What whisky for £100-£200-ish?

[davek_964]

Not a present for somebody else - but a present for me!

Favourites tend to be peaty stuff - Lagavulin 16 is the best. Also like Bowmore (12), Laphroaig (10), Caol Isla (can't remember which I've got), Bunnahabhain etc. For some reason, really don't like Jura - tried a couple and just can't get on with it.

Birthday is coming up, and the g/f is busy that day / evening so I'm thinking of treating myself to a decent bottle from the Whisky Exchange - rather looking forward to it actually!

Any ideas? Could go higher on price if necessary.

[Coneyhurst Blue]

Have you tried any Ardbeg ?
Some real crackers from there.

[davek_964]

Coneyhurst Blue said:

Have you tried any Ardbeg ?
Some real crackers from there.

One yes, but can't remember which (whatever the standard Supermarket fare is most likely).

[Coneyhurst Blue]

Not really my bag I much prefer the sherry bombs but I am reliably informed that this is a real star !

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-12022.aspx

Alternatively join the committee and be in line to purchase the 2014 Islay Festival release (Feis Ile) at the end of May ? This year its Ardbeg Auriverdes.

If you want to try a different style...............????????

[Hoofy]

Dalmore for me: http://amzn.to/1nr9Vtw

Edit: although it's not a peaty one and I don't know if they do those types.

[davek_964]

I like the idea of the Festival Releases, but a bit late for the big day. That Ardberg looks interesting, but not sure - although I liked the Ardberg I had, I'm not sure I liked it enough to tempt me to upping the budget for it.

Dalmore is a possibility. I've not tried Dalmore yet, but it's something I do want to try - and I could start with the more expensive one!

[Hoofy]

You know how sometimes you try something expensive and you think it's nice but not worth the extra cost compared to normal quality items especially if you're a tight git like me? Well, I've tried quite a few normal single malts (Glenmorangie, Glenfiddich, Bowmore, Jura etc) all around the £15-30 price range. Got a chance to sample a £100 Dalmore. Holy Christ, it's worth the £100!!

[Coneyhurst Blue]

Ok how about this....

With a budget of £200 why not split that across 3 bottles, you then get a chance to try 3 different distilleries and with £70/£80 to spend you move out of their core range into something a bit more special ?

So for me it would be

http://www.htfw.com/scotch-malt-whisky/speyside/gl...

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-15383.aspx

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-6942.aspx

Ok so a bit over but you get the idea.
Let us all know what you end up with.

[davek_964]

Hoofy said:

You know how sometimes you try something expensive and you think it's nice but not worth the extra cost compared to normal quality items especially if you're a tight git like me? Well, I've tried quite a few normal single malts (Glenmorangie, Glenfiddich, Bowmore, Jura etc) all around the £15-30 price range. Got a chance to sample a £100 Dalmore. Holy Christ, it's worth the £100!!

Damn. Over lunch, I was discussing with somebody that perhaps this is an opportunity to buy (and try!) a selection of whiskys I keep meaning to try and haven't got around to - e.g. Dalmore, Yamakazi.....

But you're selling that Dalmore to me quite well!

[davek_964]

Coneyhurst Blue said:

Ok how about this....

With a budget of £200 why not split that across 3 bottles, you then get a chance to try 3 different distilleries and with £70/£80 to spend you move out of their core range into something a bit more special ?

So for me it would be

http://www.htfw.com/scotch-malt-whisky/speyside/gl...

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-15383.aspx

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-6942.aspx

Ok so a bit over but you get the idea.
Let us all know what you end up with.

I'm sure I've had that Lagavulin. I know I did have a more expensive version than just the 16, and I'm pretty sure it was that distillers.

I guess the Dalmore that's been suggested is actually cheap enough that I could do both - get that, and a couple of other above average examples....

[Coneyhurst Blue]

davek_964 said:

Damn. Over lunch, I was discussing with somebody that perhaps this is an opportunity to buy (and try!) a selection of whiskys I keep meaning to try and haven't got around to - e.g. Dalmore, Yamakazi.....

But you're selling that Dalmore to me quite well!

I have tried several Dalmore expressions but not the King Alexander III so can't comment, I have however had the Yamakazi 18 and it is fantastic. Very very good indeed.
http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-2941.aspx

With the change:-
http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-9732.aspx

[Hoofy]

Could go for this one? http://amzn.to/1oa1d5p

Quite like the idea of getting a couple of different ones. I can't say whether a £200 bottle is better than a £100 bottle.

[Norse_mann]

This is a brilliant islay, its a slightly younger Ardbeg than the standard 10 and I really liked it (to the point I drank both the bottles I bought instead of keeping one in the attic as planned!)

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-5950.aspx

[davek_964]

That Yamazaki 18 is only £100-ish on Amazon.

I'm currently favouring the Dalmore Alexander III and the Yamazaki 18 - which would only total £200-ish from Amazon.

[buckline]

Have you thought about a Rye?

I have been (very slowly) making my way through a Sazerac 18. Best drink i have ever had in the house it was around £120 when i bought it.

[davek_964]

Not tried Rye, but I'll put it on the list for a future try.

Nothing like a snap decision - just ordered the Dalmore and the Yamazaki. Postage was surprisingly expensive on the Yamazaki, but still came in at under £250 for the pair.

I could still be tempted to try something else in the £60 region if anybody has any suggestions - which would mean my budget grew from the initial £100-£200 to £300 - but you only live once.

[davek_964]

It's expensive not being busy at work.....

Just made up the difference myself. Since I do like the Bowmore 12 (very easy to drink) - I figured it had to be worth trying another Bowmore, so just ordered the Bowmore 18. I'm sure it's a bargain at £72.

So my birthday will now consist of sampling Dalmore Alexander III, Yamakazi 18 and Bowmore 18. It's likely to be a night I won't remember!

[Coneyhurst Blue]

Sounds like a great evening - well done ! Be interested to hear what you think.
What time do you want me there ?

[davek_964]

Couple of weeks away yet, but I will certainly update with my impressions. Hope I don't like them too much - don't really want to get a taste for £100 bottles!

[Coneyhurst Blue]

It's a slippery slope !