Whiskey help please

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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.

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.

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

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).

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?

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

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?

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)

Or found these single malt whisky cakes?

chocolates

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...

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

here?

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

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