Scotch Drinkers -- help

[Nebor]

Blends are gross.

(JW Blue is an exception. But it's out of your price range)

Macallan 18. It'll probably run you a little north of $100, but it's incredible.

I doubt you could tell the difference between JW Gold & Blue in a blind taste test...

 

[Tiamat]

I doubt you could tell the difference between JW Gold & Blue in a blind taste test...

I was able to distinguish between blue label and KJV blue label in an abx double blind taste test. It isn't impossible so long as you are very familiar with the blends. Red, blk, green, gold, plat, blue, kgv, and john walker are all different animals. That isn't to say that it wouldn't be a waste of money for many folks who just don't care enough...

 

[gotsmack]

I like Oban 12 when I'm out, but you get better bang for you $ with Rum.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

You've already gotten plenty of good suggestions, but it just so happens I took this photo tonight, so I'm showing off...

 

[tranceport]

the glenlivet nadura

 

[Nebor]

the glenlivet nadura

I've got a bottle of that that I picked up seriously underpriced ($25) at some hick liquor store in North Texas. It burns so good.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

Since you know nothing about their tastes, I definitely would go with Highland Park 18 or Glenfarclas 17.

 

[Tiamat]

the glenlivet nadura

Nice! The Glenfiddich snow angel is also quite nice!

 

[BikeJunkie]

The best advice is to skip JWalker entirely. Those are blends and most seasoned scotch drinkers prefer single malts. I myself enjoy the Gold and Blue but generally speaking, JWalker is looked down upon.

If you know what they drink life becomes easier because you might be able to take some risks with some really interesting picks. But if you don't know what they like then you need to play it safer. You don't want to get anything real smokey and/or peaty.

Here are my recommendations:

Balvenie Single Barrel - $87

This is probably your safest all around bet: It's right in your price range, it's a "safe" scotch (not smokey/peaty), and can be appreciated by just about any scotch enthusiast who doesn't solely prefer super-smokey selections.

Talisker 10 - $60

This is a riskier pick, but if they're true enthusiasts (and not just a couple old guys who always drink Glenlivet 12 and call themselves enthusiasts) then they'll appreciate this. Nothing says "I know wtf I'm doing" like giving a true enthusiast a bottle of Talisker. It's a little under the range you quoted, but it's a damn smart choice. It's got more bite but it's a huge favorite. To the uninitiated, they'll see "10 year" and think it's worse than a 12 or a 15, which is ignorant. That's why you need to know exactly who you're buying for

One option with this, if you want to hit your $80 price point, is to also get a set of 4 Glencairn Whisky Glasses. These are EXCELLENT scotch glasses and any enthusiast will appreciate them, even if they already own some. They're somewhat fragile and it's always nice to have more to share and as back-up

Highland Park 15 - $90

If you want to impress them beyond the Balvenie but not take the risk of the Talisker, the Highland Park 15 is your boy. This will be out of your price range in most stores (it can sell for as much as $150), but there are places - like on this site - where it's reasonable. This is an EXCELLENT scotch. There is a downside however: there have been batches of this since around May that haven't been up to snuff. HP has acknowledged this and will exchange bottles if needed (I believe). I don't think it's a prevalent problem and have not encountered it personally, only read about it.

Macallan Fine Oak 15 - $100

This is probably the "safest" pick in the bunch, but it's also the most boring in my opinion. That said, people in generally think very highly of Macallan. Personally I find it to be a bit overrated and "been there done that." Again if they're true enthusiasts, they've had plenty of Macallan over the years. But there's also something to be said for playing it safe when there's no information available. Still, I'd go with the Highland 15 in that scenario rather than the Macallan, but that's a personal choice.

So those are probably my top 4 recommendations. If you know they like JW, then go for a Gold or a Platinum (I've never had the Platinum but I do really like the Gold). But unless you've specifically heard them praise JW, steer clear. These four picks are, for lack of a better term, "rock star" bottles in the scotch world.

 

[Scotteq]

You've already gotten plenty of good suggestions, but it just so happens I took this photo tonight, so I'm showing off...

 

[sourceninja]

Bunnahabhain 12 year is around $50. It's a great choice for a few reasons.

1) Most scotch drinkers I've meet have never had it.
2) It's very smooth for a Islay so if your scotch friends haven't had a Islay it's a great intro. If they don't like Islay scotches then it's still a interesting scotch without being a peat bomb.
3) The name.
4) The price. It's about $50 which is a great price for the quality. It is easily better than most $90 scotch.
5) It's bottled at 46.3% ABV. I feel this stronger strength gives better flavor when drinking peaty scotch.

