Single Malt Recommendation

A friend is visiting Scotland soon, and I would like to have him purchase a bottle of single malt whisky for my husband's birthday. My husband drinks single malts regularly, usually from the Speyside and Highland regions, and I would like to have him get something that is not regularly found here in the US. Could you offer some recommendations.
Thanks!
lucymac

Bowmore is possibly the best single malt scotch that no one in the US knows about. It is produced on the island of Islay in Scotland having a superior quality that I am sure you would enjoy. I have a pinch with my H. Upmann Cuban Cigar and it is heavenly. Quite the experience.

This is an excellent whisky and is not going to be available in the US before December 2008!

This is not single malt, but Old Parr is nice. It has a distincive smell (or taste?) of peat. As for a single malt whisky, I like Glenfiddich. This is from Highland. Is Glenfiddich popular in the US? Maybe. I don't know for sure because I live in Japan.
I heard Old Parr is not available in the US. This is a very old blend, probably more than 100 years old. Said to be the first whisky brought in Japan.

I like Glenfiddich a lot - and yes, it is very popular in the US. It has been said to be the best selling single malt in the world! It's very smooth and goes with just about everything. I love it.

I am wanting to buy a single malt 25 year old bottle for my groomsmen and I wanted to keep the bottle under $250. What would be a few of my best choices, and where would I go to purchase.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

This is an excellent whisky and is not going to be available in the US before December 2008!

I personally have never tried the 25 year old and have never seen it anywhere, but I'm sure it is out of my price range. However, I thoroughly enjoy the 15 year old on a regular basis. It is definitely a Scotch with intense character, as with most of the Islays. I prefer it because it is a bit spicier than most. You can get the Laphroaig 15 for about $70 - $75, a good price for the quality.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Bowmore is possibly the best single malt scotch that no one in the US knows about. It is produced on the island of Islay in Scotland having a superior quality that I am sure you would enjoy. I have a pinch with my H. Upmann Cuban Cigar and it is heavenly. Quite the experience.

I have a bottle and what is that smell and after taste? It reminds me of that Iodine medicine smell. I guess every body is different. So far the best I've tasted is Glenlivet 18. It has so many flavors from beginning to finish.

[Superdan138]

I believe the Laphroaig 30 yr is around $238 and is VERY good for the price....use wine-searcher.com to find any scotches that you want and the best price wherever your search details lead you.

-Daniel

Looking for a gift for a friend. We both are somewhat novices on scotch, but learning. We're both fans of Glenlivet 12yr, and the 15yr french oak reserve. I've also had Macallan 12yr which I enjoyed. Looking for something a little better, around $100. Suggestions?

Highland Park 18yo is good. It's around $100. Although I don't have much experience to compare with single malts, my friend and I thought this was great.

The Macallan 18 Years Old
Brand: The Macallan
Expression: 18 Years Old
Type: Scotch Whisky / Single Malt
Age: 18 Year Old
Abv: 40.00%
Produced at: Macallan Distillery
Region: Speyside
Launched: 1824
Availability: Widely available
Guide Price £26-£40 (US$41-US$65)
themacallan.com

Try Cao Ila or Talisker 18 yrs.
They're good.

Obviously, if you're husband drinks single malts regularly you're not going to get him the Glennfidich. It is the best selling single malt and for that reason he's probably had it and besides that's like buying a beer lover a Miller lite! I would give your friend a dollar amount and have them ask around at some Scottish pubs for their recommendations.

I, personally, am an Islay lover and have an affinity for the Laphroig 15 yr. But that's just me. Go with the locals and be adventurous.

Good luck

I would try to find a shop that will bottle whisky straight from a cask. I think Cadenhead on Mile Street in Edinburgh has some casks that they bottle from right in front of you. That is something you won't find in the U.S.

I recommend Port Charlotte PC6 with a kiss or two (hersey's chocolate). It´s amazing!!.

[buckeyede06]

THE Macallan is always a good choice, it is like a Glenlivet on steroids!

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.

hey guys!

So, I'm looking for a good scotch for roughly 100 bucks. I've got a list of single malts that i'm considering listed below. Prices are taken from liq.wa.gov, the prices include taxes and markup so that's exactly what I'd pay.

