Whiskey Connoisseurs

[Bollah]

It's a very good friend's of mine 30th Birthday coming up soon and thought about what to get him. I know he likes his whisky, so am asking the PH massive what is a good expensive whisky that he should appreciate.

Any ideas then?

Edited by Bollah on Wednesday 8th October 11:28

[V8mate]

He'll probably prefer whisky

[HundredthIdiot]

Define "expensive".

[Rav]

Whats the budget?

[Bollah]

up to £75 - £100

[Graham]

any idea on his tastes?

[Saied]

I personally love the smokey, peaty Islay single malts, although they are not to everybody's taste.

Ardbeg, Talisker, Laphroaig or Lagavulin for me.

[minerva]

Find what he likes (peaty or not etc etc) and then google distilleries which produce similar, but more exclusive types.

If you let us know what he already drinks, we could probably be of more assistance...

[Bollah]

Graham said:

any idea on his tastes?

Well he has had the following before :

Talisker
Glenfidich
Bushmills
Monkeys Shoulder

[FourWheelDrift]

V8mate said:

He'll probably prefer whisky

Not if he prefers Irish.

[Thudd]

V8mate said:

He'll probably prefer whisky

I like Whisky and Whiskey.

Normally prefer Talisker, but i've been enjoying Black Bush.

Though the double-mature Talisker is calling to me from the kitchen...

[V8mate]

FourWheelDrift said:

V8mate said:

He'll probably prefer whisky

Not if he prefers Irish.

I thought the OP wanted products for a connoisseur?

[guru_1071]

heres a cheap bottle i spotted whilst on holiday.....

[GingerNinja]

18 Year Old Macallan is totally awesome - this is a sherry oak and is quite different to the Fine Oak, which is not as good.

A few places that sell it:

http://www.bbr.com/GB/db/product/53017B?referring_...
http://www.royalmilewhiskies.com/product.asp?pf_id...
http://www.parkerswhisky.co.uk/oscommerce/macallan...

[wadgebeast]

At that sort of price, just about anything will be fantastic.

Suggest Springbank or a good Macallan - the former is different as it comes from Campeltown and isn't as bland as some of the speysides or as peaty as some of the islay ones. Macallan is very sherry nosed and all the more lovely for it, especially with age. Talisker is another decent bet as it isn't as iodiney as the islay malts, something that the ageing will highlight....

Lucky bloke.

[Bollah]

guru_1071 said:

heres a cheap bottle i spotted whilst on holiday.....

Try this for cheap then http://www.whiskyshop.com/Shop/Detail.aspx?pid=250...

[TWSTEEL]

The demise of the Pacific Ring big spenders, who would always prefer a genuine scotch whisky to other varieties, led to an overproduction in the Scottish distilleries and subsequent discounting to large buyers. In the past few years it has been possible to get hold of some very decent single malts at amazing prices, but some of the relatively unknown brands to the UK home market have not lived up to expectations.
The same cannot be said of this distillery
http://www.bruichladdich.com/
Check out their website and look at what's happened there over the past few years. Then go and buy a bottle for your friend and he will be forever in your debt for introducing him to it.
It is by far the finest, smoothes single malt I've ever tasted. Subtle, delicate, and the best whisky ever to mix with water. Check out the production method and you'll see why.
BTW it's also a very good investment if you can get in at this stage of the game.

[bigdavy]

GingerNinja said:

18 Year Old Macallan is totally awesome - this is a sherry oak and is quite different to the Fine Oak, which is not as good.

A few places that sell it:

http://www.bbr.com/GB/db/product/53017B?referring_...
http://www.royalmilewhiskies.com/product.asp?pf_id...
http://www.parkerswhisky.co.uk/oscommerce/macallan...

+1

Superb stuff, I've never heard of a whisky drinker that didn't like it.

[Chessers]

Talisker is not a bad shout.

Go onto the Scottish Malt Whisky Society site - as they have full tasting notes for all their whiskies.

If you are London based go along to Hatton Garden and the barman will take you through some.

For anyone who likes whisky, get yourselves along there, they have some fantastic whisky from distilleries that are now closed.


www.smws.co.uk

[danrc]

We just got back from Elgin and visitied the Glen Moray distillary. Whilst there we bottled our own Whisky

http://www.glenmoray.com/personalised-glen-moray.h...

It tastes lovelly and comes in at a cool 61 %. Its only £40 and is something a little different.

If you want to spend a bit more we tried this whilst we were there and it was amazing!

http://www.glenmoray.com/tasting-notes/tasting-not...