Ok, so hubby was out at a cigar bar a couple months back with some friends. He said he finally tried single malt scotch and loved it. Because I’m a good little woman, I filed that under ‘potential birthday gift’ in my brain.
So now his birthday’s coming up. In fact, it’s August 6th. As you’ve probably surmised by now, I want to buy him a good bottle of single malt scotch. I’ve done some research and have decided the following conditions the scotch must meet:
No blends, only single malt.
Preferably from a Lowlands distillery. From what I gather, scotch from this region is going to be milder and a bit more palatable for a beginner.
At least ten years old.
Preferably cask strength, but this isn’t a deal breaker.
As this won’t be his only gift, I’d like to spend less than $175.
So, have at it, Dopers with refined taste in liquor. Recommend a good bottle of single malt scotch for Mr. Tech. He’s married to me so he really deserves a nice gift.
There’s a ton of suggestions that fit your criteria, so I’ll just offer my two favourites.
Glenmorangie 15 years old (older and younger also available - estimated price $40-50. It’s from the Northern Highlands, but he’ll never know. It’s smooth and mild.)
Here’s an earlier thread that helped me when I started drinking Scotch, about a month ago.
Due to my limited experience with the subject, I won’t venture to give any advice, though. Except to say that I haven’t yet paid more than about £35 for a 30 cL bottle. It doesn’t cost that much.
Actually, for a beginner, I recommend a HIghlands malt.
Glenlivit and Glenfiddich (technically a Speyside), as mentioned by cards, are both good beginner single malts. I also recommend Glengoyne.
However, my front-runner would have to be Glenmorangie. It’s a north Highland malt, light-bodied, very full aroma, with a dry finish and a bit of spiciness. Glenmorangie originated the practice of re-racking from bourbon casks to sherry-wood casks for the last maturing years. This creates a delicious and complex whisky, bringing out a slight sweetness without overpowering the palate. There is the tiniest hint of a smoky, peaty undertone - a truly superb single malt for the dollar spent.
Thank you so much for the suggestions, guys. I’m going to go to the Liquor Store for the Upwardly Mobile[sup]TM[/sup] with my list in hand this weekend.
Juanita, buy in the same general group as one he already likes, or you’ve just blown bucks. There are several Scotch books that lay out which are similar. I bet that info is commonly available online, too.
My favorites are Lagavulin and The Macallan (which have high ratings among tasters at large, too). Just to show how subjective this is, though, I don’t really care for any of the whiskies mentioned above.
If someone gave me Laphroaig, an offbeat, esteemed, strong whisky produced by my distant relatives I’d give it away. I hate the stuff.
There’s nothing particularly great under $30. I’d agree that $175 is WAY too much to spend if you don’t know his tastes.
When I lived in Scotland for a year (admittedly before the whole single malt craze hit in the 90’s), the two that were most often cited as the best that fit your description were Glenmorangie (which, by the way, is pronounced as if it rhymes with “orangy”) and Macallan.
I have heard many a Scot state that you can’t do any better than 18 year Macallan…
Just to confuse things further, my personal favorite is Laphroaig, but I also like Lagavulin. As partly_warmer said, choosing a single-malt whisky is a highly subjectve, very personal decision. You might want to look into getting a sampler with the six classic malts. It’s a good way to find out what general type he likes.
JuanitaTech - in your OP you said that your fella wanted a lowlands variety of single malt. That typically means a straight-ahead, mild scotch, of which Glenlivet and Glenfiddich are probably the best known. Laphroaig and Lagavulin could not be more different from that - they are from Islay, an island off the west coast of Scotland, and they are big, peaty, acquired taste scotches - not for the faint of heart.
Again, given your description, the best I know of are Macallan and Glenmorangie. I am also partial to Oban.
Yum. Scotch. I’d say if your hubby tried Single Malts in a bar, he most likely had some Oban. I’ve done enough “research” to confirm that most bars I’ve frequented have Oban. Good single malts to get your hubby are Oban, The Dalmore, Dalwhinie, or the MacCallan. They’re all delicious. Whatever you decide on, I hope he enjoys it.
[celestina looks at her watch to see if it’s too early to go get herself a sip.]
Terminus Est: A sampler’s a fine, fine idea! I’m going to see if the Liquor Store for the Upwardly Mobile[sup]TM[/sup] carries such an animal.
WordMan: No, he doesn’t even know I’m buying him scotch. I, based on limited research, concluded that a single malt from a Lowlands distillery would probably be best because of its reputed mild taste. My research, however, doesn’t preclude me from trying a single malt from another region.
Ino: lol re: pouting it out for your homies!!!
celestina: He had the drink in a cigar bar known for it’s wide selection of single malts.
No doubt Macallan 18-year-old Scotch is a serious one, all the books say so. Not my choice for a beginner though.
I’ll recommend this Balvenie for a new Scotch drinker, and that’s just because your budget is pretty generous. Maybe this one and another bottle or two, a starter set, if you will. You don’t have to pay such high prices for great single malts, but I can see why he married you.
I would go with The Macallans, myself. The 12 year is about 45-50 bucks, and is a good, round, all-purpose type. It can also be found at most bars that have 4 or 5 bottles of good scotch. The 18 year is definitely smoother will probably be 90 bucks or so ( I haven’t looked in a while).
The 25 year old Macallans is the nectar of the gods, but at 270 or so, pretty much blows your limit. My wife stopped on her way to the hospital, in labor (albeit extremely light), to get me that when our first daughter was born. Boy did they treat her well at the liquor store.
One option would be to get a few bottles. Perhaps Glenlivet, Glenfiddich and Macallans, or some combination thereof. Hubby could compare tastes, and none of them are very harsh.
Avoid Laphroig and Talisker like the plague. Very strong, smoky and peaty. If you get them, please send them to me. I’ll take care of 'em for you.
I’ll have to chime in with Abe Babe here on the Macallen’s… The 12-year old is a very good starter. Given my choice, yeah, I’ll go for the 25-year every time.
I think I’d also have to agree that the Laphroig/ Lagavulin are very peaty/ smoky, and much more an acquired taste. Something to go for when you’re interested in trying a different aspect of single malt.
Another good one I’d recommend for a starter is Glen Keith. I can’t recall if their basic bottle is a 12 yr or 15 yr, but it’s very tasty, as well.
My personal favorite right now is Loch Du…it’s a black single malt…slightly smokey, but has an excellent flavor.
It’s smooth and mild.)