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AIBU?

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Original poster

To buy whisky based on year not taste?

76 replies

BoyMeetsWorld · 12/06/2015 20:28

Argh help!

Need special 30th bday present for DH. Who loves whisky. I don't, so know zilch about it.

Bright idea = to buy a bottle of 30 year old, because it's relevant. Is that a really stupid idea? They're certainly expensive. & which to get?!

OP posts:
ghostyslovesheep · 12/06/2015 20:31

find out which he drinks - buy a nice bottle of that

eyebags63 · 12/06/2015 20:32

This sounds like a great way to spend a lot of money on something your DH won't actually like.

Can't you get some advice on which type to buy?

ashmts · 12/06/2015 20:34

Could you get a 30 year old miniature and then a bigger bottle that you know he likes?

wigglesrock · 12/06/2015 20:35

I'm not a huge fan of buying something that's almost too expensive to enjoy drinking Smile. My husband likes whisky occasionally - Jamesons is his absolute favourite.

sleepyhead · 12/06/2015 20:35

I wouldn't tbh. What do you know that he likes?

Original poster
BoyMeetsWorld · 12/06/2015 20:35

Not sure where to get such advice tbh.

& I usually get him the one he likes (which isn't expensive) every year. But just wanted to get something a bit more special...

OP posts:
alteredimages · 12/06/2015 20:36

I would advise against.

Why not buy him a membership of the Scottish Malt Whisky Society? They do lots of single cask bottlings and tastings. It would be an especially good idea if you're anywhere near Edinburgh.

sleepyhead · 12/06/2015 20:36

What's the one you normally get him?

TeacupTravels · 12/06/2015 20:37

30 minatures....

Original poster
BoyMeetsWorld · 12/06/2015 20:37

Sleepyhead - he likes bourbon best but 30yr old bourbons aren't really a "thing".

he does like scotch though. & he likes collecting nice bottles.

OP posts:
Mandatorymongoose · 12/06/2015 20:37

Which is the one that he likes?

Original poster
BoyMeetsWorld · 12/06/2015 20:38

alteredimages that'd be a great idea but we're miles and miles away!

OP posts:
ghostyslovesheep · 12/06/2015 20:39

get him something like this www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=whisky+taster+set&tbm=shop

Mandatorymongoose · 12/06/2015 20:39

Do you have any clue about what sort of scotch he likes? any bottles around that might give you hints?

tabulahrasa · 12/06/2015 20:39

According to (really boring) conversations I've had with my DP, people tend to like whisky from the same region as they tend to have a similar taste...

I wouldn't know, it all tastes like TCP to me, lol.

sleepyhead · 12/06/2015 20:40

Sorry, don't know anything about bourbon - could have helped a bit with Scottish malts (tho no expert!).

I like the idea of lots of miniatures - would be very expensive though.

Original poster
BoyMeetsWorld · 12/06/2015 20:41

JD is his fave. But he's got quite a little collection of scotches too.

my thoughts were maybe a Dalmore (not 30 yrs, I couldn't justify £ of that!) but get the bottle engraved to say Happy 30th, or the Ballantines 30 yr old which isn't tooooo stupidly expensive Hmm & the online reviews seem good, but I wouldn't know. or there's one that has his year of birth on but I've never heard the make before.

OP posts:
VenusVanDamme · 12/06/2015 20:42

I don't like whisky but know a lot about it due to work. Be careful in choosing as some have a really acquired taste (some from the islands are very 'peaty') so I'd go for a good age of a malt he normally enjoys rather than something completely different

Original poster
BoyMeetsWorld · 12/06/2015 20:43

Thanks Venus - do you know anything about the ones I just mentioned?

OP posts:
wigglesrock · 12/06/2015 20:45

What about getting a personalised whisky label to put on a bottle you know he likes. If you google personalised whisky bottle labels you'll get a fair few. You can get self adhesive ones - you could get his name/birthday on it.

shiplessocean · 12/06/2015 20:46

If he likes JD, how about one of the extra special ones from same company? Gentleman Jack is really nice and I think there's another really nice one as well (can't remember name I'm afraid)

CoffeeAndOranges · 12/06/2015 20:47

Try and find out what type of whisky he likes - peaty, caramelly, light etc, then find a whisky shop and ask in there. A 30 year old whisky will be extremely expensive and probably won't taste as good as a ten year (if you can even bear to open it). A younger whisky will be more fiery, more lively and have a lighter taste and feel, and an older on might perhaps have a more treacly, dense flavour and texture.

DH and I love our whisky and have tried lots over the years (all in the name of research), and we end to gravitate towards the peaty ones from Islay. Our ultimate favourite is Ardbeg 10 year - it's peaty and smoky but light. It's about £40 a bottle, not cheap but lasts ages and is much cheaper per unit than champagne!

I'd say you need to find out more about the type of whiskies he likes before choosing one, and do ask for advice in a shop - some places might even let you try some.

Ooh I'd love a dram now but am preggers so will just imagine it for now...

Let us know what you decide!

tabulahrasa · 12/06/2015 20:47

Ballantines is a blend? Some people won't drink those...

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 12/06/2015 20:47

I love whisky.

Royal Mile Whiskies is a great shop online and in person so I'd try there.

Or could you do a weekend trip including a tour of a distillery? I have been on several and love them. Macallan do an amazing tasting tour.

DisappointedOne · 12/06/2015 20:49

DH is a whisky drinker - he has a huge collection including the £100 30 year old Islay malt bottle bought for his 30th.

If he's a whisky blend drinker, don't blow a small fortune on a single malt for him!