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Scotch buying help

NewtonNewton Registered User regular
edited April 2011 in Help / Advice Forum
I'm planning to pick up a bottle of scotch as a birthday present but I don't know really know much about the stuff myself. I know that the person I'm buying it for doesn't like ones with a smokey taste, but that's about it. Can anyone give me some advice on what to look for that would be available in a WA state liquor store? I need it for this weekend, so ordering something from online wouldn't be possible. I'm looking to spend around $50 on this. Thanks for the help.

Newton on

Posts

  • Menolly07Menolly07 Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    I don't know what you can buy in Washington State, but I can give you a list of some tasty scotches.
    Aberlour- Sweet, hardly any smoke. Frequent scotch drinkers can find it to sweet, but for infrequent drinkers it can be a nice treat. Often right around your price point. It's smooth, strongly flavoured and has minimal smokeyness. (I <3 this one. It's all I drink if I want scotch. A little water is all I add.)
    Highland Park- Less rich then the above and with a little more smoke flavour. You can get a twelve year old for about forty dollars.

    The common Glenlivet is a decent all around scotch. I think just about every liquor store carries it. The 12 yr old has less smoke flavour at the end then the 18 yr old.

    Menolly07 on
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  • SatanIsMyMotorSatanIsMyMotor Fuck Warren Ellis Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    I'll second the Aberlour but it's like a bit out of his price range. You'll probably end up getting a 12 year regardless of the make. With a Glenlivet you may end up getting something a touch older.

    Then again, I'm not sure what prices are like in the states. I'm Canadian and our booze is expensive in my province.

    SatanIsMyMotor on
  • UsagiUsagi Nah Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
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    You should be able to find Dalwhinnie, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, and possibly Macallan and Glenmorangie in your local WA liquor store, depending on how much you want to spend on a bottle

    Usagi on
  • The_Glad_HatterThe_Glad_Hatter One Sly Fox Underneath a Groovy HatRegistered User regular
    edited April 2011
    a speyside scottish whiskey like Glenfiddich is an awesome beginner whisky that rarely disappoints. (speyside = the region).
    And it's available pretty much everywhere. and it's non-smoking :)

    The_Glad_Hatter on
  • Blake TBlake T Do you have enemies then? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    The_Glad_Hatter wrote: »
    a speyside scottish whisky like Glenfiddich is an awesome beginner whisky that rarely disappoints. (speyside = the region).
    And it's available pretty much everywhere. and it's non-smoking :)

    I fixed your post.

    Usually if I go with a cheap bottle of whisky I buy a bottle of 10 year glenmorangie.

    Blake T on
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  • CasualCasual Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle Flap Flap Flap Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    The_Glad_Hatter wrote: »
    a speyside scottish whiskey like Glenfiddich is an awesome beginner whisky that rarely disappoints. (speyside = the region).
    And it's available pretty much everywhere. and it's non-smoking :)

    I came in here to say this pretty much.

    Casual on
  • dukederekdukederek Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    I've never met anyone who didn't like Jura, I think their 10 year old is called "Origin" or something. They do a peated one as well called "Superstition" but it's not great.

    dukederek on
  • prfntbtrprfntbtr Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    If you can find Aberlour at a reasonable price, great. If not, some Balvenie Doublewood is always a good bet. It should be right around what you want to spend, and is fairly sweet. Good stuff.

    prfntbtr on
  • VortigernVortigern Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    If your friend is a regular scotch drinker, Glenfiddich isn't going to be exciting. If you can find it, the Aberlour 10 is a nice drink at a good price generally.

    So ya, I'll get on the Isle of Jura and Aberlour train.

    Vortigern on
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  • Sir CarcassSir Carcass I have been shown the end of my world Round Rock, TXRegistered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Is Aberlour really that expensive now? I bought a bottle of it 2 or 3 years ago and it was only about $25 or $30, iirc.

    Sir Carcass on
  • CasualCasual Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle Flap Flap Flap Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Vortigern wrote: »
    If your friend is a regular scotch drinker, Glenfiddich isn't going to be exciting. If you can find it, the Aberlour 10 is a nice drink at a good price generally.

    So ya, I'll get on the Isle of Jura and Aberlour train.

    I'm a regular Scotch drinker from Scotchland and I love fiddich. It's never got boring for me, it's my go to whiskey if I have nothing else in mind.

    Casual on
  • NewtonNewton Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Thanks for the tips. I found out that you can search the inventories on line of the washington liquor stores. The one closest to me has the Balvenie Doublewood in stock, so I think I'm going to go with that one.

    Newton on
  • ThegreatcowThegreatcow Lord of All Bacons Washington State - It's Wet up here innit? Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    I'll also second Highland Park 12 year. It's smooth and just a touch smokey, also Glenrothes reserve is phenomenal! Smooth as butter and very light and wheaty.

    Thegreatcow on
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  • Menolly07Menolly07 Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Who wants to come over for a bottle of Aberlour? It takes me forever to get through scotch anymore. I have no constitution. I need an excuse to get and open one.

    Menolly07 on
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  • Sir CarcassSir Carcass I have been shown the end of my world Round Rock, TXRegistered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Menolly07 wrote: »
    Who wants to come over for a bottle of Aberlour? It takes me forever to get through scotch anymore. I have no constitution. I need an excuse to get and open one.

    I still have some in that same bottle I bought 2 or 3 years ago....

    Sir Carcass on
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