Any scotch drinkers?

ken brydson
ken brydson Posts: 8,753
edited December 2011 in The Clubhouse
I'm not but want to pick up a bottle as a thank you gift for a buddy who helped me out on something. What's good? Not looking to break the bank, $20-30 would be nice.
Post edited by ken brydson on
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  • Big Dawg
    Big Dawg Posts: 2,005
    edited December 2011
    Not sure that you can pick up a bottle of JWB for much less than $40. I'd recommend something like glenlivet, macallan 12, or glenfidich. if you do find Johnnie Black in your price range and the others I've mentioned are too much, that's a fine choice.
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited December 2011
    Bevmo has a special going on for Glenfidich, 15 yr single malt, Solera Reserve for $39 - and it scores vg in The Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch.

    They are also selling the Glenlivet 15 yr single malt, French Oak Reserve for $38 (I have this one - vg as well)

    That would be my 2cent recommendation.

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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited December 2011
    Big Dawg wrote: »
    Not sure that you can pick up a bottle of JWB for much less than $40. I'd recommend something like glenlivet, macallan 12, or glenfidich. if you do find Johnnie Black in your price range and the others I've mentioned are too much, that's a fine choice.

    I believe the Macallan 12 is about 50 bucks. I got my bro-in-law a bottle of Macallan 15 for xmas... which he of course shared.:biggrin: Very good stuff.
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited December 2011
    falconcry72 wrote: »
    I believe the Macallan 12 is about 50 bucks. I got my bro-in-law a bottle of Macallan 15 for xmas... which he of course shared.:biggrin: Very good stuff.

    15 yr old single malts are, to me, the 'sweet spot'. If you shop around you can find some decent values.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • mrbigbluelight
    mrbigbluelight Posts: 9,715
    edited December 2011
    Definitely NOT a Scotch expert. Only thing I personally know is that turpentine is preferrable to drinking Cutty Sark.
    Diddling around the internet, though, found a guy who has an intense interest in Scotch, and posts his findings on a lot of different brands:

    http://www.maltmadness.com/malt-whisky/best-whisky.html#TopList

    He also has a list of those Scotchs he finds as duds:
    "All sub-standard malts I encounter end up on The **** List to be mocked and ridiculed for all eternity.

    http://www.maltmadness.com/malt-whisky/bad-whisky.html

    Like his attitude; not sure of his qualifications, but .... like his attitude. :smile:

    That site has a nice "Search" function, too.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited December 2011
    I don't know of any scotch drinker getting pissed when given a bottle of Glenlevit,,,certainly not me,,but that's just my humble opinion.Your gesture is to be commended.
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,198
    edited December 2011
    I went to a scotch tasting at a local restaurant and found that I preferred Glenlevit, Macellan, and Glenfiddich in that order.
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  • shawn474
    shawn474 Posts: 3,047
    edited December 2011
    We all chip in to buy our team physician a bottle of scotch every year. This year he went way above and beyond and sacraficed a lot of time for us so we went with a 1.75L bottle of Johnnie Wlaker Blue Label. He was ecstatic; but it doesn't fir your price tag.

    FWIW, his favorite "cheap" scotch is Glenlivet and occassionally chivas. Those would fit your need quite nicely I would guess.
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  • Big Dawg
    Big Dawg Posts: 2,005
    edited December 2011
    Erik Tracy wrote: »
    Bevmo has a special going on for Glenfidich, 15 yr single malt, Solera Reserve for $39 - and it scores vg in The Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch.

    That's one of my all time favorites, and one of the best values in scotch ever.
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  • 72RR
    72RR Posts: 159
    edited December 2011
    I'd go with Dewars.
    Good drink in the price range you specified
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  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,114
    edited December 2011
    I've had some not so found memories of Johhnie Walker Red, like Skynyrd said Poision whiskey, go with the glenfidich that way the doctor wont shake his head.
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  • mrbiron
    mrbiron Posts: 5,711
    edited December 2011
    Not to sound out of line but your price range isn't really going to get a "good" bottle of scotch.
    Close to, i would go with an Oban 14yr old. The suggested MacCallen 12 is again, close to what you are looking for and pretty good.

    Or just get some Dewars and call it a day :cheesygrin:
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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,809
    edited December 2011
    Glenlivet and Glenfiddich are usually fairly inexpensive for the 8 year old stuff. 12 year old stuff can get pricey if it's not a blend. Blends are OK but the single malts are so much better.

    Stay away from Dewars and other cheap brands. Johnnie Walker is kind of the "I'm not a scotch drinker scotch." Lotsa people knee-jerk recommend it but it's not my favorite. Not by far.

    If your friend is a scotch drinker and experienced then go and find a bottle with a name you can't pronounce and get the one you can afford!

    Otherwise, Glenfiddich is honestly your best bet. That's my favorite in the affordable realm. 8, 10 or 12 year. Get the oldest one that fits your budget. It's honestly one of my favorites in the "holy geez, that much?!" realm too 'cause Glenfiddich and Glenlivet both have 21 year olds that are just lovely. Like the Polk Audio of scotch, they are fightin' a bit above their weight class.
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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited December 2011
    Sheew. None for me thanks. I prefer vodka and gin. Lately Ive been wussing out and drinking Smirnoff's raspberry vodka when I want to get toasted. Was picking some up at the liquor store this evening and they were giving small free samples of some scotch. I figured Id try it and my sinus cavity is still opened! My God that stuff's strong.
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited December 2011
    MacLeod wrote: »
    Sheew. None for me thanks. I prefer vodka and gin. Lately Ive been wussing out and drinking Smirnoff's raspberry vodka when I want to get toasted. Was picking some up at the liquor store this evening and they were giving small free samples of some scotch. I figured Id try it and my sinus cavity is still opened! My God that stuff's strong.

    I thought for sure, with a name like yours, you'd chime in with an obscure but affordable single malt! :cheesygrin:

    Nothing wrong with clear sinuses! :wink:

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited December 2011
    I dont know what my problem is but maybe its that Im getting wimpy in my old age but Im liking flavored stuff like lime twisted gin or the raspberry vodka as opposed to the hard stuff.
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  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 8,753
    edited December 2011
    Damn, cant believe I got this many responses. Must be a bunch of "alchies"(sp?) like me. Glad I'm a rum drinker. This scotch **** can get spendy. Ended up getting a bottle of JW Black, on sale for $35. Don't know how good it is but my bud seemed happy.
    Thanks for the advise fellas. Have a Happy New Year and be safe!!
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