Over the last few years I have received some great recommendations for good Bourbon and Scotch from my imaginary friends here.
I am now looking to up what I have been drinking.
I have been drinking mostly good blended and some 8 to 12 year single malt Scotches.
I would like your recommendations on some good 15+ year old Scotches.
I am not big on heavy peat or smoke flavors but some hit of it is good.

My wife and I also like some of the Scotches that are finished in Sherry or rum casks.
Let me know what you like and why.

My wife and I were suppose to go on a cruise next month. This is where we have had the opportunity in the past to try different Scotches then be able to buy them Duty free.
As we know that is not happening.
Cheers.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 71 TRUCK,

The Kirkland (Costco) 22yr Speyside Single Malt Sherry Cask Finish is a phenomenal value @ $80. I find it every bit as complex and amazing as Macallan 18 @ $300. I have to hide it from my wife, who otherwise dislikes whisky.

What's your price point?

Not all 15+ Scotches are created equal.

I really like Sherry Cask Scotches because they are more "flavorful" than the Rum cask variety, which are admittedly smoother at same age but less "tart."

I think the best value in Sherry Cask Scotch that is not too peaty is Glenfarclas. I have on hand a bottle of Glenfarclas 25 year old that is fantastic. Has a sweet, coffee like aftertaste. Under $200 a bottle here in California.

One of my favorite value buys ever is the Gelnlivet 15yr French Oak. I highly recommend it.

Honestly I know single malt guys hate this but I will go to my grave claiming Johnny Walker Blue label is the best scotch that readily available.

Glenlivet 15 and Walker Blue are solid recommendations. I always call the Blue a "gateway" Scotch into the expensive world of high end Scotches. Next thing you know you regularly attend Nth Whisky Tasting in Vegas, and Whiskyfest in San Francisco, and brand ambassadors call you by your first name...

And you eat ramen for dinner 11 months out of the year...

Lagavulin 16

quote:

Originally posted by Windhover:
What's your price point?

Not all 15+ Scotches are created equal.

I really like Sherry Cask Scotches because they are more "flavorful" than the Rum cask variety, which are admittedly smoother at same age but less "tart."

I think the best value in Sherry Cask Scotch that is not too peaty is Glenfarclas. I have on hand a bottle of Glenfarclas 25 year old that is fantastic. Has a sweet, coffee like aftertaste. Under $200 a bottle here in California.

Price point could be some wear in the neighborhood of $100 to $125 to start.

The Macallan

Oban 18 year. This stuff is beyond incredible

quote:

Originally posted by Amurr:
Honestly I know single malt guys hate this but I will go to my grave claiming Johnny Walker Blue label is the best scotch that readily available.

Tried the Johnny Walker Blue on a cruise back in March"one of the last ones to sail". I was answering question about a watch another guest was looking at. He ended up buying the watch and the sales person brought out a bottle to celebrate. I was offered round.

On the ship they were offering a great deal if you bought two bottles but I don't remember exactly what it was. It may have been just over $300 for the two bottles.
I was not overly impressed at the time but it was good.

My local BJs sells it for just under $200 a bottle.

quote:

Originally posted by SW_Sig:
Lagavulin 16

He said he wasn't looking for peat.

If you like Sherry cask, Glendronach and Abelour are excellent for far less then Macallan.

Get a Glenlivet holiday sampler to try a variety but I do like Glenlivet.

quote:

Originally posted by prepsheriff:
The Macallan

This, 10yo sherry cask Malt is good...18 is really really, really good, but the price point is a no-go. I get a bottle once a year now due to the 10yo being $90.

But I love the flavor, get a shot, put a splash of filtered water and sip it.

Oban is great stuff too.

Just know you are paying for time....

If you’re not big on that heavy peat smokiness, you may want to stick with the Speyside and Highland scotches.

My go to is Glenfiddich, but I also really like Balvenie (owned by Glenfiddich) and Glenmorangie.

I started my journey watching a YouTube channel called Ralfy. It gave me some great insight into what I might enjoy.

Edited to add: For blended scotch, my favorite is Johnny Walker Green, which I believe is 15 year old scotch.

Not quite 15 year, but I really enjoy Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban. Port cask finish. 14 year. It almost has a sweet cognac like finish. Wonderful stuff. Glenmorangie has a sherry finish called Lasanta. Its okay, but I like the Ruban much better.

I like the bold flavors of younger scotch. The flavors that storage and aging tend to smooth out. If you want to experiment with a some peat and smoke Highland Park 12 is my overall favorite. They do have a 15 but it wasn't significantly better than the 12 for the extra money in my opinion. Talasker 10 is another.

For those who like the peat monsters try Kilchoman Sanaig. This is Islay's only farm distillery that does it all themselves. They are the only label that does this that I know of. They started after the turn of the century. I don't think that have any "aged" offerings yet.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: goose5,

Try Jura Scotch. Pronounce with a "D" not a "J." Only aged 10 years but is more smooth than most I've had. No bite, and almost no hint of peat or smoke. I highly recommend especially at it's cost.

quote:

Originally posted by Outnumbered:
The Kirkland (Costco) 22yr Speyside Single Malt Sherry Cask Finish is a phenomenal value @ $80. I find it every bit as complex and amazing as Macallan 18 @ $300. I have to hide it from my wife, who otherwise dislikes whisky.

Do all Costco's carry this?
Where in the store do you find it?

I'm a Speyside fan. I've had the 15-yr Glenlivet and thought it was very good.

I am under doctor's orders to lose 40 pounds. Once I hit that goal, I'm going to treat myself a bottle of 15-yr Balvenie.

quote:

Originally posted by sigmoid:

quote:

Originally posted by Outnumbered:
The Kirkland (Costco) 22yr Speyside Single Malt Sherry Cask Finish is a phenomenal value @ $80. I find it every bit as complex and amazing as Macallan 18 @ $300. I have to hide it from my wife, who otherwise dislikes whisky.

Do all Costco's carry this?
Where in the store do you find it?

Both of the Costcos near me have it, right by the rest of the liquor bottles. The Kirkland French Vodka is also really nice, at $24. Extremely smooth. But MUST be the French, the American is "meh"...