The big division in Scotches is single malt versus blended. I am not the biggest Scotch drinker but I have gone through phases where I liked it a fair amount. I absolutely agree that JW Black, in particular, ain’t what it used to be.
If your purpose is to spend an exhorbitant amount of money for a bottle of booze, I think if it were me I would buy an assortment of single malt scotches, Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, Laphroiag (sp?) and a dozen or so others. All of those are quite tasty. Personally, I believe that if you spend 5x as much as those excellent SM scotches, you are paying a load of money for 1.5% “better” scotch.
However, just realize that most scotch drinkers will not like blended after they try single.
Here’s a scotch-hunting secret: Trader Joes’ single malt scotch is probably bought “as available” from various single-malt makers and everyone I know who is a SM fan likes it.
Good input, thank you.
The single malt versus blended info is particularly helpful. My friend is not into the snobby thing at all, he is set in his ways and knows what he likes and doesn’t like. Your post was very helpful, thank you.