Father's Day Present/Single Malt Scotch Help please.

Nimick

Nimick

Joined
Jul 26, 2005
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Help please

I thought I'd get my old man a bottle of single malt scotch for a fathers day present this year. My buddy recommended one liquor store where the owner apparently "knows his scotch". I told the guy I know that my father likes Glenlivet (which I have no particular love for), but I didn't want to get him that because he's got 3 bottles in the cabinet. He gave me a bottle of MacCallan 12yr. saying "everybody likes this". But I don't quite buy that.

so I've decided to ask a group of people who I don't know, but still trust more than the liqour store guy.

If he likes Glenlivet (acutally like it, not "the only single malt you've had") he will probably like "what"?

He does like sherry and congac (if that helps)

thanks in advance.
 
Go with the 12 year old Macallan. I'm a single malt fan, and it's the best I've found. Well, there's always the 18 year old Macallan ($100), or the 25 year old Macallan ($350). :)

- Mark
 
Nimick,


I started drinking malted scotches long before it became popular to do so, 30 years ago Chivas or Johnnie Walker Black Label where considered the high end bar whiskies…yuck, fortunately a friend of mine had been around Scotland in his youth and developed a taste for malted whiskey and educated me on malted whiskies in the early 70's. My all time favorites are Laphroaig and Logavulin and after that come the other malts. MacCallan is one of the more recent single malts since the ‘boomers’ discovered whiskey, ceegars and Harleys. With that said, MacCallan is ok but nothing special, try Laproaig, if your dad is a Scotch drinker, it should make him happy.

For a bit of information, the US is the only place I seen Scotch called Scotch…else where in the world, a whiskey is Scotch. The flavor of individual Scotch is very particular to the region of Scotland the distillery is located.

Good luck and good drinking,

Steve
 
Thanks guys.

.45acp

I'm currently working a bottle of Glenkinchie, and have a bottle of Talisker I haven't opened yet. I asked for help on this particular issue because I tend to shy away from the more "Fruity" or "Floral" malts. of ones I've tried, I tend to like the vanilla/nutty/smokey/peppery malts more. I have a really tough time picking out the best of something I don't like.
 
The Balvenie Portwood:

'Class in a glass'
To create The Balvenie Portwood 21 Year Old, rare 21 Year Old Balvenie - which has been matured in traditional oak casks - is transferred to a port cask, or pipe, which has held fine port wines. Here it is sampled every month by The Balvenie Malt Master to ensure that just the right amount of character is imparted by the port casks, enhancing and developing the single malt, whilst preserving its original characteristics.

At this year's International Spirits Challenge, The Balvenie Portwood 21 Year Old was awarded a prestigious Gold Medal. In 2004, it received a trophy for 'best single malt 12 years and over' at the International Wine & Spirits competition, being described by the judges as 'class in a glass'.

About $100 per bottle, and worth every penny. I also like the Glenlivet and Laphroig, but the Portwood is heads above any other that I have ever tasted

Best Regards,

STeven
 
Nimick

Laphroaig and Logavulin are both strong on the peat and smoke flavor. I tend to like the Islay whiskies, so it is easy to recommend them; I think they go especially well with a good cigar because of the deep peat and smoky flavor.

Scotch whiskies are really tough to recommend because each is individual, with a flavor distinct to the particular distillery. I have probably tried at least 100 of the different malts on the market and keep coming back to Laphroaig and Logavulin as my favs.

Let us know what you decide on.




Steve
 
If your Dad likes sherried malts I'd avoid the Islays (Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Ardbeg etc.), even though they are my favorites. Without knowing your budget I'd suggest Aberlour, Dalwhinnie, or Highland Park.

Jack
 
You all know your malts! Not a bad one in all the suggestions. I have been around the Talisker distillery, and am fond of that. All the Balvennie wood finishes are very nice.

If you want something completely different and he already has a stock of malt whisky, how about buying him a bottle of late bottled vintage port? Also Tawny port is good as are single quinta ports (ports from one grower and not blended with other growers' wines.

I favour Taylor's, but then I would :)

If you want a very smooth whiskey and want to cross the Irish Channel, see if you can get Bushmills 10 year old malt at you local liquor store. It is very smooth and will give many Scottish malts a run for their money! It has a GREEN label, so don't get confused with Bushmills with the yellowy label or Blackbush with the black label. One of my customers used to order a 'Tina Turner' when he wanted one of those. :D
 
I favour the more strongly-flavoured island malts, e.g. Talisker (from Skye, where I live!), Laphroaig and Lagavulin. They can be an acquired taste, though, as many consider them to be "medicinal" in flavour.

