Scotch Whiskey gift for the Scotch drinker who has everything?

[alexisr]

Hello! I'm looking for a Scotch gift for a friend who probably has all the classics. So I'm looking for something somewhat obscure, but great that they may not have heard of. I'd like to spend under $50 but would consider more if it's fantastic :)

I was hoping some of you might have an under-appreciated favorite. I'll need to be able to order it over the internet.

Thanks so much!

[Chemicalkinetics]

How about Scotch/Whiskey glasses if he does not have them?

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/suffixitem/5503550031/BX.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=5503550031%20%20BX&utm_campaign=PLA&gclid=CK2W0qTGk7ICFYWo4Aod_AMAFw

http://www.amazon.com/Glencairn-Whisk...

[Soop]

How about Green Spot? It's a limited run single pot Irish Whiskey. Supposed to be very good.

[shoes]

If you don't mind my piggy-backing on this topic, how about a gift of American whiskey for someone from Scotland? A coworker of mine if having a birthday next week. He enjoys Scotch and drinks the native stuff, natch. What kinds of American whiskeys would appeal to him?

[zin1953]

Well, in an ideal situation, you would give him a bottle of whiskey made by a craft distiller in the US that is NOT for sale in the UK. There are dozens available . . . it all depends upon your budget, and what's available in your area.

Examples of what I mean would include:
-- http://www.stgeorgespirits.com/st-george-single-malt/
-- http://hudsonwhiskey.com/whiskeys/
-- http://www.stranahans.com/home/

. . . . and on and on and on.

[pacheeseguy]

Another gift idea for a Scotch is a very nice aged Gouda.
I help a few Scotch clubs with cheese parings,
and the very best IMO, is Serafina from Two Sisters Dairy.
The combo with Scotch on the palate transforms the cheese
into something incredible.

[DrinkinLife]

Another idea. Maybe a Blended Scotch. A good obscure, inexpensive one is Hankey- Bannister that works neat, on the Rocks, or in cocktails and is purportedly the favorite of Sir Winston Churchill. Make for a great story with the gift. Around $15-22!

[evansp60]

Dont know if they ship to where your at but one of these would cover all of your bases:

http://www.whiskytastingcompany.com/i...

[alexisr]

oh wow! Those look fantastic. Thanks so much!

[zin1953]

Yes, well -- if the OP does not reside in the UK, then what?

[zin1953]

Depending upon where you live, ordering off the internet may NOT be available to you. That said, I'd check out the private and/or independent bottlings at D&M -- http://dandm.com/scotch-whisky.html -- or at K&L -- http://www.klwines.com/content.asp?N=...

[alexisr]

Awesome. Private/Independent bottlings could be perfect. Thanks!

[Lizard]

I'd definitely recommend the Bunnahabhain 12 year. It's a lovely whisky.

[ncyankee101]

Not sure what you mean by "all the classics", but if he likes smoky / peaty Islays this is one I have yet to try but have heard many say is worth twice the cost

http://www.hitimewine.net/ARDBEG-UIGE...

[alexisr]

Thanks so much! That looks like a really good find. By classics I just meant the expensive go-to gift Scotches, the most popular and well-known ones. I was just hoping to dig up something a little obscure. :)

[ncyankee101]

The Ardbeg is definitely fairly obscure, it's a limited release and not all that easy to find. But be sure he likes the heavily peated / smoky ones such as laphroaig or Lagavulin, because they are definitely an acquired taste.

[Lizard]

Is Ardbeg so hard to find? I once thought it made a good gift for my friends in the U.S. and elsewhere (I am in Scotland), but then I started seeing it on all the high street shelves during my visits. Same with Caol Ila (my preferred Islay; it's lovely.)

[ncyankee101]

The uigeadail that I linked to in the post above is not easy to find.

I like Caol ila 12 yr quite a bit, I find it has a similar profile to Lagavulin though not quite as intense. I found a couple bottles on closeout in PA for $29 US and was quite happy.

[DuchessNukem]

I ran this past the husband, he suggested The Macallan Cask Strength. A bit less well-known but your friend may well have had it. Prob $55-65 plus shipping.

I would suggest to consider whisky tasting glasses; your friend may already have these -- have you been over for some Scotch and seen if he has these? A set of four plus shipping would be in your price range.

http://www.amazon.com/Glencarin-Cryst...

(Vendor spells it wrong: s/be Glencairn)

[alexisr]

Thanks, that one looks good! I believe he does have some whiskey glasses though as we've had Scotch with them a couple times. But maybe there's some other scotch-related things to get him, so that's a good line of thought :) Thanks!

[kagemusha49]

Does he have any Japanese Scotch?

[DavidT]

I think you mean Japanese single-malt whisky. At the risk of picking a nit, Scotch whisky is only made in Scotland! That being said, Japanese whisky can be very, very good.

[kagemusha49]

Yes a Japanese made Scotch style single malt - should appeal to a Scotchophilr

[alexisr]

He probably doesn't, that's a great idea too. Thanks!

[Icantread]

I would second this approach and would recommend Japanese Whisky over Irish- it's flavor profile is more similar and approachable. It does not need to be Single Malt- Hibiki is a fine blended whisky.

[DavidT]

Instead of a Scotch whisky, why not give your friend a quality Irish whiskey? I think Irish whiskies might be a better value these days.

Red Breast 12-year old is very good and sells in the $45-50 range.
Bushmills Blackbush is very drinkable and sells in the $30-$35 range.

[alexisr]

That's a good idea! He probably doesn't have any Irish whiskey either so I'd have a lot more freedom with that. Thanks -- those options look good!

[EvergreenDan]

I hate to be discouraging, but this is tough. First, you haven't said what he (or she) has already. A Scotch "Collector" probably has a couple dozen bottles at least, and most of them will be over $50. If he loves a "bargain" < $50 scotch, he probably already owns it.

Forging ahead anyhow...

If you think he loves smokey, peaty Islay scotches, Michel Couvreur is excellent and little-known, and on sale for $50 (plus shipping unless you can buy more an qualify for free shipping to NY and nearby states):
http://www.drinkupny.com/Michel_Couvreur_12_Year_Scotch_p/s0480.htm

--
www.kindredcocktails.com | Craft + Collect + Concoct + Categorize + Community

[alexisr]

I know -- I don't know what is in their collection, so that's why it has to be as obscure as I can find. Maybe there's something that my friend hasn't heard of? And it would be a total giveaway if I asked what they have or want! Thanks so much for the recommendation :)