Whiskey

[njw 77]

Have a friend who is notoriously difficult to buy presents for (you know the type, man of means who has most things a guy could want). The wife tells me its my job to get his Xmas present this year (a bit early I know). I know he is partial to a drop of good whiskey, and I have sampled some of his (IIRC) Single Malt in the past, which, to a vodka drinking heathen like mysef, tasted like firewater

Anyhow, decided to get him a nice bottle of whiskey this year, but I know next to nothing about the stuff.

Can the PH collective give me suggestions for a decent whiskey to get for him? Nothing silly, up to say £50, hopefully in a nice bottle/packaging (as its a present), so that he will at least think I know my stuff where whiskey is concerened. Preferably be able to buy said item online, so I can stay sat on my fat arse while shopping

Cheers

>> Edited by njw 77 on Sunday 16th October 16:42

[xxplod]

I too am partial to a drop of single malt. There are effectively 4 types of single malt; Highland, Lowland, Islay and Speyside. I could prattle for ages on the virtues of the different types but it does rather boil down to personal taste. See if you can get a hint on any particular favourite brands or types he has. At £50+ you are going to be able to get a real special one, most probably aged up to 21 years.

Best bet is to look for a good, slightly more specialist off-licence but having said that, decent supermarkets are increasingly stocking some very good stuff. The best selections seem to be in duty free shops, if you happen to be going abroad between now and Christmas.

If you find out what type he likes, let me know and I'll try and help further!

[njw 77]

I dont think he has a particular favourite, he's not really a big drinker, just likes to have a bottle of something special under the bar to pull out at parties etc.

The wife suggested I go to a good supermarket but I told her Id be better off on the internet and you know how stubborn us blokes can be, I cant admit defeat and toddle off to Tescos, it would just show weakness

Ive looked on a couple of websites but its a bit of a minefield. May go have a poke round a decent off licence and see which ones come in pretty bottles

[2 Smokin Barrels]

xxplod said:

I too am partial to a drop of single malt. There are effectively 4 types of single malt; Highland, Lowland, Islay and Speyside.

He's not asking about the Scottish drink, but the Irish/American stuff!

[docevi1]

www.whiskyshop.com/ - the owner is a really nice bloke as well

malt whisky
WHISKEY?
Good Whisky

[2 Smokin Barrels]

Everyone in Scotland knows that Scotland's national drink is spelt "whisky" and that it is only in places like Ireland and America that the spirit is called "whiskey". But in an embarrassing spelling mistake, a press release by the Scottish National Party talks about the party leader John Swinney meeting the "Scotch Whiskey Association" to discuss the future of the "whiskey industry." The incorrect spelling of the word is used no less than seven times. The SNP press office blamed a computer spell-checker for providing the American version of the word. But although many PC users have to use American-English spell-checkers, they rapidly learn how to add important words like whisky to the software.

[lord summerisle]

one fine whisky - Lagavulin - 16 year old Islay

very very nice!

[mxdi]

Royal Mile Whiskey

I personally like Craggenmore or Dalwhinnie

>> Edited by mxdi on Sunday 16th October 17:47

[2 Smokin Barrels]

mxdi said:

Royal Mile Whiskey I personally like Craggenmore or Dalwhinnie >> Edited by mxdi on Sunday 16th October 17:47

...less of your personal private life!

[jezgod]

Hi njw, i have most the above, if you can squeeze to about £70 i am sure i have a Maccalan 25yr old in a wooden box, can check the price tomorrow if you want

[Size Nine Elm]

Whisky. Not the 'e' that isn't there, which is in bold and italic.

Whiskey is Irish or Bourbon, as stated earlier.

Anyway, its all good. There are only good ones and better ones.

Personal favourite is Ardbeg - very peaty/smoky, great with a touch of water.

[Prof Beard]

The best place to go for Whisky IMHO is an independent bottler like Cadenheads: www.wmcadenhead.com/ or Gordon & MacPhail www.gordonandmacphail.com/

I like Cadenheads because their own shops are accessible in either Edinburgh or London. Both companies do mail order.

Prof Beard

[Bomber Denton]

jezgod said:

Hi njw, i have most the above, if you can squeeze to about £70 i am sure i have a Maccalan 25yr old in a wooden box, can check the price tomorrow if you want

Seconded, Obiwonkeyblokey and myself enjoyed a bottle of this at Le Mans most memorably at the top of the big wheel watching Maison Blanche at night

Nectar!

[jezgod]

Or if you really want to push the boat out, last week i sold a 70 cl bottle of Louis 13th ( brandy mind u )worked out at just under £1000 plus vat, he's going to charge £60 a shot in his hotel, bare in mind this is sunny north wales and not london, who on earth is going to pay that. I asked him is it worth the money, he said " well it stays in your mouth longer " for £60 it would stay in my mouth for about 3 weeks lol

[Pot Bellied Fool]

I heartily recommend www.arranwhisky.com/lmenu/shop.asp - a quick look tells me they've got single malts upto £45 & gift boxed sets upto £75.

...and if anyone's up that way, the distillery tour is well worth an hour or two of your time.

[Balmoral Green]

I havent got any Whisky in the house at all

A slice of corned beef just isnt the same.

[njw 77]

Whiskey/whisky...told you I was a heathen

Ta for the advise so far, shall follow some links tomorrow.

For the suggestions of over £50, I said he was a mate, not a special friend

[2 Smokin Barrels]

njw 77 said:

Whiskey/whisky...told you I was a heathen Ta for the advise so far

Advice/advise

[dinkel]

Edradour Natural Cask Straight. Comes in a nice box, avoid those perfumed yuk . . .

If he isn't a regular drinker just buy a nice Johnny Walker Black Label . . . Most who say they like Whisky don't like my taste of malts . . . "A bad taste is also a taste . . ."

[chim666]

I love this stuff & well below £50

www.royalmilewhiskies.com/product.asp?pf_id=0010000000412&cid=JPUW4H2TEBGWAYCJ2BWKO7S6W1KS1JZQ