Scotch
 

The Boss has his birthday coming up soon, and I'd like to get him a nice bottle of Scotch. I know nothing much about Scotch, other than single malt and older==better.

Anyone care to recommend a brand? I'd like something that he normally wouldn't get for himself (his wife says Dewar's is what he typically gets), something special, perhaps from a "micro" distillery. We don't live in a large town, so all we have for liquor stores is ABC (chain), grocery store associates (Albertson's, Winn-Dixie), and one or two mom-n-pop type places, so I'm not sure how "exotic" I'll be able to get.

Thanks!

Scotch was made by men who wear skirts :D. Get him a bottle of Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon instead. 'Bourbon of the Year' 3 years in a row and counting.

Single Malt does not always mean its better. More expensive, definitely. Single Malt scotch is also a very personal thing, they are all very different. Try Isle of Jura for a decent single malt. Glenlivet 12yr isnt bad either for a $30 bottle. Single malts get ridiculously expensive, and the price tag isnt always a good indicator of the taste.

Dewars is a blend. As far as blended scotch goes, Dewars white label and J&B rare are cheaper and better than some of the more expensive stuff like Johnny Walker Black. Stay away from Johnny Walker Red.

One that I really enjoy and seems to be an excellent gift is Dalwhinnie 15 yo Single Malt. Can't go wrong.

PS: go to your local watering hole and have a taste. Even if you're not a Scotch expert you'll most likely appreciate it.

Purchasing this way may be an option: http://www.beerliquors.com/buy/liquors/dalwhinnie.htm

This stuff gets my vote
http://world.glenfiddich.com/enjoy/range/whisky_range/special_res.html

My room-mate drinks a Benedictine scotch that's not too bad. Like you, I'm not a scotch drinker, but I can tell it's good because it doesn't feel like it's eating my throat out from the inside on the way down. As suggested, go to a local bar, have a few, see what you like. Good scotch is pretty obvious, when compared to bad scotch. :)

Dan

My roommate just got some of the Dawhinnie, it was pretty good. I also think you can't go wrong with the Glenlivet.

Bad Scotch tastes like Paint Thinner....Good Scothch tastes well like is smooth as water upon the lips .

Glenlivet 12 year old is a good choich at a resonable price....

Now I like Glenmoraige 18 year old SM.....slurp slurp ...ahhhh....

I've had McCallums 25 year old SM and that was really good to!

A while back there was a big discussion on SM scothchs...I forgot which one was touted ads being very good by a couple of the boyz. it is somthing I would like to try??????

Isabo do you remember????

Glenfiddich gets my vote!

Glenlivet 12 - middle of the road and easy to find in the stores you mention.

I think the rule of thumb is to buy Glen-(fill in the blank), and be happy.

Except maybe Glensewer. That might be a bit pungent...

Laphroaig is my vote as well.

Lagavulin...

Lagavulin...

Lagavulin...

Its a life changing experience! You MUST get him a bottle of Laga. A bottle for him to earn your promotion...and two bottles for your own cupboard.

Costs about $55 a bottle.

A true life changing experience: Lagavulin.

http://www.scotchwhisky.com/focus/lagavulin.htm


A scotch like no other...Lagavulin is the Porsche 911 of scotch whisky.

and I think Im gonna have a belt right now. :)

If he usually drinks Dewars he'll prpbably appreciate Glenmorangie. I'm favouring Islay malts for myself just now.
As Tabs mentioned we had a malt thread awhile back that got quite profound;) Perhaps a search?

Humm,

Isbao drinks scotch
Isbao shoots hangun
Isbao drives a 911

I guess that`s what it takes for a woman to be on this BBS. LOL
As for scotch advise, I only know that 3M makes good ones. :rolleyes:

Aurel

id10t,

Confused yet?

Here's a review of some brands not mentioned here:
http://mu.ranter.net/drink/swill.html

If looking for a wine as a gift here is the authority on the subject:
http://www.tcsn.net/rags/bum/

:)

My favorite scotches, in order of preference -
-The Macallan - smoooooooth - this is the Cadillac.
-Lagavulin - very complex - takes me a while to get through a tumbler - ya gotta think about this one
-Laphroaig - brass balls! Very peaty, not for everyone. I particularly like drinking this one with a big cigar.

