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.

I just had this tonight. It was a delightful experience. Very smooth, toffee, vanilla, syrupy, sweet grass. Definitely one I would highly recommend.

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!!.

Try Dalmore.. arguably one of the better single malts going around these days..

Isle of Jura is good too.. Give that a try!

The malts i enjoy at the moment are, Auchentoshan three wood 'lowland malt' and Bunnahabhain 'islay malt' absolutely beautifull dram, lots of liqourice, vanilla and honey, (which is what i like) released to its potential with an ice cube.

I also enjoy Glenffidich and Glenlivet. Laphroig is more medicinal, but still a nice malt worth trying. Trying and enjoying a good malt is enjoyable and very personal, as each person will find certain tastes and aromas a bit different. Its worth testing a few drams at your local outdoor to see which type of malts you prefer on the day. Make sure to nose before tasting and happy dramming.

[Jojo]

Thanks for the info lsj - all good information! Which Glenfiddich do you prefer?

Originally Posted by lsj

The malts i enjoy at the moment are, Auchentoshan three wood 'lowland malt' and Bunnahabhain 'islay malt' absolutely beautifull dram, lots of liqourice, vanilla and honey, (which is what i like) released to its potential with an ice cube.

I also enjoy Glenffidich and Glenlivet. Laphroig is more medicinal, but still a nice malt worth trying. Trying and enjoying a good malt is enjoyable and very personal, as each person will find certain tastes and aromas a bit different. Its worth testing a few drams at your local outdoor to see which type of malts you prefer on the day. Make sure to nose before tasting and happy dramming.

i enjoy the CAORAN RESERVE - 12 Y a lot. can't find it in the US though.

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?

[Jojo]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

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?

Light scotches? These come to mind....Auchentoshan 10 yo, Glengoyne 10 yo, Cutty Sark (blended malt).

Auchentochan 10yo? We have to agree an disagreing here
I think it's quite vile and harsh.

Smoothies for me are: Balblair 1989, Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban, Benrinnes 15yo Flora and Fauna or Glenfarclas 21yo

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.

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.

[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.

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.

[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

[Jojo]

I recently had The Glenrothes Vintage 1985 at the Single Malt & Scotch Whisky Extravaganza and it was easily one of my favorites of the evening. My notes...."Delicious! Very smooth, toffee notes, sweet, fruity, beautiful aroma and really creamy. Easily a favorite." So while I think you certainly have a great list of scotches, if you ask me...this would be my pick! Let us know what you decide. Enjoy!

For light whisky look at Glenkinchie, called by some as the "ladies malt," but do not let that deter you. Folk say the same thing about Dalwhinnie, a label that does not seem to apply. Also, look at Arran's standard 12 yo. Although not always true, the lower you go in mainland Scotland on a map, the lighter the whisky.

Of the ones on the list I've tried the Glenlivet, Lagavulin, Oban and Macallan. Of those, the Macallan was my personal favorite--oaky and very smooth, with a slightly spicy finish; it's exceptional. The Glenlivet is also good--it's much heavier and sweeter, so if you like the sherry cask taste, it would be good for you. Lagavulin is decent if you like smokiness, but there are better options at this price point if that's what you're looking for. I was unimpressed with the Oban--I am generally underwhelmed by any of their offerings, though, so it may be personal preference.

[nitehawk55]

On my quest so far the Highland Park 12 yo is definately a winner at it's price point ($60) in Canada . I've had a few others but this one stands out so far with a smokey smoothness

I'll add others that are stand out (to me ) as I continue to try others . Of course what may be a stand out single malt to one person may not do it for another , taste is subjective .

Originally Posted by nitehawk55

On my quest so far the Highland Park 12 yo is definately a winner at it's price point ($60) in Canada . I've had a few others but this one stands out so far with a smokey smoothness

Highland Park 12 year old is my go to single malt. It is one of the spirits that I always keep a bottle on hand (along with Grant's or Teacher's as a blend, Havana Club 7 year old rum, and Iceberg Vodka).

