I'm looking for a present to give a friend's father who has been very kind to me over the years. I've been told he is a scotch and vodka drinker.

I figured the scotch would be a better present than vodka. I'm not sure how serious of a scotch drinker he is, and I don't have much experience myself so I am looking for some advice. I've doing some research and asking some people. Both of the following:

Lagavulin 16 yr.
Laphroaig 15 yr.

seem to both have good review/ratings and decently price. (I'm trying to keep it under $100).

I'm worried the Lagavulin might be a little too salty / brinney for casual scotch drinker. Could an amateur scotch drinker appreciate this or should I look at something a little softer?

Any ideas or recommendations?

I'd like to point out I read the other thread, and it was full of great suggestions, I'm just curious how the Lagavulin would be like for a amateur scotch drinker/(sipper?).

The Islay malts have a very smokey peaty taste. I personally prefer them to other Scotches.

Scotch is a matter of taste, just like cigars so before buying a gift try to find out what kind of Scotch he likes.

If I receive another bottle of Glenlivit I think I will vomit.

i wouldn't give an occasional scotch drinker a bottle of islay scotch.. too peaty and too smoky for most unexperienced palates...

go with a northern highland scotch... maybe one of those new scotches finished in old casks (port or sherry).. either would be very fruity and pleasant to drink.. maybe a glenmorangie sherry cask or a glenmorangie port cask.... you can also go for glenkichie 15.. all of these scotches are quite fruity and easy to drink....

just my 0.02$

quote:

i wouldn't give an occasional scotch drinker a bottle of islay scotch.. too peaty and too smoky for most unexperienced palates...

Couldn't agree more. Like Docbarry I do love Islay malts but I didn't right away. I think Salibas has the right idea, I had a Craggenmore that was aged in old port casks that was just perfect when I was starting off. In fact I plan on getting another bottle to have on hand as they are easy drinkin and great for guests.

quote:

Originally posted by bburnham17:
I had a Craggenmore that was aged in old port casks .

i didn't know that craggenmore had a port cask... must me quite good.... i had a chance to try a craggenmore (i think it was a 12 year old) a few years back, and i loved it.. very refreshing, and so easy to drink....

another good recommendation..

Lagavulin is much less peaty than Laphroaig, but I agree may not be appropriate for an occasional scotch drinker. It's a great drink, hoever, to see another side of scotch.
Some other good single malts are Highland Park and Balvenie Doublewood. The Balvenie never fails to satisfy a scotch enthusiast who has never had it. Another is Oban.
You may also consider a small batch bourbon, like Pappy van Winkle 15 or 20 year old or the vanWinkle Lot B, but this may not be the direction you want to go. To everyone reading this thread, the Pappy 20 (now about $90) is probably my favorite spirit. It's amazing.

laphraoig is very much an acquired taste, and if you over-indulge, you'll be tasting it for days. the whisky equivalent of a cohiba robusto.

if you're dead set on an islay whisky, i'd recommend caol ila. it's less rough than the other islays, but just as complex.

great job all... excellent observations. You are spot on with your descriptions. I must say that although Laphroig(the 30 yr old and quarter cask in particular) is probably my favorite the Ardbeg is certainly a winner. I actually am a "Friend of Laphroig" and own a piece of land at their distillery.

Sintay... great call on the Caol Ila.. i had it at a scotch dinner at Tavern on the Green in NYC and I fell in love. So many good flavors inside and goes amazingly well with a good cigar. That Craggenmore is as well and also one of the blends of the Johnnie Walker Green. Hardlined.. to help out... I would say start off with a Glenmorangie or a Balvenie and you cant go wrong. He will certainly appreciate either. Then dont be afraid to ask what he really likes as it may be something you can offer going forward. Let us know the results.

matty, i got a bottle of 25 year old caol ila about 10 years ago for about $150. it was by some distance the best whisky i have ever tasted.

if you can track one down and don't mind spending that sort of money on a bottle, i highly recommend it. mind you, it lasted me a couple of years, i only ever went near it on special occasion, and never had two drams in a row.

now that i see... you are from the holy land.. scotland itself. I will be heading there for my 4oth bday (in 7 years lol)Cant wait to drink scotch, smoke cigars, and watch rugby, LIVE. I actually had a close friend and roommate who played for scotland in the 99' world cup. I had the pleasure of trying a dram of that at a colleagues house about a year ago. I have a bottle of the 18 year old at home and the 12 year old aint to shabby either. That 25 year old costs about $250 here in the US and is not easy to find. I have a new son coming in 8 weeks.. that may be the bottle i pick up to share with friends and family. Have you ever ventured to any of the distilleries?

well, if you're planning on smoking cigars in scotland, you'd better come in summer because the only place you'll be allowed to is outside and it's way too cold and wet the rest of the year to stand in the street outside a bar for more than the length of a cigarette.

funnily enough, i've never been to a distillery. it's always the way that people take what's on their own doorstep for granted. i should really.

and good luck with the birth!

cheers, thank you! I grew up 15 minutes outside of NYC and until 4 weeks ago had never been inside the Empire State Building and I still havent been to the Statue of Liberty. A good smoke in the cold rain is always better then no smoke in a warm room... well kinda...

I was in Scotland this spring. Nice weather but as ou said no indoor smoking but was nice on the grounds of the hotel. I was in Fife. Drank Dalmore and Port and enjoyed every minute of it.