Scotch Question

Instead of jumping into $40, $50, $60 Single Malts for noobs, maybe we should talk about value-priced blended Scotch as a gateway. I used to like Ballantine's, and then got onto White Horse.
 
resinguy said:
Instead of jumping into $40, $50, $60 Single Malts for noobs, maybe we should talk about value-priced blended Scotch as a gateway. I used to like Ballantine's, and then got onto White Horse.
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How about PINCH!!! Great little blended scotch for the 30's
 
I really like Laphroaig, are there good options in the 30ish range that have that smokey flavor, Whether single or blends?
 
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resinguy said:
Instead of jumping into $40, $50, $60 Single Malts for noobs, maybe we should talk about value-priced blended Scotch as a gateway. I used to like Ballantine's, and then got onto White Horse.
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Great point, Guy. There are some less spendy scotches that I do really like. That said, the ones I can think of pretty well depend on having developed a taste for scotch to begin with. For instance, Johnnie Walker black is a very drinkable scotch for the price, but for a newbie could be a bit of a jump in flavor and may not be a good gateway.

Ones I listed were specifically related to "which tastes would least likely scare someone off" so I took cost as a little less of a factor (without going too crazy, I hope).
 
engineerciv said:
Wow...we have some real scotch aficionados around here!! I have wanted to try some and see if I like it...what would you all recommend as a good starter scotch? Quality flavor and affordable price. My grandpa always drank Glenfidditch but I never asked for a glass. It sounds like to me between Glenfidditch, Johnny Walker, Laphroaig, Glenlivet, and Macallan that about covers the bases of mainstream scotch around here.
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For a good starter, a few years ago I would have said the Macallan 12YO is the alpha and the omega. It was the only Scotch that I actually liked for a long time. My only reservation about recommending now that is that prices seem to have gotten really out of hand. It was about $35 a bottle just a few years go. Now it's $60. Same thing happened with my current favorite, Lagavulin. It went from under $60 to over $90 in just a couple years. I blame Ron Swanson.
 
JohnTheTexican said:
For a good starter, a few years ago I would have said the Macallan 12YO is the alpha and the omega. It was the only Scotch that I actually liked for a long time. My only reservation about recommending now that is that prices seem to have gotten really out of hand. It was about $35 a bottle just a few years go. Now it's $60.
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Agreed! WTH, right??? :confused: I still say the Mac 12 is one of the easiest drinkin Scotches there is! :thumbup: I have a 1.75L of it I bought at Costco out in CA. :cool:
 
There are so many good whiskies out there. Glen Moray is a great value, but I have only had the 12. I tend to buy young whiskies, as my finances aren't endless. I have had some great ones though, Glenfiddich Snow Pheonix, Highland Park 30 yr, and a few other selections. I will say, my favorite (for the value) is Highland Park 12 yr. Ancnoc, Belvenie, Ardbeg, Benromach and Bowmore all have great 10/12year offerings.

Really, it all comes down to your taste and what you have tried. There are so many great distilleries in Scotland (and elsewhere), and that is the main point. So my advice to anyone (and I'm by no means a professional, or even close) is do some research, and buy whatever Scottish/American whiskies and bourbons that catch your attention and start a collection. Start with young whiskies and develop your taste. I'd drink whisky over water if they made a nourishing non alcoholic version!
 
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Davidfs said:
I really like Laphroaig, address there good options in the 30ish range that have that smokey flavor, Whether single or blends?
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For blends in that price range, the Cutty Sark Prohibition is a great value with a little bit of peat. JW Green has already been mentioned, but that's got a fair bit of Talisker in it to give it some smoke/peat/pepper bite (they've been know to go on sale from time to time @ Costco).

Westland Peated American Single Malt from Seattle is a great pour (Serge from Malt Maniacs recently rated it very well).
 
In terms of blends, I'm with the poster above who mentioned Compass Box. Their Great King Street Artist's Blend is (IMO) one of the most drinkable, light, tasty, all-occasion scotches out there. Their newer Glasgow Blend leans a bit more toward the peaty side, and the pricier Lost Blend also is a winner. All nice alternatives to single malts...
 
Glendronach 15 (if you find one, buy it on sight - they're being discontinued) or 12 are from another good Speyside distillery.
 
I have had plenty of MAc 30, 25, 21 and 18. My current favorite Mac is their rare cask. Which I think averages 23 ish. It is the best tasting Macallan I have had.
 
Balvenie and Glenfiddich tend to be my favorites, regardless of age, or special treatments (Portwood, Double Wood, Solera Vat, etc.). I guess I tend toward the milder end. I dislike any Islay region I've ever tasted.

I tried Monkey Shoulder and really liked it. I also like JW Black.

I'm very much NOT an aficionado.
 
I recently went through both a bottle of Balvenie 15 and Glendronach 15. Two of the best, most balanced, bottles I ever had. To the point where I started to think maybe 15 years is the flavor profile I gravitate too. Like 30+ day aged steak.

However it would have been smart to have a good cheaper bottle next to me so I can switch out when it starts going down too quick.

JW red, black, green are all definitely very drinkable and consistent for the prices, but also not that interesting. There’s a guy in my office that, every time he closes a big deal buys a bottle of JW Blue for the client and himself, which we then drink.
 
great post, I always heard the Bossman recommend Pigs Nose Scotch as a great drink for the price! I am not an avid Scotch drinker, but Bourbon is another topic!!
 
I´d have to say that Glenmorangie puts out a nice gateway whisky that´s very easy on the palate for those who never tried the malt experience.

Personally I prefer the peated ones from Islay.. some favourites: Lagavulin Destillers edition and the underdog Quarter Cask from Laphroaig that punches way above it´s weight class.
 
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