I am Ignorant About Whisky and Need Some Help Please

[jollypillbottle]

I'm not sure if this thread is in the correct category, and I apologize if it is not.

I have no idea what to get my boyfriend for Christmas (he's 22), but he is a whisky drinker. So I thought maybe I could get him like a nice gift set of a few different fine whiskies that he's never tried. I've looked all over the place online, and I cannot find anything like this, except on ebay, and even then I have no idea what I'm buying and if it's good quality whisky or not, so I don't know if it's worth the price.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!!

[michael]

Welcome to the Whisky.com Forum. Here are some easy whisky suggestions that are not too complicated:
http://whisky.com/brands/tomintoul_brand.html (http://whisky.com/brands/tomintoul_brand.html)
http://whisky.com/brands/dalmore_brand.html (http://whisky.com/brands/dalmore_brand.html)
http://whisky.com/brands/oban_brand.html (http://whisky.com/brands/oban_brand.html)
http://whisky.com/brands/balvenie_brand.html (http://whisky.com/brands/balvenie_brand.html)

Good luck!

[jollypillbottle]

Thanks so much Michael!

[velocci]

where are you from and how much do you want to spend?

I'm not sure if this thread is in the correct category, and I apologize if it is not.

I have no idea what to get my boyfriend for Christmas (he's 22), but he is a whisky drinker. So I thought maybe I could get him like a nice gift set of a few different fine whiskies that he's never tried. I've looked all over the place online, and I cannot find anything like this, except on ebay, and even then I have no idea what I'm buying and if it's good quality whisky or not, so I don't know if it's worth the price.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!!

[Jojo]

and...what kind of whisky is he currently drinking?

[Unregistered]

I'm from New Orleans, I'm looking to spend anywhere between 100 and 200. I don't know specifically what he's currently drinking, but I'm pretty sure it's crap. He's a broke college student (as am I), so he doesn't spend money on booze. I only know he even drinks whisky because that's what he orders when we go to the bar when his friends are bar tending, but he never specifies what kind it is. And since they hook him up with free drinks, I'm almost certain that it's NOT quality whisky.

[michael]

I'm from New Orleans, I'm looking to spend anywhere between 100 and 200. I don't know specifically what he's currently drinking, but I'm pretty sure it's crap. He's a broke college student (as am I), so he doesn't spend money on booze. I only know he even drinks whisky because that's what he orders when we go to the bar when his friends are bar tending, but he never specifies what kind it is. And since they hook him up with free drinks, I'm almost certain that it's NOT quality whisky.

For that price range you have a great choice. I like the Balvenie Portwood 21yo.

http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/balvenie-port-wood-21-year-old-whisky/

I am sure others will give their choices.

[BourbonDrinker]

If he's drinking "rail" whisky, it's certainly swill, and probably a blend. (which can be great, but not the rail selection)
For the money you have to spend, I would suggest getting 3 bottles in the $50 price range. Go to a reputable liquor store and ask for assistance.
You can get him 3 different styles, both introducing him to quality whisky and helping him determine what style(s) he likes.
Off the top of my head I would say
Macallan 12 (light, sherry, crisp, quality). Maybe a Balvenie double wood instead. I prefer the Balvenie.
Laphroaig 10 or quarter cask (big, powerful, smoke, brine, iodine, Islay, did I say big flavor?)
Highland Park 12 (honey sweet, smooth, drying, some nice smoke, a classic)
You should find all of these at a good liquor store without difficulty.
When in doubt, ask for a speyside, Islay, and other.
There's really no need to spend a lot on one bottle he would probably not appreciate anyway. With my approach, you can learn together. When you taste them all a few times, you can decide what you like, and go from there.
Good luck, you're starting an interesting adventure together!

[velocci]

I like this idea. you don't have to spend $200 on one bottle. But I would buy him a bottle of single malt scotch (there are hundreds of good ones here), a bottle of American whisky (one of my favourites are Jack Daniels single barrel or you can also get Woodford) and a bottle of Canadian Whisky (one of my favourites are Wiser's 18 year old. you can also get him Gibson's 18 year old or Canadian Club 12yo or 15yo).

but if you want to buy him one really good bottle, a single malt scotch is the way to go.

If he's drinking "rail" whisky, it's certainly swill, and probably a blend. (which can be great, but not the rail selection)
For the money you have to spend, I would suggest getting 3 bottles in the $50 price range. Go to a reputable liquor store and ask for assistance.
You can get him 3 different styles, both introducing him to quality whisky and helping him determine what style(s) he likes.
Off the top of my head I would say
Macallan 12 (light, sherry, crisp, quality). Maybe a Balvenie double wood instead. I prefer the Balvenie.
Laphroaig 10 or quarter cask (big, powerful, smoke, brine, iodine, Islay, did I say big flavor?)
Highland Park 12 (honey sweet, smooth, drying, some nice smoke, a classic)
You should find all of these at a good liquor store without difficulty.
When in doubt, ask for a speyside, Islay, and other.
There's really no need to spend a lot on one bottle he would not probably appreciate anyway. With my approach, you can learn together. When you taste them all a few times, you can decide what you like, and go from there.
Good luck, you're starting an interesting adventure together!