All Things Whisk(e)y
- pd7077
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Re: All Things Whisk(e)y
The standard bottle of Japanese Harmony runs about $65 so I highly doubt that a limited edition would be even close to $100. TBH, I have no idea what the usual markup is for these limited editions, but when I was in Japan I saw the 21yr Mt. Fuji edition going for $2500. Thankfully they were out of stock
--- Steve
- Corradobrit
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Re: All Things Whisk(e)y
Great topic - question; My golf partner has just turned 80 years old and his wife and daughter are having a birthday party Saturday so what do you all recommend for a bottle of good scotch?
- Corradobrit
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Re: All Things Whisk(e)y
Is the birthday boy a seasoned whisky drinker? Scotch or Bourbon? Does he like peat? Whats your budget. So many options depending on the answers.
Whatever it is get an age statement bottle. Typically 15-18 year old single malts are the sweet spot in terms of price and quality.
Whatever it is get an age statement bottle. Typically 15-18 year old single malts are the sweet spot in terms of price and quality.
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Re: All Things Whisk(e)y
LOL when you ask about my budget I must admit total ignorance about this topic. I thought I might be able to buy him an 80 year old scotch. Yeah big laugh there when I goggled that and found a very good one for $32,000 (A bit over my budget).Corradobrit wrote: ↑Mon Feb 18, 2019 8:30 pm Is the birthday boy a seasoned whisky drinker? Scotch or Bourbon? Does he like peat? Whats your budget. So many options depending on the answers.
Whatever it is get an age statement bottle. Typically 15-18 year old single malts are the sweet spot in terms of price and quality.
I don't mind spending a hundred or two but - I would like to make it a fine sipping drink. He likes both Bourbon and Scotch according to his wife and I have no idea about peat.
Thanks for any suggestions.
jack
- pd7077
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Re: All Things Whisk(e)y
I agree to a certain extent. While I do prefer age statement over NAS bottles, don’t be fooled by the age. I have some 5-7yr old bottles that cost more and taste better than some of my 18-25yr old bottles. There’s such a myriad of choices with whisky that knowing a bit about the drinker would definitely help narrow down the options.Corradobrit wrote: ↑Mon Feb 18, 2019 8:30 pm Is the birthday boy a seasoned whisky drinker? Scotch or Bourbon? Does he like peat? Whats your budget. So many options depending on the answers.
Whatever it is get an age statement bottle. Typically 15-18 year old single malts are the sweet spot in terms of price and quality.
--- Steve
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Re: All Things Whisk(e)y
Ahh - I don't know a lot about his drinking habits or choice of but, his wife drags him all over the world on travel and on their last trip to Portugal they purchased some very fine Ports. I'm kinda flying blind here but he is a very good friend and golf partner so I want something very good. I just need some recommendations since his party is this Saturday and I'm going to Costco "blind" tomorrow to shop in their premium section. Again any suggestions are appreciated.
- Corradobrit
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Re: All Things Whisk(e)y
No I completely agree. I was just looking at it from the perspective of a non-malthead. Having an age statement adds a little more kudos to the bottle. I have several bottles that are NAS including a Balvenie Tun 1509 Batch #3. When you dig a little you find it contains whisky ranging in age from 23-28 years. Btw if you ever find yourself touring the Speyside distilleries, Balvenie is easily the best. Costs about $50 but the groups are limited to 8, tour lasts 4 hours and at the end we got the try 7 different bottlings including a VERY generous dram of 40 year old I drew from the barrel in Warehouse 24. That was worth the price of admission by itself.pd7077 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 18, 2019 8:42 pm \
I agree to a certain extent with you. While I do prefer age statement over NAS bottles, don’t be fooled by the age. I have some 5-7yr old bottles that cost more and taste better than some of my 18-25yr old bottles. There’s such a myriad of choices with whisky that knowing a bit about the drinker would definitely help narrow down the options.
You can't go wrong with Highland Park 18 or Glenlivet 18 and these are widely available, even in Costco. The HP18 has a very mild peat, but different to the phenolic, iodine smokiness in some Islay whiskies. Of the two I would choose the Glenlivet. Price is about $125 locally and it has impressive presentation-worthy packaging (something to consider if its a gift).
If you want something with some serious age but won't break the bank, consider Armagnac. You can pickup a 40 or 50 year old for less than $250, unheard of in whisky circles.
Last edited by Corradobrit on Mon Feb 18, 2019 9:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- pd7077
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Re: All Things Whisk(e)y
HP18 and GL18 are good recommendations. The selection will vary between Costco locations because they tend to stock items based on the purchasing habits of that community. With that said, there are a few distillers that seem to be sold at all locations like the ones corradobrit suggested. I’ve seen some Costco’s that carry Balvenie 14yr Caribbean cask, which is great if you’re looking for something on the sweeter end of the spectrum.
While not in the higher end of the spectrum ($150 and under), I’ve found that a good, all-around, easy drinker that will satisfy most palates would be Glenrothes (especially their reserve lines) and Dalmore...though I don’t think that I’ve ever seen either at Costco.
While not in the higher end of the spectrum ($150 and under), I’ve found that a good, all-around, easy drinker that will satisfy most palates would be Glenrothes (especially their reserve lines) and Dalmore...though I don’t think that I’ve ever seen either at Costco.
--- Steve
- Corradobrit
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Re: All Things Whisk(e)y
Another great option is Glendronach Allardice 18 yo. This distillery is renowned for its sherry cask matured whiskies, often including much older whisky in the bottle. May not find this in Costco though.
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Re: All Things Whisk(e)y
My personal favorite is Lagavulin 16. Balvenie Doublewood is nice too. Both have some character but are not over the top.
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Re: All Things Whisk(e)y
The party is Saturday so, I'll let you know if I get a taste. I haven't tried any real good scotches the best one was Johnny Walker Blue so, I guess I'll have to spend a little and find some fine sipping stuff.
- Drewski
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Re: All Things Whisk(e)y
First off, I'm a big-time noob when it comes to whiskey. But I'm just getting into it and enjoying it very much. Was at the liquor store this week and was directed by several employees, unsolicited and independently, to try Shelter Point Single Malt Whiskey. I was told it was very similar to a single malt scotch, and that they couldn't keep it on the shelves. So I bought the last bottle in the store and am very pleased with how it tastes. It's from British Columbia. Definitely on the easier end of the scale for drinking. No idea if this available anywhere in the states but if you find it, I think it's well worth it. Was around $50 CAD.
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Re: All Things Whisk(e)y
Well the party at the beach ended real late and I had to drive home 50 miles so I refrained from sampling but, next week when he comes back home we'll see if I made the correct decision.
- ChefKnivesToGo
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Re: All Things Whisk(e)y
I miss this thread and I've been working my way through this bottle so I thought I would resurrect it.
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Re: All Things Whisk(e)y
And how does it compare to Slane, or Bushmills, or Sexton, or Jameson?ChefKnivesToGo wrote: ↑Thu Oct 20, 2022 11:13 am I miss this thread and I've been working my way through this bottle so I thought I would resurrect it.
You can blame Mr. Suburban for my being here.
The thing about quotes on the internet is you can not confirm their validity. -- Abraham Lincoln
All steels are equal if you can't keep them sharp. -- Jeff B.
The thing about quotes on the internet is you can not confirm their validity. -- Abraham Lincoln
All steels are equal if you can't keep them sharp. -- Jeff B.