So, how can i narrow this list down to 1?

*$105.50 *GLENLIVET ARCHIVE SGL MALT 21 Y SC
*$101.34 *GLENROTHES VINTAGE 85 SC
*$88.90 *LAGAVULIN DIST EDITION 15 YR SC
*$122.09 *OBAN 18 YEAR MALT SCOTCH
*$105.49 *THE BALVENIE RUM CASK SM 17 YR SC
*$126.25 *THE MACALLAN SGL HIGHL MALT 18 YR


thanks!

[michael]

For me: THE BALVENIE RUM CASK SM 17 YR SC

Smallest distilary in scotland and only aval. in scotland

Hi all,

What a great selection of recommendations!

I'd like to add my 2 cents - the 16-year Lagavulin is a peaty, smoky, smooth devil of a whiskey - before I know it, I've had a "drop" too many :-)

That's not a problem, of course.

I do have to keep buying it often, though!

Cheers,
Suresh

you can actually purchase scotch here in the u.s. cheaper than in scotland. my personal favorite is laphroaig 15yo

I have really been enjoying Ardmore Traditional Cask, lately. It is a Speyside that is peaty and smokey, with a hint of vanilla sweetness in the finish. Very smooth and silky feeling in the mouth.

I posted my thoughts on Tormore on the website. Very light and easy for a new Scotch drinker. Wonderful really. Are there any others that you would recommend that have such a light flavor?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I have really been enjoying Ardmore Traditional Cask, lately. It is a Speyside that is peaty and smokey, with a hint of vanilla sweetness in the finish. Very smooth and silky feeling in the mouth.

Hmm isn't the Ardmore a Highland whisky?
The Distillery is indeed in Speyside, near Aberdeenshire...but it's a traditional peated Highland malt.
Correct me if im wrong tho.

Originally Posted by ruszel

Smallest distillary in scotland and only aval. in scotland

I can get Edradour at the local BevMo as well as several Liquor stores.

I like Edradour, I can get Edradour 12 ($59), and also an Edradour Single Cask bottled by Signatory($72). A place in Pasadena, CA. has ALL the different vintages, usually pretty pricey but they are all very good...

JJJ-D

[buckeyede06]

I just picked up a bottle of Ardbeg 10 yr. Very peaty but with a nice sweet finish. If you like smoky give it a try, it is only 45 dollars too! Cant beat that! I would compare it to a Laphroig with citrus and sugar.

i live in the united states and would be interested in a bottle of single malt whiskey if you could possibly ship to the united states? my email address is :jaxxx469@yahoo.com. i would really appreciate some feedback if possible. thank you on this matter.

Sincerely,
Jack Pardue

p.s., contact me via email for address if you so desire to ship overseas.

To be honest, you are fairly spoilt in the US, frequently when I visit I buy things made in the UK as they are so much cheaper than they are at home. Unless you have any really specific tastes I would buy something a bit special from the US or even get something from closer to home, I recently wrote about 3 American made super star drams. http://rawdram.blogspot.com/

I hope this helps,

James

[Jenflower8]

when we went to Scotland earlier this year we did not buy a lot of the longer aged scotches because they were not in the tastings. so, we brought home a lot of 10 & 12 year stuff which honestly, we quite enjoy. one of the ones we really enjoyed (which was mentioned above) is Edradour. this is the smallest distillery in Scotland and they do NOT export to the US (we took the tour and they broke the sad news to us there). so i would suggest getting a bottle of that. btw, their cream whiskey is to DIE for. it's kind of like Bailey's but 100 times better. we brought home two bottles of that and are savoring it. Edradour is located in Pitlochry.

as for a higher end - i bought my hubby Ardbeg Uigeadail for christmas (you can find it in some states but not here in PA) and it's FAB. very smooth. it's not yeared because it's a marrying of several of their different aged scotches and recasked in a sherry cask. it's not as peaty as the 10 year and has a wonderful, warm taste. i was honestly shocked that i enjoyed it b/c i'm not a fan of Ardbeg. the cost here in the US is $110 for a bottle.

i'm also a fan of Talisker (slight peat but not much) and it can be found in the US (at least the 10 year). that's around $50 a bottle

also if you like a lighter scotch, as someone else mentioned, Glenkinchie is a good route. on the sweet side and from what i can tell, it's hard to find here in the US.

btw, if you get a chance i suggest doing the Whiskey Experience in Edinburg (on the Royal Mile by the castle). it takes you through the process of how they make scotch, a nosing and also a tasting. they also have quite a large selection at their bar/gift shop. the bar gives you notes on how each tastes so you don't feel like you're just randomly picking something out of a hat.

