# Recommend a Scotch **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 31, 2007, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-scotch/424704 "2007-10-31T13:43:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Flander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8c91f0/32.png) [@Flander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flander)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-scotch/424704/21 "2007-10-31T15:12:05Z")
I’m a fan of The Macallen. I had the 15 year old bottle given to me as a birthday gift a few years ago and that has been my favorite since (though to be honest, I haven’t had the money to indulge lately). ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-scotch/424704/22 "2007-10-31T15:23:37Z")
[QUOTE=ultrafilter] There are a lot of good recommendations here, but taste in single malts is pretty highly individual. Ask any two of us about a given whisky, and there’s about an even chance that you’ll get two completely different opinions. You really ought to ask your boss what he likes. [/QUOTE] This is quite true, as the results of the thread have shown. Maybe the next time you get him on the phone strike up a conversation about scotch and see what he says about his favorite. ---
**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:** [October 31, 2007, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-scotch/424704/23 "2007-10-31T15:31:25Z")
[QUOTE=MeanJoe] This is a good idea. Although I cannot inquire with his wife, I can hit up a few people within the company that he socializes with normally and get their thoughts. MeanJoe [/QUOTE] That’s the best way. I’m sure **silenus** , amongst others here, will be able to help given a preference - whisky drinking tastes are really wildly variable. But WHY are you buying your boss a Christmas present? _head explodes_ Hey **silenus** , my local bought a huge batch of malts a few years ago from a hotel that was shutting down. Nothing particularly special, except for a Hillside 30-year-old that they just put on the malt rack. They sold most of the bottle for the regular four dollars-ish a half (35ml). Heh, then some old guy reckoned that the Hillside had closed in 1970, and the bottle had been from a cask that had been laid down at the latest in 1940. After a bit of internet sleuthing it turns out that the few remaining bottles of the relatively young 25-year-old go for about six hundred dollars. Frank who owns the pub laughed when confronted by the evidence, and poured the remaining for the regulars. ---
**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:** [October 31, 2007, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-scotch/424704/24 "2007-10-31T16:05:20Z")
Hats off to Frank! That’s class. Never tasted that malt, of course, but I can imagine. 😃 ---
**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:** [October 31, 2007, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-scotch/424704/25 "2007-10-31T16:20:26Z")
I’ll have to go with the many others recommending The Macallen 12 Cask Strength. It’s sure to please pretty much all classes of Scotch drinkers. In the blended category, I’ve actually been surprised by how much I like Johnny Walker Gold (not to mention the Blue, but at $200 a bottle may be outside your price range). I used to be very partial to single malts until I tried the Blue, then the Gold. However, single malts always seem to give the impression of being “finer” than blended/vatted malts. ---
**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:** [October 31, 2007, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-scotch/424704/26 "2007-10-31T16:34:40Z")
If his preferences can’t be ascertained, I might suggest Highland Park – the late Michael Jackson describes it as the “greatest all-rounder,” meaning that it has something for nearly every appreciator of whisky. Technically a Highland (like The Macallan, Glenlivet, et.al.) it’s distilled in Orkney, which provides some peatiness (not nearly as much as a full-on Islay like Laphroaig, Ardbeg, or Lagavulin). While the Macallan, Glenlivet, and Glenfiddich are safe bets, Highland Park is a bit off the beaten path and is a wonderful, wonderful whisky. Failing that, I’d also suggest Springbank – it’s halfway between a Highland and an Islay, and one of my favorites as well. In your price range, you can get a bottle of either whisky that I think he’d really appreciate. Understand that I’d first try to find out his personal preference. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-scotch/424704/27 "2007-10-31T17:11:17Z")
I’ve had all but a couple of the recommendations above, and I can’t really argue with any of them. I will, therefore, muddle the issue farther but suggesting one more. Dalwhinnie is very nice. I don’t really have a personal favorite – depends on how the mood strikes me – but I probably drink more Laphroig and Lagavulin than anything else. I agree with those who said these are less safe bets than the Highland varieties when you’re buying for someone whose tastes you don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-scotch/424704/28 "2007-10-31T17:23:09Z")
[http://www.balvenie.com/](http://www.balvenie.com/) Balvenie is really nice, with a little bit of water. ---
**Author:** ![Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boulter_s_Canary)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-scotch/424704/29 "2007-10-31T17:38:42Z")
[Old Pulteney](http://www.oldpulteney.com/home.html) is an excellent single malt as is [Tobermory](http://www.tobermory.co.uk/distillery/tobermory_whisky.htm). ---
