52578 Fri Dec 20 17:48:11 -0800 2002 29 2 Los Angeles Area 0 268779 Need something in the 30-50 dollar price range for a gift and I have no idea about Scotch.....anyone recommend a brand? Fri Dec 20 17:48:11 -0800 2002 0 tokyoastrogirl 1 268780 Since I am guessing you don't like Scotch at all, I fear any of my recommendations would make you retch, so tasting is out. There are two possibilities here: blended or single-malt. Blended can be quite good, and is much less likely to offend. If this somebody you don't know at all, or a business associate / in-law, I suggest Johnnie Walker Black. It's good, in your price range, and is basically the Samuel Adams of Scotch -- not much character but at least it's not Bud. Single malt Scotch is different and better, but people are very particular to their brands. The tastes have as much variation (to Scotch drinkers) as the difference between Guinness and heffeweisen. A pretty good and non-quirky single malt is MacAllen, which comes in 15 and 25-year-old versions. Older is better. My personal favorite is Lagavullin. It's so smoky and peat-ey it's like eating a mouthful of Scotland. If you are not *actually* sitting by a fire in your library with a wolfhound and a smoking jacket, at least you feel as though you are. HIGHLY recommended, but not for everybody. So, to recap, I recommend: -- Johnnie Walker Black (the safe, boring, nice choice.) -- The Macallan (or Glenfiddich) (More snob appeal, but still safe.) -- Lagavullin (Scotch of the Gods, too much for some people.) Hope this helps, SC PS -- Brands to avoid: Chivas Regal is vulgar. J&B means you are cheap. Cutty Sark means you're a cheap alcoholic. Dewars means you are a musician (see above under cheap, alcoholic ;-) Fri Dec 20 18:19:13 -0800 2002 268779 0 StockClerk 2 268782 Ooh, ooh, ooh, I know! Actually, I don't know that much about scotch, and I only drink it in the winter, but my friends, who run a Scottish magazine, introduced me to this one called Balvenie...It's a single-malt, about $38.00, (I think it's the 12 year-old you want,, definitely not their highest price one) because, and this is the cool thing; they age it in old sherry casks, and it has an amazingly smooth, warm flavor...Everyone I've introduced to it has fallen in love... Fri Dec 20 18:31:20 -0800 2002 268780 0 galleygirl 3 268787 I was at a Balvenie tasting. We tasted 3 different ages. I couldn't tell them apart, they were all really good. I'm not so much a peatiness girl... Fri Dec 20 18:49:22 -0800 2002 268782 0 ironmom 4 268801 hehehe Sat Dec 21 18:26:33 -0800 2002 268787 0 ericyuck 5 268803 WOW-- That was real funny!!! Sat Dec 21 18:59:59 -0800 2002 268801 0 the new breed 5 268805 Then what do you do with a bad Scotch??? Sat Dec 21 19:02:48 -0800 2002 268801 0 susie que 3 268788 Balvenie is a good suggestion. They also bottle a Port wood and double wood scotch with ages ranging from 10 to 25 years. Longer aging means smoother and generally more mellow and complex, but not necessarily better. Any of their bottlings would be a good choice. Macallan (12, 15, 18, or 25) would be a great choice. Another name to look for is Oban. It is a lighter style that seems to appeal to non-scotch drinkers. Lagavulin and Laphroig are outstanding, but only if you have acquired a taste for strong scotches. Think iodine and motor oil. Trader Joe's has many of these scotches, and you can't beat their prices. One final note, if the present is for a serious single-malt drinker, you could consider giving Riedel scotch glasses. The vinum line goes for about $17 each at places like LA Wine Co. or Wine House. This glass makes an amazing difference in the taste of the scotch. Fri Dec 20 18:51:03 -0800 2002 268782 0 Joe O. 2 268785 I second (or third) the Lagavullin, it's my favorite. Fri Dec 20 18:44:09 -0800 2002 268780 0 mike g 2 268786 For 30-50 dollars, you have many choices. If you are conscience about not getting ripped off by buying at a liquor store, you can find many of the recommended scotch whiskeys at Costco. Macallan, Balvanie, Glenlivet, JW Black, and sometimes Lagvullin are usually available. 