[Jenflower8]

by the way, another smooth scotch is Glenrothes. this one we were recommended while in Scotland at a castle we stayed at. it's very smooth and can be found in the US (at least here in PA we found it).

[newwhiskyworld]

Lucy

There ahve been a few suggestions for Glenfiddich on here. I would go with the new Snow Phoenix. Yes, the earlier poster was right, Glenfiddich is the largest selling Malt in the world but this one is only a release of 2000 bottles so is very spcial.

Jonny.

www.newwhiskyworld.blogspot.com

[BARON1169]

My boss has mentioned that he had a single malt scotch that he liked very much and has not been able to find again. The problem is i am not sure how to spell the name. I think it is brooklatte or something like that. Any help? The office would like to get him a bottle for christmas. Thanks................

[Dale]

Originally Posted by BARON1169

I think it is brooklatte or something like that. Any help? The office would like to get him a bottle for christmas. Thanks................

That would be Bruichladdich from Islay. There are lots of expressions of this whisky and price points so you shouldn't have any problem finding something from them that will fit your budget and be appealing to your boss.

[BourbonDrinker]

They just released their first 10 yr old under the new ownership. Unlike almost everything else they released, it's a new standard addition to their line. I've not seen it for sale, but I imagine that it's quite affordable. See if you can find a bottle.
Cheers.

[Kansas Bear]

My personal favorites:

Glenlivet 18yr
Bowmore 12yr
Talisker 10yr
Ardbeg 10yr
Aberlour 12yr
Old Pulteney 12yr


If you haven't tried one of these, I highly suggest you should!!

[carikam]

Hello fellow members/guests
I am a new member here so please bear with me ..I have a collection of Glenfiddich for sale which include the following and can supply pics if some one is Interested
40 yr Glenfiddich
Queen Mary 2 1976 #183 with glass and old tin private Dis boxed
Criagallicie Hotel 1982 #34 " " "
Willow Park 1976 " " "
21yr LTD Millennium Reserve " " Tubed
30yr "
Third Millennium "
12yr LTD "
15 yr Solera "
18yr Ceramic Decanter BLUE Boxed
" " " BLACK "
" " " GREEN "
" " " GOLD ( Very Rare ) "
Crock MARY QUEEN of SCOTS
" CHARLES EDWARD STUART "
" HIGHLAND STILL MASTERS over 8yrs "
21 yr WEDGEWOOD CERAMIC DECANTER "
" " " " ( MINI ) "
18yr TRIANGULAR BOTTLE Tubed
1991 vintage reserve ( DON RAMSEY ) "
21yr GRAN RESERVA ( CUBAN RUM FINISH ) "
GLENFIDDICH CLASSIC ( very rare Scotch whisky ) Boxed
GLENFIDDICH EXCELLENCE 18yr "
GLENFIDDCH CENTENARY "
OVER 8yrs OLD( TRIANGULAR BOTTLE ) Tubed
GLENFIDDICH MALT WHISKY LIQUEUR ( TRIANGULAR BOTTLE )

2 STAGS HEAD POURER,S 1 GOLD ( small ) 1 sliver ( Larger )

If any one is Interested in these Items please contact me here
or at carikam@hotmail.ca

thank you

[Joe Ellis]

Hey guys, I just had a glass of Glen Grant 1959 47 year old. It was absolutely gorgeous. Found it on a relatively new whisky website htfw.com. They package their whisky in really nice packaging.

[thesinglemaltsnob]

Brucihladdich 16 E Cuvee Sauternes....a mighty fine malt !

[Svenskawhisky]

I say try the Aberlour A'bunadh no age statement but absolutely delightful