**Author:** ![Kyrie\_Eleison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kyrie_eleison/32/7682_2.png) [@Kyrie\_Eleison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyrie_Eleison)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-scotch/424704/30 "2007-10-31T17:47:41Z")
[QUOTE=Gordon Urquhart] Failing that, I’d also suggest Springbank – it’s halfway between a Highland and an Islay, and one of my favorites as well. [/QUOTE] Springbank was going to be my suggestion as well. I’d say it’s as safe a choice as the Macallan, in that it’s a bottle that few scotch drinkers are going to actively dislike, and it’s got the advantage of being somewhat more obscure. The advantages of obscurity are two-fold: You might be giving him a chance to try something he’s not had before, and also, you’re showing that you put more thought into the choice than the guy who popped into the local shop and bought the more readily available Macallan. Also, it’s my personal favorite. ---
**Author:** ![NailBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecae2f/32.png) [@NailBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NailBunny)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-scotch/424704/31 "2007-10-31T17:52:48Z")
I find most Scotch a little too “peaty”, but our bartender turned us on to something called, no-idea-how-to-spell-it but pronounced phoenetically: Boon-a-habin? I’m sure one of the other Dopers can advise how it’s spelled. I rather liked that - full-flavoured without tasting like band-aids smell. ---
**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:** [October 31, 2007, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-scotch/424704/32 "2007-10-31T17:59:06Z")
[QUOTE=NailBunny] I find most Scotch a little too “peaty”, but our bartender turned us on to something called, no-idea-how-to-spell-it but pronounced phoenetically: Boon-a-habin? I’m sure one of the other Dopers can advise how it’s spelled. I rather liked that - full-flavoured without tasting like band-aids smell. [/QUOTE] That’d be Bunnahabhain, which is an Islay but much less peaty than its island brethren like Laphroaig and Lagavulin. ---
**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:** [October 31, 2007, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-scotch/424704/33 "2007-10-31T17:59:29Z")
[QUOTE=NailBunny] I find most Scotch a little too “peaty”, but our bartender turned us on to something called, no-idea-how-to-spell-it but pronounced phoenetically: Boon-a-habin? I’m sure one of the other Dopers can advise how it’s spelled. I rather liked that - full-flavoured without tasting like band-aids smell. [/QUOTE] Bunnahabhain. Boon-a-havn. A fine dram. ---
**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:** [October 31, 2007, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-scotch/424704/34 "2007-10-31T18:01:51Z")
[QUOTE=NailBunny] I rather liked that - full-flavoured without tasting like band-aids smell. [/QUOTE] Ha - that’s a great description! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-scotch/424704/35 "2007-10-31T18:03:03Z")
[QUOTE=Kyrie Eleison] The advantages of obscurity are two-fold: You might be giving him a chance to try something he’s not had before, and also, you’re showing that you put more thought into the choice than the guy who popped into the local shop and bought the more readily available Macallan. [/QUOTE] You speak the truth! A buddy of mine, who drinks almost nothing, tries to do this when he buys me scotch. It always makes me feel good. ---
**Author:** ![NailBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecae2f/32.png) [@NailBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NailBunny)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-scotch/424704/36 "2007-10-31T18:03:26Z")
Yep, that’s it! ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-scotch/424704/37 "2007-10-31T18:10:10Z")
[QUOTE=NailBunny] I find most Scotch a little too “peaty”, but our bartender turned us on to something called, no-idea-how-to-spell-it but pronounced phoenetically: Boon-a-habin? I’m sure one of the other Dopers can advise how it’s spelled. I rather liked that - full-flavoured without tasting like band-aids smell. [/QUOTE] Another suggestion: if you like Scotch, but aren’t a big fan of peat, Irish whiskey may be just what you’re looking for. Jameson’s and Tullamore Dew are good, reasonably priced examples of the style, and are available at most bars if you don’t feel like taking the whole-bottle plunge for your first taste. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-scotch/424704/38 "2007-10-31T18:15:33Z")
I’ll be stoppin’ on the way home to pick up fifths of Highland Park, Springbank and Bunnahabhain. Most of the others I have. These recs are just too strong. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-scotch/424704/39 "2007-10-31T18:15:43Z")
[QUOTE=OneCentStamp] Another suggestion: if you like Scotch, but aren’t a big fan of peat, Irish whiskey may be just what you’re looking for. Jameson’s and Tullamore Dew are good, reasonably priced examples of the style, and are available at most bars if you don’t feel like taking the whole-bottle plunge for your first taste. [/QUOTE] I was recently introduced to Red Breast, another good Irish whiskey. I don’t think I’ve seen it in bars, though. It’s become my default Irish whiskey. ---
**Author:** ![MrSquishy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9e5f3/32.png) [@MrSquishy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrSquishy)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-scotch/424704/40 "2007-10-31T18:29:25Z")
I would heartily second **An Gadaí** ’s recommendation of The Balvenie, particularly their 12 y.o. DoubleWood or 15 y.o. Single Barrel varieties. I think the 12 should probably only run you about $50, the 15 probably more like $100. Those are Canadian prices though, and I’m guessing we probably pay more taxes on booze than you do. Also, I recently tasted a Bruichladdich 15 y.o. that was very nice. It’s an Islay, but it isn’t particularly peaty. I think it was around $90. If your boss happens to like Canadian whisky, I’d suggest a [Forty Creek](http://www.fortycreekwhisky.com/splash/) any day over a Canadian Club or a Crown Royal. I’m not sure what that would cost in the U.S. (or if it’s even available), but up here it’s only like $30. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-scotch/424704.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-scotch/424704.md?page=3)