Scotch Drinkers -- help

[Corporate Thug]

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.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

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.

Scotch drinkers have particular tastes and most prefer single malts which the JW isn't. Without knowing their tastes it's hard to recommend a bottle. Find out what's in their liquor cabinet and I'll give you some ideas.

 

[Spydermag68]

Get an 18year old Glenmorangie.

 

[DigDog]

by scotch, you mean "just scotch" (blended whisky) or any good whisky-like substance?

if the second, go for Ardbeg 10 years old http://www.ardbeg.com/ardbeg/whisky/ten-years-old

the classic of all classics - it never fails to top the list of best in the world. (within its price range)

if you can stretch it a little more, any "cask strength" would be better.
<---location
or laphroaig, oban, bowmore.

 

[RGN]

if you can stretch it a little more, any "cask strength" would be better.
<---location
or oban, bowmore.

Fixed

 

[Scotteq]

Highland Park 18 year old is around $100, and very highly spoken of. Ardbeg "Uigeadail" is also one of the best at that price. Both of these are on the Smokey side, but not overboard.

Personally, I'm not a fan of peat~ey Scotches: so Glenmorangie "Nectar d'Or" or 'Quinta Ruban' rate highly with me. I also tried an Aberlour "Abunadh", which was damned good: very spicy apple pie. (proof is a little high, but that's OK - have a couple more sips...)

 

[BoomerD]

Scoresby. About $6.99 for a 5 gallon bucket...and you can keep the bucket!

Your bosses will approve of your frugality and the versatile nature of the gift.

 

[Puppies04]

Nothing wrong with JW but it is usually quite heavily overpriced for what you are actually getting.

You need to speak to both guys and find out what types of whiskey they like, this can be done in a bar without giving the game away as any scotch drinker will be happy to explain to a whiskey noob the different flavours and which they prefer.

Come back with some info and we can give you some suggestions as to a properly personalised present rather than "oh this stuff is supposed to be good".

 

[Sho'Nuff]

This isn't going to help you, but the only thing I've learned from talking to many scotch drinkers over the years is that the more the whiskey tastes like wood (i.e., the barrel it was stored in), supposedly the better it is.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Just about any single malt in the $50-100 range is a good bet. My favorite so far is Highland Park.

 

[Juddog]

Highland Park 18 year old is around $100, and very highly spoken of. Ardbeg "Uigeadail" is also one of the best at that price. Both of these are on the Smokey side, but not overboard.

Personally, I'm not a fan of peat~ey Scotches: so Glenmorangie "Nectar d'Or" or 'Quinta Ruban' rate highly with me. I also tried an Aberlour "Abunadh", which was damned good: very spicy apple pie. (proof is a little high, but that's OK - have a couple more sips...)

^^ This - Highland Park 18 is amazing.

Worthy mention: Glenfiddich 15 "Solera Vat", Tallisker "Storm".

 

[keird]

by scotch, you mean "just scotch" (blended whisky) or any good whisky-like substance?

if the second, go for Ardbeg 10 years old http://www.ardbeg.com/ardbeg/whisky/ten-years-old

the classic of all classics - it never fails to top the list of best in the world. (within its price range)

if you can stretch it a little more, any "cask strength" would be better.
<---location
or laphroaig, oban, bowmore.

Although Laphroig is my favorite I can't recommend it to someone. You either love the strong, peaty taste or don't. It is delicious to me, though.

 

[TheInternet1980]

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.

 

[maziwanka]

all good suggestions in the thread so far. definitely agree that if you can do some recon on what the bosses are already drinking, that would be very useful.

 

[andylawcc]

Glenlivet 18 or Glenfiddich 18.

standard issue, can't knock his socks off but also cant go wrong at your price range

 

[KlokWyze]

Give me a bottle of cheap JW red, dimple pinch, etc., etc. and I'm happy.

What are some of the more expensive brands that don't have an overpowering smokiness?

 

[PingviN]

12 year Tallisker is great

 

[JoeyM]

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 disagree. Black Bush is as good as any single malt. It just depends on what you feel like drinking. Costco had an 18 year old scotch years ago that was a rebranded Macallan and was very good but my favorites are Black bush, Lagavulin, Oban.

Joe M.

 

[TheInternet1980]

I disagree. Black Bush is as good as any single malt. It just depends on what you feel like drinking. Costco had an 18 year old scotch years ago that was a rebranded Macallan and was very good but my favorites are Black bush, Lagavulin, Oban.

Joe M.

Kirkland. Grabbed 3 bottles. Deal was ludicrous.

My everyday scotch is Glenlivet 12. But I'm a single malt only kind of guy.

 

[Stifko]

Scoresby. About $6.99 for a 5 gallon bucket...and you can keep the bucket!

Your bosses will approve of your frugality and the versatile nature of the gift.

I like this advice, but I would get him a jug of Johnny Begg Blue cap Scotch. It will run you like around 25 bucks and it is delicious.

 

[OogyWaWa]

It's hard to tell without knowing what they are into, i think youll get better reco if you can tell us what they usually drink.

I'm the type of person who likes to give (and receive) stuff that i might not have had before...I went on a mini tour of scotland this year and i have to say that Glengoyne impressed me the most. it doesn't have the highest reputation among the snobs (i think because of its location) & isn't the biggest brand, but the whiskey is damn good and their best can be had for much less than others.

http://www.glengoyne.com/

can be hard to find. if you can find a 17yr (not produced anymore, so harder to find still) it has long been touted as one of their best and i have to agree. i found a bottle for about 40USD... good price and awesome dram.

might i recommend whiskey accessories instead? might be easier to find some nice bacarrat glasses or some engraved glencairn..... this way you dont have to worry about if they like it or not. also, everyone loves personalized gifts

 

[biostud]

If you really want to surprise their taste buds, give them a good rhum in same price range. Something like Ron Zacapa 23 years. I've started out as a whiskey drinker, but now I'm also really into good rhum.

 

[Tiamat]

If you don't know them well enough to know their tastes, any big name bottle will do well. Macalan, Glenlivet, Glenfiddich 15 or 18 yr whichever is in your price range.

If you happen to know one of them enjoys smoking cigars from time to time, burning wood stoves in the winter, smoking meats, you can chance a Laphroig, Ardbeg, Lagavulin and they would most likely be very appreciative.

 

[Tiamat]

If you really want to surprise their taste buds, give them a good rhum in same price range. Something like Ron Zacapa 23 years. I've started out as a whiskey drinker, but now I'm also really into good rhum.

If you can find it, try Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva. So far it is the my favorite rhum in my collection which includes zacapa 23 and mount gay 1703.

 

[Ayrahvon]

I agree with others, it'd be best to know if they drink single malts or mixed. I'd also agree that Ardbeg is a good choice, though if you care to get them something closer to the price range listed give them the Uigeadail instead of the 10 year.

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-114.aspx

It is easily one of the most popular in the price point and is highly accessible to most palates (so if they aren't peat obsessed like many they won't be offended by it). I'm a big fan of Laphroaig and Lagavulin, but also know that they aren't for everyone. Typically speaking you're good to go on most Highlands and avoid Islay unless you know they love peat.