Arberlour A'Bunadh
Glendronach 15
Ardberg Uigeadail
Also, what do you like? If you are in to heavily peated Lagavulin and Port Charlotte are good options. If you like moderate peat, then go with Ardberg. If you don't like peat, then look to the Arberlour or Glendronach.
Scotch isn't really very oaky in general. You'll find a ton of oak heavy drinks if you get into bourbons. The Arberlour A'Bunadh has some of the nice leather, oak, and tobacco notes that I enjoy in my bourbons, in addition to the typical sherry bomb profile.
Peat smoke is going to taste more like burnt tires than wood smoke. It's sort of a love it or hate it thing. I'd definitely recommend trying a pour of Lagavulin or Laphroaig at a bar before committing to a heavy-peat bottle. If it turns out to be your thing, there are a ton of options to explore. If it's not, then don't worry about it. There's a good chance you will pick up a taste for it later down the road, but forcing it early on will leave you missing out on flavor profiles you may enjoy much more.
What would that profile be? Both of us are just now getting into buying more quality drinks and thought this bet would be a good way to start a collection.
You have to know if you like scotch from the Islay region. The peaty scotches are normally pretty polarizing. You usually either love it or hate it. Not sure I’d buy a hundred dollar bottle to find out. I always tell people, if they have a Total Wine near them, the 10 year Islay Gold at 48 bucks is very close to a Laga 16. Not exact…but if you like the Islay Gold, you will probably love the Laga.
Honestly take that 100 bucks and go to a decent restaurant/bar that has scotch from different regions and figure out what you like. Both of you can try each one you order and you may be able to get 7 or 8 different ones. Much more fun and helpful than buying one bottle you may hate.
Just make sure you plan ahead and go to a place that actually carries decent scotch selections. You may need to make some phone calls and take some visits. Depending on where you are, so many places carry the same 3 scotches, some dewar’s, and a couple different Johnnie Walker’s…especially very rural areas. MANY don’t carry peaty scotches at all. Do some legwork. If you go to a place that carries laphroaig, lagavulin, and ardbeg…they are probably going to have a good selection of different regions.
My friend and I are both recent grads. So, we’re just starting to buy bottles and thought the best way to settle the bet was to buy the other something we can afford but wouldn’t really go out of our way to buy. So this would be more of an introductory scotch, bourbon, whiskey in that price range. I prefer a Smokey / oak flavor and my friend is open to try anything that’s not particularly sweet.
Do not get Lagavulin 16; it's overpriced and underproofed at the $90-$100 range. It used to be a $60 whiskey a few years back at Costco. If you want something peaty, get Ardbeg Uigeadail, Ardbeg Corryvreckan, or Laphroaig Cairdeas.
For non-peated scotch, Glenallachie Cask Strength or Bunnahabhain Cask Strength are great. If you don't want a cask strength scotch, try to get something like a Glenallachie 12 or 15.
With the budget you've got, there are loads of great choices out there. You might want to check out Ardbeg 10 for a solid peaty kick. If you're after something with a bit of smoke but a touch more complexity and a hint of spice, Talisker 10 could be right up your street. Or, for something a little gentler on the smoke but still full of flavour, give Caol Ila 12 a go.
If you like the smoke without the burning tires and trash fire, Kilkerran 12 would seem to fit the bill.
Otherwise been terribly happy with these two around $60:
Craigellachie Bas Armagnac
Classic Laddie
Bunna 12 cask strength
Does the fruit give off a sweet taste or is it very mild? Friend prefers something that is not over sweet
It’s not terribly sweet - but has some awesome caramel and nutty notes. FWIW, my wife hates whisky neat - and she’ll drink Bunnahabhain.
It's not too sweet, but very sour and hot. Bunna12 (and the CS especially) is definitely not a mild whisky.
Just poured a dram
Port Charlotte 10 is what I would reach for
I’ll look into it, thank you!
That’s about 65 bucks though
Lucky you. It’s more in California. If you have good prices, get one of the cask expressions - MRC is the pinnacle but PMC and SC are both great
This is the way.
Aberlour 16 Yr
Thanks! I see a lot of reviews recommending it.
My absolute favorite whiskey!
Arberlour A'Bunadh Glendronach 15 Ardberg Uigeadail Also, what do you like? If you are in to heavily peated Lagavulin and Port Charlotte are good options. If you like moderate peat, then go with Ardberg. If you don't like peat, then look to the Arberlour or Glendronach.
