can i get a decent bottle of scotch for $50? - Page 3

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Aaack!!! What a thread.

 

I actually would not have agreed with gnat's advice on the three G's (very dull whiskys), though I always bow to his knowledge of bourbon, or the Laphroaig, though I would not have been as harsh as ama. I think that a Scotch lover would appreciate Laph even if he did not like it, and eventually, he might like it, or at least would want to try it again.

 

Quality glasses are a great gift. Even though I do not own, and do not like, the ones lefty has, had I received them as a gift I would be ecstatic, because they are Scotch glasses and they say that, so I would know my gift0giver gave it some thought. I might not appreciate that impolyt's selections are also good for Scotch (though I enjoy, as he pointed out, heavily sherried whiskys in my Sommeliers XO Cognac glasses).

 

But for any other reader of this thread, looking to gift scotch: Finding out your recipient's favorite region is great! But if not, it is really hard to go wrong with Speyside, as it is a very versatile all-rounder. My choice would be Cragganmore. If you have a store that has special editions by bottlers such as Signatory, Murray McDavid, or Cadenhead, any of those would likely be appreciated for their rarity. I would also suggest any of Diageo's 'Distillery's Edition' whiskys, which have an additional layer of flavor from secondary maturation -- the Cragganmore, Oban, Dalwhinnie would not be kicked out of bed by any Scotch drinker, and can be had for ~$50.

 

~ H

I guess you don't need advise any more but Whiskey stones are good cheap gift for scotch drinkers. good way to keep scotch cold without watering it down.

http://www.amazon.com/Teroforma-1220-Whisky-Stones/dp/B002GZX2DE

 

Whiskey stones are a very interesting idea, and I would personally use them while drinking a Canadian whiskey or something of that sort. However, I would never chill scotch. Watering down scotch also isn't a big deal seeing as many seasoned scotch drinkers will occasionally add a splash of water to a glass. It allows you to cut the bite and enjoy the more subtle and complex flavors. 

 

For under $50, I personally don't think anything will beat Glenmorangie 10 year. They are able to take a relatively young scotch and give it a lot of character. 

I can appreciate the fact that a seasoned scotch drinker would not chill scotch. I don't chill scotch and I'm definitely not seasoned scotch drinker.

But you'd be surprised how many people "love" scotch with ice.

Im a pretty avid (was) single malt drinker...for 50 bucks you can get a bottle of Balvenie double wood....best scotch for under 100 bucks IMHO

It is a very personal choice, Balvenie doublewood isn't even top 10 in my opinion.

no kidding?? too funny. i was REALLY pleased with it. I first tried it next to the balvenie 21 year....which was good, but to my tastes, not as smooth as the doublewood. the 21 wasnt a total waste of money, but i wish i wouldve saved the coin and bought a couple bottles of the doublewood.

and yeah, ive found that it is a very personal choice.... even the bset booze has a 50/50 shot from person to person. haha

Not whiskey but if you're looking for glasses you might look at Glencairn Crystal, Try here

Among most Single Malt aficionados I've run across, the Glencairn is the preferred shape and size.

That little stem on the Reidel is a little too precious.

I know I'm piling into a thread where the issue has already been settled, but...

...I enjoy Scotch, I probably drink more of it than most people, and I would gladly accept any number of sub-$50 bottles of scotch. As Huntsman pointed out, there are Cragganmores and Obans and many others (I enjoy Highland Park and I even enjoy Glenmorangie) for under that money. Part of the enjoyment of Scotch is realizing they're not all the same and reveling in the variety - not unlike wine. Most of us don't pick out one or two wines that become the only ones we drink.

Scotch glasses are a fine gift but speaking for myself I hate gifts of glassware or flatware or plateware because they're very personal things. It seems like every year someone gives me a pair (or four) wine glasses or scotch glasses or highballs or a set of 6 plates or something and I just end up with a giant uncoordinated set of mismatched junk. Going Reidel is a positive I guess because at least it's nice stuff, but if the target in question owns a set of 8 glasses already that he/she likes already, chunking in two more that don't match isn't much of a gift.

probably a bad recommendation for this occasion but to add to the 'cheap scotch' line of thought

I get this for $20 at the liquor store around the corner... and tell some friends to get it who aren't scotch drinkers.
I think it's the best bargain scotch in the area.

Trader Joe's has a $20 single malt that kicks ass

....although I wouldn't give it as a gift. It's definitely good as a "back up" scotch at home.

Cheers!

This is SF - backup is Macallan 25

For future reference, please don't buy speysides for people who actually like scotches. The Glens are all insanely boring scotches, if I want that flavor profile I'll drink a much cheaper blend.

I would go with a highland somewhere in the middle. Smoky and peaty, but mild enough that they won't turn people off.

I've been really impressed with Aberfeldy 12 year. It's right at $40 here in Indianapolis. However, when I was in DC last month I couldn't find it anywhere, so I'm not sure if it's easy to find.