CECAA850 Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Looking to buy my daughters boyfriend a nice bottle of Scotch for Christmas. I'm more of the clear (Gin, Vodka) alcohol drinker and know nothing about Scotch. Suggestions please. Thanks, Carl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brac Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 You looking to impress with the name or the flavor or both? How much you want to spend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Looking to buy my daughters boyfriend a nice bottle of Scotch for Christmas. I'm more of the clear (Gin, Vodka) alcohol drinker and know nothing about Scotch. Suggestions please. Thanks, Carl. IMHO, there is NO bad single malt on the market. Dalmore can be had for 25.00 or so... Here's my favoritie reference: Appendix A: Classification of Scotch Whiskies The 12 groups resulting from Ward's (1963) minimum variance clustering of Scotches are described as follows. Group names (A-L) are as in Fig. 1. Scotches: a list of the whiskies in the group Average characteristics: the dominant characteristics for members of this group; the colour, nose, body, palate and finish characteristics are separated by semicolons Distilleries and Scotches average rating: average scores given by Jackson (1989) to these distilleries (from 1 to 5) and Scotches (from 0 to 100), separated by a semicolon The best of its class, according to Jackson (1989), among those selected for our study: Scotch name, (region), age and score for that Scotch A.1. Group A Scotches: Aberfeldy, Glenugie, Laphroaig, Scapa Average characteristics: full gold; fruity, salty; medium; oily, salty, sherry; dry Distillery and Scotch average rating: 2.75; 75.3 The best of its class: Laphroaig (Islay), 10 years, 86 A.2. Group B Scotches: Aberlour, Balvenie, Benrinnes, Dalmore, Glendullan, Glenlivet, Glenturret, Highland Park, Lochside, Macallan, Millburn, Oban, Singleton of Auchroisk, Strathisla Average characteristics: amber; sweet, sherry; medium, smooth; dry, sweet; long Distillery and Scotch average rating: 3.86; 80.0 The best of its class: Highland Park (Orkneys), 12 years, 90 A.3. Group C Scotches: Ardmore, Blair Athol, Clynelish, Glenmorangie, Port Ellen, Talisker Average characteristics: pale gold; sweet, salty; medium to full, oily; sweet, spicy; big, long, Spicy Distillery and Scotch average rating: 3.50; 78.5 The best of its class: Talisker (Skye), 10 years, 90 A.4. Group D Scotches: Auchentoshan, Ben Nevis, Coleburn, Speyburn Average characteristics: pale gold; fruity, grassy; oily; sweet, fruity; sweet, quick Distillery and Scotch average rating: 2.75; 69.5 The best of its class: Auchentoshan (Lowlands), 10 years, 85 A.5 . Group E Scotches: Balblair, Bladnoch, Caol Ila, Edradour, Glenburgie, Inchmurrin, Inverleven, Kinclaith, Littlemill, Pulteney Average characteristics: pale wyne, gold; fruity, peaty; light; sweet, spicy; fruity Distillery and Scotch average rating: 3.00; 74.8 The best of its class: Bladnoch (Lowlands), 8 years, 85 A.6. Group F Scotches: Aultmore, Benriach, Benromach, Bunnahabhain, Cardhu, Dalwhinnie, Glenallachie, Glen Deveron, Glenkinchie, Glen Scotia, Inchgower, Knockando, Miltonduff, Springbank, Tullibardine Average characteristics: gold; aromatic; medium, smooth, light; sweet; sweet Distillery and Scotch average rating: 3.27; 76.5 The best of its class: Springbank (Campbeltown), 15 years, 88 A.7. Group G Scotches: Cragganmore, Glenglassaugh, Glen Moray, Longmorn, Rosebank, Tamnavulin, Tomintoul Average characteristics: gold, full gold; grassy; smooth, light; grassy; dry Distillery and Scotch average rating: 3.43; 79.1 The best of its class: Cragganmore (Speyside), 12 years, 90 A.8. Group H Scotches: Bruichladdich, Deanston, Fettercairn, Glenfiddich, Glen Mhor, Glen Spey, Glentauchers, Ladyburn, Tobermory Average characteristics: white wyne, pale; sweet; smooth, light; sweet, dry, fruity, smoky; dry, light Distillery and Scotch average rating: 2.44; 69.2 The best of its class: Bruichladdich (Islay), 10 years, 76 A.9. Croup I Scotches: Ardberg, Bowmore, Dufftown, Glenfarclas, Glenlochy, Glenury Royal, Jura, Lagavulin, Longrow (Springbank distillery) Average characteristics: gold, full gold, bronze; dry, peaty; medium, light, finn; dry, smoky, sweet; salty Distillery and scotch average rating: 3.67; 79.9 The best of its class: Longrow (Campbeltown), 14 years, 90 A.10. Group J Scotches: Glen Albyn, Glengoyne, Glen Grant, Glenlossie, Linkwood, North Port, Saint Magdalene, Tamdhu Average characteristics: full gold; dry, peaty, sherry; light to medium, round; sweet; dry Distillery and Scotch average rating: 2.88; 72.8 The best of its class: Linkwood (Speyside), 12 years, 83 A. l l . Group K Scotches: Balmenach, Brackla, Convalmore, Craigellachie, Dailuaine, Dallas Dhu, Glendronach, Glenesk, Glen Keith, Glenordie (Glen Ord), Glenrothes, Knockdhu, Mortlach, Tomatin, Tormore Average characteristics: gold, full gold; sweet, dry, peaty; medium to full; sweet, dry; dry, long Distillery and Scotch average rating: 3.07; 74.0 The best of its class: Dallas Dhu (Speyside), 1971, 85 A.12. Group L Scotches: Banff, Caperdonich, Glencadam, Glen Elgin, Glen Garioch, Imperial, Lochnagar, Teaninich Average characteristics: full gold; aromatic, peaty; medium; sweet, smoky; smoky Distillery ond Scotch average rating: 3.00; 73.3 The best of its class: Lochnagar (eastern Highlands), 12 years, 80 Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted November 30, 2012 Author Share Posted November 30, 2012 Dave, you could have stopped after the first sentence[]. Brac, I was looking for something that was considered good tasting under $50.00. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay481985 Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Macallan 12 make sure in sherry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brac Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Dalmore is nice. I haven't tried Tomatin 18, but it's on my list. (good reviews) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Brac, I was looking for something that was considered good tasting under $50.00. Then I'll repeat myself: To my knowledge, there are no bad tasting single malts, period. Granted, I'm good with a Mogen David and soda over ice...