Need help with Scotch selection

[Zedman05]

Ok, so the wife is going to Vegas for a few days, and I want her to bring back some decent (yes decent, not expensive) scotch for me (around 40-70/bottle) and need some advice. I have had scotch a couple times and do not like JW Blue/Red/Black, but have had a couple different bottles from Scotland over the years that were great. I don't have a clue about scotch, so I am pretty much a newbie in this department, and would like a few suggestions.
Thanks

 

[GolfNut]

If you like "smoky" scotch, grab some laphraoig or lagavullin, if not a peaty kind of guy, try Glenmorangie port finish.

 

[GolfNut]

Those 3 BTW are pretty much our rotation

 

[Docbp87]

Highland Park is the best bang for your buck Scotch on the market for me. It starts sweet and fruity, and finishes dry and a touch smokey. It just has a little of everything, perfectly melded together.

 

[veeref]

Check out the duty free at the airport, if its Liberty, they have 1 liter (yes, 1 liter) bottles of Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban for ~45-50. The other one they usually carry which I like is the Balvenie Doublewood for around 45. Both are good, not too earthy with a nice sweet finish.

 

[SmokeProper]

Email orangedog on these forums..... his Scotch knowledge and collection is like none other I've ever even heard of!!!

Wow. So orangedog, let's see some pics!

OP, my fav is Lagavulin. And you can't go wrong with balvenie.

 

[Burning Man]

If you like "smoky" scotch, grab some laphraoig or lagavullin, if not a peaty kind of guy, try Glenmorangie port finish.

Great suggestions but if you are a new to scotch the Lagavulin IMO is not for beginners. It's high quality stuff but it took me some time to develop a taste for it. Dalwhinnie is also pretty good and won't break the bank. eace:

 

[Zedman05]

You guys rock. Thanks. Once again I am going OCD trying to learn about scotch, just like I do with cigars. I have never wanted to get into the expensive alcohol world because cigars take up too much of my spending cash as it is, but I can't afford not to pick something up south of the border as it is almost half the price that it would be here.

 

[kaz646]

The Macallan 12 yr is one of my favorites. It's a little pricey for a 12 yr (about $40-45), but has tons of flavor. Also, the Macallan cask strength is another great scotch. Very strong @ 58% alcohol and costs about $60. Anything by Macallan you can't go wrong with though

 

[xxxses]

With one word, Glenfiddich to me this is one of the nicest flavors of scotch out there and keep in mind with scotch every year counts. This might sound strange but you cant go wrong with any of the "Glen's". Try them "Neat" first and if not try with a little bottled water. Enjoy:skew:

 

[Zedman05]

So when in Nicaragua we did a Rum tasting one night. We had 7/12/18 yr rums that were freshly opened that night. The only one that I was able to taste without an alcohol attack on my pallet was the 18. Am I going to experience that attack with the scotch's lower than 10, 15 or 18 year? I am looking for smooth here as much as flavor, and I found that the 18 was by far the smoothest of them all.
Some go for flavor and don't mind that bite, I go for smooth just like my cigars :eyebrow:
I guess what I am saying is; do I have to bump up my price range to start getting more aged bottles, or can I get some great stuff in that 40-70 price range that isn't about knocking me off my feet with strength ?

 

[xddco]

Wow. So orangedog, let's see some pics!

OP, my fav is Lagavulin. And you can't go wrong with balvenie.

Here is a pic of my selection (from 2010)... there are even more now.... my favorite go to: Hedonism by Compass Box.... followed by Quinta Ruban by Glenmorangie....

all time favorite: Macallan 25......

 

[Fox]

If you like "smoky" scotch, grab some laphraoig or lagavullin, if not a peaty kind of guy, try Glenmorangie port finish.

Man, we do not want to kill the poor guy. . .:rolling: My brother says Laphroaig should have a skull and crossbones on the bottle. . .I do not disagree though; those are my all-time favorites.

For beginners, I usually recommend things like Aberlour, Highland Park, Balvenie or Lagavulin.

