Recommend a scotch please.

I need to get a gift for a relative who loves scotch, I think usually single malt, and my budget is $100. Please include the store where you think I might be able to get your choice.

Thanks,
Jonah

Wow. Where to begin?

Anyone who loves scotch will be happy with a gift of any decent single-malt. Personally, if I were giving a gift I would shoot for some that are not normally seen in your average bars.

I once received a Dalhwinnie 15-y.o. as a gift and was over-joyed, since it wasn't one that I would have purchased for myself. I also enjoy the bottle of Balveinie single barrel 15-year-old that I received as a gift. Well within your price range.

There are dozens more to choose from, but anyone who loves scotch will not scoff at either of those bottles.

I'm sure you could find them at Sam's wines on Marcy St.

Sam's Wine & Spirits Chicago 1720 North Marcey Street Chicago, IL
www.samswine.com

Best,
Michael

Jonah, you'll find a lot of good scotch in that price range. In my mind, there is one truly exceptional scotch that stands out. It is the Balvenie 21 year old finished in a port cask.

Like other Balvenie scotches, it is aged in oak, then transferred to port where it is sampled daily until it reaches maturation for bottling.

The nose on it is fruity with honey. The taste can probably best described as creamy and even with a deep flavor of oak cured scotch. But, no harsh burn that you find in some of the mass produced single malts. Make sure that your recipient isn't a fan of peaty, dark scotch. Because this isn't one of those. I like it with just a cube of ice and a lemon rind rubbed around the rim of the glass.

A 750 ml bottle Balvenie will cost you around $85-$90. You won't find many 21 year old scotches in that price range with that kind of softness on the tongue. It should be readily available at Sams or Binny's on Clark.

You can't go wrong with Highland Park.

cowdery wrote:You can't go wrong with Highland Park.

An excellent choice that was well received at the LTHForum Scotch Tasting at Hopleaf earlier this year.

Best,
Michael

I suggest you also consider 18 year-old Glenmorangie.

YourPalWill wrote:"where it is sampled daily until it reaches maturation for bottling."

some jobs are just better than others.

For something unique, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society offers single cask bottlings.

Cask #122.8 is a 118 proof described as follows: "The initial nose is oily with cannabis, chocolate and limes. The taste is smoky with spicy chocolate, lemon and a lingering finish. Delicious and very stimulating - a fabulous example of a very uncommon malt." Indeed. Check out out their holiday bottling list.

I am intrigued by Will's suggestion of the Balvenie, aged in port casks. Never had, but believe I'd like.

My preference, a 15-year old Macallan, aged in sherry casks, always under $100 -- if you're feeling flush, consider the 1945 for $7K http://www.binnys.com/search/spiritsearch.cfm?advs=2&ptid=2&astxt=macallan&otext=macallan

Hammond

And the winner is..... the Balvenie 21 year old, selling at Sam's for $89. Thanks to all who provided recommendations. If I get any feedback from my brother-in-law, I'll let you know.

Jonah

Jonah wrote:If I get any feedback from my brother-in-law, I'll let you know.

Please let me know if he doesn't like it. I'm sure I can find a happy home for it

Hi all - I too need to get some Scotch rec's to give as a gift, but my budget is $50-60 at most. I really don't know much about Scotch, as I'm a Bourbon gal myself.

I tried Oban and thought it was pretty a-ok, but was wondering if you's all's have any other recommendations you could give. I don't believe my friend is a fan of peaty scotch.

Thanks!

leesh

leesh wrote:Hi all - I too need to get some Scotch rec's to give as a gift, but my budget is $50-60 at most. I really don't know much about Scotch, as I'm a Bourbon gal myself.

I tried Oban and thought it was pretty a-ok, but was wondering if you's all's have any other recommendations you could give. I don't believe my friend is a fan of peaty scotch.

A 10-yr-old Laphroaig will run you in the $50 arena and will be a welcome gift for anyone who likes 'em peaty.

Best,
Michael

actually, he's not a fan of the peaty...

leesh wrote:actually, he's not a fan of the peaty...

My bad. I read your post twice and somehow the words "don't believe" didn't sink in.