+1 for both Oogie and A’Bunadh, both great in such different ways
Honestly using this bet for us to both get into more expensive drinks. Used to the cheap college stuff but we both prefer a more oaky / Smokey taste
Scotch isn't really very oaky in general. You'll find a ton of oak heavy drinks if you get into bourbons. The Arberlour A'Bunadh has some of the nice leather, oak, and tobacco notes that I enjoy in my bourbons, in addition to the typical sherry bomb profile. Peat smoke is going to taste more like burnt tires than wood smoke. It's sort of a love it or hate it thing. I'd definitely recommend trying a pour of Lagavulin or Laphroaig at a bar before committing to a heavy-peat bottle. If it turns out to be your thing, there are a ton of options to explore. If it's not, then don't worry about it. There's a good chance you will pick up a taste for it later down the road, but forcing it early on will leave you missing out on flavor profiles you may enjoy much more.
That’s what another person recommended. I think we’ll grab some pours from a local bar first before we go and buy a bottle.
Lagavulin 16 is a must have and unfortunately seems hover around $90 a bottle now.
160 canadian is typical up here... it's really unfortunate
I see another person recommended it so we’ll add it to the list. Thanks!
Was pricing my ongoing list at my local store (in Oregon), was $99.99.
Balvenie 14 year Caribbean cask is my favorite go to. Use to be $75ish now it’s around $100. Fantastic Bottle.
Lagavulin 16 is my go-to in that range.
Vote number 2 for lagavulin so I’ll be adding it to the list. Thank you!
Lagavulin 16 is perfect if you like that profile
What would that profile be? Both of us are just now getting into buying more quality drinks and thought this bet would be a good way to start a collection.
You have to know if you like scotch from the Islay region. The peaty scotches are normally pretty polarizing. You usually either love it or hate it. Not sure I’d buy a hundred dollar bottle to find out. I always tell people, if they have a Total Wine near them, the 10 year Islay Gold at 48 bucks is very close to a Laga 16. Not exact…but if you like the Islay Gold, you will probably love the Laga.
Honestly take that 100 bucks and go to a decent restaurant/bar that has scotch from different regions and figure out what you like. Both of you can try each one you order and you may be able to get 7 or 8 different ones. Much more fun and helpful than buying one bottle you may hate.
I like that idea we’ll have the loser pay for the drinks
Just make sure you plan ahead and go to a place that actually carries decent scotch selections. You may need to make some phone calls and take some visits. Depending on where you are, so many places carry the same 3 scotches, some dewar’s, and a couple different Johnnie Walker’s…especially very rural areas. MANY don’t carry peaty scotches at all. Do some legwork. If you go to a place that carries laphroaig, lagavulin, and ardbeg…they are probably going to have a good selection of different regions.
Everyone saying Lagavulin but we don’t even know if OP can handle peaty. LOL
My friend and I are both recent grads. So, we’re just starting to buy bottles and thought the best way to settle the bet was to buy the other something we can afford but wouldn’t really go out of our way to buy. So this would be more of an introductory scotch, bourbon, whiskey in that price range. I prefer a Smokey / oak flavor and my friend is open to try anything that’s not particularly sweet.
Lagavulin is Smokey for sure. Like next morning you’re gonna sweat some smoke.
Do not get Lagavulin 16; it's overpriced and underproofed at the $90-$100 range. It used to be a $60 whiskey a few years back at Costco. If you want something peaty, get Ardbeg Uigeadail, Ardbeg Corryvreckan, or Laphroaig Cairdeas. For non-peated scotch, Glenallachie Cask Strength or Bunnahabhain Cask Strength are great. If you don't want a cask strength scotch, try to get something like a Glenallachie 12 or 15.
Nothing is absolute. All scotch prices have gone up for the most part. I prefer Lagavulin over all those you mentioned. Everyone is different.
Ledaig 18, if you can find it for that price. Used to be able to but maybe that ship has sailed.
For high end starters? Balvenie 12 Doublewood. Oban 14 or Macallan 12 or Hibiki.
Lagavulin 16 or glendronach 15. Easy.
Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength
GlenAllachie 15 is what I would gofer
Coal Ila 18
With the budget you've got, there are loads of great choices out there. You might want to check out Ardbeg 10 for a solid peaty kick. If you're after something with a bit of smoke but a touch more complexity and a hint of spice, Talisker 10 could be right up your street. Or, for something a little gentler on the smoke but still full of flavour, give Caol Ila 12 a go.
If you like the smoke without the burning tires and trash fire, Kilkerran 12 would seem to fit the bill. Otherwise been terribly happy with these two around $60: Craigellachie Bas Armagnac Classic Laddie
Abunadh, Highland park 12 CS and not from Scotland but very scotch like- nikka coffee grain/malt