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Original poster

A really special whisky as a main present, advice please

78 replies

TwinsandTrifle · 05/10/2021 20:25

I don't drink whisky. Can't stand the stuff so can't appreciate a great one from a terrible one. DH however, loves a good quality whisky, and has been going on about some fancy Japanese ones. I think these had stonking price tags though.

I'd like to treat him to a really nice bottle. And have no idea where to start. I guess no more than £200, he can be a bit: if I get it right, he won't mind what it cost, but if I get it spectacularly wrong, any more than £200, he'll be "how much????". I'm happy for recommendations that are cheaper too as long as the quality is there. He drinks it neat with either no ice or one ice cube, if that makes any difference? I'd like to go for Japanese if possible, but I think the excellent Japanese ones are above £200, unless anyone knows of one in particular that's fab and on budget? What would be a good alternative to Japanese?

Thank you!

OP posts:
MummyJ12 · 05/10/2021 21:43

When we buy special whisky it’s always Royal Salute 21 by Chivas. It comes wrapped it velvet and looks super fancy!
No help with a good Japanese whisky though. Sorry….!
This is the link for the Royal Salute
www.thedrinksbasket.com/royal-salute-21-year-old-scotch-whisky-70cl.html

Original poster
TwinsandTrifle · 05/10/2021 21:51

Single malt, age statement.

@Hungry675tf
@Raskolnikov84

What does this mean? Could you give an example please?

Sincerely

Whisky Dunce

OP posts:
paisley256 · 05/10/2021 21:53

Ardbeg Scottish whiskey is seen as the best of the best. Prices from £50 - £7000 depending on the year. From The Whiskey Exchange.

FanSpamTastic · 05/10/2021 21:58

Try Bimber. It's only made in small batches.

CSJobseeker · 05/10/2021 21:59

I'm a whisky buff, and I'm surprised that a whisky fan would dismiss every whisky with the word "Glen" in the title. That ignores some real quality malts.

There is not such thing as one brand of whisky that's the best - it's so dependent on personal taste. If he's a fan, I assume he has a few bottles in the house? What are they?

(There are always at least 4 or 5 bottles of good whisky on the go in our house.)

CSJobseeker · 05/10/2021 22:01

Also, whisky has become popular as an investment for collectors, and there are some mediocre whiskies out there which are seriously overpriced for this reason. Don't be fooled by claims of exclusivity - go by recommendations regarding the taste.

bigbaggyeyes · 05/10/2021 22:03

Jonnie Walker Blue Label, you'll get about 70cl for just under £200. My Dad is a huge whiskey fan and this is his favourite

Lucked · 05/10/2021 22:21

You could get a 21 year old Highland Park for around that, that is what DH would want. It is an Orcadian distillery and well respected.

fruitpastille · 05/10/2021 22:22

Can you message one of his mates on the quiet to ask them?

WhatMattersMost · 05/10/2021 22:24

Japanese whisky, for the relative novelty, but also because the good ones are often better than Scots whiskies.

Burnamer · 05/10/2021 22:29

OP you’re not taking on board what people are telling (or what the sensible ones are telling you). Your husband is fussy and you want to get it right but you don’t know what he likes. This is a bit like him asking strangers what shoes to get you because he knows you like shoes but you’re very particular and he no idea what style.

Either do some digging, ask his mates or go for a tasting set.

users689033 · 05/10/2021 23:16

@Ethelswith

I agree that you might need to find a way to find out what type he prefers - and think seeing which whisky he chooses in a well-stocked bar might be the best way. Either that it asking an utterly trustworthy IL or one of his friends.

My favourite Is Highland Park, the 'ordinary' bottles can be found in supermarkets, but they do limited edition ones as well - and I've just had a SIOB on discovering they do one at over £1k - Highland Park Thorfinn (Warriors Series), and a 40 yo at nearly £2.5k!!

At your proposed budget there are a couple of possibilities

Highland Park Fire Island Single Malt at £190

and

Highland Park Light at £182

ad there's a 21 yo at £205

The retailer I've linked is at random - I was checking prices, and saw they had tasting notes and you might find those useful

They have a Japanese selection
www.tyndrumwhisky.com/world-whisky/japan.html
where the prices are nowhere near as eyewatering as Scotch!

What's siob
MrsEricBana · 05/10/2021 23:38

I'd forget the "Glen" thing too, e.g. Glenfarclas is very highly regarded.

Jumpingintchristmas · 06/10/2021 00:12

In honesty the glen thing sounds like his friends are more pretentious than anything.

For that money a bottle of Macallan 18 Year Old Triple Cask is your best quality.
I’m afraid I don’t know anything about Japanese whiskey.

Ethelswith · 06/10/2021 06:50

In honesty the glen thing sounds like his friends are more pretentious than anything

Agree

SIOB = sharp intake of breath (old MN joke)

CSJobseeker · 06/10/2021 13:12

In honesty the glen thing sounds like his friends are more pretentious than anything.

Agree. I was trying to put it more politely than that, but he and his mates are clearly not actual whisky fans if they say this in seriousness!

UniBallEye · 06/10/2021 13:14

My dh loves whiskey and he prefers single malt. He would definitely drink Glenmorangie if someone bought it for him!
I bought him a bottle of Talisker as part of a birthday present one year and he enjoyed that, although it was a lot smokier than he might usually choose.

I think in your shoes a subscription might be a good idea so he can try lots of different ones - perhaps there's a Japanese subscription?

CSJobseeker · 06/10/2021 13:15

I've also just noticed this: "He drinks it neat with either no ice or one ice cube"

GrinGrinGrin He's doesn't sound like a connoisseur!

Peridot1 · 06/10/2021 13:23

Thanks for this thread OP. My Dh loves a nice whiskey and I have some nice ideas now for him. Love the idea of the subscription and tasting sets.

DH tends to go for Laphroaigh. I got him Bowmore a couple of times and he liked that too. He will generally drink anything though!

CSJobseeker · 06/10/2021 13:26

@Peridot1

Thanks for this thread OP. My Dh loves a nice whiskey and I have some nice ideas now for him. Love the idea of the subscription and tasting sets.

DH tends to go for Laphroaigh. I got him Bowmore a couple of times and he liked that too. He will generally drink anything though!

If he likes Laphroaig, he will enjoy something peaty. This is a very nice 'special occasion' whisky that is in that peaty vein. Beautiful flavours, the peat doesn't overpower it.

www.bruichladdich.com/laddie-shop/octomore/octomore-ten-years-208ppm/

haba · 06/10/2021 13:27

Indeed!

Anyway, DH has a special of Ardbeg, which someone mentioned up thread, and that's v good. He likes Islays more than others tbh.
I like Old Pultney, it's a little salty.
I agree with those suggesting a Japanese taster set though.

CSJobseeker · 06/10/2021 13:28

(Although it appears to be sold out everywhere.... a pity)

BoJoSecretGF · 06/10/2021 13:31

Bunnahaghain is a delicious whisky and I note that the very expensive bottle (attached) looks like the cheaper bottle (£35).

A really special whisky as a main present, advice please
Peridot1 · 06/10/2021 13:31

Thanks CSJobseeker. I got excited there for a minute at the recommendation! Any other suggestions?

He has a birthday in November as well as Christmas coming so I’ll get a tasting set for one and a nice bottle for the other.

BoJoSecretGF · 06/10/2021 13:33

I’ve clearly spelled that wrong. It’s known as Bunny Have’n in my house.