I'll reiterate my two recommendations upthread. Dalwhinnie or Balvenie 15-yr. are two of my favorites and they'll hit that price range exactly. The Balvenie is very flavorful and floral and the Dalwhinnie is smoother and lighter-bodied. Anyone who enjoys scotch will be pleased with such a gift.

Best,
Michael

Thanks Michael!

Tobermory (Ledaig) 10 yr and Bruichladdich 10 yr both are non-peaty Scotches. They are both <$50 @ Binnys. However, I would recommend an Irish whiskey if your friend isn't a fan of peat flavor.

I rarely drink hard stuff, but for personal reasons, this is my favorite Scotch:

My favorits is Lagavulin 16 yo. Peaty, smoker, salty from Islay. Also Bowmore for a lighter scotch, and LaPhroaig for another dark peaty scotch.
Also enjoy it neat with a splash of Hildon water from England.

enjoy,
psychchef

nr706 wrote:I rarely drink hard stuff, but for personal reasons, this is my favorite Scotch:

Is it because of the picture of Grizzly Adams on the label?

It's a blended scotch, but you can't go wrong with good old Johnnie Walker Blue Label. Normally sells for around $200.00/bottle but I found it for $135.00/bottle at Barraco's on about 3700 West 95th Street in Evergreen Park. I picked up 4 bottles.

Blue Label is a profound rip-off. If you are looking for a blended Scotch, the John Walker Gold Label can typically be found well below a hundred dollars and possesses much of the smoothness and complexity of the Blue.

For someone seeking a gift Scotch on the non-peaty side of the die, I recommend the gift I gave my father for Christmas, a Glenrothes 1992. If you roll in a higher tax bracket than me, you might consider the 1979 produced by the same distillery.

If you have the other kind of person to buy a gift for, one who relishes the oily, smoky, peaty excesses of Scotch, I can think of no better choice than the Lagavulin cask strength offering. The bottle I have experience with is a 16 year; I am not sure if Gordon & MacPhail or Cadenhead or any of the other independent firms offer another bottling. I have heard that the distellery has burnt down, and that the world's remaining supply of this peaty elixer is dwindling.

I have (tho not in a while) enjoyed Scapa, a very delicate, slightly salty scotch that is at the opposite end of the spectrum from the smoky/peaty styles.

It's not like any other single malt I've had, although I too am more of a bourbon guy and not terribly expert in fine Scotch.

Simon wrote:

YourPalWill wrote:"where it is sampled daily until it reaches maturation for bottling."

some jobs are just better than others.

Best belly laugh I've had in a while. Thanks.

germuska wrote:I have (tho not in a while) enjoyed Scapa...

How could I forget this? An excellent scotch, which according to their website , is never peated at all. I have a bottle in the cabinet, and I think I'll have a taste later on.

Scapa sounds perfect! any idea where to purchase it? sams? (i guess i could call there myself...)

thanks for the recommendations..

leesh

I enjoy Scotch, but also don't care for peatiness. I highly recommend Abelour. It has a great vanilla tone to it. Really a pleasure to sip.

14 yr old Scapa can be purchased at Sam's wines for $37. It's delicious, I agree with the choice completly, no peaty taste at all. I would also reccomend 12 yr old Glenmorangie madiera cask for a bit more $55, but such a fantastic sipping scotch.

nicinchic wrote:14 yr old Scapa can be purchased at Sam's wines for $37. It's delicious, I agree with the choice completly, no peaty taste at all. I would also reccomend 12 yr old Glenmorangie madiera cask for a bit more $55, but such a fantastic sipping scotch.

I haven't had that one, but an ex-roommate moved to California and conveniently left me with most of a bottle of the Glenmorangie port cask several years ago and I haven't thanked him enough. It was really great. I've wanted to try some of the others in that line, but I haven't had any other roommates who would have bought it and left it behind

I guess I could just treat myself. Surely I deserve it. In the words of James Brown and the JBs, "Damn right, I am somebody."

Joe,
I think you should buy one of each, the Scapa is nice, and not as expensive. The Glenmorangie, and I have had all of them, as I went to a tasting, is really more complex. Something about being aged in the madiera wine cask, just really does it for me.
Another surprisingly and affordable single male scotch is Dalmore cigar malt. So smooth...and I don't smoke cigars, not that there's anything worng with that.