[:$] But, to ensure I am not percieved as an "anything with ethyl in it" type, there are some dreadfully dirty gins, vodkas, some AWFUL rums, nasty bourbons and sour mash, etc. It's just that with single malt, there are no startups or newbies and the Scottish will not suffer any besmirching of their precious uisgebeatha, or water of life. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 I haven't tried Tomatin 18, but it's on my list. (good reviews) Probably not for 50.00??? Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted November 30, 2012 Author Share Posted November 30, 2012 Brac, I was looking for something that was considered good tasting under $50.00. Then I'll repeat myself: To my knowledge, there are no bad tasting single malts, period. Granted, I'm good with a Mogen David and soda over ice... But, to ensure I am not percieved as an "anything with ethyl in it" type, there are some dreadfully dirty gins, vodkas, some AWFUL rums, nasty bourbons and sour mash, etc. It's just that with single malt, there are no startups or newbies and the Scottish will not suffer any besmirching of their precious uisgebeatha, or water of life. Dave Point taken, that's why I'm asking. As far as Vodka goes, I like most anything made from Potatos. Chopin's my favorite but there are some cheaper ones (Monopolowa for example) that are inexpensive and taste pretty good. I've only found 2 Gins that I really like. Tanqueray 10 (pricey) and New Amsterdam (inexpensive and REALLY good). All the above get shaken with ice (straight) and poured over 3 queen olives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxx Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Brac, I was looking for something that was considered good tasting under $50.00. Then I'll repeat myself: To my knowledge, there are no bad tasting single malts, period. I agree... However, my personal favorite is Glenfiddich. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moray james Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 I recently bought a bottle of Islay whiskey for a bud on his BD was called The Arran no peat used to malt the barley. Never had a peatless scotch it is excllent. Buy a bunch and compare. Have fun. Best regards Moray James http://www.arranwhisky.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Here's my favoritie reference: http://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/home/jhb/whisky/lapointe/text.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaddeus Smith Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 completely unrelated, but i love a nice simple French school (equal parts of all three ingredients) Sidecar. I went through a short phase of trying out the various classic cocktails and this one made the biggest impression. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seti Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 I'm an Islay Scotch fan especialy Lagavulin. When I started drinking it it cost $50 a bottle but now it is $110... 8-( For those that want to learn about scotch without paying big prices check out by the dram http://www.masterofmalt.com/samples/ You can also try some rare and usually unavailable scotch this way just click try sample. If you want to window shop the crazy rare stuff http://www.masterofmalt.com/old-and-rare-whisky/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moray james Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 That is a fine Scotch. I have a very sort spot for Laphroaig either the 18 year old or the cask strength mmmm. http://www.laphroaig.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RT FAN Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 CECAA850, I will second the recommendation of The Macallan 12 year Sherry Cask. Runs $55 or so here in NYC, perhaps less if you shop around. Without getting into the more esoteric & expensive single malt scotches, you absolutely CANNOT go wrong with The Macallan. To quote from Michael Jackson's Guide to Single Malt Whisky,(which is chained to the bar at Keen's steakhouse here in Manhattan), "Macallan is the Rolls Royce of single malt whisky." Of course this recommendation takes into account you actually like the guy! PS: Lagavulin is also a great single malt but runs above your stated budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted November 30, 2012 Author Share Posted November 30, 2012 All recomendations have been written on a sticky note and put into my wallet for my next trip to Specs (local store). Thanks to all. I knew I'd get some good info here. Carl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JL Sargent Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 While your there ask if they carry "Royal Salute". You might be feeling froggy and willing to spring a little extra $ for future S-N-L. If it's not the best it is one of them. [] Through a loophole sometimes this Scotch can be scored on Ebay at what many consider reasonable prices. http://www.ebay.com/itm/VERY-RARE-Royal-Salute-Chivas-Brothers-Spode-Decanter-Dark-Brown-Unopened-/271064310745?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1cb123d9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seti Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 That is a fine Scotch. I have a very sort spot for Laphroaig either the 18 year old or the cask strength mmmm. http://www.laphroaig.com/ Yup that is my back up Scotch ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay481985 Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 Point taken, that's why I'm asking. As far as Vodka goes, I like most anything made from Potatos. Chopin's my favorite but there are some cheaper ones (Monopolowa for example) that are inexpensive and taste pretty good. I've only found 2 Gins that I really like. Tanqueray 10 (pricey) and New Amsterdam (inexpensive and REALLY good). All the above get shaken with ice (straight) and poured over 3 queen olives. Try Russian Standard, though its not from Potatoes. Chopin was and is expensive, I always for potato went with luksusowa vodka As for gin I like Tanqueray as well but their 10 is expensive, did you ever try Hendricks with a cucumber? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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