299940 Tue Mar 08 22:15:35 -0800 2005 17 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1664427 As a non-scotch drinker, I need advice on what bottle I should buy a friend as a gift . All I know is he only drinks single malt and my price point is anywhere from $25-60. Please include a short description of the scotch and why you recommended it-that way I explain to him why I chose it... Thanks! Tue Mar 08 22:15:35 -0800 2005 0 Betty 1 1664431 I like them strong-flavored and smokey. Laphroaig from Isle of Islay and Talisker from Isle of Skye are two I like really well and aren't too expensive. Lagavulin (Islay) is another favorite, but it's around $75. Jim Tue Mar 08 22:30:58 -0800 2005 1664427 0 Jim Washburn 2 1664456 Another vote for Lagavulin. I thought its price was closer to $50 but I admit I haven't bought it in a few years and the dollar vs pound/euro may well have brought the price up to $75. -=$>Dave<$=- Wed Mar 09 08:56:26 -0800 2005 1664431 0 JugglerDave 3 1664467 Lagavulin is the best proof that there really is a God and he/she loves us (Talisker is the next best). The exchange rate between the pound and the dollar has been most unkind to Scotch lovers - the last time I priced Lagavulin around here (Boston) it was up in the $60+ range. Wed Mar 09 10:23:32 -0800 2005 1664456 0 FlyFish 4 1664497 Martignettis in the North End has it for $55. Wed Mar 09 15:45:57 -0800 2005 1664467 0 9lives 1 1664436 Ask your friend what type /style / region he likes. They can be very different in style and one mans potion is anothers poison. Tue Mar 08 22:55:36 -0800 2005 1664427 0 The Rogue 2 1664442 It's supposed to be a surprise. I figure if I get a consensus on either name / region / flavor I'd go with it. Who knows, I may end-up getting something he hasn't tried and doesn't know he likes yet... Wed Mar 09 00:45:34 -0800 2005 1664436 0 Betty 1 1664447 The highland malts are easiest to drink and are commercially the most popular - Glenfiddich, Glenlivet etc. Jim's recommendations below for the Islay malts are more acquired - probably for truly serious scotch folks who like the taste of medicine, peat, tar... (just kidding... kinda). You might throw a curve and get the guy a quality blend, instead of a single malt. It depends on how into single malts he is, but I know a lot of people who got in on single malts with the fad and insist on their scotch being a single malt in order to go through the shenanigans of distinguishing between them... but they miss out on the true pleasure of relaxing by sipping a well aged whisky. I would recommend Johnny Walker gold or blue (blue is probably beyond your price range), or Chivas Regal 18 year old. Remember that scotches are generally better when aged longer, and they cost more. I wouldn't give anything less than 10-12 years old as a gift (esp to someone who is into single malts). The more aged (and this is aged in casks before bottling - they don't age in the bottle) you can buy for the money, the better the product will be (yes, there are exceptions, but not many). Here's a good site (although what he calls fine blends is really kind of low end or "standard bar drinks" - he doesn't list any truly high end blends - but everything else is ok - his list of single malts is pretty good.) He has a lot of links to other sites. Link: http://members.socket.net/~creager/scotch.html Wed Mar 09 02:36:33 -0800 2005 1664427 0 applehome 1 1664453 Dalwhinnie. Should be about $50-60. A highland with a lot of smoke. A pleasure just to inhale it. Wed Mar 09 08:13:06 -0800 2005 1664427 0 Dennis S 2 1664455 I love Scotch but don't like the smoky ones. I prefer the higher end varieties of Glenlivet and Glenfiddich. Wed Mar 09 08:32:48 -0800 2005 1664453 0 Janet 3 1664459 Yes, and that's the beauty of so many varieties, especially in consideration of the regional differences. I'm a bit confused by the term "higher end" for those two. Dalwhinnie is certainly one of the higher end scotches out there (before getting into 18 year old, more limited runs, etc). I kind of always thought of the Glenlivet and Glenfiddich as a bit more run of the mill... Wed Mar 09 09:05:03 -0800 2005 1664455 0 Dennis S 4 1664462 They have some that are longer aged and more expensive. I don't remember the exact prices of those but that is what I was refering to. Wed Mar 09 09:29:41 -0800 2005 1664459 0 Janet 1 1664460 In addition to the highland malts already mentioned, I like the ones aged in sherry casks like Glenmorangie. They have full bodied nose and flavor. I hate the peaty smokey ones, but I buy them for friends who'd rather drink nothing else. Most peat drinkers will also drink the other kinds, but not the other way around. Wed Mar 09 09:06:30 -0800 2005 1664427 0 Ellen 2 1664468 I agree with the Glenmorangie Cask wood aged single malts. They are very good, very approachable for all Scotch drinkers, and the price for that high a quality is great. About $40-50 depending upon location. Unless your friend is a known smoke lover I might stay away from the peatier/smokier Scotch's. Here are some characteristics, just in general, for each of the Scotch regions. The Lowlands: Tend to be soft, smooth, and with more of an emphasis on the malt. The Highlands: Very wide variations. Round, firm, dry character with some peatiness/smoke. The Speyside ones may have a bit more smoke but refined and complex and not usually overwhelming. Some such as Macfallan, Glenfarcas, and Abelour are more on the sherryish end of the spectrum. Campbelltown: Tend to be brinier and distinctive. Islay: Seaweed, iodine, coastal character. Wed Mar 09 10:29:58 -0800 2005 1664460 0 The Rogue 3 1664482 adding to the note of caution voiced about the peaty Islay malts. If you don't know what your friend likes, don't go with a peaty malt- some people just can't stand the taste. Highland Park is an Orkney malt (islands north of mainland Scotland) and is very drinkable for people of all tastes. The 12 year will be about $40. Wed Mar 09 14:09:33 -0800 2005 1664468 0 Tamar G 4 1664492 On the other hand there are some Scotch drinkers (like me, e.g.) who find the less strongly flavored ones uninteresting. Jim Wed Mar 09 15:21:25 -0800 2005 1664482 0 Jim Washburn 5 1664495 I prefer Islay malts but I'll still drink the others. In my experience people who don't like the smokeyness simply won't drink a peaty malt. So I think it's a safer bet to go with a more subtle whiskey. Wed Mar 09 15:30:50 -0800 2005 1664492 0 Tamar G 4 1664502 I tend to favor the Islays myself, but have long considered Highland Park to be one of my favorites. I'll second that recommendation, definite crossover appeal. Wed Mar 09 16:28:24 -0800 2005 1664482 0 Tongo Rad