Whiskey Advice please!

[buttercupSE11]

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy my boyfriend a bottle of good quality single malt whiskey for xmas. Doesn't matter how much it costs- I recently got my dad a bottle of Remy XO for nearly ?100. I have no clue about whiskey and I want to get my boyfriend something good. If anyone can help/suggest that would be great.

Thanks!

[Kingy]

Lagavullin every time if he likes smoky peaty medicinal whisky - probably get some in Waitrose, possibly Sainsbury's

Red Breast is a good Irish one if he prefers it smoother (Johnny Walker blue label otherwise, will cost though about ?200) but Lagavullin every time for me

[Twirly]

There's a good whisky shop up by the British Museum, Royal Mile Whiskies: http://www.royalmilewhiskies.com/viewindex.asp?article_id=shop_london I've asked their advice before when buying for my Dad who is rather particular. Helps to know what he likes though, so let them know what he normally drinks. I usually get my Dad something from Islay as he likes the peaty ones.

[PeckhamRose]

Wow buttercup! "Doesn't matter how much it costs"! If you get a good recommendation but can't find it, try drinksonline dot com, they are pretty good and you may still be in time for delivery.

[Lowlander]

Scotch whisky spelled without the "e"

Can be divided up into four regions: Highland, Lowland, Speyside, Islay

Islay ones are mostly peaty and not for beginners (only buy if you know he likes the style), other regions all good

Would highly recommend one of the premium Ardbegs if he likes the Islay style (e.g. Serendipity at ~?100)

Otherwise take a trip to the excellent Whisky Exchange beside Vineopolis in London Bridge, they'll sort you out

[DaveR]

http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/the-glenlivet-nadurra-16-year-old-whisky/

[Gidget]

Talisker.

[DulwichFox]

Money no object ???

May I suggest The Macallan 64 Year Old in Lalique ?

A snip at $460,000

http://cdn.most-expensive.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/expensive-scotch-whiskies-macallan-lalique.jpg

Fox.

[Loz]

Lowlander Wrote:

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> Would highly recommend one of the premium Ardbegs

> if he likes the Islay style (e.g. Serendipity at

> ~?100)

Seconded. I *love* Ardbeg

[Marmora Man]

Any Islay would be good, my particular favourite being Caol Ila (pronounced Kaleela) - and I have a fondness for Talismer. However for me at the moment a 25 year old Highland Park would be hard to beat.

The Royal Mile Whisky shop may be able to direct you to a cask strength single malt which is the post graduate step in Malt Whisky drinking and again I'd recommend Highland Park.

[buttercupSE11]

Thank you all for your help and merry xmas!

[uncleglen]

Laphroaig is very 'phenolic' imho

[aquarius moon]

My Dad likes malt whiskey. I bought him Talisker once & he hated it.

He loves Glenmorangie.

[maxxi]

If you're after a honey-ish malt with a good sherry-cask aroma try Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition (various years) at around ?40-?50.

[MrBen]

Lowlander Wrote:

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> Otherwise take a trip to the excellent Whisky

> Exchange beside Vineopolis in London Bridge,

> they'll sort you out

Good advice indeed Lowlander. And once you've worked out whether he's an "Islay man" pretty much all of the bottles above are good straight up options. If he likes his malt and is already a big fan then def go to s specialist to find something different from the usual Glenfiddach etc offerings in your average store. Duncan at the Whisky Exchange will sort you out.

[Mick Mac]

I'd go for a Macallen if choosing for someone of whom I don't know of their particular taste. Or maybe Cardhu.

I have just found a Speyside map:

http://www.whiskyguild.com/whisky_distillery_speyside.htm

[Marmora Man]

Buttercup - you might consider buying him membership of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society - initial membership includes a cask strength malt. I was given this as a present 15 years ago and continue to enjoy it. Includes access to two elegant private whisky bars - one in London, one in Edinburgh plus opportunity to attend tutored malt whisky tastings across UK.

A web search will find them - can't give you link from phone.

Edited to add SMWS Website: http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships/membership-as-gift.html

[lane lover]

21 year old Highland Old Pulteney. Delicious!

[Help-Ma-Boab]

As a man who can no longer even stomach the smell of whisky due to a half bottle of Bells at 16. I knew the independant owners of The Glenturret and that's supposed to be good. Long since sold, but had a cat in the Guiness book of records!