any whisky buffs here?

[Fashionista101]

So I know nothing about whisky but I bloody love a JD Diet Coke.

My partner bloodys loves the stuff and I want to get home something special/nice for Christmas. I know he like a single malt and I think it's from the highlands?!

Any ideas? He has those cube/stones things. He has small tumblers but they look shit, what should I look for?

What's an unusual whisky that he may appreciate?

Tours/distilleries etc he will never go to so not really an option.

Thanks!

I usually have a look at the World Whisky Award Shortlisters each year to find a new one for DP to try. There are different categories to suit tastes/budget.

I’m quite a fan of the Swedish Mackmyra whiskies... In the days I used to drink- small children have put pay to that.

Jura Superstition is my absolute favorite.

Great thread. My DP is a big fan of whisky and I am always looking for new ones for him to try.

Another vote for Eradour here. It's from one of Scotland's smallest distilleries so is small batch. He already has Laphroaig by the looks of it, which is what I would have recommended otherwise. I can see why others have suggested a selection box/tasting if he's new to all this, but I'd steer clear if you want to be original/get something special that would be welcomed by a real connoisseur. Whisky is alot about rarity, and part of the fun is drinking something you can't just get in Tesco (that said, the big ones do have super selections these days!)

(or, if you want to be on trend about it research Japanese whisky - it's all the rage these days apparently. Maybe one to save for birthday/next Christmas though if he's only tried a few Scottish whiskies so far).

Tickets to a whiskey festival? I've been to one in Stoke which was great, I got to try lots of different styles and learn what I really liked. This was a pay to get in, but then you only had to pay if you signed up for a guided tasting.

I really like Aberlour 12, Aberlour Abunadh ( used to be a bargain, but now shooting up in price) , Tamdhu Batch Strength. If I was rich I'd drink Kavalan Solist. As you can see from the list really like sherry cask.

I love Tamnavulin, tastes like toffee. I’m not a fan of Peaty whiskeys usually need a couple drops of water to drink them. If he likes Laphroig maybe looking at other whiskeys from islay? I’m a recent convert to whiskey so am following this thread with interest!!

Wow thank you so much for all the comments and suggestions.

We were out last night and he had Laphrioag and then someone ordered him a Japanese whisky and it lasted a lot longer so I don't think he was that into it. I'm going to get him the Norlan glasses and a set of small whiskys to try. Going to look at these whisky festivals as that could be a nice afternoon.

Thanks :)

How far are you from Edinburgh? They have the Whisky Experience which is good fun but also lots of hotels/restaurants with whisky tasting evenings.

Also - the Lakes Distillery in Cumbria is very good indeed.