I need a new single malt whisky

[swampspruce]

I’ll second the Glenfarclas 21 and throw in Oban and 16 yo Lagavulin, both of which I particularly enjoyed.

If you want to drink a campfire, but in a good way, try The Peat Monster.

My normal go-tos are The Macallan 12, Glenmorangie, or Bruichladdich.

[MrDibble]

Currently liking the Benromach, if you like Speyside. Glenmorangie’s my Highland.

[eschereal]

You could try the lovely buttery Oban for a change of pace, but I think that is more in the $80 range.

[DrDeth]

Do note that the jump from a $50 SM to a $100 SM is not that great, not anything like the huge jump from $25 Scotch to a $50 SM. In fact, there’s a decent chance you’ll like your favorite $50 SM more.

What I’d do at BevMo is find the deepest discount in the SM section, a SM that comes down 20%.

Oh, and another suggestion- buy a $50 bottle of aged sipping rum. You can get some great sipping rums for that price range. The difference between a $50 aged sipping rum and a $20 bottle of mixer rum is as dramatic as the jump from $25 Scotch to a $50 SM.
It’s a gift- try something new & different.

[Novelty_Bobble]

@Telemark

Balvenie Single Barrel 15 or if you want to splurge a bit get the Portwood 21.

The portwood was my go-to for many years, what a wonderful drink, but the price has crept up to £125 a bottle and I’m looking for a slightly cheaper option.
I’m trying the caribbean cask for £45 and that is nice, but it isn’t Christmas in a glass like the portwood was/is.

For those who have used the portwood as a yardstick what come closest at a price that is slightly more accessible?

[susan]

Highland Park 18.

[DSeid]

@susan

Highland Park 18.

It reminded me about this head to head review by author Joe Abercrombie.

TASTE – The Highland Park really is very pleasant indeed to drink. Firm in the mouth with lots of presence. A welcoming tingle, then a savoury, leafy, herby, nutty grassiness. Light salt. Lots of different notes seem to come through but I’m not clever enough to really tell you what they are. Some fruit in there, some spice, some sticky ginger, maybe? So many elements in beautiful balance, always developing. A long smoky ending, but all subtle, nothing overpowering, something for everyone and every occasion. Easy company but deep insights. Love it. And now batten down your hatches, hear comes Corryvreckan. Time and familiarity have bled some of the gobsmacking strangeness from the experience of putting this in my mouth, but it still raises the eyebrows every time. Nothing is subtle here, all is extreme, a cauldron of furious passions. First comes the heat, the peppery zing on the tongue, a baffling mix of peaty, soily, wet earth savour, liquorice disinfectant with sappy pine freshness, fearsome dryness and mind-warping strength wrapped up in raging fires and heavy smokes. My mouth, my beautiful mouth, send for those strapping gentlemen of her majesty’s fire brigade…

… The Highland Park is wonderfully subtle, savoury and deep, sweet notes really coming through in comparison with the rugged dryness of the Corryvreckan, which remains uncompromisingly wild, extreme, and shocking. It truly is the mastermind against the evil genius, Holmes against Moriarty, Professor X against Magneto, Gandalf against Sauron. I’d love to try the Highland Park at cask strength (no shit, Sherlock), and I think with that additional punch it could easily emerge the winner. But as things are you just can’t escape the explosive audacity of the Corryvreckan. All shall love it and despair…

RESULT – Well, Gandalf’s a good guy (unless you’re an Orc), and a great guest at a tea party, but the smart money was always on the big bad. …

Makes me want to drink each of course and makes me smile each time I read it. OH there is this about the smell of the Ardbeg

… With the Corryvreckan – The rocks crack in the unknown deep and the sea boils with the fearsome heat of the fires below the world. The knotty pine is ripped asunder by a blinding stroke from the heavens, storm-fire sweeping the parched bracken. Then the magic words were chocolate-whispered in the pepper smoke of the coffee cauldron, and the words were, ‘disinfectant tablets.’ …

I’ve never read his fiction but his review was enough for me to think about it!

[Fuzzy_wuzzy]

@Novelty_Bobble

The portwood was my go-to for many years, what a wonderful drink, but the price has crept up to £125 a bottle and I’m looking for a slightly cheaper option.
I’m trying the caribbean cask for £45 and that is nice, but it isn’t Christmas in a glass like the portwood was/is.

For those who have used the portwood as a yardstick what come closest at a price that is slightly more accessible?

Your best bet is to ask on a dedicated whisky forum. The posters on those forums have just the right amount of whisky geekdom and nerdom. They are usually eager to help with such questions.

[Rick]

Well $100 gets you about halfway to a membership in the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.
http://www.smwsa.com/. You get access to some amazing whisky.

[Critical_Mass]

I’m not much of a fan of smokey Islay whiskies.

If you like good bourbon, I’ll guess that you’ll also like some of the midrange Speyside Scotches.

I’ve quite enjoyed Glenrothes and Balblair single malts.

While you can get some outstanding whiskies in the 12-15 year old range, the increase in quality is easily noticeable and worth the extra price for many 18-21 year olds.

[One_And_Only_Wanderers]

@Telemark

Balvenie Single Barrel 15 or if you want to splurge a bit get the Portwood 21.

this. treated myself at Xmas to the Balvenie 15. Loved it

[Aeschines]

…as I just got back into Scotch after a hiatus. I can report on some whiskies I’ve had lately.

BTW, thanks for the reminder about Highland Park 18. I need to try that again…

Ardbeg 10. Mind blown. This is amazing. 46% ABV, non-chill-filtered, under $50 (here in IN). What’s not to dig? A must-buy in my book if you like Islay Scotch.

Talisker 10. The first SM I loved, and it is as good as ever. An island malt. I find I like islands and Islays. Not cheap, but worth it.

Clynelish 14. Another island malt, and an absolute steal under $50. One of the most flavorful malts I know, but totally unlike an Islay.

Macallan 10 Fine Oak. I actually have tended to like Macallans on the young side. I enjoyed the classic 12 more than the 18 when I tried them back in the day. This is also a winner. Sophisticated dram, lots going on, intelligently put together. I got this at Meijer supermarket on sale for about $45. A true bargain!

Cragganmore 12. OK, I am crying. This used to be one of my favorites. Favorites! Now the flavor to me just doesn’t pop. Inoffensive but lacking in punch. The knowledgeable spirits guy at the good local liquor store (Vine & Table in Carmel, IN–great place!) said he had also heard that people were saying it doesn’t have the punch of yore. Rob Roy material, I’m afraid.

Hope this gives you some ideas!

[Aeschines]

Sorry, Clynelish is a coastal Highland malt, not an island malt. Drinking it right now–outstanding!