OT: Need a recommendation - Scotch

[HuskyNan]

My husband and I are not scotch drinkers but he has a friend that is. My husband would like to give his friend a nice scotch but isn’t sure what to buy. He’s willing to pay up to $75-80. Any recommendations?

 

[ERWUC65]

Balvenie 14,
Bunnahabhainn 12
Glenlivet 15 French Oak
Highland Park 15
Oban 14

 

[Bigboote]

I was in the same boat a few weeks ago. I went with Glenmorangie. It’s a highland Scotch, available in a bunch of ages. I was gonna go with 12-year, but the local packy was out, so went with 18, which is somewhat out of your price range, but went over really well.

Highland Scotches are pretty clean-tasting, good for warmer weather. If your friend is into peaty/earthy Scotches, you’ll want to get something from Islay like Laphroaig. (My bud waxes eloquent about Scotch, especially after he’s had a couple.) I drink tea and beer almost exclusively. The occasional coffee, of if none of the above are available, water.

 

[uconnfan68]

My husband and I are not scotch drinkers but he has a friend that is. My husband would like to give his friend a nice scotch but isn’t sure what to buy. He’s willing to pay up to $75-80. Any recommendations?

Try posting on the other boards.

 

[irsh4242]

Bruichladdich classic laddie & anything Oban are my personal favs

 

[HopJim]

Balvenie 14,
Bunnahabhainn 12
Glenlivet 15 French Oak
Highland Park 15
Oban 14

These are all excellent scotches but, in some states, may be out of the desired price range. You may also want to consider:
-Jura 10 year
-Glenlivet Founders Reserve
-Glenmorangie 10 yr.

 

[Bone Dog]

For great single malt scotch: Lagavulin (~$80-90/bottle)
For pretty good blended scotch: Famous Grouse (~$20-30/bottle)

 

[oldude]

A really good scotch that won’t break the bank is Johnie Walker “Blue” Label.

 

[packwrap]

A lot of good options so far, I'd add Chivas Regal 18

 

[Frodo]

Balvenie 14,
Bunnahabhainn 12
Glenlivet 15 French Oak
Highland Park 15
Oban 14

I am not familiar with the latter two, but Balvenie, Bunnahabhainn and Glenlivet 15 are all excellent. The Bunnahabhainn 18 is outstanding, as is Macallan 25, but they may be outside your price range. My own taste is toward the heavily peaty Lagovulin 16, but it’s probably not for everyone.

 

[Skeets]

A really good scotch that won’t break the bank is Johnie Walker “Blue” Label.

I'm not a scotch drinker, but doesn't the "Blue" label go north of what Nan is looking to spend?

 

[oldude]

I'm not a scotch drinker, but doesn't the "Blue" label go north of what Nan is looking to spend?

Yes. I had not looked at her price range, which is closer to Johnnie Walker Black Label.

 

[cometjo]

This (and subsequent episodes) has more than you ever wanted to know about scotch:

Amateur Hour: Atomic's Matt Manser on Scotch | CRAFTED

On Blister's CRAFTED podcast, Matt Manser & Jonathan Ellsworth barrel-aged ski boots; single malts vs. blends; and more.

blisterreview.com