Scotch Drinkers -- help please!

[dr.girlfriend]

My work buddy for ten years / now-boss lost his dad very suddenly yesterday. I'd like to take him a really nice bottle of Scotch when I pay a sympathy call. I know nothing about Scotch...anyone care to recommend something really good, maybe in the $75 range? Which is better, single-malt or blended?

[limey]

I'm not a scotch lover, but my ex was and his two favorites were Macallan and Lagavulin, both single malt.

I believe both of those are in the 70$ range.

Glenfiddich and Glenlivet are also popular, but I think not considered as high end.

Sorry for your friend's loss.

[Deleted]

If he really knows his scotch, Edradour is my favorite and it's unlikely he'll already have a bottle of it.

[martygras]

Single malt is better for sure, I'd stay away from the Islay scotches if possible and go with Macallan 18 year.

[uscuba2]

The truth is single malt enthusiasm is a relatively recent phenomenon as a lot of single malts are "harsh". 90% of the scotch produced in Scotland is a Blend. The advantage of blending is that it smoothes out the rough edges and fills in the missing gaps of a whisky’s flavor profile.


That said a 21 y/o Macallan Edradour, Talisker. Ballantine's are good choices

[jenn248]

DH is really into scotch. These were his suggestions:

Highland Park 12 or 15 year
Any Springbank
Laphroaig Quarter Cask or 15 year
Any Glen Morangie

[chickadee77]

I love Talisker. Yummy! I agree with uscuba about the single vs. blend. I much prefer blends, typically.

[explorer2001]

Macallen or Glenmorangie

[Mashara]

Agree on stay away from Islay, too peaty for a lot of people
Macallen and Lagavulin are really good single malts for the 75-100 price range

[ladygrey]

Macallan 18 is DH's favorite and right around that price range

[dr.girlfriend]

Thanks everyone, I got the Macallen 15, I think it was about $74 (PA, so state liquor stores only). The Macallan 18 was $179!!

[uscuba2]

lol. you are not friends for your store owners, are you? malloy's