Anyone here drink lower priced scotch?

[Jackal]

Not the bottom, but decent low priced.

I like Johnnie Walker Red. Last week tried Teachers Highland Cream. It is smooth. Has a smoke flavor. Similar to scotch and mezcal.

I've heard great stuff about Dewars White label.

What's your drink?

[bigred90gt]

Try Monkey Shoulder. It’s one of the only blended Scotches I can stomach. I don’t buy it often, but if I do have a hankering for a cheap Scotch, that’s the one.

 

[Deepfork]

An inexpensive favorite of mine is the McClelland single malt scotch for around $25-$35. I've only drank the Islay, since that's what I like, but it is very good for the money.

[Matt-78]

I'm not an expert by any means, but I have been getting into scotch and whisky the last few years. Here are some of my budget minded favorites.

 

Suntory Toki. Not a scotch, but great for around $35. On the lighter side, fruit like, no smoke.

 

Highland Park 12 yr. Also around $35 Slight smoke.

 

Ardbeg 10 yr. Usually between $40-45. Islay so pretty smokey.

[Bye]

Try Monkey Shoulder. It’s one of the only blended Scotches I can stomach. I don’t buy it often, but if I do have a hankering for a cheap Scotch, that’s the one.

 

I've only just found this section. I didn't realise we could talk about other things.

 

Monkey Shoulder is good stuff.

 

Famous Grouse is popular here as a cheaper drink. Jura, Bells ( it's not the best)

 

It Irish, Bushmills.

 

I like a Whiskey Mac - whiskey (scotch) with a bit of ginger wine. Great for the hip flask, and when it's cold.

 

MacAllan for a real treat!

 

 

 

[Jackal]

I stopped in a small liquor store today. The only scotch they had was Dewars White Label. I took a nip in the parking lot. Great flavor, not much smoke.

[PixlPutterman]

In the budget category, there are three that in my opinion can't be beat. Two have already been mentioned, monkey shoulder and Mclellands. The other is Cutty Sark Prohibition. For around 50 you can get some Laphroaig which is a big step up on the Mclellands. Once a year I buy a bottle of Lagavulin, it's really hard to make it last a full year....

 

Auchentoshan 3 wood is an other great choice just above the budget amount.

[Bye]

In the budget category, there are three that in my opinion can't be beat. Two have already been mentioned, monkey shoulder and Mclellands. The other is Cutty Sark Prohibition. For around 50 you can get some Laphroaig which is a big step up on the Mclellands. Once a year I buy a bottle of Lagavulin, it's really hard to make it last a full year....

 

Auchentoshan 3 wood is an other great choice just above the budget amount.

 

You must enjoy the really peaty/smokey flavours. Laphroaig and Lagavulin are too much for me. Something like Oban is about my limit!

[bigred90gt]

In the budget category, there are three that in my opinion can't be beat. Two have already been mentioned, monkey shoulder and Mclellands. The other is Cutty Sark Prohibition. For around 50 you can get some Laphroaig which is a big step up on the Mclellands. Once a year I buy a bottle of Lagavulin, it's really hard to make it last a full year....

 

Auchentoshan 3 wood is an other great choice just above the budget amount.

 

I quit buying Lagavullin because I couldn't make a bottle last more than a couple of days. It is so smooth, you start sipping it, and next thing you know, over 1/2 of the bottle is gone. I have an extraordinary ability to consume a lot of whiskey with little noticeable effect though. And for some reason, it's only whiskey. Wine, beer, vodka, rum, etc all hit me hard and fast, but I can drink whiskey all day and be fine.

[PixlPutterman]

In the budget category, there are three that in my opinion can't be beat. Two have already been mentioned, monkey shoulder and Mclellands. The other is Cutty Sark Prohibition. For around 50 you can get some Laphroaig which is a big step up on the Mclellands. Once a year I buy a bottle of Lagavulin, it's really hard to make it last a full year....

 

Auchentoshan 3 wood is an other great choice just above the budget amount.

 

I quit buying Lagavullin because I couldn't make a bottle last more than a couple of days. It is so smooth, you start sipping it, and next thing you know, over 1/2 of the bottle is gone. I have an extraordinary ability to consume a lot of whiskey with little noticeable effect though. And for some reason, it's only whiskey. Wine, beer, vodka, rum, etc all hit me hard and fast, but I can drink whiskey all day and be fine.

 

It's like an adult juice box

[Warrick]

I was considering buying my step-dad a bottle of Lagavulin 16 for Christmas. He likes Bourbon and Scotch, but has never had an Islay before.

 

Is it an acquired taste, or is there a good chance he will like it?

[bigred90gt]

I was considering buying my step-dad a bottle of Lagavulin 16 for Christmas. He likes Bourbon and Scotch, but has never had an Islay before.

 

Is it an acquired taste, or is there a good chance he will like it?

