Single Malt Scotch Recommendation?

Question

Hello, I'm looking for a good single malt scotch in the $40-$50 a bottle range, though less wouldn't be bad of course.

I have a bottle of Laphroaig, which I enjoy a lot, but only if I'm in the mood for a peaty, medicinal dram.

I also have J&B and Johnnie Walker Black, which I'm also a fan of. Though I don't own any, I've also liked Dewar's and Johnnie Walker Red.

However, I'd like to move a little bit beyond blends into the single malt territory, with something to complement my peaty Islay malt. I'm looking for something malty, with a little bit of sweetness and full body. I've heard good things about Isle of Jura if anyone has had that.

Any good recommendations?

Answer 1

First thought is Macallan 12-year, which can be found for under $50 though, and it's absolutely excellent. My favorites have been Oban 14-year and Balvenie 15-year, but they're a little higher than your range.



I've been enjoying some of the cheaper ones too, because I'm not terribly picky but I am thrifty, and so I have found Speyburn 10-year for under $30. McLellands are 8-year and I enjoy them somewhat less than all the others.



I was gifted the Glenmorangie sampler [Original 10 Year, the Quinta Ruban (Port cask finish), Lasanta (Sherry cask finish) and Nectar D’Or (Sauternes cask finish)], and liked especially the latter three, but wouldn't recommend a sampler per se.



The 15-year Glenfiddich is pretty ubiquitous and usually under $50. I have an unopened bottle of that one. The Singleton is around $40 most places and I've heard really good things about it, but yet to try that one as well.



So... I dunno... try them all?



Cheers.

Answer 2

Hey Hey Hey!



It's great to see recommendations for 15yr old Glenfiddich, it would be a great step in a different direction to complement your Laphroaig. Right now you should be able to get a 1ltr of it at your price range which makes it one of the best value for money single malts on the market (it's also the fastest growing Single Malt in the US). What makes it different is unique production using their Solera system.



3 different casks are used in the making (1st fill European sherry casks, used American oak hoggs heads, and used American casks which are then finished in 1st fill American hoggs heads for 4-6 mnths) These are all then put in to a Solera vat (unique to Glenfiddich) which holds around 35,000 ltrs of whisky. When they come to bottle the product they only remove half of the vat, so the next time it's filled there is some of the first batch remaining for consistency.



This makes it a really sweet sherried and honeyed whisky with lots of fruitcake. Importantly it doesn't have the bitter finish that you associate with some Scotches which are finished in 1st fill Sherry butts, or spend the entirety of their life in Sherry. That's the secret of Solera!



I would stay away from Jura, they have real issues with decent cask stocks right now, and I've heard some reports that although they're doing the best they can with what they've got it's still coming up short of decent.



The Balvenie is certainly a good choice also, known as the most hand crafted single malt in Scotland. Balvenie Doublewood is really rich tasting beyond its years and sits in your price range. You can still find a few bottles around of 10yr old Balvenie which is soon to become a bit of a collectors item since the distillery no longer produce it, some of the bigger stores may still sell a bottle or two. Look out for The Balvenie Signature, it should be hitting shops pretty soon, it's the signature balvenie style from their master blender David Stewart who been making Single Malt for over 46 yrs now.



Maybe check out Dr.Whisky on line, he's sure to know



If you want to keep yourself in peat territory then one of my favorite Islay malts right now is Bruichladdich, independantly run and just like Glenfiddich these days they are doing some really interesting things with Single Malt.



By the way, I tried the Singleton recently it doesn't taste bad at all but I just can't taste much at all. It's one of those Scotches that promises much on the nose and doesn't quite deliver on the palate. Can get better for your money in my opinion.

Answer 3

Glenlivet. A good 12 year old Speyside Single Malt. A good place to start, and return. The Macallan. It is very dark for a 12. Considered to be one of the best. Here's some basic info you should know about Scotch Whiskey: LOWLAND MALTS are generally found in a line running from Greenock to Dundee and include the major urban areas of Edinburg, Glasgow and the South. Overall, this style of whisky lacks a signature malty taste. Their light, and sometimes sweet and more delicate character makes them popular for use in blending. ISLAND MALTS can be recognized by their peaty smell. The taste is an acquired one and perhaps best exemplified by Laphroaig and Lagavulin. If they originate from Jura or Mull there can be a hint of saltiness, even a kippery flavor in the after-taste. HIGHLAND MALTS come from one of the most beautiful areas of Scotland, where a gentle blend of altitude and mountain water imparts a depth of flavor and quality. The Edradour--acclaimed as the jewel in the crown of Highland malts--Glenmorangie is a fine example of this smooth heather-honey style. SPEYSIDE MALTS are acknowledged as perhaps the most outstanding of the single malts. Classic malts, such as Aberlour, are the result of a combination of natural elements that have set the region apart from all others.

Answer 4

Try Highland Park. It's made in the Orkney Islands, just north of the mainland. There are no trees there, so they use 100% peat to dry the grains.



I like a smoother scotch, and a guy in Canada turned me on to Glenmorangie Port Wood aged scotch. I've heard they don't make it anymore, but I found one on line. I got my boss a Balvenie scotch sampler for Christmas last year that included a port aged single malt and he loved it. It's a bit pricey for a 750ml--$180!!!

Answer 5

I would hands down reccomend Glenfiddich 15-year-old.



Delicious!