Looking for a good single malt Scotch $100 max

[liberaltrucker]

Needed for a Christmas party. Found this on PA State store website:

Glenlivet Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 12 Year 80 Proof

Reviews look OK, but I'm a Scotch novice (bourbon fan .

TIA for any suggestions.

[nycbos]

1. Aberlour 12 is good

[Botany]

2. Glenmorangie

n/t

[Paladin]

9. I'll second that.

Glenmorangie, sherry cask-aged. Maroon box. Around $50---$60 a bottle. The good stuff, without having to take out a second mortgage.

[PoliticAverse]

3. Lagavulin

[frazzled]

7. My long time favorite

But OP should be advised only to try if s/he likes a very peaty (smoky) Islay whisky.

Another recommendation, though hard to find and on the pricey side, is the Japanese-produced Yamazaki 12 single malt. Like butter. (Yes, Japan produces some very good whisky.)

[Aristus]

13. I agree. Wonderful stuff.

It goes for around $75 a bottle around here.

[SharonClark]

4. Glenlivet 12 yo is pretty harsh

I recently conducted a Single Malt Tasting where all the whiskies were $70 or less. The two favorites were Dalwhinnie 15 and Ardbeg An Oa. If you like whisky with a little more sherry then try Balvenie Doublewood 12 yo or Balvenie Rum Cask 14 yo.

Glenmorangie 12, Aberfeldy 12, Glenfarclas 12, Springbank 15, and Highland Park 15 are also good for novices.
Enjoy!

[nycbos]

8. I love the names.

Dalwhinnie sounds like something out of the Lord of the Rings.

[fNord]

18. It's better when it's pronounced:

Dall-weenie

[Paladin]

21. Google "Pronunciation of scotch whisky names" for several entertaining guides.

Here in the southwest, Glenmorangie routinely comes off as "Glen-moh-RANG-ee." It's actually a much nicer "Glen-MORUN-jhee."

[Major Nikon]

5. Why not just do bourbon?

Pound for pound it's cheaper and better.

[Paladin]

11. Good luck in finding somebody who likes them both. (nt)

[Major Nikon]

12. I was guessing this is for a gift exchange

Although this might be a bad guess. I almost always bring bourbon to such things and it winds up being the most popular item.

[liberaltrucker]

23. It is, thanks.

[beachbum bob]

6. plenty of "good" single malts for $50-$60 and less

these guys are hillarious and a have a hundred reviews or mor of scotch-irish-american whiskeys and bourbons


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCElm866_W5r1eg8VjhFNARw

[FSogol]

10. Scotches vary a lot and depend on personal taste. For me, I'd go for Laphroaig for a gift.

Glenlivet is good also. We filled our flasks with it when mountaineering.

[malthaussen]

14. Depends on what you like.

Malts vary hugely in taste. The Glenlivet you mention is very smooth and elegant. Other Scotches may be smokey, peaty, phenolic... the list goes on. They are all "good," but some are much less challenging to the novice palate. I'd support the Glenlivet, as it is less challenging than, say, Talisker.

If you are a malt novice, the first thing you may discover is that the iodine taste associated with blended scotches is usually not present in single malts, except the ones where it is one of the dominant tones. Single malts are a whole different trip from blended scotches.

-- Mal

[haele]

15. If the taste is for smokey, go for the islays.

If for milder or "fruitier" - or as a mix with soda, go for the blended scotches, especially the lowland blends.
Spouse loves Laphroig, an Islay, which is best with about three drops of fresh water mixed.
He spent an entire Saturday morning before his college football game watching this documentary about the history of Single Malt Scotch Whiskey.

Haele

[fNord]

16. glenmorangie 12 year....

Excellent and only about $80

[PassingFair]

17. The Balvenie ... Sherry Cask

Soooo gooood! $114.00

[OriginalGeek]

20. haven't had the pleasure yet

but that's on my list.

[liberaltrucker]

24. PA State Store doesn't stock it

No other options here in Pennsylbama.

[PassingFair]

28. Boooo. I'm booing them! Nt

[OriginalGeek]

19. The Balvenie Caribbean cask is another winner

Balvenie should be easier on the palette than my favorite, Laphroaig. Unless you get the 18yo Laph which I believe is over 2 hundred bucks a bottle now.

[liberaltrucker]

25. $80 per 750ml bottle here in PA

Thanks!

[liberaltrucker]

22. Thanks all!!

Very good suggestions! Merry Christmas indeed!

[vishnura]

26. Singleton!

[VMA131Marine]

27. This one?

https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/39325/the-singleton-of-glendullan-12-year-old


I just bought a bottle. For a $35 bottle of Scotch it's very good.