NGC - need help with Whiskey...

[izzuG]

Since you guys seem to know everything....one of my coworkers is retiring from the Air Force after 36 years, and I'd like to to get him a good bottle of whiskey/bourbon/scotch. And there's the issue, I'm not a  drinker of such things, don't really understand the differences, so I'm looking for recommendations. I don't know what his preference is, just that his wife mentioned he enjoys an occasional glass of whiskey. My budget is $300, thanks in advance for any suggestions.  Jef

[Mike Crenshaw]

So many choices!  First step is narrow your selection to one of the basics, ie scotch, bourbon, rye, irish, or one of the clear spirits like vodka, tequila, rum. After that focus on a single malt or single barrel. Generally speaking the longer a spirit is aged in the cask the more preferable, and more expensive. Let us know your choice.

[kballowe]

Glenfiddich 18 year old Scotch,  approx $100

[sdcr]

+1, you can’t go wrong with this.

Glenfiddich 18 year old Scotch,  approx $100

[balvenie]

As my username suggests, this is a topic that was made just for me After sampling many of the blended scotches, over many years I hasten to add Balvenie single malt scotch came into my life, purely by chance. It was love at first sip Founder's Reserve, Doublewood or Portwood: you can't go wrong    

[Dilliw]

There are a few issues here.  For Scotch there is currently a 25% tariff on imports and that is impacting prices.  For bourbon there has emerged an insane secondary market where people are "collecting" (hoarding) and speculating on "allocated" bottles.  I would suggest Japanese whisky as an alternative but those prices are doubled right now actually due to demand.

Given your price point I think you are going to get more value going the Scotch route even having to eat the increase due to the tariff.  The Glenfiddich 18 is a solid choice but for "special" bottles I always lean to Islay.  But hey, you could walk out with the Speyside Glenfiddich and a bottle of Islay Lagavulin 16 for around $250.  Your coworker would be double pleased!

[LowRyter]

The Macallan is my favorite.  I've not paid for more than the 12 year old (I'm guessing $60).  They and the others have some expensive stuff.

My other favs are Glenmorangie, Glenlivet, Auchentoshan, Laphroaig, JW Black/Green/Gold.   None I've tried were more than $70.   My sons gave me some Johnny Blue which is expensive, it's pretty smooth.  Maybe too smooth.

I suppose, I'd buy half a dozen 10-15 years old vs one $300.  Make a scotch flight, then decide.   

[dustybarn]

My favorite Scotch is Edradour. The distillery is a tiny, tiny facility in Pitlochry, Perthshire. Oddly, though, for as small as their output is, I've found Edradour at local liquor stores.

Another suggestion would be Penderyn. The distillery is in Wales. I particularly like Madeira Aur Cymru, which is aged in madeira casks.

Either of these would make a great gift, because they are not only both excellent whiskies, they're both kind of obscure and unusual.

[moto-uno]

 This is quite the subject , I'm a lover of many whiskeys , but I'd shoot myself before I let Scotch touch my lips , in other
words you can really wrong with scotch for a whiskey lover !  Peter

[kballowe]

I was recently gifted a bottle of Angel's Envy Rye Whiskey that was finished in Carribean rum casks.  I looked it up. $80.  Worth every penny.

Very smooth.

[dustybarn]

This is quite the subject , I'm a lover of many whiskeys , but I'd shoot myself before I let Scotch touch my lips , in other
words you can really wrong with scotch for a whiskey lover !  Peter

I agree. I love many Scottish whiskeys, but the output of Scottish distilleries are so varied that it's hard to draw any conclusions about whether a particular distillery's offerings will suit you or not. Scotch is all over the place, and some of those places I'd rather not be.

For me, Islay Scotch tends to be a bit nasty. I tend toward Speyside distilleries, but as with so many matters of taste, it's a matter of taste.

[Chuck in Indiana]

That is a really tough call. If he likes Scotch, he may not *like* bourbon, and vise versa. Just the same, to me.. the price point for really good stuff is about $100 and north a bottle . Too rich for my blood (Guzzi Content)  but you won't go wrong.

[Tom H]

If he enjoys the occasional glass of whiskey. I would be thinking more like Jack Daniels or Wild Turkey (probably white label 101 but maybe 80).

Maybe I'm the odd one though. I can't stand Makers Mark or Crown Royal. When I'm in the mood for whiskey, give me a shot of Turkey 101 or Jack and I'm happy

Maybe you should ask the wife to look in the liquor cabinet and see what he has/prefers. Then maybe look at a "better brand" of what he likes.

Tom

[Gliderjohn]

For a special occasion Woodford Reserve Double Oak Bourbon is good stuff plus you can get a personally inscribed bottle.
https://www.personalwine.com/liquor/woodford-reserve-double-oaked-bourbon-whiskey?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=11256385909&adgroupid=109622103279&utm_content=469854347938&utm_term=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqI-vn_qP7QIVz8DACh0L_gPYEAQYBCABEgK9-PD_BwE
GliderJohn

[Bulldog9]

Bourbon - Blantons or Bookers if you can find it.
Scotch - The before mentioned Glenfiddich 18 is excellent, as is the  Glenmorangie 'Very Rare' 18, and Oban 15 or 18, but for something very special, Glenmorangie "Signet" is very special.

