted by feal
Off to lick the dumpsters behind the hospitals, you just saved me thousands!!Quote:
Originally Posted by asmo
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spot on!! (mostly dirt for me)Quote:
Originally Posted by asmo
[LOL]Quote:
Originally Posted by Firehaus