 

While Lagavullin is an Islay, and it is fairly heavy on the peat and smoke, it’s nothing like Laphroaig. To someone who likes bourbon and Highland Scotches, Laphroaig is more like licking an ash tray. According to my wife, it tastes like someone poured a glass of whiskey, then put their cigarettes out in it all night. I personally like it, but Lagavullin is on another level. It is incredibly smooth. It has the flavor you expect, without any of the bite or harshness other such whiskeys have.

 

The only problem I see is if he doesn’t like it, that’s $100 wasted on something he won’t like. Unfortunately, the only way to find out is to try it. If possibly, try to get him out to a good whiskey bar and let him try it.

 

For someone that is a bourbon drinker (such as myself), all Islay Scotches are an acquired taste. I hated them when I first tried them. Of course, Laphroaig was my first dive into Scotch, so it kind of tainted my view a bit. You say he likes Scotch, what does he usually drink?

[Warrick]

I guess he really likes Jameson and Crown, but she said he does like good scotches.

 

Maybe a good Bourbon might be a better idea.

 

What would you advise for a good one?

 

Thanks.

[bigred90gt]

I guess he really likes Jameson and Crown, but she said he does like good scotches.

 

Maybe a good Bourbon might be a better idea.

 

What would you advise for a good one?

 

Thanks.

Crown and Jameson to Bourbon is an easy transition. Same with most Highland or Speyside Scotches. Jumping straight into Islay (if he's never had one) can be a stretch. I went from mostly a crown drinker to a bottle of Laphroaig, and swore off Scotch. A couple of years later, my friend introduced me to Balvenie (a REALLY good, really smooth Scotch, and one I would recommend for someone that likes bourbon/Crown/Jameson). It was fantastic. So much that we convinced the owner of our golf course to start carrying it. Balvenie and Dalwhinnie are pretty much all I drank for good year or 2.

 

There's plenty of good bourbons. I love Bookers, but be warned, it is stout. If you pour a glass and drop an ice cube in it, the ice sinks, lol. Bakers is another good one, Basil Haydens, 1792 is a good one that wont break the bank. Then of course you have your Makers, Woodford and Knob Creek which are all solid. Another solid choice is W.L. Weller. There are a few iterations, and I like all of them.

 

I personally love Jim Beam. That was my first bourbon when I was a kid. My dad drank it, mixed with a little water, and always let me have a sip. It's cheap, smooth, and has sentimental value to me. Most people when looking for a good bourbon will overlook it because it is cheap, but it's my go-to.

[Bye]

Glenmorangie is good stuff, they do a double barrel version with a bourbon finish as well. Tallasker and Oban are a mid way between the fruitier and smokey flavours. Lagavulin was the first scotch I tried, it tastes like rubber. Laphroaig is like TCP.

[bigred90gt]

Glenmorangie is good stuff, they do a double barrel version with a bourbon finish as well. Tallasker and Oban are a mid way between the fruitier and smokey flavours. Lagavulin was the first scotch I tried, it tastes like rubber. Laphroaig is like TCP.

 

Glenmorangie is rather tasty. All of the iterations I've tried have been nothing short of fantastic. In 2014, I bought a bottle with 2 Open Championship commemorative glasses.

 

 

 

 

The Quinta Ruben, Lasanta and Nectar d'or are my favorites (in that order). Haven't had any of their $100+ offerings. The original (same one in the picture above) can be had for fairly inexpensive.

[Bye]

Glenmorangie is good stuff, they do a double barrel version with a bourbon finish as well. Tallasker and Oban are a mid way between the fruitier and smokey flavours. Lagavulin was the first scotch I tried, it tastes like rubber. Laphroaig is like TCP.

 

Glenmorangie is rather tasty. All of the iterations I've tried have been nothing short of fantastic. In 2014, I bought a bottle with 2 Open Championship commemorative glasses.

 

 

 

 

The Quinta Ruben, Lasanta and Nectar d'or are my favorites (in that order). Haven't had any of their $100+ offerings. The original (same one in the picture above) can be had for fairly inexpensive.

 

That's a nice set.

 

The Quita Rubén is the best, I total agree. I have got a bottle stashed in my home office. Might have a wee dram tonight!

[Johnny_Fairway]

For my money, I find I can get a better value from a bourbon than I can from a scotch.

 

I can drink a bourbon neat at a price point where a comparable scotch I'll want to put on the rocks.

 

Or if the bourbon needs the rocks the scotch probably needs some water or even club soda.

[pingbling23]

Glenmorangie is my favorite under $40 scotch. It's a highland so very smooth and not a peat monster. Also nice this time of year when you can get those sets wth glasses for around $38.

[Jackal]

I'll have to try some Glenmorangie.

Thanks for the recommendations!!!!

Merry Christmas to all.

[sir_templar2]

Glenmorangie is such a great scotch. If you like that, and can find it, try some Glenfarclas -- you wont be disappointed

[Jackal]

I bought some Highland Mist the other day.

It was on sale $9 a bottle.

Not a good sippin' scotch. It will be ok for mixed drinks.