[JJ]

Since you guys seem to know everything....one of my coworkers is retiring from the Air Force after 36 years, and I'd like to to get him a good bottle of whiskey/bourbon/scotch. And there's the issue, I'm not a  drinker of such things, don't really understand the differences, so I'm looking for recommendations. I don't know what his preference is, just that his wife mentioned he enjoys an occasional glass of whiskey. My budget is $300, thanks in advance for any suggestions.  Jef

Find out from his co-workers, what is his favorite beverage is...and go from there.  Simple...Easy-Peasy!

[Guzzistajohn]

The peaty low land scotches to me are just disgusting. However I REALLY like a good highland. It's been a while since I've bought a scotch. I'm good with Four Roses bourbon or Bullet rye for now, but it's way below the level of "celebration" your after. ***GUZZI CONTENT***

[Bulldog9]

My favorite Scotch is Edradour. The distillery is a tiny, tiny facility in Pitlochry, Perthshire. Oddly, though, for as small as their output is, I've found Edradour at local liquor stores.

Another suggestion would be Penderyn. The distillery is in Wales. I particularly like Madeira Aur Cymru, which is aged in madeira casks.

Either of these would make a great gift, because they are not only both excellent whiskies, they're both kind of obscure and unusual.

We stumbled on Edradour by accident, such a great little 'Gem'  I enjoy it. We went 2 years ago, and are about empty. They have a very interesting history. I agree this would be a unique Scotch.

[Turin]

I like the Islay single malts, but they are an acquired taste.

For a really nice smooth single malt, I recommend Oban 14.

For bourbon, Makers Mark Cask Strength will warm you up.

[Scout63]

I’ve become partial to Ryes. Whistle pig makes some very nice ones.  For bourbon, if you can get a bottle of Weller 12 it is amazing.

[kingoffleece]

Oh yea.  I'm primarily a bourbon guy but that Whistle Pig rye is something else.  Insanely good.

See if your liquor guy can find a bottle of Dingle #5.  NOW you got a gift.

[blu guzz]

For Whiskey, Evan Williams, but it is only $20 a bottle thereabouts.  Four Roses Single Barrel is fancier for about 4x the price.  Scotch is so varied in its taste and price.  If he is not a scotch man, the bottle may just gather dust.  You could consider a fine blend such as Johnny Walker Blue.
I agree that if it is practical for you to research your friend you should try that .

[Travlr]

I was recently gifted a bottle of Angel's Envy Rye Whiskey that was finished in Carribean rum casks.  I looked it up. $80.  Worth every penny.

Very smooth.

 

[subin]

If you want to give something unique, go to totalwine, look for "Kavalan", and pick the one that fit your budget.

[Don G]

First of all find out if he is whiskey snob or just likes to swill whiskey, the finest whiskey may be goat piss to him.  DonG

[slowmover]

Bourbon - 4 Roses 20$
Scotch- John Barr 20$

[Mr Pootle]

The first step is to learn to spell it. It's whisky. Whiskey is mouthwash.

[Don G]

I beg to differ!  DonG
<br /
Going on 413 years of production.

[geoff in almonte]

Just one Q...

Does he like a good drink of whiskey or a drink of good whiskey?

The difference is subtle, but distinct.

For bourbon or Tennessee whiskey....

A good drink of whiskey - Jack, Wild Turkey, Bulieit, Old Grandad, etc..
A drink of good whiskey - Evan Williams, Ezra Brooks, Woodford Preserve, Michelson, Dickel, etc.

For Rye

A good drink of whiskey - Alberta Premium, Wiser's Special, Gibson's, (any rye less than 12yo).
A drink of good whiskey - Alberta Springs Sipping Whiskey, Wiser's 15yo, (any rye 15yo or older). 
FYI Alberta Springs just won a major international award for their rye.

For Scotch - whole nuther story that requires more time/space than we have here.

A good drink of whiskey - any decent blend - my favourite is Famous Grouse
A drink of good whiskey - for those special occasions - 15yo Macallan, 18yo Glenlivet.  For Ordinary Occasions - a 12yo Macallan or 12yo Glenlivet. 

I am not a big fan of Peaty scotches - they are an acquired taste.  Purchase at your own risk.

For reference - a good drink of whiskey is something that benefits from some ice or water and a drink of good whiskey is something that would be offended if you didnt drink it neat.

My $.02

G

[ahaussmann123]

Here's a suggestion:

Suntory Hibiki Whiskey!! It's $100 for a 750ml but worth every penny. 


It's left field, but I will say this. Did a flight of whiskeys, and that hibiki stood out the entire time as bar none the most palatable whiskey. Not too smoky, not too harsh, just a really nice warm feeling in your bones that left you giggling and happy.