Whiskey present for a best mate

[Josho]

So my best mate is into Whiskey. He's not mega mega into it but getting into it and has a few bottles. Some of his mates are all into whiskey and he loves trying new stuff.

Anyway its his 4th year anniversary and I want to buy him some sort of whiskey related gift.

I used to like whiskey until 4 years ago after a number of beers and doing a litre of whiskey at his wedding at the end of the night.

We climbed Snowden last month and I has the slightest sip and felt ill so its not for me!

Any ideas from any real men?

[hiccy18]

https://glencairn.co.uk/product/flight-tray-set-wi...

[Carbon Sasquatch]

Budget ?

[loskie]

You dont give any idea of costs or tastes so I'm assuming £50

If he is into whisky but you aren't sure what Balvenie is a good bet:

https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/balvenie/bal...

If it were me and you were being a bit daring an Islay Malt:
https://www.laphroaig.com/uk/triple-wood

Try going to a local retailer ( a proper drinks shop) and ask them for advice

[Bill]

This isn't snobbery, but do you mean whiskey (ie Irish/bourbon) or whisky (ie Scottish)? If it's whisky I love this: https://www.thewhiskyworld.com/isle-of-jura-supers...

[Biggy Stardust]

https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/tomintoul/to...

[ALBA MELV]

Alternative could be a tasting set from Master of Malt. A good way to sample a variety of whisky without the hassle of buying a full bottle and not liking it.

https://www.masterofmalt.com/tasting-set/

[vixen1700]

Can't go wrong with a bottle of this:

https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/114/ardbeg-uig...

Or this

https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/49749/balvenie...

I'd be most happy being given either.

[Desiderata]

The taste for whisky is a bit like the taste for chillies, coffee, curries etc. You start off liking the mild ones and over the years as your taste buds develop/ get melted, you tend to go for stronger more distinctive flavours. I know very few "beginners" who enjoy an Islay malt, and few "old hands" who don't.
If you have any idea what your friend currently enjoys, we'd be in a better position to advise on what to try next.

[InitialDave]

Japanese stuff is very good, I often like Nikka, but a lot of their nicer ones are ridiculously expensive over here.

From the US:
Blanton's single barrel is very nice, and Eagle Rare is also very good and not at all expensive.

[warch]

I'm not Welsh but I do like Penderyn whisky, there's tasty!

[Welshbeef]

warch said:

I'm not Welsh but I do like Penderyn whisky, there's tasty!

Oh yes

[Stuart70]

Springbank 12 yo.

Easy drinking - somethings different to the Ardbeg, Balvenie Waitrose aficionado selections.

Just my opinion of course.

[DJFish]

I’m having the same dilemma.
Have narrowed it down to:

Suntory HibikI

Hibiki Japanese Harmony Suntory Whisky, 70cl https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B012DC0OHQ/ref=cm_sw...

Or

Woodford double oak

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Whisky 70 cl https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DYU1P1Q/ref=cm_sw...

No idea what his preference is, if I’m going get a sniff I’m erring on the bourbon....
Thoughts?

[Bill]

No idea, but I'd very happily try either!

[Murph7355]

I did the same as you - can barely sniff the stuff now without feeling ill

My dad loves a drop and gets a bottle every year at Christmas and birthdays from me. Always try and get him something different.

Glenmorangie 18yr old was my last favourite before the o/d episode. A cracking drop.

Have bought my dad Balvenie before. Very light in all senses. An easy choice.

Last year we got him a personalised decanter type bottle (engraved from his grandsons) of English whisky - https://www.englishwhisky.co.uk/

Year before I got him some Yamazaki - https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/yamazaki/the...

And this year I've bought him some Indian whisky - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amrut-Indian-Single-Malt-...

All of these ones had some sort of resonance/story behind them for me/us. May be worth thinking along those lines?

Lagavulin is nice as I recall, but very peaty/strong. Ditto Talisker.

We've gone through a lot of the Scottish single malts over the years. All went down well.

[UTH]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Agreed. Wonderful stuff

[hiccy18]

DJFish said:

I’m having the same dilemma.
Have narrowed it down to:

Suntory HibikI

Hibiki Japanese Harmony Suntory Whisky, 70cl https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B012DC0OHQ/ref=cm_sw...

Or

Woodford double oak

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Whisky 70 cl https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DYU1P1Q/ref=cm_sw...

No idea what his preference is, if I’m going get a sniff I’m erring on the bourbon....
Thoughts?

I've always been impressed with Suntory drams. Don't think I've tried Woodford but I've heard plenty of good things about it, if I was more of a bourbon drinker I would have sought it out.

[devnull]

UTH said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Agreed. Wonderful stuff

It is lovely stuff but I’ve not bought it for a while. It always makes me feel a bit negative - probably one of the most mood altering drinks I’ve had a for a long time!

[SpeckledJim]

hiccy18 said:

DJFish said:

I’m having the same dilemma.
Have narrowed it down to:

Suntory HibikI

Hibiki Japanese Harmony Suntory Whisky, 70cl https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B012DC0OHQ/ref=cm_sw...

Or

Woodford double oak

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Whisky 70 cl https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DYU1P1Q/ref=cm_sw...

No idea what his preference is, if I’m going get a sniff I’m erring on the bourbon....
Thoughts?

I've always been impressed with Suntory drams. Don't think I've tried Woodford but I've heard plenty of good things about it, if I was more of a bourbon drinker I would have sought it out.

I don’t think you’d go wrong with the Hibiki. I have a bottle and it’s really nice.

Bourbon is more risky. Unless you already know he likes bourbon, don’t assume he’ll like bourbon just because he likes scotch.

I love scotch, but wouldn’t cross the road for even a very special bourbon.