Please help, need advice on Whisky.

[TrulyEiJin]

Good afternoon,

I would like to purchase a nice bottle of Whisky, however I do not drink at all and have no knowledge of whisky. Please help me with some recommendations on a nice whisky you enjoy.

I have been to the LCBO and purchased “The Glenlivet Archive 21 single malt scotch whisky”. The sales associate mentioned to me that it is easy to drink. Would it be a nice bottle for someone who already has an appreciation of whisky? I do not know the terminology however “easy to drink” means for beginners or does it mean smooth? My budget would be up to $1000 and I need it by next week so something I can get in Toronto would be lovely.

Please forgive my lack of knowledge. I would truly appreciate any advice you have. It is very important to me to have a good bottle. Thank you so much for your time.

Edit: I apologize I should have included this in my original post. All I know is he drinks scotch or bourbon and does not like cognac. Thank you so much for everyone’s input so far!! You are all so kind and helpful.

Sincerely,
Ei Jin

 

[happydog]

Wow, $1000, did you add an extra 0
You have tons of choices but, look out for some reviews. Lets say a large bottle of Jonnie Blue would seem like a good choice but, many people say over priced and hyped.
Maybe get them a nice bottle and a gift card so they can buy something else when are running low of their favorite go to on a weekly basis vs a very special time.
I was once told that after a certain number of years unless person is a has a real discerning taste they will not appreciate the extra time.
Maybe get them a variety of bottles. A Glenlivet or Glenfidich 12 year, 14 year, 15 year 18 year and some have various versions French barrels, spice, etc..
That way you may get invited to a taste testing night of the different types. Some jonnie walkers are decent Green, gold, or special versions.

 

[IRIS]

A nice bottle of 25 years old Bowmore will make it. You can buy it for 500$ and spend the rest of the ladies.:biggrin:https://www.lcbo.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/lcbo/scotch-single-malts-15020059/bowmore-25-year-old-islay-single-malt-714113#.XfK9g1NOmDY

 

[TrulyEiJin]

Wow, $1000, did you add an extra 0
You have tons of choices but, look out for some reviews. Lets say a large bottle of Jonnie Blue would seem like a good choice but, many people say over priced and hyped.
Maybe get them a nice bottle and a gift card so they can buy something else when are running low of their favorite go to on a weekly basis vs a very special time.
I was once told that after a certain number of years unless person is a has a real discerning taste they will not appreciate the extra time.
Maybe get them a variety of bottles. A Glenlivet or Glenfidich 12 year, 14 year, 15 year 18 year and some have various versions French barrels, spice, etc..
That way you may get invited to a taste testing night of the different types. Some jonnie walkers are decent Green, gold, or special versions.

Thank you so much for your response. I have read a couple of reviews however as I am not a drinker, I find it difficult to appreciate them. I am just looking for one nice bottle instead of getting a few decent ones. I have thought about gift cards as well however I would like have a more thoughtful gift.

 

[TrulyEiJin]

A nice bottle of 25 years old Bowmore will make it. You can buy it for 500$ and spend the rest of the ladies.:biggrin:https://www.lcbo.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/lcbo/scotch-single-malts-15020059/bowmore-25-year-old-islay-single-malt-714113#.XfK9g1NOmDY

Thank you so much Iris. I appreciate you sending me a link as well. Is there a huge difference in terms of quality between the years?

 

[peter4025]

Macallan Edition #4 is a great bottle and will only cost you $175 at lcbo

 

[TrulyEiJin]

It is hard to buy Whisky for a true fan. Usually they go deep. Crazy deep.

If you want something easy, the Macallan 18yo triple cask is easy to find and remarkable. $350 at LCBO.
I have not liked Glenlivet anything. Personal taste and all that.

Thank you so much for your advice, Garrett! May I ask why you do not appreciate the taste of Glenlivet?

I have visited some international websites. I understand now what you mean by crazy deep. I think the top bottle I seen was for $100k.

 

[TrulyEiJin]

Macallan Edition #4 is a great bottle and will only cost you $175 at lcbo

Thank you. I think this seems to be a good brand as another members recommends this as well.

 

[TrulyEiJin]

Crazy deep is more than price. So many bottlers and rare brands. When you go to Ireland it is overwhelming!

