Scotch recommendations
 

If you're a scotch drinker, what's your recommendation for good scotch?

THE GLENLIVET Single Malt 18 years of age. Been around since 1824. There are only maybe a thousand Scotch Whisky's to choose from. I would suggest a visit to the Whisky Exchange in Edinburgh in order to find one you truly like

Thanks. For tonight I was just going to go to Total Wine! :D

I find the Total Wine folks can be helpful. They sometimes have an off label 18 year old single malt scotch whisky for like $80. I think the name was Shieldaig - you sometimes have to ask for the 18yo. They hide it out back. Happy hunting !

ETA here it is...even cheaper than I remembered : SHIELDAIG SPEYSIDE SINGLE MALT 18YR
750ML

4.2
(147)
$54.99

Lagavulin In their words: Deep rich pettiness, masculine....

Turned on to Aberlour A'bunadh, by Penn.

The only scotch I drink.

TR

I much prefer bourbon but will answer. I think recommendations depend on your price range and what region you like.

Good summary here from https://thewhiskeywash.com/whiskey-s...need-to-know/:

I keep some scotch in my bar for guests, currently or very recently including Johnnie Walker Blue (an expensive blended whisky), 1982 Caol Ila (also expensive, an Islay), a 35 y/o called The Chosen Few (crazy expensive), and some more conventional single malts like Oban, Dahwhinnie, and Old Pulteney.

Stick with bourbon and you'll be happier. ;)

Completely agree with RL.... I have also been trying out a few different rye whiskey and Irish whiskeys as well. Developing my “buy again” list.

Regionally I prefer a nice Islay... Peaty and smokey.

If you're thinking of trying that I'd go easy with a lower cost Laphroaig because you may not care for it.

Are you a Guinness person or a pils person?

My top whisky houses.

• Aberlour
• Balvenie
• Glenmorangie
• Glenfiddich
• Highland Park
• Macallan

and I don't like it, tastes like a salt lick that spent the winter in the milk barn, disgusting & vile to the pallet, gruff on the tongue, not in my whisky cabinet..

Good whisky can be somewhat judged by age and price.

The longer it ages the more alcohol evaporates from the barrels. Think time & labor. You can make shine in a week at 140 proof with ZERO flavor.

Age that shine in a new oak barrel for 5 yrs, move it to a USED Port wine for another 8 yrs and maybe finish it in a sherry cask for a while,, that's where the labor & carrying cost piles up.

Like any modern business, they have some true classics and they also tend some one-off, special cask bottlings. SO, if you have a good local store you get "specials"

I have had the pleasure of three separate special bottles, each was numbered xxx of yyy, with the cask number. Truly exceptional. I try to stay away from specials as my pocketbook cries when I pick up a bottle.

Just be careful,, the higher-priced bottles are rarely that much better than the moderate-priced bottles.

With exceptions, very good whisky can be had in the 50-100 USD price range.

Here is a good starter list:
https://www.liquor.com/best-single-m...iskies-5070384

Best under 100 USD list
https://robbreport.com/food-drink/sp...guide-2947118/

Might want to find a copy of Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch, A connoisseur's guide to the Single Malt whiskies of Scotland Hardcover – January 1, 1991, by Michael Jackson (Author) It's older but will get you thru the muck of who, where, and when..

My favorite straight bottle is Glenfiddich 14 Year Bourbon Barrel Reserve.


If I am pouring scotch over a couple of ounces of club soda then Chivas-12 is a good sip. Of course, if it is going over a couple of ounces of club soda its hard to beat plain old Dewars or Johnny Walker

Macallan 12 or Glenfiddich 14 is a good start. A few different cask types depending on your liking and both under $100.

From there, rarer stuff like Bruladdich Dark Art, Balvenine 17 double wood, and Macallan 18 are your $3-400 range.

Or just go all out and get some 25+ year stuff if you’re feeling froggy.

I have always had Jameson or Bushmills to make Irish coffee, but just recently discovered that there are bunch of high-end Irish whiskeys. Have not tried any but it's on the list.

There is a Pappy van Winkle rye. It's not worth the price, but its very good.

Redbreast 15 Year Old Single Pot is a nice smooth Irish Whiskey worth a try - about a hundo a bottle.

Tullamore Dew Caribbean Rum Cask is a smooth - value priced - Irish Whiskey.

I’m a fan of the Rum Cask finish. I’m a fan of glenfiddich for the quality vie price.

I too have started drinking more American whiskeys...Virginia distilleries have some good stuff! I’m a huge fan of Cotoctin Creek

(At most of the ABCs JJ or you can drive out to the tasting room in Purcellville)