Hi,
I need some help picking a nice bottle of whisky from a somewhat limited selection. I am planning a small vacation to visit friends and family, and would like to surprise my brother (who got me interested in whisky) and a good friend (relatively recently lured into the world of whisky by myself) with a drink from a bottle of something special. Having decided to fork out quite a bit more than usual (I am looking at things that cost three to four times as much as what I usually buy), I would like to make sure I get something that's actually quite excellent, rather than just "OK".
Certain criteria apply in this case:
personally, I enjoy a nice freaky Laphroaig or Lagavulin as much as (if not more than) a smoother Oban or Glenlivet, and my brother is really into Islay single malts, but my other friend is not too keen on the smoky beasts (yet, anyway - he'll learn, I'm sure). In order to please everyone as much as possible, something not too hairy would seem to be in order. I happen to know that The Glenlivet is a favorite of his;
also, admittedly perhaps out of sheer silliness, I have decided that I should greatly enjoy the drinking of a fine whisky that is of greater age than myself. While age is not necessarily synonymous with quality in itself, it obviously plays a part in the development of the whisky, and well... it just seems fun! I am currently 33 years old, so I am primarily looking for something aged 34 years +. Bonus points will be awarded to candidates aged more than 37 years (the age of my brother).
Now, I live in Norway, where booze is expensive and suppliers limited - in fact, you can only buy spirits from a single government regulated chain. I have looked through their current lists of what's available to order, as they don't have this stuff on the shelves at the local store. Sadly, their product descriptions don't necessarily include dates of distillation or bottling, so it gets tricky if, for instance, multiple different 39-year old releases of a certain whisky exist. I suppose one could ask them to find the relevant details if necessary.
My apologies for the extremely long presentation, but I do tend to go on... now, let's get down to business!
At the moment - based on age, maximum price, and availability - it appears my choices include the following:
- Adelphi Selection Bunnahabhain 1975 35 Y.O. (refill bourbon cask #456)
- Alchemist Ben Nevis 42 YO
- Benromach 39 Years Old
- Bruichladdich Legacy Series VI Single Malt (
- Caledonian 1965 (45 yrs)
- Caperdonich 38 Years Old Lonach Cask Strength
- Caperdonich Rare Auld Single Malt 34 Years Old
- Glenlivet 39 Years Lonach Old Cask Strength
- Glenlivet 39 Years Rare Auld Cask Strength
- Glenfarclas Single Malt 40 Y.O.
- Port Dundas 1973 (36 yrs)
Perhaps unsurprisingly, simply googling the various names has not left me with a definitive conclusion (I did find a very favorable review of the Alchemist Ben Nevis, as well as a disappointing review of the Glenlivet Old Lonach, among others), but I hope this community can help me out.
Thank you in advance for any help you have to offer
