# I would like to buy a fancy bottle of Single Malt Scotch **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 7, 2018, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-buy-a-fancy-bottle-of-single-malt-scotch/815611 "2018-06-07T16:09:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-buy-a-fancy-bottle-of-single-malt-scotch/815611/1 "2018-06-07T16:09:16Z")
I know a little about Scotch but not much. I have an occasion to buy something fancy and want to get some advice on a wise way to buy. It seems that trying to figure out Scotch is as complicated as figuring out wine Other than old, what should I be looking for? Assume that I know nothing other I am OK with smokey (have tried and enjoyed Laphroaig). ---
**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-buy-a-fancy-bottle-of-single-malt-scotch/815611/2 "2018-06-07T16:23:30Z")
Is it for yourself, or someone else? There are several websites and blogs that include whisky reviews - one thing you can do is read a few of those, at first focusing on whether you like the people doing the writing. Because if you “get along well with” a certain writer - if they think the way you do and they like things similar to what you like - then that helps. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-buy-a-fancy-bottle-of-single-malt-scotch/815611/3 "2018-06-07T16:37:14Z")
Single Malts 10 or 12 year old Highland Park - warm, smokey with peat 10 year old Glenmorangie - nice easy drink 14 year old Oban - easy introduction to Islay type of flavours 10 year old Talisker - just great 12 year old Macallan - nice, tends to have sweet sherry flavours Glenfiddich and Glenlivet - are easy Speyside malts to both find and drink ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-buy-a-fancy-bottle-of-single-malt-scotch/815611/4 "2018-06-07T16:53:16Z")
> [@Grey](#): > > Single Malts > 10 or 12 year old Highland Park - warm, smokey with peat > 10 year old Glenmorangie - nice easy drink > 14 year old Oban - easy introduction to Islay type of flavours > 10 year old Talisker - just great > 12 year old Macallan - nice, tends to have sweet sherry flavours > Glenfiddich and Glenlivet - are easy Speyside malts to both find and drink Good suggestions for a beginner. Oban is a good, basic choice, as above. Balvenie DoubleWood is also a great beginner’s choice. One of my favorites that is a little more fancy but not too extreme is the Glenrothes Sherry Cask Reserve. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-buy-a-fancy-bottle-of-single-malt-scotch/815611/5 "2018-06-07T16:55:28Z")
> [@DavidwithanR](#): > > Is it for yourself, or someone else? > > . Just for me. I hit some personal goals and so I get so I get to spend a little bit of money I had set aside for something special. Not enough money to buy a new guitar or a fancy watch, but enough for a fancy bottle of scotch which is something I have always wanted to try. I usually limit myself to $40 or less for alcohol and there are lots of options in that price range, but this is a time I get to scale up a bit. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-buy-a-fancy-bottle-of-single-malt-scotch/815611/6 "2018-06-07T16:58:21Z")
A lot of the nice smoky peaty ones come from Islay. Laphroiag itself comes in more than one bottled subvariety. I’m indulging in a bottle of their “three woods” myself. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-buy-a-fancy-bottle-of-single-malt-scotch/815611/7 "2018-06-07T17:05:20Z")
I am currently drinking Lagavulin Distillers Edition, and it is fabulous. ---
**Author:** ![squidfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@squidfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squidfood)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-buy-a-fancy-bottle-of-single-malt-scotch/815611/8 "2018-06-07T17:13:10Z")
[This menu](https://i.redd.it/4489f9an2vp01.jpg) (well, diagram) was posted on Reddit recently (attributed to an unnamed Edinburgh pub). I’m no expert but it put the 3 or 4 I’ve tried from this list in the right place, and given me a nice goal list for my next visit… ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-buy-a-fancy-bottle-of-single-malt-scotch/815611/9 "2018-06-07T17:16:27Z")
I would buy a $20 bottle of Famous Grouse and put the difference into the New Guitar Fund. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-buy-a-fancy-bottle-of-single-malt-scotch/815611/10 "2018-06-07T17:21:27Z")
Old, by the way, isn’t actually key to anything. You can easily have a brilliant 10 year old malt from Highland Park, blow the wheels off of a 18 year old from somewhere else. ---
**Author:** ![anamnesis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb8c5e/32.png) [@anamnesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anamnesis)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-buy-a-fancy-bottle-of-single-malt-scotch/815611/11 "2018-06-07T17:28:40Z")
As you are a) just starting out, b) experimenting to see what you like, and c) ostensibly seeking value for money, I’ll just toss the suggestion out of visiting Costco. They always have a respectable variety of mid-to-high end stuff and they even have stuff under their house label (often argued to be other high end brands in larger bottles) that are impossible to beat for the money. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-buy-a-fancy-bottle-of-single-malt-scotch/815611/12 "2018-06-07T17:35:24Z")
Are there any whisky tastings in your area of the world? If not that then maybe a local Facebook-based group that gets together for this purpose. ---
