quote:

Originally posted by Amurr:
One of my favorite value buys ever is the Gelnlivet 15yr French Oak. I highly recommend it.

THIS.

Check out Ralfy dot com and his channel. And the 'glass' thread. The Glennfidich 18 was nice, I would buy it given the criteria. The Lonach private label bottling of Mortlach 19 was okay... but was it $100+ okay? Are the older Mortlach offerings worth it? Check Ralfy.

The Balvenie 21 Yr that I bought for Dad had a bite that bit. Glendronach has a good rep, check the recent reviews. A change in ownership often means a change in quality.

Regarding JW/Oban/Talisker/Lagaluvin and other Diageo brands, I would not spend a cent on those. Diageo is a marketing machine. Fuck those schotka selling sons-of-bitches. See Erik Wait's Studies in Whiskey about the laws for distilling irish whiskey and scotch whisky. And the single malts that I tried were bland, not smooth.

Being honest, I do not drink a lot of aged scotch although I do drink like a fish. If the entry level product fails then the premium offerings are out of consideration. But I do talk a lot with the customers and employees, research the online trade/industry sites.

So, please try Glenfidich 18.

Macallen 15 Triple Cask is one I regularly keep on my bar.
It may not be the best value but a very good Scotch nonetheless.
If you can handle a little peat then :agavulin 16 is my favorite and worth a try.

Glenmorangie 18

Highland Park 18 a lil smoke

Springbank 18 a lil funk

Since no one has said it, I'd add Dalwhinnie to the mix.


I 2nd:
GlenMorangie
MaCallan

Add Oban to the mix..................

Thanks everyone.
I started looking up some of your recommendations.
My local ABC has several of them available.

In your price range, and I can only draw from prices here in California, and given that you prefer less peaty, the following are ones I would recommend based on my tasting experience:

Glenlivet 18
Glenmorangie 18
Glenfiddich 18 (Best value in this group)

Auchentoshan Virgin Oak
Dalmore Cigar Malt
Glendfiddich 19
These are slightly over your $125 upper limit but are very good.

At around $150 I really like

Highland Park 18
Glenfarclas 25 (In my opinion by far the best Scotch at this price point. I like this more than all Scotches under $200)

Stay away from: Ardbeg, Laphroig, Lagavulin, Talisker. Pretty much anything from Islay region as they tend to be very peaty.

quote:

Originally posted by 71 TRUCK:

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.

I know you want 15 year, but my personal favorite Scotch is Balvenie Single Malt Scotch 14 Year Caribbean Cask. Runs around 70-80 a bottle but in my opinion it's worth every penny.

The 15 year old Sherry cask is OK, but not worth the premium to me, but it's still in your price range.

Try a blend. I have been getting John Barr in the
1.75 for $18.00. Mix equal parts club soda and you will think you have gone to heaven. May not take that long either.

Glenfarclas 21 (I prefer it to the 25)
Glendronach Allerdice (18)

I hope to have a bottle of each waiting for me when I redeploy! If you like sherried scotch, you’ll enjoy both.

Ardbeg, Laphroig, Lagavulin, Talisker. Pretty much anything from Islay region as they tend to be very peaty.[/QUOTE]

This is true... and I personally prefer the peat flavor.

https://www.acespirits.com/gra...ith%20floral%20notes.

Don't let the price turn you away but the grangestone 18 year is fantastic.

quote:

Originally posted by woods62:
https://www.acespirits.com/gra...ith%20floral%20notes.

Don't let the price turn you away but the grangestone 18 year is fantastic.

It has been said that the Balvenie folks are behind this label.

quote:

Originally posted by Amurr:
One of my favorite value buys ever is the Gelnlivet 15yr French Oak. I highly recommend it.

Mine as well, just great !

Balvenie 14 Year Caribbean Cask is $73 where I am and it's worth every cent. I found it much smoother than other similar aged scotches.

quote:

Originally posted by Gibb:
I know you want 15 year, but my personal favorite Scotch is Balvenie Single Malt Scotch 14 Year Caribbean Cask. Runs around 70-80 a bottle but in my opinion it's worth every penny.

How much better is this than Oban 14? IIRC the 14 is pretty good, but a little sharp on the finish.

quote:

Originally posted by imfrogman:
Oban 18 year. This stuff is beyond incredible

quote:

Originally posted by SgtGold:
Balvenie 14 Year Caribbean Cask is $73 where I am and it's worth every cent. I found it much smoother than other similar aged scotches.

quote:

Originally posted by Gibb:
I know you want 15 year, but my personal favorite Scotch is Balvenie Single Malt Scotch 14 Year Caribbean Cask. Runs around 70-80 a bottle but in my opinion it's worth every penny.

My mouth is watering for this Balvenie. I just checked and it's $77 at my local liquor store.

Reading this thread got me thirsty. I poured some 14 yr. old cognac cask finished Glenlivet and smoked a couple of cigars - a Nub maduro and a Cohiba Macasar - while sitting by my fire pit.

Johnny Walker green label is a blend of 4 - 15 y.o. single malts. One of my favorites.

If some smoke is ok then Highland Park 18 is great.