The Highland Park exhibits such balance. It is a little bit of everything. My personal taste runs away from the intensely smoky salty things like Laphroaig or the lighter malts like Glenfiddich. Highland Park is just right

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

[h_curtis]

Originally Posted by Maarten

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.

That is correct. It is a very nice whisky with nice overtones of peat. It is also pretty reasonably priced.

I would highly recomment the Balvenie 21yr Portwood. The Portwood is very smooth and has a very balanced flavor


For a taste review check:
dramofscotch.com/2011/04/balvenie-portwood-21yr-476-alc.html

i'd like to put a bottle of scotch on a table at my wedding where I believe a few scotch drinkers will be sitting. i'm looking for a recommendation within the $40-$60 range. i've heard the following is good:

Aberlour a’bunadh
Talisker 10 yr
Macallan Cask Strength / 12 yr / 18 yr
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Balvenie Doublewood / 15 yr single barrel / Portwood

what's my best bet?

also...since i'm not a scotch drinker myself...is putting a $40 bottle of scotch at a table of (high end) scotch drinkers akin to giving bud light to a beer lover?

[Dale]

Originally Posted by cran

i'd like to put a bottle of scotch on a table at my wedding where I believe a few scotch drinkers will be sitting. i'm looking for a recommendation within the $40-$60 range. i've heard the following is good:

Aberlour a’bunadh
Talisker 10 yr
Macallan Cask Strength / 12 yr / 18 yr
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Balvenie Doublewood / 15 yr single barrel / Portwood

what's my best bet?

also...since i'm not a scotch drinker myself...is putting a $40 bottle of scotch at a table of (high end) scotch drinkers akin to giving bud light to a beer lover?

Some $40 whiskies are akin to a mass produced beer and some are not. The whiskies you list above are pretty widely available in the U.S. and are pretty standard whiskies, a few are better than others (depending on one's likes/dislikes) and some are more mass produced then others. That said, they are probably what most of the scotch drinkers at your wedding will know (or should). I'd suggest the Laphroaig and Talisker are risky due to their peat levels and may be fine for a few of your scotch drinking friend but possibly not well liked by a few. Balvenie, Macallan and Aberlour are all from Speyside, have somewhat similar profiles, and are overall generally pleasing and satisfactory whiskies - especially for a group. I would think you wouldn't go wrong with any of them.

Another idea, since it is your wedding and a very special occasion, you could look for a single cask bottling from an independent bottler like Signatory Vintage or Gordon Macphail and give your friends something to drink they likely won't find anywhere else. The bottle would be a one of a kind, hopefully similar to the way you feel about your bride, and you could have all the scotch drinkers sign the bottle and you'd have an interesting keepsake from your wedding. I did something similar with a jeroboam of Krug Champagne at my wedding; six years later, I still have the bottle and my wife and friends continually comment about how great it was, and cool it was that we all drank a Champagne toast out of the same bottle. Anyway, just a thought, and congratulations on the nuptials.

[dalechmd]

Originally Posted by Jojo

Thanks for the info lsj - all good information! Which Glenfiddich do you prefer?

Glenfiddich 30 yo for sure! I just compared my Glenfiddich 15 yo vs 30 yo with 2 nosing glasses, it's like getting a round of massage vs finishing a round of kick boxing. This not say to say that I don't enjoy the kick boxing, I do; but the 30 yo one give you instead of kicking, a deep reaching massage with an arousal. The 30 yo Glenfiddich is not available everywhere.

[Roger505]

Any one try GlenTaite 19 year old Single Malt .