12yr old Macallan would be a very safe choice. Sort of like non vintage Dom, in that it is well respected and widely enjoyed. I would gladly accept any of the bottles mentioned and think of you as a generous and discriminating booze hound. If you are feeling adventurous, you can trek over to the Wine House in WLA and see their selection of Scotch. They've got some single malts from smaller distilleries such as Abelour, Springbank, and Glenmorangie at very reasonable prices. You can find some pretty good bottles for under $40. Usually there are other customers there that you can tap for knowledge. I echo StockClerks sentiments, avoid the cheap stuff like Chivas, J&B, et al. MPKen Fri Dec 20 18:45:04 -0800 2002 268780 0 MPKen 3 268800 Ditto recommendations on Maccallan, Balvenie Doublewood (yum!), Lagavulin. Laphroaig is quite smokey; unless you know your recipient's taste, it's prolly best to avoid. For subtle peatiness I recommend Talisker. And I'm also *very* partial to Glenmorangie's Port wood, too (am drinking it even as I type). I'm looking for either of the latter two for a Christmas present. Trader Joe's doesn't carry them. ... In fact, I came here to post a question about good liquor stores in the San Gabriel Valley/greater Pasadena area that would have a good selection and have good (low) prices. Suggestions? Sat Dec 21 02:32:30 -0800 2002 268786 0 MizKitchens 4 268878 I just bought a bottle of the Sherry wood Glenmorangie scotch yesterday at the Trader Joe's in Sherman Oaks (corner of Riverside and Hazeltine.) It was $29.99. They also had the Port wood. It's going to be a gift for a Scotch loving friend, so I'm glad to see it recommended on this thread! Mon Dec 23 17:34:11 -0800 2002 268800 0 Natalie 2 268790 You should determine whether or not you like "peaty" scotch. One post mentioned that Macallan's is "boring." This person obviously likes a peaty taste. Personally, I detest that flavor and Macallan's is my favorite. I can't really afford it but there's no denying that the 25 year is superior to the 15 year.... actually i think they have a 12 year and an 18 year as well. I'm a rather adventurous eater and drinker but have determined that i will never acquire a taste for peat moss. Glenfiddich is peaty, as is Lagavullin. Johnny Walker black label is great on the rocks (really good scotch should be served "neat" - sans ice) as a regular drink and can't really be beat for an everyday (depending on your habits) scotch that a)doesn't take like moss and b)won't break the bank. I highly recommend going to a bar w/a good selection and taste testing. If you're willing to throw down for a couple of expensive glasses, a bartender who knows you're experimenting will probably accommodate you and give you a few tastes on the house. I second the Wine House recommendation for purchasing unless your taste testing reveals that your favorite is available at Trader Joe's. Also, if this is a gift, consider a high-end bourbon. A lot of scotch drinkers refuse to believe that bourbon is worthy of their palates until they taste a Basil Hayden's or something like that, so it makes for kind of a fun gift. Of corse, if someone is devoted to peaty scotch, stick to that cuz there's no substitute. Fri Dec 20 19:05:03 -0800 2002 268780 0 Est Nyboer 3 268791 That je ne sais quois, that essence of toluene... Fri Dec 20 19:09:51 -0800 2002 268790 0 ironmom 3 268797 There are those as would opine that if ye don' like the taste of the peat smoke, ye should na be drinking Scots whisky, ye should be drinking IRISH whiskey... RF "LOVES THAT PEAT SMOKE" G-S Sat Dec 21 00:43:58 -0800 2002 268790 0 r gould-saltman 1 268781 You should be able to get Lagavulin at Trader Joe's for under $50. Second choice would be Talisker. Then Macallan. Fri Dec 20 18:28:31 -0800 2002 268779 0 Michael Robertson Moore 2 268796 Lgavulin 16 yr. is at T.J.'s for just about $40+ tax. I think it is the most expensive single malt they regularly stock. It's worth it.... but may be a little intense for beginners... rfgs Sat Dec 21 00:38:52 -0800 2002 268781 0 R Gould-Saltman 1 268783 Glenfiddich Special Reserve Fri Dec 20 18:33:52 -0800 2002 268779 0 THEE STEALTH 1 268784 Concur on the Trader Joe's rec. They generally have good prices. I like Lagavulin, Talisker, Balvenie, and Glenmorangie-Sherry cask aged in the single malt category. I think Macallan is pretty boring but many people like it. Fri Dec 20 18:37:27 -0800 2002 268779 0 JudiAU 2 268789 I like the Macallan 12 y.o.. It is a very well made, easy drinking scotch. It is a good starter single malt. I might even call it the roast chicken of the scotch world. It is a comfort drink. Whereas Laphroig would be the uni of the scotch world, and the various Balvenies the California pizzas of the scotch world. The Macallan 25 y.o. is sublime, and the 18 y.o. is also mighty tasty. They also have 15 y.o. aged in Port wood that is nice. Fri Dec 20 18:59:27 -0800 2002 268784 0 Joe O. 3 268792 I'll agree about that Macallan 25. I had a glass on the Isle of Sky and it was only 8 pds (compare to $25 or more a glass in the US)! We tried the Macallan 30 at 10 pds. and it was more like brandy than scotch. It was almost too evolved. I have never seen the 30 in the states. Fri Dec 20 20:03:41 -0800 2002 268789 0 JudiAU 4 268862 I've seen some of those old and rare scotch bottles at Hi-Time Wine Cellar in Costa Mesa. They even carry a good selection of the Cadenhead special bottlings. I would rank this shop slightly higher than the Wine House in WLA as far as selction and pricing. I purchased a Cadenhead 16yr old single cask uncut 105 proof Glenlivet from the Wine House in WLA once for about $80 and will remember the flowery, peaty smooth sips to this day. You certainly knew that it was not the standard 80 proof stuff. Some bottles from Cadenhead can be had for ~$50. MPKen Link: http://www.hitimewine.com/spirits_4.htm#singlemalt Mon Dec 23 12:24:10 -0800 2002 268792 0 MPKen 5 268881 Caskstrength is an awesome and powerful thing to taste. It is generally 100 proof and it can't be imported to the US. It used to be fairly hard to find, even in Scotland, but the last time I was at Heathrow they had some special bottles available. Mon Dec 23 18:18:23 -0800 2002 268862 0 JudiAU 6 268931 Just recently had the cask strength Macallan - I think it was 30 years old. Fantastic. Wonderful. I love Speyside scotches, and Macallan is one of my favs. Just bought a bottle (yesterday) of the 25 y.o. Mac... really a great scotch, but a bit pricey ~$200. Lagavulin is really good if you like the peatey taste, but if you don't many think that it tastes like iodine and/or cough syrup. Other good recco's would be Talisker or Oban. Both great single malts. Blends I like are JW Gold and Blue, and contrary to other posts, there is a Chivas Regal 21 y.o. blend called Royal Salute that is exceptional. One can also find great pleasure in the 30 y.o. Ballantine. But other than the JW Gold, these are all significantly more $$'s than the $50 budget originally requested. Tue Dec 24 15:17:09 -0800 2002 268881 0 woo! 1 268793 Glad to read all these replies and I am gonna try some new ones!! I do like Oban; they used to have this at Trader Joe's. I think last time I checked I didn't see it......but it's a good one. Fri Dec 20 20:13:48 -0800 2002 268779 0 Piglet 1 268794 Balvenie Doublewood (12 years old) is my drink of choice at the moment. Wonderful single malt scotch initially aged in a traditional whiskey oak cask and then transferred to a sherry oak cask. The latter provides this delicious libation a subtle sweetness leached from the sherry cask. You can often find this bottle at Trader Joes as well as Costco for b/w $30 to $35.....a bargain in my opinion! Fri Dec 20 21:42:10 -0800 2002 268779 0 dkawai 1 268807 I like Glenmorangie, the regular 10 yr old bottling is very nice for about 25 dollars, the special bottlings (different barrels-port, sherry, madeira) have more character, quite different tastes and are only slightly more costly. Sat Dec 21 19:55:32 -0800 2002 268779 0 DrHowie 1 268808 I agree with most of the posters about the various brands, but to be safe, with Johnnie Walker Black you won't be wrong. In your price range, for a better blended Scotch you can get a 5th of Johnnie Walker Gold at Costco for about $50. I always have some around the house when I want to drink my scotch neat instead of on the rocks. Link: http://www.keepwalking.com/ Sat Dec 21 20:28:47 -0800 2002 268779 0 Ray 1 268809 Shouldn't this be on the general topics board? Sat Dec 21 21:28:58 -0800 2002 268779 0 PartyPooper 2 268810 Well, a lot more people would benefit from it that way. Sat Dec 21 22:01:07 -0800 2002 268809 0 Gideon