ATOT Scotch Drinkers - help!

[Corporate Thug]

I'm not familiar w/ scotch. Looking for the best bottle @ around ~$50, if such a think exists.

Thanx!

 

[xaeniac]

For starters try the Glenlivet 12 year old. Very good!

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

My current fave is Glenmorangie 18 year old.

 

[Spooner]

Macallan! always go macallan !!

 

[torpid]

Lately I'm partial to bruichladdich "rocks" - pretty smooth and I've yet to meet someone who dislikes it.

 

[lozina]

I Prefer Oban the most.

But Glenlivet is right up there too.

 

[torpid]

I Prefer Oban the most.

Oban is really good but it's out of the specified price range.

 

[Corporate Thug]

My current fave is Glenmorangie 18 year old.

quick glance online shows that to be about $100 btl

 

[lozina]

Oban is really good but it's out of the specified price range.

It's right at the limit http://www.grandwinecellar.com/sku8..._campaign=OBAN SCOTCH SINGLE MALT 14 YEAR OLD

 

[torpid]

It's right at the limit http://www.grandwinecellar.com/sku8..._campaign=OBAN SCOTCH SINGLE MALT 14 YEAR OLD

That's a good price. Generally it's $60-80 depending on the store. Looks like that's a sale price as well. For $50-60 it's worth it for sure.

 

[ThePresence]

I would try for the cheaper bottle of Glenrothes.
A terrific single malt.
One of my favorites in my collection.
I replenish it whenever it starts getting low.

 

[jiggahertz]

laphroaig

 

[wirelessenabled]

Laphroig, delicious smoky/peat flavor:thumbsup:

 

[preslove]

For your price range:

For starters try the Glenlivet 12 year old. Very good!

 

[ElFenix]

what do you want it for? giving as a gift? is the person a scotch drinker? for yourself to learn scotch?

 

[DingDingDao]

Macallan 12 or 15. Or for a little less money Balvenie Doublewood (12 y/o) is a fantastic starter scotch, IMO.

 

[MikeMike]

For starters try the Glenlivet 12 year old. Very good!

This, This and THIS... 100x over, divided by 0

 

[lxskllr]

I'm not a big fan of Glenlivet, but I realize I'm in the minority. I also haven't bought scotch in awhile, and I was shocked at how much Dalmore costs now. Anything at the $30+ range is gonna be good. I saw some recommendations for Islay whiskys, and while I love them, they're very distinctive, and not for everybody. I like the Macallan suggestion, and if you aren't hard pressed for scotch, get Black Bush Irish whiskey. Both of those are excellent, and have the most mass appeal. They're mellow, and lightly sweet, good for newbies, women, or anyone else.

 

[MikeMike]

I'm not a big fan of Glenlivet, but I realize I'm in the minority. I also haven't bought scotch in awhile, and I was shocked at how much Dalmore costs now. Anything at the $30+ range is gonna be good. I saw some recommendations for Islay whiskys, and while I love them, they're very distinctive, and not for everybody. I like the Macallan suggestion, and if you aren't hard pressed for scotch, get Black Bush Irish whiskey. Both of those are excellent, and have the most mass appeal. They're mellow, and lightly sweet, good for newbies, women, or anyone else.

I have had:

Macallan 12
Glenlivet 12
GlenFiddich 15

they all have such slightly different notes in the nose and overall taste it is difficult to rank... however if i HAD TO, and these are all VERY close...

Glenlivet
Glenfiddich
Macallan

 

[lxskllr]

I have had:

Macallan 12
Glenlivet 12
GlenFiddich 15

they all have such slightly different notes in the nose and overall taste it is difficult to rank... however if i HAD TO, and these are all VERY close...

Glenlivet
Glenfiddich
Macallan

I'm surprised you rank the Glenfiddich above the Macallan, but there's no accounting for taste. That's why I said anything over $30 a bottle. I think they're all good at that price, and it comes down to individual preference.

Glenfiddich has come along way over the years. It used to be undisclosed age, but presumed by most to be ~9 years. When they standardized at 12 years for the base, the quality went up tremendously. From what I've read, it benefits more than many from long times in the cask, and can go to ages that would ruin other whiskys. Older isn't always better. Highland Park is exceptional at 12 years old, but lackluster at 25 years. All whiskys have a best age, and you need to try them all to figure out what that is. I've easily had over 100 different scotches over the years, and they've all been good. I have a hard time picking favorites because a lot of it depends on mood. Islay is probably my favorite style, but sometimes I just don't want that. It's a little too much, and a Speyside is more appropriate.

 

[MikeMike]

I'm surprised you rank the Glenfiddich above the Macallan, but there's no accounting for taste. That's why I said anything over $30 a bottle. I think they're all good at that price, and it comes down to individual preference.

Glenfiddich has come along way over the years. It used to be undisclosed age, but presumed by most to be ~9 years. When they standardized at 12 years for the base, the quality went up tremendously. From what I've read, it benefits more than many from long times in the cask, and can go to ages that would ruin other whiskys. Older isn't always better. Highland Park is exceptional at 12 years old, but lackluster at 25 years. All whiskys have a best age, and you need to try them all to figure out what that is. I've easily had over 100 different scotches over the years, and they've all been good. I have a hard time picking favorites because a lot of it depends on mood. Islay is probably my favorite style, but sometimes I just don't want that. It's a little too much, and a Speyside is more appropriate.

That ranking might be biased as I havent had Macallan in about 2 years, and i lived on Glenfiddich for this summer in california after my uncle picked up a case of it for like $200 or something.... (they were litre bottles too )

 

[child of wonder]

Glenlivet 12 is a good starter whisky. It's very mellow compared to some of the more bold scotches like Talisker, Laphroaig, etc.

If you can find a bottle of Glenmorangie 10 year (preferably the old style bottle that says 10 year not "The Original") I think you'll find it quite pleasing. It's on the sweeter side but is a great introduction for a novice. Glenfiddich 12 is another good one to try. Johnnie Walker Black is also a very decent, less expensive whisky to enjoy even if it is blended and not a single malt.

After you've tried those, you can move on to stronger stuff.

ralfy.com is a great site to help you learn and to listen to some interesting reviews of several different spirits.

 

[BoomerD]

Scoresby. $3.99 for a 5 gallon bucket...and you get to keep the bucket!!

(I can't believe how much of that cheap shit I put away when I used to drink scotch to excess...that stuff always managed to find a fight for me to be in...)

 

[lxskllr]

Scoresby. $3.99 for a 5 gallon bucket...and you get to keep the bucket!!

(I can't believe how much of that cheap shit I put away when I used to drink scotch to excess...that stuff always managed to find a fight for me to be in...)

I had some of that at a festival from another guy's flask, and I thought it was good considering it's plastic bottle presentation. I'm willing to accept it may have tasted good because any scotch would have tasted good at that moment, but that's one I've been wanting to try again to see if the flavor really is acceptable. So far, the worst scotch I've had is Cutty Sark, or maybe Claymore. You have to be a hardcore fan to find them drinkable :^D

 

[BoomerD]

I had some of that at a festival from another guy's flask, and I thought it was good considering it's plastic bottle presentation. I'm willing to accept it may have tasted good because any scotch would have tasted good at that moment, but that's one I've been wanting to try again to see if the flavor really is acceptable. So far, the worst scotch I've had is Cutty Sark, or maybe Claymore. You have to be a hardcore fan to find them drinkable :^D

When you're comparing paint thinners, the plastic bottle should be the last of your worries...

Scoresby isn't bad for a cheap blended scotch...but it's far from good. Cutty's never a good whiskey...Dewar's White Label is another one that's drinkable...but just.