# Lost a bet - recommend a nice bottle of scotch **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 18, 2011, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-a-bet-recommend-a-nice-bottle-of-scotch/593097 "2011-08-18T00:27:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-a-bet-recommend-a-nice-bottle-of-scotch/593097/1 "2011-08-18T00:27:28Z")
Looks like I’m going to lose a bet, and the price was “a nice bottle of scotch”. It was a bet that I’m happy to lose, and I’d like to show the person in question appreciation as well. But, I’m not a scotch drinker. Let’s say, for somewhere around 100 bucks, is there a bottle of scotch you could recommend, having no other information about the likes and dislikes of the drinker? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-a-bet-recommend-a-nice-bottle-of-scotch/593097/2 "2011-08-18T00:29:28Z")
Laphroaig would be my choice. Not sure of the price where you are. ---
**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:** [August 18, 2011, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-a-bet-recommend-a-nice-bottle-of-scotch/593097/3 "2011-08-18T00:50:34Z")
You should be able to get a bottle of Balvenie 15 Year Old Single Barrel for under $75-pick up a couple of nice shot glasses with the change. edited to add: If you want to blow the whole amount on the scotch, I would suggest Ardbeg Corryvreckan Islay Single Malt Whisky-so damn fine, your friend will feel that he owes _you_ a favor now. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-a-bet-recommend-a-nice-bottle-of-scotch/593097/4 "2011-08-18T01:07:01Z")
Was the bet in writing? If not you could claim you said “a nice box of scotch”. Or a nice roll of scotch. Or a nice game of hop scotch. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-a-bet-recommend-a-nice-bottle-of-scotch/593097/5 "2011-08-18T01:12:09Z")
The Macallan 17 yr fine oak would be a safe choice for that ballpark price range, although that will run about $20 more than your budget. The 15 year oak should clock in at the $80-$100 range. If you know the person likes very peaty scotches, the Arbeg Uigeadail is really nice and will cost you in the neighborhood of $70. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-a-bet-recommend-a-nice-bottle-of-scotch/593097/6 "2011-08-18T01:36:13Z")
> [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](#): > > Was the bet in writing? If not you could claim you said “a nice box of scotch”. Or a nice roll of scotch. Or a nice game of hop scotch. Or some nice butterscotch. Oatmeal Scotchies, anyone?😃 ---
**Author:** ![monkeylucifer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@monkeylucifer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monkeylucifer)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-a-bet-recommend-a-nice-bottle-of-scotch/593097/7 "2011-08-18T01:44:38Z")
> [@Scarlett67](#): > > Or some nice butterscotch. Oatmeal Scotchies, anyone?😃 Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker. Lagavulin is great if you can find it. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-a-bet-recommend-a-nice-bottle-of-scotch/593097/8 "2011-08-18T01:52:45Z")
The peaty Islay scotches have a strong, specific taste. If you don’t clarify what he likes I’d shy away from those. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-a-bet-recommend-a-nice-bottle-of-scotch/593097/9 "2011-08-18T02:07:05Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > The peaty Islay scotches have a strong, specific taste. If you don’t clarify what he likes I’d shy away from those. Exactly. I don’t think any Scotch lover will leave a bottle of a respected Highland malt undrunk, even if they’re more into the peat, but an Islay malt can be a risky purchase if you don’t know the drinker’s tastes. ---
**Author:** ![zombywoof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/9e8a1a/32.png) [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-a-bet-recommend-a-nice-bottle-of-scotch/593097/10 "2011-08-18T02:09:09Z")
Without knowing his (her?) taste I think The Macallan is a safe and very “nice” choice. I like the traditional Sherry Oak, 18yr is probably ~$135 though (with the 12 yr about $45). ---
**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:** [August 18, 2011, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-a-bet-recommend-a-nice-bottle-of-scotch/593097/11 "2011-08-18T02:19:44Z")
Macallan Cask Strength. It’s different enough that they will go “Ooh,” but safe enough that any Scotch drinker will love it. Stay away from Islay altogether. This is advice not only for the bet, but for Life. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-a-bet-recommend-a-nice-bottle-of-scotch/593097/12 "2011-08-18T03:31:55Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Macallan Cask Strength. It’s different enough that they will go “Ooh,” but safe enough that any Scotch drinker will love it. Stay away from Islay altogether. This is advice not only for the bet, but for Life. Damnit, man - I’m trying to quit challenging people to rapiers at dawn, but you’re making it very, very difficult. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-a-bet-recommend-a-nice-bottle-of-scotch/593097/13 "2011-08-18T03:40:09Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > If you want to blow the whole amount on the scotch, I would suggest Ardbeg Corryvreckan Islay Single Malt Whisky-so damn fine, your friend will feel that he owes _you_ a favor now. Oh, yah. I really, really need to grab a bottle of that. I’m sure I earned one somehow. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-a-bet-recommend-a-nice-bottle-of-scotch/593097/14 "2011-08-18T04:09:55Z")
Knew that this was the place to come for the answer. Thanks for the recommendations. ---
**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:** [August 18, 2011, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-a-bet-recommend-a-nice-bottle-of-scotch/593097/15 "2011-08-18T04:48:41Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > Oh, yah. I really, really need to grab a bottle of that. I’m sure I earned one somehow. Maybe if you were the Dalai Lama in a previous life. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-a-bet-recommend-a-nice-bottle-of-scotch/593097/16 "2011-08-18T05:00:26Z")
My brother’s a Scotch drinker and prefers [Glenlivet 21](http://www.specialistwhisky.com/images/uploads/glenlivet21archive.jpg), which retails for about $100 for a 750 ml. I’ve heard mixed reviews of Johnnie Walker Blue with some saying it’s worth the money and some saying not. A 750 ml bottle is around $175- I don’t know if there’s anything smaller. (If there are miniatures of nice then an assortment might be a good gift.) ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-a-bet-recommend-a-nice-bottle-of-scotch/593097/17 "2011-08-18T05:19:10Z")
This thread is making me drool. Macallan is the only one I have experienced, and not near the $100 per bottle range, but you have to give it a shot. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-a-bet-recommend-a-nice-bottle-of-scotch/593097/18 "2011-08-18T12:12:13Z")
The one big thing I don’t know is how your friend feels about peatiness. I love it, myself, but I accept that there are others who don’t enjoy a really smokey flavour. Laphroaig, mentioned above, is delicious but very peaty. May I recommend [Glenrothes](http://www.theglenrothes.com/uk/), a Speyside which is not peaty at all, but which is bursting with a very large palette of tones. It is one of my favourite whiskies, especially for a large gathering of people who aren’t necessarily whisky drinkers. ---
**Author:** ![Gordon\_Urquhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@Gordon\_Urquhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gordon_Urquhart)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-a-bet-recommend-a-nice-bottle-of-scotch/593097/19 "2011-08-18T12:51:17Z")
A bottle of Highland Park 18 will run just under $100, and is just far enough off the path beaten by The Macallan and The Glenlivet to be appreciated by nearly any single malt drinker. It’s got a touch of peat in it, certainly more than a true Highland, but certainly nothing like an Islay. It’s just a great whisky. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-a-bet-recommend-a-nice-bottle-of-scotch/593097/20 "2011-08-18T13:00:03Z")
I like the idea of combining **Patty O’Furniture’s** idea with your real payoff. Find a place to hide the real bottle - and show up with a small bottle of scotch mints. Wait for the laugh and then bring out the real scotch payoff. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-a-bet-recommend-a-nice-bottle-of-scotch/593097.md?page=2)