Whiskey, what to get?

[illmonkey]

After getting a bottle as a gift for someone, they usually just have a bells at the pub, but after something a bit nicer as a gift. Up to about £50, or is that not sufficient?

Woops, put a E in the title.

[Vocal Minority]

You can get loads of really nice whiskies for under £50.

Do you know the prospective recipients tastes? If you can find out, Chris Type R posted a fantastic matrix do-dah to pick the right one on another thread

Chris Type R said:

Having tried some, I'm not sure I'd describe it as an introductory whisky.

All imho etc

Someone posted this on hotukdeals recently (from http://www.malts.com/) - very interesting:

Edited by Chris Type R on Thursday 31st July 10:13

By the way that is in no way an exhaustive list, but a start.

Edited by Vocal Minority on Wednesday 13th August 16:49

[DoctorX]

I'd be very happy if someone bought me a bottle of Talisker or, even better, Ardbeg. Lovely stuff.

[Chucklehead]

Lagavulin 16

[jinkster]

Lagavulin 16

[vixen1700]

Lagavulin 16
Bowmore Tempest
Ardbeg Uigeadail

If they don't like peaty, then Glenlivet 18.

I'd be more than happy with any of those £50 bottles.

Edited by vixen1700 on Thursday 14th August 13:23

[Hoofy]

Dalmore, please.
http://amzn.to/1hwEBcv

[ManFromDelmonte]

It's too difficult a question really.

If you bought me a bottle of Aberlour 16 year old double cask I would be absolutely delighted, if you bought me a bottle of Ardberg or Talisker I would think you were trying to poison me.

If you can, find out which whiskys they like and buy them a decent bottle of something similar.

[mph1977]

ManFromDelmonte said:

It's too difficult a question really.

If you bought me a bottle of Aberlour 16 year old double cask I would be absolutely delighted, if you bought me a bottle of Ardberg or Talisker I would think you were trying to poison me.

If you can, find out which whiskys they like and buy them a decent bottle of something similar.

That's the problem with Scotch though - some highly rated whiskies are undrinkable floor cleaner really ,but just because they come from certain distilleries and certain critics like phenol levels approaching TCP ...

[BorkFactor]

Anothet vote for Dalmore (12 is good) or Aberlour (12 or 16) staying in budget

[Laplace]

mph1977 said:

That's the problem with Scotch though - some highly rated whiskies are undrinkable floor cleaner really ,but just because they come from certain distilleries and certain critics like phenol levels approaching TCP ...

Someone can't handle their Ardbeg then ^ Lovely stuff!

While Lagavulin 16yo DM is my go to Whisky, the OP does state his friend usually drinks Bells. I think going from Bells to Lagavulin would be quite a leap.

The OP, imo, should be aiming for an easy drinking Speyside: Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Aberlour, Balvenie etc.

[illmonkey]

Laplace said:

mph1977 said:

That's the problem with Scotch though - some highly rated whiskies are undrinkable floor cleaner really ,but just because they come from certain distilleries and certain critics like phenol levels approaching TCP ...

Someone can't handle their Ardbeg then ^ Lovely stuff!

While Lagavulin 16yo DM is my go to Whisky, the OP does state his friend usually drinks Bells. I think going from Bells to Lagavulin would be quite a leap.

The OP, imo, should be aiming for an easy drinking Speyside: Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Aberlour, Balvenie etc.

I said in the pub, but they only have bells or famous grouse! He's likes a good whisky, so I'm sure some of the more 'advanced' stuff will be appreciated. I hope to buy from waitrose though, not sure what they stock.

Thanks for all of the advice guys.

[Podie]

Waitrose generally have a decent selection.

As you've already gathered, it depends if they like sherry, smoke or peat.

What have you seen them drink?

[Laplace]

illmonkey said:

I said in the pub, but they only have bells or famous grouse! He's likes a good whisky, so I'm sure some of the more 'advanced' stuff will be appreciated. I hope to buy from waitrose though, not sure what they stock.

Thanks for all of the advice guys.

Lagavulin 16yo gets my vote then. The double matured if you can get it is exceptional, although that may be out of budget.

[Podie]

Laplace said:

illmonkey said:

I said in the pub, but they only have bells or famous grouse! He's likes a good whisky, so I'm sure some of the more 'advanced' stuff will be appreciated. I hope to buy from waitrose though, not sure what they stock.

Thanks for all of the advice guys.

Lagavulin 16yo gets my vote then. The double matured if you can get it is exceptional, although that may be out of budget.

Highland Park and Macallan are constituent malts in Famous Grouse.

Bells is largely Blair Athol, with a few others (caol ila being the one I remember).

[V8 Animal]

Glenkinchie is a good shout miles away from Bells

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

Dalwhinnie has my vote, every time. Not ridiculously expensive - but a fabulous whiskey, smooth, earthy and goes down beautifully.

[Podie]

V8 Animal said:

Glenkinchie is a good shout miles away from Bells

IIRC, it's a component part of the Bells blend.

[DoctorX]

Podie said:

Waitrose generally have a decent selection.

As you've already gathered, it depends if they like sherry, smoke or peat.

What have you seen them drink?

I'm currently drinking Bunnahabhain which I picked up from Waitrose, very sweet and rich. A fine choice and not the acquired taste that some of smokey whiskies might be.

[vanordinaire]

DoctorX said:

Podie said:

Waitrose generally have a decent selection.

As you've already gathered, it depends if they like sherry, smoke or peat.

What have you seen them drink?

I'm currently drinking Bunnahabhain which I picked up from Waitrose, very sweet and rich. A fine choice and not the acquired taste that some of smokey whiskies might be.

Bunnahabhain is currently £27 a bottle in Morrisons. IMHO one of the nicest 'easy drinking' whiskies you can buy