**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:** [June 7, 2018, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-buy-a-fancy-bottle-of-single-malt-scotch/815611/13 "2018-06-07T17:46:20Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > Just for me. I hit some personal goals and so I get so I get to spend a little bit of money I had set aside for something special. > > Not enough money to buy a new guitar or a fancy watch, but enough for a fancy bottle of scotch which is something I have always wanted to try. I usually limit myself to $40 or less for alcohol and there are lots of options in that price range, but this is a time I get to scale up a bit. \ OK, we’re going to need a little more information here. 1. What do you usually drink? 2. What is your experience with Scotch? 3. Are you a “strong flavors” guy or a “mellow and smooth” guy? 4. Just how far above $40 are you willing to go? 5. Can you invite me over to share? ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-buy-a-fancy-bottle-of-single-malt-scotch/815611/14 "2018-06-07T17:54:09Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > Just for me. I hit some personal goals and so I get so I get to spend a little bit of money I had set aside for something special… Congrats! And this makes it MUCH easier, because buying for a friend you’d run into the big questions: Peat or Smoke or Light or Rich or Sharp or Smooth? You really need to do what I’m doing:\* TRY BEFORE YOU BUY.\* My spring/summer project is to buy a bottle of scotch. Yep, it’ll take the rest of the summer… because I’m cheap, but I also want to find My Favorite Scotch Ever. So I’m ducking into local bars, meeting friends at hipster taverns, and asking “Hey, can we do brunch at that Irish Pub?” And asking the bartenders for recommendations. What I’ve discovered is that I don’t like peat (I think the chart linked to calls it “Smoky”) . Which is too bad, because my Scottish ancestors come from what’s apparently the middle of a bog, and it leaked into every bottle of scotch from that area. One bartender said “You feel that? It’s like the Scots poured dirt right into your glass…” Umm, no thanks. But I do like the smokiness that often accompanies it. The best example of smokey but not peaty is from a taste testing I got to do at a Vom Fass store (from a sales guy in a kilt). Their “Two Casks” was great. For smoothness, you’d do well to shelve any snobbiness and look father than just Single Malt Scotches. I love Redbreast (Irish whiskies are distilled an extra go-round, so they bite your tongue less) or Monkey Shoulder (a blend – a Brit bartender poured me the last of his last bottle ever, so I’ve been on the lookout for it. For years. Suddenly, there it was at my local Trader Joe’s for $33! So I bought it. But that doesn’t count as my My Favorite Scotch Ever, because then my hunting/gathering would be over. And I’d miss out on trying Balvenie and Dalmore, comparing a 12yr and an 18, and growling “Where’s that Talisker?” (BBC _Cabin Pressure_ reference) Happy sipping! Even if you buy something tomorrow, you can still enjoy further research. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-buy-a-fancy-bottle-of-single-malt-scotch/815611/15 "2018-06-07T17:58:04Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > \ > > OK, we’re going to need a little more information here. > > 1. What do you usually drink? > 2. What is your experience with Scotch? > 3. Are you a “strong flavors” guy or a “mellow and smooth” guy? > 4. Just how far above $40 are you willing to go? > 5. Can you invite me over to share? Typically Bourbon. Something more rye forward usually, recently Bullet because my wife likes it also. I’m not inexperienced with scotch but aside from the Laphroaig (which I like, but I get the impression that it’s not typical) I got a bottle of Glenmorangie several years ago that was good and have had a good bit of Glenfiddich 12 year old (a favorite of an old mentor of mine) I haven’t bought much for myself. Oh,I also was given a bottle of Dalwhinnie once. That was very different than what I expected but in a good way. More like Bourbon. But, I feel like if I am going with scotch I don’t want one that tastes like Bourbon. I have tried Lagavulin, but it wasn’t mine and I don’t know which one it was. I have also tried several blends, I like Monkey Shoulder. At the moment I’m feeling more strong flavors as opposed to mellow and smooth. You are welcome anytime but you have to make your way to Pennsylvania on your own. Edit: I can go a good bit above 40. Don’t let price stop you. If it costs as much as a guitar I probably won’t buy it. ---
**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:** [June 7, 2018, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-buy-a-fancy-bottle-of-single-malt-scotch/815611/16 "2018-06-07T18:02:38Z")
Off-the-cuff recs, before I get any more info: Macallan Cask Strength Highland Park 18 Talisker 18 With info: Highland Park Dragon Legend Bowmore 18 Talisker 18 ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-buy-a-fancy-bottle-of-single-malt-scotch/815611/17 "2018-06-07T18:17:45Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Bowmore 18 > Talisker 18 Those two are easily over $100 each, the Macallan 18 in the low to mid $200’s. FYI What _is_ your budget, NAF1138? ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-buy-a-fancy-bottle-of-single-malt-scotch/815611/18 "2018-06-07T18:20:55Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Those two are easily over $100 each, the Macallan 18 in the low to mid $200’s. > > FYI > > What _is_ your budget, NAF1138? I think I will likely be vetoed by my wife if I go all the way to 200, but 100-150 is probably acceptable. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-buy-a-fancy-bottle-of-single-malt-scotch/815611/19 "2018-06-07T18:24:52Z")
I really, really like Aberlour A’bunadh. ---
**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:** [June 7, 2018, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-buy-a-fancy-bottle-of-single-malt-scotch/815611/20 "2018-06-07T18:29:01Z")
Hey, he said “not enough money for a guitar.” Have you priced decent guitars lately? $200 for a bottle of Macallan is a steal. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-buy-a-fancy-bottle-of-single-malt-scotch/815611.md?page=2)