Another classic although not a scotch is Bushmills Black Label or "Black Bush". An excellent aged, blended Irish whiskey. This is always a safe bet to order at bars that don't have a good scotch selection.

Lagavulin without question. As spectacular as normal Lagavulin is, I should tell you about the Lagavulin double-wood that I picked up in Europe. Sublime.

Macallans, can't go wrong although the older one's get spendy.

since you are only shopping at the local megamart, i dont know how fancy you can get. my bread and butter scotch is johnnywalker black. i think it is pretty damn close.

have you guys ever done that johnnywalker "keep walking" tour thing? basically it is about free booze. apparently scotch is typically for the older generation. and JW figured if the trend is left to proceed without new blood, business will die. so they put out a scotch tasting tour where they highlight all their stuff from the worse to the best, even some hot singles. comes with food and booze. free. just to draft new scotch drinkers away from the kazi shots. very fun. look for it, it is a traveling thing every fall.

I'll take that as a compliment. I guess it's why I was always so accepted by the boys:D I'm also a compendium of female vanities, so I was one of "those girls" your mother would not have approved of;)
3m scotch?:D :D :D
First Scotch lesson: Avoid Linton - it cost 4 euros a bottle for good reason!

If he's used to the blends & you want to lay a malt on him, try Knockando, Craggenmore or Balvenie. They are smoother Speyside products. As you go to the Western areas, the whiskeys take on a more complex palate. Not for everyone. I would like to get my hands on another bottle of Glen Grant but its not sold on North America. Isabo, I envy you. The old guy who gave us a tour of the distillery said Glen Grant was the best selling malt in Italy. It is Smooth.
Les

Oban. By far my favorite.

She also drinks Pils lager and smokes cigars.;)

Glen Grant is usually considered a very downmarket malt in Italy and is priced accordingly. I don't think it is the same quality as sold elsewhere, It's labelled five years old which is quite young.

Went to teh stores last night to look and see what was available, spoke with a few people about it, and I think we've settled on a bottle of 18 y.o Lagavulin ..

Thanks to all of you for your insight and suggestions

Milu,
We were able to sample the 5 & 10 year old products at the tour. The 5 was drinkable, but the 10 was remarkably smooth for its age. Perhaps he "neglected to mention" it was the 5 Y.O. which they sold in greater volumes. While at Heathrow last March, I came across a 25 Y.O. bottle of Glen Grant.. at about 5 - 6 times the price of the 10 y.o. I had purchased in 2001. Too rich for my blood. Oh well, I'll get back sometime.
Thanks for the clarification.
Les

id10t,
Glad you were able to sort it out. One thing about this board: there's no shortage of opinion or diversity of same. I have had the 18 Y.O Lagavulin. It is a richly complex whiskey. At room temp. with just a bit of water.....it is an experience he should appreciate.
Les

Doesn't he know that scotch is liquid heroin? It's the last step before re-hab. I've been drinking it for years. Buy him J&B or Dewars White Label---best quality for the money.

Good choice. West is best when it comes to Scotch in my ethnically biased opinion! If he likes the Lagavulin he should also try the Bunnahabhain if it's available over there.

The most expensive & oldest scotch on the planet is still just booze....

Great Choice. Lagavulin is very unique...just like our Porsches.

Just curious since I know nothing about scotch. I went to an old freinds retirement yesterday and at the end we toasted him with 18yr gold lable Johnie Walker. I think this is more of a whisky/scotch blend. But I thought it was a bit strong and not smooth like I had expected.
Any comments how this would compare to some of those listed above?

Pat

Pat, Johnny Walker is an overpriced blended scotch. dewars white label and J&B rare are better tasting and cheaper than Johnny Walker Black IMHO. I cannot drink Johnny Walker Red at all. Single malts are a completely different animal.

I used to like an occasional Scotch until I had a really good bourbon. The best bourbon in the world can be had for $25 a bottle and is smoother than any scotch that can be had for 3x the price.