A really special whisky as a main present, advice please

[TwinsandTrifle]

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!

@Peridot1

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.

There are others in the Octomore series - Ten Years is my favourite but the 11.X and previous series attracted good reviews and a reasonable following. Bottles of 11.X are still available, and they have recently released the 12.X series - you could check out the reviews of those?

Don't be fooled by the low age of 5 years - they do pack a lot of flavour due to the casks used. If I were choosing one, I'd probably go for the 12.2 or the 11.2 (personal taste).

spiritedzine.com/bruichladdich-unveils-octomore-12-editions/

Thanks so much. Will have a look.

Hi OP age statement just means 8, 10, 21 years old etc.

For example if you're buying a standard nice bottle from a supermarket for under £50 then it will likely not have an age statement. Two examples from my cupboard are below. Both a great and I enjoy them a lot.

A "special" version of them would have an age stamp on them of say "10 years old" etc. You're basically looking for a number on the front, it would be obvious to see. I've drunk all mine so don't have an example sorry.

As an aside the Bunnahabhain is from the island of Islay, which is known for peaty whiskys like the Laphroaig you said he didn't like so I would stay away from anything from Islay.

Hope this helps

Nikka do really fab Japanese whiskey at all price points. Super delicious.

They sell out quickly but there a few here and several at other specialist shops.

www.whiskyshop.com/world-whiskies/brand/nikka

Where are you based? There are some amazing whisky shops where you can pop in and they will advise you.

@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!

@Peridot1 if he likes Laphroaig and you want to get him something special - go Ardbeg. Very similar peaty profiles but Ardbeg is extra special.

Ardbeg is very nice.

@Peridot1 I just ordered this for DH’s Christmas stocking

This advent calendar looks good
www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/drinks-by-the-dram/japanese-whisky-advent-calendar/?utm_content=drinks-by-the-dram/japanese-whisky-advent-calendar&currencyCode=GBP&utm_source=database&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=mom_base_1&gclid=CjwKCAjwkvWKBhB4EiwA-GHjFhpINsLJKtajF4y0ouaEh1Fpv_H8ngLYb9mDjYb9h-gV3lzQsZK-wRoCNegQAvD_BwE

I have nothing useful to add except to say that I believed myself to be a lifelong whisky hater (my dad had Bell's at home and that was all I knew) until a rather dashing bartender at Gleneagles served me a glass of Bowmore 18 Year Old.

Bloody magnificent it was, like a three-act play in a glass.

If is also worth knowing that the more expensive whisky isn't always bought for drinking.
A good while ago DH & I bought a bottle of Port Ellen. It was very nice so a few years later we went into a whisky shop to buy another.
Not only had it significantly gone up in price but the shop owner explained that it was really drunk that much more used as an investment though he was glad to see someone drinking and enjoying it.
We didn't buy another bottle but looking at the prices today we should have as prices have just rocketed upwards.

My dh wanted whisky last year, he had no idea what kind and asked me to choose. I didn't want to waste a load of money on something he might end up hating so did what a few have suggested and got some tasting sets.

We had a bit of fun with getting him to try a new one each time and ranking them - we did it blind so he had no idea what type it was or how much it cost. Then I bought a full bottle of his favourite.

Got the sets at master of malt - they were great

I've tried a few Japanese whiskies and liked Nikka the best. But I don't think they're a patch on Scotch. Love Lagavulin, Macallan and Glenfarclas. Full disclosure: I think a good whisky starts around £40 - £50, never tried a £200. Would like to tho! If your DH doesn't like the fancy bottle you buy him, I'll drink it!

how about membership of the Scottish Malt Whisky Society? I got the for my DH years ago and he loves it...
It's essentially a whisky club, where members can buy specially selected whiskies which are bottled at cask strength. they don't have the names of the distilleries, but each distillery has a number so you can find out which is which.
when you buy a gift membership you get a nice pack with a bottle of whisky and glasses.
my DH is a total whisky geek, loves his Islay malts, but says he's never had a bad whisky from the Scottish Malt Whisky Society

Take him to Islay and book him in all the distillaries. I personally don,t like most of the Bowmore or Laphroaig ranges but agree with CSJobseeker re the Bunnahahbain Octomores, just gorgeous.

duncantaylor.com/

My dad used to buy his from the above whisky specialist. They are very knowledgable and helpful.
He was a big fan of Longmorn , which is a small Speyside distillery and has various ages of single malt.
But a tasting subscription sounds like a great idea.

@ducksalive Port Ellen was closed down as a distillery, that's partly why it is so expensive now.
but Diageo are opening it up again, so you'll be able to get some in a few years

My DH is a whisky lover.

I get him a whisky advent every year from Master of Malt as well as a few special bottles. Def only single malts.

They have a great range and lots of reviews and feedback and great customer service.

Highly recommend.

Someone gave him a tasting at Soho Whisky Club for his birthday-was such fun he became a member-very cool if you are near London.

I agree re: tasting sets and the promise of a full size bottle of his favourite to follow. You could even get a couple of different sets if you wanted to give him more choice

Not a whiskey drinker, but according to “Cabin Fever”, Talisker is the one

I would try and get some info out of him.

All you really need is the name of one he has bought and liked previously, and then you'll know what sort of flavours he is into.

I had to do this with my whisky drinking DH. I found starting the convo by talking about going to buy myself a nice bottle of booze was a good way to get the conversation going without arousing suspicioun. Then when you've worked your way around to whisky, play a bit dumb and start asking questions about Japanese whisky.

Robertsons of Pitlochry are a fab whiskey shop. Easy to find them online. Give them a call and explain your dilema and they will talk you through different whiskeys and give you reccommendations. The owner Ewan is very knowledgeable. I am not a whiskey drinker, and I have bought several whiskeys for special presents through them with their guidance and all recipients have been delighted with their presents. I don not work for them - honest😊 . I just think it is nice to pass on the details of a shop when great customer service is given.

After posting yesterday and getting great suggestions on reading the thread just now I realised it’s Lagavulin DH likes not Laphroaig!

Does that change any recommendations from those of you who are so much more knowledgeable than me?

Lagavulin is also very peaty, and is also an Islay whisky (I actually prefer it to Laphroaig). Someone who likes Lagavulin will enjoy a strongly peated malt, so recommendations probably not different.

www.fortnumandmason.com/drinks-by-the-dram-japanese-whisky-advent-calendar

I also prefer Lagavulin and to Laphroaig your DH has good taste.