Its only $50 at Sam's Club here , I thought this was real cheap for a 19 year old. Whats the story behind this.

http://www.glentaite.com/

[gheimer]

My all time favourite is Balvenie 21yr old Portwood. The Nektar of the Gods. All around the most satisfying whisky I have ever tasted. For an every day top notch whisky I recommend Highland Park 12yr old, and if you are into Peat then the Dun Beaghan 8 year old (Best bang for the buck)

[BourbonDrinker]

Originally Posted by Roger505

Any one try GlenTaite 19 year old Single Malt .

Its only $50 at Sam's Club here , I thought this was real cheap for a 19 year old. Whats the story behind this.

http://www.glentaite.com/

These "Sams Club" Macallans are from old stock that Macallan sold off to independent bottlers and/or blenders, who now sold it on to whoever bottles this stuff. (Glentaite)
I have not tried it, but as will ALL independent bottlings, you never really know what you're going to get. It could be devine, revealing complexity not normally seen in standard bottling, or it could be hopelessly flawed. I would bet this is from a vetting of several casks, to generate enough volume to bother bottling and distributing. It has not passed the quality testing that a Macallan produced product would to insure a consistent flavor profile. With that in mind, even if one vatting is good, the next may be very different.
Mark Gillespie of the whiskycast did a review of a sams Macallan, and while it got a fair score, it was far below the score of the official distillery bottlings. I can't remember the scores, but they should be online.
If you give it a go, post a review.

[Roger505]

Originally Posted by TheEtherMan

These "Sams Club" Macallans are from old stock that Macallan sold off to independent bottlers and/or blenders, who now sold it on to whoever bottles this stuff. (Glentaite)
I have not tried it, but as will ALL independent bottlings, you never really know what you're going to get. It could be devine, revealing complexity not normally seen in standard bottling, or it could be hopelessly flawed. I would bet this is from a vetting of several casks, to generate enough volume to bother bottling and distributing. It has not passed the quality testing that a Macallan produced product would to insure a consistent flavor profile. With that in mind, even if one vatting is good, the next may be very different.
Mark Gillespie of the whiskycast did a review of a sams Macallan, and while it got a fair score, it was far below the score of the official distillery bottlings. I can't remember the scores, but they should be online.
If you give it a go, post a review.

Thanks for the info , I was going to give it a shot for $50 but I don't really know if I would care for it .Since I heard most Mccallan is fruity tasting and I'm currently looking for something without the fruit blast.

[Dale]

The Costcos here in NJ which have liquor licenses have had a couple Macallan bottlings similar to the Sam's idea the last few years. Both times I saw it they were Murray McDavid bottlings and both were 16s bottled specifically for Costco (I only tried the first one, as I'm not a real fond of Macallans distilled in the last 20 years). Price was $52-54. Costco sells the Macallan 12 OB just above cost, off the best wholesale deal here in NJ most of the time, at $43.99. Interestingly, the MMcD bottlings don't fly off the shelves as most customers likely don't even know what the bottling is.

In the world of the independent bottler, there are some better than others, but given the choice, I almost always try them over OBs anytime. True there are flawed whiskies out their that get bottled by lesser bottlers, but there are tons of flawed whiskies in cask which simply get married with satisfactory casks and offered as regular OBs from the distillers themselves.

When I go back and look at my tasting notes and look for my most noteworthy whiskies, 7 out of 10 of them are single cask bottlings and 2 of 10 are super small marriages of 2-5 casks. As many distillers don't offer single cask bottlings, the only way to get single cask bottlings of their whisky is by trying an independent bottling. Thus, I'm of the opinion you're safer trying a bottling from a respected independent bottler - or at least improving your odds of getting something better than average.

Finally, if you really know and love something like the Macallan 12 OB, could pick it out blind... you may hate most single casks bottlings of Macallan because they will always show different from the Macallan you know and love since they exhibit incredible individuality from cask to cask. So much so, you may not even be able to identify in it what you love so much about the OB. This is not to say the single cask bottling is flawed, though it leaves a lot of tasters believing so, but a much purer expression of the distillers spirit than their OB.

[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