If you want something with more peat try their Toiteach. It's about $100 but it's really peaty.

 

[BikeJunkie]

Blends are gross. (JW Blue is an exception. But it's out of your price range)

Agreed on both counts. I personally cannot stand blends, but the Gold and Blue are notable exceptions. I had a bottle of Blue once that I'd put up against anything else mentioned in the thread.

Glenlivet 18 or Glenfiddich 18.

I've actually never tried the Glenlivet 18 but have heard really good things. Only downside is that it comes from what is probably the most well-known distillary, so may be perceived as too "common."

I doubt you could tell the difference between JW Gold & Blue in a blind taste test...

They are distinctly different IMO. Enjoy both, but Blue much much more. The Gold is a little more "buttery" while the Blue just pops with equisite balance. JW does have a major problem with consistency though, so I could totally see a scenario where a bad Blue (which I've have) is mistaken for Gold.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I've got a bottle of Lagavulin Scotch. It's aged 16 years.... It's got a lot of depth, tastes smokey with a lot of peat flavor.

 

[Tiamat]

:d

 

[Tiamat]

Agreed on both counts. I personally cannot stand blends, but the Gold and Blue are notable exceptions. I had a bottle of Blue once that I'd put up against anything else mentioned in the thread.
QUOTE]

Blends are hard to find a good one. However, Chivas Regal Royal Salute 21yr is not bad along with any JW Green label and higher.

Japanese Pure malts are quite good too (blends of single malts). Too bad you have to actually go to Japan to get to taste most of what they have since they only export Yamazaki. I like what is coming out of the Nikka distilleries from what I have tasted...

 

[crownjules]

I've got a bottle of Lagavulin Scotch. It's aged 16 years.... It's got a lot of depth, tastes smokey with a lot of peat flavor.

Lagavulin 16 is a popular scotch. Very good intro to the Islay malts because the smokey/medicinal flavors are very balanced and not dominant. I'd suggest that bottle to OP for around $80.

My favorite goto whisky right now is Glendronach 15. If your friends like sherried scotches, this is the best one IMHO. If you find it in stores it'll probably be around $80, otherwise you can get it online for under $70.

 

[BikeJunkie]

Blends are hard to find a good one. However, Chivas Regal Royal Salute 21yr is not bad along with any JW Green label and higher.

Japanese Pure malts are quite good too (blends of single malts). Too bad you have to actually go to Japan to get to taste most of what they have since they only export Yamazaki. I like what is coming out of the Nikka distilleries from what I have tasted...

Green is way underrated, but word is they're discontinuing it I had never had one until about two months ago. My brother in law had one at his place and he's not much of a scotch drinker so he gave it to me. I was very pleasantly surprised. I wouldn't say I'd ever go out and buy it when there are such excellent single malt's at the same price point, but I'll happily swig someone else's :biggrin:

 

[OogyWaWa]

Agreed on both counts. I personally cannot stand blends, but the Gold and Blue are notable exceptions. I had a bottle of Blue once that I'd put up against anything else mentioned in the thread.
QUOTE]

Blends are hard to find a good one. However, Chivas Regal Royal Salute 21yr is not bad along with any JW Green label and higher.

Japanese Pure malts are quite good too (blends of single malts). Too bad you have to actually go to Japan to get to taste most of what they have since they only export Yamazaki. I like what is coming out of the Nikka distilleries from what I have tasted...

ichiro's has a lot of very interesting drams... i never realized they dont export. looks like i need to start a side business

 

[skimple]

:d

Is that Grape Crush?

 

[Tiamat]

Is that Grape Crush?

Yeah, easier to stock than nehi grape.

 

[skimple]

Yeah, easier to stock than nehi grape.

Nice.....

 

[keird]

Is that Grape Crush?

What else could you possibly use as a mixer with fine, Single malt scotch? Orange?! You people...

 

[Rakehellion]

I don't drink scotch. I know nothing about it. Both my bosses are huge scotch guys so I was thinking about getting them bottles for x-mas. Any recommendations in the $80-100 range?

I was thinking of J Walker Platinum.

Thanks.

Find out what they drink.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

Agreed on both counts. I personally cannot stand blends, but the Gold and Blue are notable exceptions. I had a bottle of Blue once that I'd put up against anything else mentioned in the thread.

Too bad it costs 2x as much as anything else in this thread.

 

[ThinClient]