Scrubber Posted September 25, 2015 Posted September 25, 2015 I'm a pretty frequent scotch drinker but by no means an expert and I would still consider myself a newbie so I'd love some input for my next purchase. Looking for a nice bottle for my daughter's (first born) upcoming christening. I generally gravitate to Speyside scotch. I tend to like something a little on the sweeter side. That being said I did try Lagavulin 16 the other day which was quite nice. Some bottles that I do enjoy are Macallan (haven't tried any of the newer NAS though), Glenlivet 12 (every day kind of drink), Glen Moray and Aberlour. Also I would probably prefer to stay away from cask strength as I don't think I'm experienced enough for that yet and also the others I'm sharing it with probably won't be able to handle cask strength. Budget wise I'm looking at around the $200 mark but willing to go up to about $250 if it's worth it. I'm in Australia, by the way. So suggestions or guidance would be appreciated! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
JohnS Posted September 25, 2015 Posted September 25, 2015 There are definitely other more experienced Whisky connoisseurs on our forum who can better guide you than myself with a choice of whisky in this price bracket. For that price bracket, I wouldn't hesitiate for a second to get a bottle of Balvenie Port Wood Finish 21 Year Old. 1
MIKA27 Posted September 25, 2015 Posted September 25, 2015 Mate, I'm no expert, I love a bunch of Single malts myself but I only just recently purchased Glenmorangie Signet and It trumps everything I've ever enjoyed. Unsure where to buy in Sydney but you can order online HERE
OZCUBAN Posted September 25, 2015 Posted September 25, 2015 All the scotches mentioned are good/great but if you can source it may I suggest a Japanese whiskey The Yamasaki it is quiet unique the 12 is great any older and it just get more and more sublime cheers
westg Posted September 25, 2015 Posted September 25, 2015 Going through Sullivans Cove American oak at present very nice
Optic101 Posted September 25, 2015 Posted September 25, 2015 My first suggestion would be Aberlour a'bunadh which is excellent IMO but as this one is cast strength I am with Mika on the Glenmorangie Signet. Enjoy the celebration !
TheMonk Posted September 25, 2015 Posted September 25, 2015 There are definitely other more experienced Whisky connoisseurs on our forum who can better guide you than myself with a choice of whisky in this price bracket. For that price bracket, I wouldn't hesitiate for a second to get a bottle of Balvenie Port Wood Finish 21 Year Old. This is a beautiful scotch. I think you would most likely love this one. 1
jabster Posted September 25, 2015 Posted September 25, 2015 Some amazing suggestions that if you were to choose you wouldn't be disappointed with. As you are in Australia check heartwood. An independent bottler that is doing some amazing stuff with lark and Sullivan's cove barrels. Within your budget too. One note is they are cask strength (70%!) but incredibly smooth and not speyside like you asked. So I really haven't helped
Scrubber Posted September 25, 2015 Author Posted September 25, 2015 Thanks for the help guys. I was initially thinking about the Balvenie Portwood 21. Sullivan's cove would be nice but it seems to be pretty hard to find anywhere selling it. I love the ***** from the barrel I bought the other day but I think I'll just buy the Yamazaki for myself. I think the top of my list at the moment is now the Glennorangie Signet. Seems unique and the bottle also seems to fit a celebration style. Thanks for all the help everyone. I'm going to try all of the suggestions anyway lol. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
sengjc Posted September 25, 2015 Posted September 25, 2015 The Balvenie 21 Year Old Portwood and the Glenmorangie Signet are good choices. If you are game, give the Glenfarclas 21 Year Old a go or the Glendronach the Parliament 21 Year Old.
JamesNYC Posted September 25, 2015 Posted September 25, 2015 I'd look for a nice Arran sherry cask, or Glenfarclas or Glendronach.
SCgarman Posted September 25, 2015 Posted September 25, 2015 Mate, I'm no expert, I love a bunch of Single malts myself but I only just recently purchased Glenmorangie Signet and It trumps everything I've ever enjoyed. Unsure where to buy in Sydney but you can order online HERE X2!! Signet is the finest Scotch I have ever had. My bottle is almost gone. You will absolutely LOVE this stuff!! Runs between 170 and 230 a bottle here in the US on average. 1
TM-US Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 I have no idea what scotch goes for in Oz. How much is something like Macallan 18? Ballpark, I would suggest Glenfarclas 25, Glendronach 18 Allardice, Oban 18. If you can do a touch of smoke, Highland Park 18 is excellent. Talisker 18 might be too smoky for you. Same with Springbank 18. Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
ralphie48 Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 If you can get your hands on it, yamazaki 18 or balblair 1983 .. Other wise balvenie 21 as mentioned.
sastrooper Posted September 29, 2015 Posted September 29, 2015 I have no idea what scotch goes for in Oz. How much is something like Macallan 18? Ballpark, I would suggest Glenfarclas 25, Glendronach 18 Allardice, Oban 18. If you can do a touch of smoke, Highland Park 18 is excellent. Talisker 18 might be too smoky for you. Same with Springbank 18. Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk Pretty much impossible to source in aust, ive only been able to find one retailer and that still set me back 475 aud(for the sherry oak) im always envious of you yanks and europeans with all your easy access to fine old macs. Pretty much buy all my macs os, im especially fond of the german auctions
Scrubber Posted September 29, 2015 Author Posted September 29, 2015 I ended up settling on the Signet. Looking forward to it. I'm going to end up sampling all of the other bottles though. Maybe a few different ones over Christmas/New Years. Thanks for all the help and suggestions everyone! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1
fokker4me Posted October 2, 2015 Posted October 2, 2015 I'd have to say go for a Glendronach single cask, or Glenfarclas family cask. Wow that stuff is good. For me I'd rather an older age Talisker or Caol Ila ie.25 or 30 year but that does not seem to be your profile. Just my .02
MIKA27 Posted October 3, 2015 Posted October 3, 2015 I ended up settling on the Signet. Looking forward to it. I'm going to end up sampling all of the other bottles though. Maybe a few different ones over Christmas/New Years. Thanks for all the help and suggestions everyone! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Let us know your thoughts and enjoy
Scrubber Posted January 18, 2016 Author Posted January 18, 2016 Just an update on this thread. Christening was on Sunday and it was a great day. Very thankful for the Signet recommendation. It was an amazing and unique scotch. It was probably the best (or right up there with the best) scotch I've ever had. Thank you again. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1
maverickdrinker Posted January 18, 2016 Posted January 18, 2016 The Balvenie 21 Year Old Portwood and the Glenmorangie Signet are good choices. If you are game, give the Glenfarclas 21 Year Old a go or the Glendronach the Parliament 21 Year Old. X2 As for cask strength, don't shy away from it. One of my scotch mentor's shared with me this advice. Cask strength allows you to make changes to the scotch as you see fit. Non cask strength is what the whisky makers suggests that you enjoy the scotch as is. I lean towards cask strength as it gives me more flexibility to add water/ice (or not) without diluting the alcohol too much. Hope this helps. Looking forward to seeing what you selected. 1
ayepatz Posted January 19, 2016 Posted January 19, 2016 As for cask strength, don't shy away from it. Agreed. A splash of water will tame the toughest! Its about the density of flavour, not the strength. The beauty of the cask strength is that adding different small amounts of water can produce so much many changes in taste without turning it into a weak drink.
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