Whiskey help please

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

My dad loves single malt and is always v happy to get some at Christmas and birthdays. This year it's a 'big' birthday and Christmas v v close together, so I thought I'd like to put together a whiskey lover's hamper and try to get a bit more exciting than a bottle of whatever malt seems like the best offer in Waitrose!

Any ideas please? I think you might be able to get marmalade with whiskey, so I thought I'd try and get some of that but what else? And which whiskey? Up to about 60 pounds altogether, I guess.

[MoreBeta]

I assume we are talking Scotch Whisky? Do you know if he has a preference for Highland, Lowland, Islay, etc?

Look at the Whisky Exchange website to get ideas.

Personally I would go for a single malt with a particular age and characteristics you know he likes. The alternative safe choice if you are unsure is an expensive special limited edition blended whisky like Johnnie Walker Platinum label.

[gregssausageroll]

I would get a good single malt and a good piece of crystal to drink it from.

[EugenesAxe]

I agree with gregs in that most 'whiskey lovers' I've known (and I'm partial to a drop now I've weaned myself back onto it) prefer single malt.

As Beta says there are different types that are quite distinctive. I like a peaty taste personally, and of those peaty (Islay, mainly) whiskeys I like Laphroaig the most.

I also know of Lagavulin - it's nice but very peaty - if you aren't sure which type he likes it's probably best to avoid.

My best mate used to swear by Oban. Dalwhinnie I find a little rough; not as smooth a finish as the Islay whiskeys. Telegraph says The Singleton of Dufftown is the best tasting single malt out there. Maybe go to a Majestics and see if they'll give you a taster session?! Or if you're in London, Vinopolis have a whiskey room now (just to finish you off after all that wine and the Bombay Sapphire experience).

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Thank you. I hate the stuff, so it's no good me tasting any of it. I know that he doesn't like Laphroaig and that he does like Glen something - Glenmorangy or something like that iirc. He wouldn't be interested in crystal and has some decent crystal glasses anyway. So I'll deffo get a bottle of single malt (and many thanks for the suggestions) but what else can I get to go with it? Can you buy whisky flavoured chocolates or anything? Or are there any foods that go well with a glass of single malt?

[TotallyEggFlipped]

I'd but a load of samples from master of malt. They come in lovely little glass bottles with waxed lids. He could then sample a whole range of different whiskeys.

drinks by the dram

[Lastyearsmodel]

I have a recipe for a whisky cake from Sainsburys magazine years ago - my Dad is a big single malt fan and loves it. In fact, I'm not much of a whisky fan a nd I love the cake.

It's basically a rich Madeira cake with a fudgy whisky icing.

Want me to dig out the recipe for you?

[TotallyEggFlipped]

You can get some really good single malt belgian chocolate liqueurs online. I got some for DH last year & he was v happy. (not cheap)

[Lastyearsmodel]

Or found these single malt whisky cakes?

[TotallyEggFlipped]

chocolates

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I've got that Sainsbo's recipe and I really, really like it. However, I would have to make it on Christmas Day in order for it to be ready to give the day after, and there's no way I'm doing that! Unless I could freeze the cake and then make the icing on Boxing Day maybe?

I think I've seen those tinned cakes on sale in the shops before - will have a look, thank you.

And off to check the other links now...

[SquirtedPerfumeUpNoseInBoots]

What about Irish rather than Scotch? For your hamper? Or maybe different miniatures?
here?

[Lastyearsmodel]

Yes, you couldn't make it too far in advance, but I've had success freezing madeira cakes before.

[oldraver]

If he doesn't like Laphroig (and I dont blame him) how about a bottle of Penderyn or as Squirted posted