As for Glenlivet, like I said, just personal taste, and I have not tried them all. I am a snob about a lot of things, but not drinking. Either I like it or I don't, and I love cheap wine lol. At some point you are paying for a label. However, I have never had a Macallan that I did not love, and it is easy to buy.

I appreciate your advice very much. As I am not familiar with different labels, I am more interested in a brand that invest more on product quality over packaging. I will definitely look into Macallan. No worries we all have things we feel brings us enjoyment over others. A cheap bottle of wine could also mean they did not spend too much on marketing and packaging. Hence I really appreciate your thoughts in helping me get a good quality whisky and not just a pretty bottle.

 

[SchlongConery]

I assume this is a gift for someone who likes whisky?

If so, what do you know about them or their tastes? Some people prefer scotch whisky, Bourbon whisky, Canadian Rye whisky, Irish whiskey etc.

I find that money does not equal value, especially in a gift. If there is something special about the person or appropriate about the particular bottle, that is more important. For example, when I travel to Scotland I always bring a bottle of some interesting 100% Rye Canadian whisky. They love it there.

 

[swshowtime8]

Hi Ei Jin,

I am an avid Scotch collector but live in Los Angeles. However, being originally from Canada, I go to both Toronto and Montreal often and so have checked out regularly what Scotch are usually available at LCBO and SAQ, respectively. Unfortunately, the pool is a little bit more limited in Canada, so I am basing my primary suggestions on what I see on the LCBO website (rather than start you on a wild goose chase).

Given the price point you mentioned, there is the Highland Park 25 right near that mark - which is from one of the more well-known distilleries. The $900 CDN one is from this year and is at a tad less of alcohol percentage than prior releases. If your intended recipient likes a slight smokiness to his/her Scotch - this may be the perfect gift. And if he/she wants to just display it, it will increase in value. I bought mine for $300 USD five years ago and it is now worth about $800 USD.

At a lower price point, but still very solid if your intended recipient really likes smokiness, would be the Laphroaig 25YO Cask Strength. Because it is cask strength, that means it has an elevated alcohol level (52%) as it was not diluted.

If you ultimately decide to stay on the lower side of $500, then the Bowmore 25-Year-Old Islay Single Malt would be a good choice.

Finally, while I do not see them on the LCBO website, other good choices that generally please everyone (and should be under $500) would be the Balvenie 21 Portwood, Macallan 21 Oak, and Johnnie Walker Blue.

Good luck - and do let me know if you have any questions!
S.

 

[Grimnul]

Lots of great information here already, but I’ll echo what was said about buying whisky as a gift: it’s quite difficult because people who drink whisky are very often quite particular about what they like. They might prefer bourbon, or scotch, or whatever, and even within those categories there can be variation. For example, Scotch can be very peaty (smoky) or not peaty at all, and the difference between a peaty scotch and a non-peaty one is night and day. Someone who likes one may very well not like the other. I’m very versed in mixology and personally I avoid giving whisky as a gift unless I know what the person I’m buying for likes. It’s just too easy to get wrong otherwise.

 

[|2 /-\ | /|/]

Best kind

 

[TrulyEiJin]

I assume this is a gift for someone who likes whisky?

If so, what do you know about them or their tastes? Some people prefer scotch whisky, Bourbon whisky, Canadian Rye whisky, Irish whiskey etc.

I find that money does not equal value, especially in a gift. If there is something special about the person or appropriate about the particular bottle, that is more important. For example, when I travel to Scotland I always bring a bottle of some interesting 100% Rye Canadian whisky. They love it there.

Lots of great information here already, but I’ll echo what was said about buying whisky as a gift: it’s quite difficult because people who drink whisky are very often quite particular about what they like. They might prefer bourbon, or scotch, or whatever, and even within those categories there can be variation. For example, Scotch can be very peaty (smoky) or not peaty at all, and the difference between a peaty scotch and a non-peaty one is night and day. Someone who likes one may very well not like the other. I’m very versed in mixology and personally I avoid giving whisky as a gift unless I know what the person I’m buying for likes. It’s just too easy to get wrong otherwise.

