# Cheap Scotch Poll :) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 21, 2006, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-scotch-poll/385103 "2006-12-21T18:41:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FordPrefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-scotch-poll/385103/1 "2006-12-21T18:41:32Z")
Today is the “Shopping for the Christmas Hootch” Day! A very fun day indeed. Aside from the known variables of wine and gin, I am looking to buy a relatively cheap (under $40.00 CDN) bottle of Scotch today, and I can’t decide which I would prefer… Things to know about me: - I am a very new and occasional scotch drinker. Pretty much everything I have had has been poured for me by friends. - There is a 15 year Dalwhinnie under the tree for the Mrs. - This is a reading books and enjoying a evening Scotch - Me and Mrs. Prefect prefer it neat. - The best Scotch we have ever had was Oban. The options are: - The Glenlivet 12 year. - I like it’s nose, but it is harsh in the throat. - Glenfiddich 12 year. - I have had this, but don’t recall my thoughts - Auchentoshan 10 year. - Never had it, but it fits the price range. [Single Malt Scotches in Manitoba](http://www.mlcc.mb.ca/e/ins-products-whiskey-display.shtml?pfl=products-whiskey.param&op3.sf=scotch+%2D+single+malt++++++++++&op3.so=subtype&op5.rf1=1&op5.rt1=9999) Let the fun begin! Give me your humble or not so humble opinions. There is a part of me that is thinking just fuck it and get the Glenmorangie burgundy for $55.00 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-scotch-poll/385103/2 "2006-12-21T18:56:32Z")
Go with the Glenmorangie. 😃 I’m not fond of the Auchentoshan. The Glenfiddich is ok, but I prefer The Glenlivet (only I drink the 22 year old expression.) Try Glen Rothes or Cragganmore, if you can find them. Better yet, get the Highland Park! ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-scotch-poll/385103/3 "2006-12-21T19:10:03Z")
For my money, the best Scotch for under $25 American right now is [Jon, Mark & Robbo](http://www.jonmarkandrobbo.com/splash.asp). I think they’re all blends, no single malts, but they’re good. The price of Scotch has gotten insane over the last couple years/ ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-scotch-poll/385103/4 "2006-12-21T19:10:44Z")
[This](http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.lib.gla.ac.uk/friends/images/cards/lauder.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.lib.gla.ac.uk/friends/cards/view/lauder.html&h=459&w=338&sz=178&hl=en&start=13&tbnid=ISaC7t2zEE1tNM:&tbnh=128&tbnw=94&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2522harry-lauder%2522%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DG) is my favorite cheap Scotch! ---
**Author:** ![FordPrefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-scotch-poll/385103/5 "2006-12-21T19:13:57Z")
[QUOTE=Eve] [This](http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.lib.gla.ac.uk/friends/images/cards/lauder.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.lib.gla.ac.uk/friends/cards/view/lauder.html&h=459&w=338&sz=178&hl=en&start=13&tbnid=ISaC7t2zEE1tNM:&tbnh=128&tbnw=94&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2522harry-lauder%2522%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DG) is my favorite cheap Scotch! [/QUOTE] :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-scotch-poll/385103/6 "2006-12-21T19:17:18Z")
I like Lagavulin, Talisker and Bunnahabain if I’m drinking malt, which is rarely. Otherwise I’m fond of Famous Grouse and Stewarts Cream of the Barley (which is also rarely). I can hear the Scotch lovers screaming already. Truth be told most whisky drunk in Scotland is blended or one of the common malts. All this double-wood finish and rare bottlings is for export to people who are willing to pay way over the odds. ---
**Author:** ![FordPrefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-scotch-poll/385103/7 "2006-12-21T19:39:50Z")
[QUOTE=Struan] people who are willing to pay way over the odds. [/QUOTE] Which is why “Cheap” was the first word in my title 🙂 One question about the Grouse, is it the most commonly drunk whiskey because it is just that good, or is it like Lucky beer in my neck of the woods? Most people aren’t proud to drink it, but do because it is a cheap drunk. Sometimes popular and good are not synonymous. But the price is right, the liquor store has the 750 ml bottle for $25 and change. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-scotch-poll/385103/8 "2006-12-21T20:08:04Z")
[QUOTE=FordPrefect] One question about the Grouse, is it the most commonly drunk whiskey because it is just that good, or is it like Lucky beer in my neck of the woods? Most people aren’t proud to drink it, but do because it is a cheap drunk. Sometimes popular and good are not synonymous. But the price is right, the liquor store has the 750 ml bottle for $25 and change. [/QUOTE] I don’t know about “good” compared to some of the single malts, but Grouse is fine, it doesn’t have much in the way of subtlety, but it’s a nice warming whisky and pretty much every pub has it. It’s robust enough to stand being mixed, if someone wants to do that. There are some horror cheap scotches out there like Cutty Sark, but they are genuinely nasty. Honestly, if you want to be authentic (like an old scots man sitting in a pub who’s been drinking whisky (no e) for the past thirty years) you’ll be on Grouse, Bells, Black Bottle or Whyte and Mackay. But just sample stuff, there’s far too much faux-snobbery surrounding whisky. Just drink what you like, and if someone prefers it with lemonade or ginger ale more power to them. Incidentally, $25 dollars and change is only a dollar or two more than what you’d pay over here for a bottle of Famous Grouse. Have a half at New Year for me! Slainte! ---