 

[Fox]

So when in Nicaragua we did a Rum tasting one night. We had 7/12/18 yr rums that were freshly opened that night. The only one that I was able to taste without an alcohol attack on my pallet was the 18. Am I going to experience that attack with the scotch's lower than 10, 15 or 18 year? I am looking for smooth here as much as flavor, and I found that the 18 was by far the smoothest of them all.
Some go for flavor and don't mind that bite, I go for smooth just like my cigars :eyebrow:
I guess what I am saying is; do I have to bump up my price range to start getting more aged bottles, or can I get some great stuff in that 40-70 price range that isn't about knocking me off my feet with strength ?

You are always going to note some rougher edges from the younger scotches. Laphroaig 10-year is absolutely loved by many connoisseurs, but generally detested by new scotch drinkers. But, there are other 10 - 12 year varieties that I think are quite good: Aberlour, Talisker, Oban, Balvenie and others. After that you really start to get into a bigger investment. The Lagavulin 16-year is one of the very best, but also quite peaty as are all of the Islay malts.

Consider trying a few at a good lounge. Good bartenders will be able to help you and can offer some good choices. There is quite a selection of tastes and prices to choose from when you enter the world of scotch.

 

[SmokeProper]

Laphroaig 10-year is absolutely loved by many connoisseurs, but generally detested by new scotch drinkers.

Ya, Laphroaig is my budget petey friend. Its rough and no where near as refined and smooth as Lagavulin. I usually reluctantly drink it as its good, but just makes me want Lagavulin more....lol

 

[Ed Monton]

If you want smooth, you should stay away from the peaty malts. I would suggest a portwood finish may be more up your alley.

 

[Ed Monton]

if not a peaty kind of guy, try Glenmorangie port finish.

Yup... Good advice here.

 

[orangedog]

some good advice already thrown out... I will add this... JW tends to use a bit of northern highland whisky in their blend, so while it isn't very strong on peat, you do get some smoky notes. Also for a decent period, the Black has used a fair bit of Talisker.

So... if you haven't cared for that profile, I'd stick with some of the Speyside or non-Northern Highland malts... such as Balvenie (my personal favorite), Glenfiddich, Glenmorangie, Aberlour, Macallan, etc.

Macallan is a bit en vogue now... I'm not a huge fan, but I would go with the Cask Strength and just know that you may get your favorite flavors by adding a touch of water.

On Balvenie... hard to recommend a starting point other than the 12yo. It provides a good deal of complexity with the influence of the different woods, but isn't too hot considering its young age.

Glenmo and Glenfiddich are also good... my favorite from these distilleries is the Glenfiddich 21yo... but it is a bit more expensive than what you noted, and it is rum finished - so you probably need to like rum if you're going to like it.

On that note... for the recommendations for other finished whiskies, like port finished or sherry finished... keep in mind that often the finishing REALLY influences the whisky. I'm not a port or sherry fan, so I don't really like whiskies with that finish (even though the Balvenie 21 PortWood is one of their more popular offerings, I'm not a huge fan).

Glenlivet may be an option for you too... maybe the Nadurra which is much more flavorful than the rest of the line... probably even moreso than the XXV.

Feel free to post up or drop a line with other questions...

(And AZCigarNut gives me too much credit, but I could get a picture or two of my "delayed drinking" storage at some point... while it is a fun collection, I'm seen much much larger!)

 

[weskimad]

If you want to learn about scotch whisky, www.ralfy.com is a great resource. Lots of educational stuff, and his video reviews are top notch.

 

[Zedman05]

Thanks everyone. I am currently enjoying a Jura 18 year. I do like one called the Peat Monster.
Tried the Laphroaig Quarter cask, didnt do it for me.
Tried the Highland Park 12, nope!
Tried the Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban, didnt like the finish.
Tried the Balvenie Doublewood 12 year, too bitter.
Actually got to try a couple others too, the best seemed to be the Jura and Compass Box Peat Monster. I had a decent selection tonight.
Oh yeah, if anyone can find me one or two bottles of Caol Ila 18 or older, can you let me know as my cousin here has a hard on for it and will pay in .... well.... we are not willing to discuss what he is liable to do for those bottles haha.
Thanks