Cousins 30th bday. Johnnie Black is his favorite.
I'm looking to spend $100.
What do you guys have on mind?

Oh man, it's really hard to give scotch recommendations without knowing the person... the world of singlemalts is SO diverse...

Does he like sweet ones? Floral? Citrus? Leather? Honey? Seaweed? Peat? Tobacco? Salt?

Islays versus speysides versus highlands versus yadda yadda etc.

JB is a blend. I'm not real comfortable giving advice on blends because in general I stay away from them. Now if you want to go singlemalt, I can give plenty of different recommendations

I have had JW black though and it isn't a particularly top shelf blend, nor is it particularly complex which makes it fairly approachable (maybe the macanudo of the scotch world). If you want a generally easy to approach singlemalt, you can't really go wrong with a bottle of 12 year old MacAllan or the Dalwhinnie (the Macallan is a bit more leathery and chewy, the Dalwhinnie is lighter, very floral and citrusy with honey notes). Those are generally two very good "gateway" malts and aren't overly aggressive. There are tons more in that style that are equally good so don't take that as a categorical recommendation.

-- Gary F.

Since he is a Jonnie Walker fan this may be ideal: http://www1.dealtime.com/xPO-J...ch-Sample-Pack-200ml

If he likes Black (my favorite everyday scotch) and you are in the $100 range I would say grab him a 1L of Johnnie Gold. It really is exquisite. BTW Gary, I have to disagree with you on black, from my taste I can get alot of Cragganmore and Talisker in there, both of which are great single malts. Either way, drink what you like. Cheers.

Just like with cigars, the palate is intensely personal so drink what you like and like what you drink

Personally, I prefer Lagavulin and cask strength Laphroig. These are generally WAY too intense for most people. I also keep 18 year old MacAllan on hand, it's a good "everyday" (not that I drink it every day) malt that is a little more palatable and approachable when I want to share with friends.

-- Gary F.

I'd go with the Gold in Johnnies range.

But thats just the opinion of your "NEW" cousin in lil ol NZ

I gave him a bottle of Gold already, lol. We both did like it and I am more of a rum guy.
Let's stick with the single malts this time.

If I were to try something myself, it would be Glenmorangie Nectar d'Or or Macallan Fine Oak...Just based on reading descriptions.

Honestly I prefer the regular Macallan over the fine oak. The regular is aged in sherry casks and has a deeper, richer flavor IMO.

The Glenmorangie is pretty good.

What sort of flavor profile are you looking for? Do you want a sweeter malt, something lighter, something heavier, etc?

I may not know jack about cigars (yet) but I know my malts. I'll see if I can steer you right

-- Gary F.

For a good balanced single malt I'd go with Talisker 18. For something a bit lighter Dalwhinnie 15.

I was never a big JW fan until a buddy of mine who works for Diago, (I believe they now own JW) gave me a bottle of JW Blue as a gift. It is wonderful!
So, if you've tried the Gold-step up to the Blue. The same friend also gave me a bottle of Crown Royal Cask #16. Again, wonderful, I would give that a try.

If you were buying for someone, what would you buy? =)

If your price is $100.00 usd, I would do the CR #16. You can find it at a high-end store for around $65-80 usd. The JW Blue usually runs around $200.00 usd.

It depends on who I was buying it for

Generally, for someone who's brand new to singlemalts I would stick with Dalwhinnie, 12 year old MacAllan (not the fine oak), 10 year old Glenmorangie or the 12 Glennlivet (the 12 is quite a bit better than the 18 in this case).

The Talisker is also quite good although I'd stay away from the 10 year old and go straight to the 18 (it's quite a bit better rounded). Stay away from Glennfiddich IMO. It's only fit for mixing in Rob Roys as far as I am concerned.

I've had really good luck introducing friends to singlemalts with the Dalwhinnie, although it's a bit light and sweet for my tastes everyone I have given it to has loved it.

I have in my bar right now 12 year old Macallan, 18 year old Macallan, Lagavulin, Glennfiddich (strictly for mixing and making sauces and such) and a special bottling of the MacMurray and David 17 year old Macallan.

So, the recommended starter list would be:

15 year old Dalwhinnie
12 year old Macallan
18 year old Talisker
12 year old Glennlivet
10 year old Glennmorangie

Any of those would be a fine gift and a good introduction to singlemalts without blowing them completely out. Once they really get into malts, then you start moving to the Bunnahabhain, Lagavulin (my personal favorite), Ardbeg, Highland Park, Springbank, special Macallan bottlings, etc.

-- Gary F.

Cant argue with Gary's list, especially as an introductory buy. I would be tempted to add an 18yr Highland Park, IMO one of the best, but it may be a little too much for someone who hasn't really gotten into the malts yet. BTW Gary, I may start a new thread soon to get yours and others opinions on some malts as I see Lagavulin is one of your favorites, which I am also very fond of.

The 18 year HP is superb, but it's a bit much for a new singlemalt drinker, IMO. It's a fairly intense malt.

There are plenty I'd recommend to experienced drinkers... the highland park, Cask strength Laphroig, Lagavulin, etc that I'd also steer newbies away from until they got their palates adjusted.

-- Gary F.

Ozz,
Have you bought the gift yet?
Just stumbled upon this and thought it would be perfect: http://www.singlemaltsdirect.c...?action=full&id=1564

Great site by the way.

quote:

Originally posted by mellison:
Ozz,
Have you bought the gift yet?
Just stumbled upon this and thought it would be perfect: http://www.singlemaltsdirect.c...?action=full&id=1564

Great site by the way.

I haven't ordered yet. I have emailed some online vendors to see if they will ship to NY.
I'm surprised shipping to the US from Scotland is $25...I will look through that site a bit more, thanks.

kind of late to this party and really more into Bourbon but some frineds started me on scotch with a bottle of Balvenie Doublewood I'm certainly no expert but I liked it.

I tried my first bottle of Balvenie the other day. Very nice taste.