Thank you so much for your responses. He was very good at not revealing his preference to me. Hence I have to trouble you all for suggestions. As I know he drinks scotch or bourbon and does not like cognac. After reading your comments I am not sure if this information is very useful.

 

[TrulyEiJin]

Hi Ei Jin,

I am an avid Scotch collector but live in Los Angeles. However, being originally from Canada, I go to both Toronto and Montreal often and so have checked out regularly what Scotch are usually available at LCBO and SAQ, respectively. Unfortunately, the pool is a little bit more limited in Canada, so I am basing my primary suggestions on what I see on the LCBO website (rather than start you on a wild goose chase).

Given the price point you mentioned, there is the Highland Park 25 right near that mark - which is from one of the more well-known distilleries. The $900 CDN one is from this year and is at a tad less of alcohol percentage than prior releases. If your intended recipient likes a slight smokiness to his/her Scotch - this may be the perfect gift. And if he/she wants to just display it, it will increase in value. I bought mine for $300 USD five years ago and it is now worth about $800 USD.

At a lower price point, but still very solid if your intended recipient really likes smokiness, would be the Laphroaig 25YO Cask Strength. Because it is cask strength, that means it has an elevated alcohol level (52%) as it was not diluted.

If you ultimately decide to stay on the lower side of $500, then the Bowmore 25-Year-Old Islay Single Malt would be a good choice.

Finally, while I do not see them on the LCBO website, other good choices that generally please everyone (and should be under $500) would be the Balvenie 21 Portwood, Macallan 21 Oak, and Johnnie Walker Blue.

Good luck - and do let me know if you have any questions!
S.

Thank you very kindly for your suggestions. I really appreciate your recommendations from the LCBO as well. May I ask if the alcohol content plays any factor in the enjoyment of whisky?

I checked the website, they currently do not have HighLand Park 25 in stock. They do however have Laphroaig 25 Cask Strength.

 

[IRIS]

Thank you so much Iris. I appreciate you sending me a link as well. Is there a huge difference in terms of quality between the years?

YES! Older are always better!!:encouragement: Next to my place they have on stock. you can kill two birds with one stone...lol

 

[Ceiling Cat]

I do not buy into the older is better thinking, I drink what I like. Some scotch are too smokey and some are too strong.
I have had Johnnie Walker Blue Label ( @ $309.95 ) served to me that I did not enjoy. My current favorite is Glenrothes 12 Year Old ( @ $68.95 ) or Aberfeldy 12 Year Old is a fine single malt ( @ $60.95 )

If you like Chivas Regal then Aberfeldy 12 is the single malt version.

 

[swshowtime8]

Thank you very kindly for your suggestions. I really appreciate your recommendations from the LCBO as well. May I ask if the alcohol content plays any factor in the enjoyment of whisky?

I checked the website, they currently do not have HighLand Park 25 in stock. They do however have Laphroaig 25 Cask Strength.

Hi Ei Jin,

Bummer about the Highland Park 25.

Typically, Scotch has an ABV (alcohol by volume) of ~43-48% as they believe that is where it is most enjoyable. Cask strength offerings are unique because they are bottled in the 50-60% ABV range since they do not dilute it down. Due to the higher ABV, it will taste harsher - although one could conceivably dilute with water or ice before drinking. In thinking further about this, since your intended recipient has not given you much indication as to his preferences, I would suggest bypassing the Laphroaig.

In looking further for you on LCBO, I discovered that they have incorrectly classified two “Scotch Single Malts” as “Scotch Whisky Blends”! So, if you filter to “Scotch Whisky Blends”, you will find the Balvenie Tun 1509 #5. This is a limited edition release and can be considered a very special gift. I have 8 bottles from their original Tun 1401 series and they will be some of the last bottles I ever give up if I am whittling down my collection. Slightly lower on the price scale is the Macallan Rare Cask and can also be considered a quality gift. Again, both of these are indeed single malts - and both seem readily available.

Hope this helps!
S.

 

[K Douglas]

Can't go wrong with this one as far as I'm concerned https://www.winealign.com/wines/88111-Oban-14-Ans-Highland-Scotch-Single-Malt. It's about $110 in the LCBO.

 

[Robert Mugabe]

Poison Whiskey. Don't you drink it boy.