**Author:** ![FordPrefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-scotch-poll/385103/9 "2006-12-21T20:19:36Z")
[QUOTE=Struan] whisky (no e) [/quote] I had typed it without the e, but Firefox’s spell checker flagged it. > [@](#): > > Have a half at New Year for me! Slainte! Thanks! And thanks to all for all the suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-scotch-poll/385103/10 "2006-12-21T20:24:32Z")
[QUOTE=FordPrefect] The options are: - The Glenlivet 12 year. - I like it’s nose, but it is harsh in the throat. - Glenfiddich 12 year. - I have had this, but don’t recall my thoughts - Auchentoshan 10 year. - Never had it, but it fits the price range. [Single Malt Scotches in Manitoba](http://www.mlcc.mb.ca/e/ins-products-whiskey-display.shtml?pfl=products-whiskey.param&op3.sf=scotch+%2D+single+malt++++++++++&op3.so=subtype&op5.rf1=1&op5.rt1=9999) [/QUOTE] I notice that you didn’t list either the Glen Garioch 8 year old or 10 year old–was that an oversight or intentional? If it was an oversight, I’d recommend it over the Glenlivet or Glenfiddich. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-scotch-poll/385103/11 "2006-12-21T20:28:41Z")
Don’t get the Glenfiddich. It’s dull, insipid, and bland. And did I say it’s blah. For the money (IMHO, of course), _nothing_ beats Glenlivet. And, as an aside, I agree - Oban is wonderful! But, if you want to splurge, let me recommend a 25-year-old bottle of . . . ---
**Author:** ![FordPrefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-scotch-poll/385103/12 "2006-12-21T20:49:09Z")
[QUOTE=ultrafilter] I notice that you didn’t list either the Glen Garioch 8 year old or 10 year old–was that an oversight or intentional? If it was an oversight, I’d recommend it over the Glenlivet or Glenfiddich. [/QUOTE] Unintentional, I didn’t notice it, and I don’t recall ever trying it. [QUOTE=KarlGauss] Don’t get the Glenfiddich. It’s dull, insipid, and bland. And did I say it’s blah. [/QUOTE] 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-scotch-poll/385103/13 "2006-12-21T20:51:17Z")
Remember, Life is Too Short to drink cheap scotch. Spring for the Good Stuff. ---
**Author:** ![FordPrefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-scotch-poll/385103/14 "2006-12-21T20:59:55Z")
Well, in typical IMHO fashion, instead of cutting my list of options shorter, it is now about five times as long! I will be jotting these down for future explorations! Off to the liquor mart! Merry Christmas to all and echoing **Struan** Slainte! ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-scotch-poll/385103/15 "2006-12-22T21:53:57Z")
I always thought Johnny Walker Black Label was very nice for the money. It also provides for one-stop-shopping if you need to offend people with Red, or remove stains with Green. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-scotch-poll/385103/16 "2006-12-22T23:07:27Z")
Wot, no Laphroaig? How does that rate in the scheme of things. Some folks say it tastes like “seaweed and turpentine”, but I kinda like it. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-scotch-poll/385103/17 "2006-12-22T23:21:36Z")
[QUOTE=Common Tater] Wot, no Laphroaig? How does that rate in the scheme of things. Some folks say it tastes like “seaweed and turpentine”, but I kinda like it. [/QUOTE] According to the link in the OP, a Laphroaig 10 year-old is about $50 CDN, which is well over the price limit. It’s my favorite whisky, but I don’t think I’d ever describe it as cheap. ---
**Author:** ![JCorre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3da27b/32.png) [@JCorre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JCorre)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-scotch-poll/385103/18 "2006-12-22T23:25:34Z")
The Macallan 12 yr is $75!! Its the scotch I’d recommend for you based on all you’ve said in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-scotch-poll/385103/19 "2006-12-22T23:40:53Z")
Oh, $50 _canadian_. Mea culpa. Runs about $44 here in the midwest, which is a bit on the high side in canuck money. But - the dollar is tanking against other currencies, tho not sure if that makes any difference in the price of scotch whisky. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-scotch-poll/385103/20 "2006-12-22T23:42:22Z")
If you like Oban, you may want to spring for the Talisker. It’s also slightly peaty, slightly salty (they’re both Highland malts, but Talisker is produced on Skye). I can’t speak personally to the Glen Garioch, but Jackson rates the 8- and 10-year olds as 76 and 75 respectively, whereas Talisker 10 is a 90 and Oban 14 is a 79. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-scotch-poll/385103.md?page=2)