If your father enjoys sherry, you might consider one of the malts matured in sherry casks as an interesting option. A Google search will reveal many varieties including Aberlour, Glenmorangie Sherry Wood and so on.

Whatever you do, just don't let him either:

1. Add mixers, or;

2. Add ice

Either would be sacrilege!

Sláinte mhath!

maximus otter
 
Nimick said:
He gave me a bottle of MacCallan 12yr. saying "everybody likes this". But I don't quite buy that.
Click to expand...

Oh, it's true. Everyone loves The MacCallan 12.


He does like sherry and congac (if that helps)
Click to expand...

It doesn't just help, it answers the question. The Balvenie, either the Port Wood, or the Double Wood. The Double Wood is very good, and remarkably affordable for a single malt (about $50 for a fifth here in the US).
 
I found some Bowmore 25 YO online for $125 a few months ago. I have been getting immense enjoyment from it.

Bought a bottle of Lagavulin 16 last year for $49, although I notice now it's up to $75.
 
Some of my fav's...

Isle of Jura, Famous Grouse, and Dalmore

Glenn
 
I will add to the above good advice with my own favorite...Glenmorangie 18yr...you might also try the Glenmorangie bottlings aged in the Sherry or port casks.
 
Glenmorangie is my current favorite. The 10 year old is great for casual imbibing, but they offer several other options such as port, burgundy, madeira and sherry finishes. They offer 15 and 18 year olds that are very nice as well.
 
Thank so much guys,

Well, there were three votes for The Balvenie malts, so I took a gander at them. and from the descrptions I've found online it makes sense that they would be right up his alley. unfortunately my local liqour store was out of the Portwood, so I got the Doublewood.

But I'm sure this bottle of MacCallan will come in handy. I got lots of Holloween baby birthdays coming up.

now I have to save up for a bottle of Laphroaig.

edit: I'm really liking this Glenkinchie though. what is similar.?
 
I am sure that your father will appreciate it Mucho.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Just in case anyone is remotely interested, this is a list of whisky and ports that I have in storage pending my residency approval and passage through Customs without having to pay duty. I am hoping the Caol Ila 18 year old isn't as iodine mouthwash as the 12 year old I tried. The John, Mark & Robbos are interesting, three friends who decided to blend whisky. They did a good job too. Each one is 'what it says on the label'. All the bottles were gifts and just one of the perks of owning an Inn. :thumbup: ;)

Mellow Chaos said:
I found some Bowmore 25 YO
Click to expand...

I would love to try that. I have some Bowmore Legend 12 yo and we have emptied 2 x 12 year old already.

NAME BOTTLE SIZE ABV REMAINING

Caol Ila 18yr Islay Malt 70 cl 43.00% Full
Royal Lochnagar 12 yr old 70cl 40.00% 1/2 Full
Mitchells 12 yr old 70cl 43.00% 3/4 Full
Mitchells 12 yr old 70cl 43.00% Full
Bowmore Legend 70cl 40.00% Full
John Mark & Robbos Rich & Spicy 50cl 40.00% 1/2 Full
John Mark & Robbos Smooth & Sweet 50cl 40.00% 1/2 Full
John Mark & Robbos Smooth & Peaty 50cl 40.00% 1/2 Full
Sandemons 1977 Vintage Port 70cl 21.00% 1/2 Full
Taylors Quinta de Vargellas 1972 Vintage Port 70cl 21.00% Full
Ramos Pinto Porto Reserva 75cl 19.50% Full
Ramos Pinto LBV 1992 75cl 19.50% Full
Ramos Pinto LBV 1996 75cl 19.50% Full
Ramos Pinto Quinta da Ortiga 75cl 19.50% Full
Pousse Rapiere Sparkling Blanc de Blanc 70cl 12.00% Full
with Armagnac to mix with Blanc de Blanc 100ml 24.00% Full
Armagnac 2002 Presentation bottle 35cl 40% Full
Marsala 70cl 19.50% Full
GLEN MORANGIE WOOD FINISH x 3 MINIATURE WHISKY 5CL 43% Full
 
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