19yo DS1 wants only one thing for Christmas

[1stV45]

An £80 single malt.

It's something a character in something he watches drinks. DS is not a big drinker, likes a beer with a curry but rarely has a second and he has occasionally enjoyed a single malt with his grandad.

The cost is about what we'd spend. His younger brother has a piece of tech at about the same price he'd like, but that seems like a "good" present compared to buying a 19yo strong drink.

Would you get it rather than come up with something else he doesn't really want? I suppose presents are supposed to be something extravagant you wouldn't buy for yourself...?

Has he ever shown signs of problem drinking?

It would be a no from me. I wouldn’t be against buying a bottle of spirits per se, but think a bottle of decent gin, or say jd or bumbu etc, up to £30 or so, leaving £50 for a more substantial gift would be a better split. £80 on a bottle of spirits would be too much for me to spend. That’s just my personal opinion though. Appreciate everybody has different opinions and values. I’ve never had enough money to think I could spend £80 on one bottle if that makes sense.

Which malt is it? Which character from which show?

But yes, if that’s what he wants, just get it.

as main present yes. And then some nice luxuries in stocking.

Is he aware it's £80 and will probs be his only present? If you just gave him the money do you think he would go out to buy it? Could you get him an early whiskey advent calendar to make sure he actually likes it and doesn't just like the aesthetic of being a man drinking whiskey.

That’s the price point of whisky that a friend of mine drinks all the time - he’s got sophisticated tastes!

Why not, he’s old enough, is unlikely to down it in an evening & him asking for one expensive bottle over a case of cheap whisky means with any luck he will veer towards quality over quantity (I’m 30 years older than him & haven’t mastered that yet!)...

I’ve got indigestion just thinking about it! If it’s what he wants then why not? It’s better than getting him something else just because it looks like a better present but isn’t what he wants.

That's a great present. He's got class - don't cramp his style.

@1stV45 the angst was not necessarily yours...😂

I can see why some people might not love the idea... my dc aren’t that old yet so I don’t know. Might be tempted to put £80 in an envelope for him and give a smaller token present on the day. Just because someone wants something doesn’t mean you have to give it.

Is there a similar brand for less money that you could compromise on? £80 is a lot for something that is consumable but it depends on your financial situation.

He seems very sensible as at 19 I was buying the cheapest alcohol I could get lol but do you think this will be shared with his friends so it could essentially only last one evening?

Sounds like a good idea for a present - which one is it? My DH has just got the 2021 Jim Murray Whisky Bible (came out last week) as he has lots of malts lurking around - I'll look it up for you!

A good compromise would be buying a selection of whiskey's around that price point in smaller volumes. This way, he gets to try a wide variety, refining his taste, and you dont necessarily have to spend £80. Assuming you are in Britain he'll likely have been drinking for a few years now, and channeling him towards a quiet reflective scotch is gonna work out better than the usual binge drinking I engage in as a 21 year old.

Sounds like a great gift if he'll savour it.

I'm curious what whiskey it is, I need ideas for my husband!

@Flutter12

Is there a similar brand for less money that you could compromise on? £80 is a lot for something that is consumable but it depends on your financial situation.

He seems very sensible as at 19 I was buying the cheapest alcohol I could get lol but do you think this will be shared with his friends so it could essentially only last one evening?

If there's one thing I've learned over the last 19years it's either get the one they want or, if you can't manage that, something completely different. A cheaper version of what they really wanted is never a good present, whether it's a toy, a gadget, a tshirt ....or whisky.

I would get it and a nice glass too. I would rather my DC was drinking some nice whisky than necking alcopops and cheap wine like me and my friends were at that age. Enjoying a drink rather than drinking to get drunk sounds mature and behaviour to be encouraged.

I'd definitely get it. Whisky can be a hobby - in the same way fine wine can be. Its not about getting drunk but enjoying the flavour and learning about the different regions and distilleries. If he was asking for £80 worth of cheap booze, I could see your reservations but its one bottle. If he is like the whisky drinkers I know, he will savour every sip and VERY reluctantly share is with uneducated palates!

He’s 19 he’s told you what he wants so buy him it!!!!

Is it lagavulin? Ron swansons whiskey from parks and recreation?

Is it Lagavulin favoured by Ron Swanson in Parks and Rec?

If yes, get him it, he has excellent taste in comedy

Jinx @Wellshellsbells

Yes, buy it

If he really wants it and you can afford it then get it.

He sounds sensible with alcohol, he isn’t going to Neck it in one go.

Don’t but a cheaper version, that’s not what he wants. You coud’ wait till December and see if he still wants it, if so but it.

It sounds like a lovely present. I buy my dad an expensive bottle of whiskey every Christmas. It’s a real treat for him, he would put spend so much on a bottle himself and keeps a really good bottle for special occasions.

Unless you’re worried about his drinking habits, which you don’t sound like you are, then I don’t see a problem.

Great gift

I got 15 different bottles of gin for my birthday - people really know me