Posted on 12/14/2011 5:12:55 PM PST by lilyramone
I am needing some help in buying a gift for my husband please. I have about $80 left to spend for this christmas gift. He knows the other gifts he is getting and I would really like to surprise him with this one. I know he would love a good scotch. Money has been very very tight until about a month ago and the best scotch I have seen him ever buy is Makers Mark but he'll say that it is okay but not great. I have no idea what is good in this price range. I read a prior post and it gave few price references. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much & Merry Christmas to all!
I think he wants it to enjoy when I send the kids to grandma for the night. Because our kids are so small, ages 3 & 5, I think he would enjoy it relaxing on nights when they are at grandma’s house. He never spoils himself but will bring me wonderful wines for no reason. I ask what he would prefer to drink and he only says “a good scotch”.
He drinks bourbon, not scotch. If he’s so-so on Maker’s Mark and your budget is $80, but him a bottle of Blanton’s.
Last weekend a friend offered me a glass of scotch. I declined, and explained that I don't like scotch. He asked what kind I had tried, and I told him that I have tasted Cutty, Johnny Walker, etc.
He insisted that I try his scotch, which was brought over by a friend of his visiting from the U.K. It was Bowmore's Islay (12 Y.O.), and it was FANTASTIC!
It had a light amber color, and a light smokey flavor. I now find myself standing before the scotch shelf at my local liquor store, trying to determine which of their offerings are comparable to what I had.
Suggestions? (I'd really like to have some for Christmas Eve.)
So the good news is, you don't have to spend a lot. The bad news is, you don't have enough time between now and Christmas to research it properly. Rather than blow your money on one blind choice, buy three or four lower priced selections (what does scotch sell for now?) and present it as a sampler. If you have a good liquor store handy, they can give you suggestions.
I speak as an expert, retired.
I'm a scotch drinker when I can afford it but these days I drink blends. Still, I do like a bourbon from time to time and am partial to a Manhattan cocktail on the rocks.
A very nice Bourbon is Woodford Reserve but I know there are others.
I promise that you will not go wrong with 18 year old Glen Livet. It is far and away the most accessible of the single malts...and to a true Scotch Whisky drinker there is only single malts....everything else is beer.
I think you may be showing your age because I have not heard that term since my college days some 50 years ago. There was even a rotgut booze named Panther Piss. It was not bad but remember I also drank Thunderbird Wine mixed half and half with Everclear so my palate in those days was basically CHEAP.
That is very sweet. Lucky guy.
If he’s asking for a “good scotch” he no doubt understands the difference between that and his usual bourbon. I’ll add a vote for Glenmorangie Single Malt 18 Year. The 750ML bottle is right at your price.
There really is a big difference between a standard (even good) whiskey and a well aged Scotch. I have a little trick I use on the former. I have an antique ‘whiskey spoon’ that you pour the whiskey in before your glass then ‘tip’ the whiskey in. Something about the silver and the alcohol changes the flavor and brings out some of the notes that makes you think of a really good Scotch.
For about $80 you might just be able to squeak into two bottles of single malt scotch Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, one of each, or a nice Irish whisky (a different thing) almost any of which would be pretty exotic and undoubtedly well appreciated.
Maker’s Mark is a bourbon and very tasty, but different from Scotch.
Maybe a single malt scotch and a super custom bourbon would be nice.
You’re getting good advice on this thread!
Way to go! Congrats in advance on your 20th (if you make it ;-)
But seriously, after this one, you will have to start doing the math in your head each year to remember how much time you have. It's a good thing. As the book says, we have recovered.
For about $80 you might just be able to squeak into two bottles of single malt scotch Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, one of each, or a nice Irish whisky (a different thing) almost any of which would be pretty exotic and undoubtedly well appreciated.
Maker’s Mark is a bourbon and very tasty, but different from Scotch.
Maybe a single malt scotch and a super custom bourbon would be nice.
You’re getting good advice on this thread!
Pardon my ignorance, but how does one di-still whiskey"
Glennfiddich, anything with a Glenn...
Dalmore is a really good cheap single malt.
Are you sure he likes Highland Whisky?
Jim Beam satisfies alot of folk. Just saying.
Merry Christmas!
It’s your husband, buy him the cheapest bottle you can find
Cobra is right, all it takes it a sip to know it taste like gasoline to me, but horse piss would do as a description...Bourbon is much better
Highland, Lowland, Islay
all great; each differentEnjoy !
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