Thread: Single malt scotch under 100

Some great suggestions here. If you like the smoky/peaty greatness of an Islay malt, you can't go wrong with Lagavulin or Laphroaig. If you want something sweeter and a bit fruitier, then you'll probably like anything from Aberlour (especially A'Bunadh). If you want it really smooth, Dalwhinnie will do the trick. And for overall balance, Highland Park.

Really, any of the ones mentioned here will be fantastic. As would some of the others that tend to get a bit less attention such as Jura, Caol Ila.

This is an excellent justification to spend some time at a whisky bar doing some sampling.

Originally Posted by Cangooner

Some great suggestions here. If you like the smoky/peaty greatness of an Islay malt, you can't go wrong with Lagavulin or Laphroaig. If you want something sweeter and a bit fruitier, then you'll probably like anything from Aberlour (especially A'Bunadh). If you want it really smooth, Dalwhinnie will do the trick. And for overall balance, Highland Park.

Really, any of the ones mentioned here will be fantastic. As would some of the others that tend to get a bit less attention such as Jura, Caol Ila.

This is an excellent justification to spend some time at a whisky bar doing some sampling.

Don't forget about Ardbeg. They have 4 or so under $100. Much fuller flavor than Laphroig or Lagavulin.

Well these are some great recommendations. I really want to try a islay malt, but if I don't like it then I'm stuck with some expensive alcohol. Oh the choices.

Originally Posted by cosperryan

Well these are some great recommendations. I really want to try a islay malt, but if I don't like it then I'm stuck with some expensive alcohol. Oh the choices.

That's when a trip to the pub to sample a few is in order

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

That's when a trip to the pub to sample a few is in order

Sound advice. If your looking for some premier scotch and only have experience drinking glenlivet or glenfiddich I would do some tasting first.

Some of my favorites Balvenie Carribean cask, Glenlivet Nadurra both these whiskys would be an easy transition from what your used to.

Laphroaig 10 and quarter cask are heavens nectar Imo but are smokey/ peaty and may be an acquired taste for you. For me personally I would stick my head in a vat of the stuff

Oh and to the OP or anyone for that matter, If you have time to burn and want to learn about whiskey, flavors history and tasting all things distilled. Check out this guy https://www.youtube.com/user/ralfystuff
I find him quite entertaining and you may learn a bunch. Enjoy responsibly

Originally Posted by Razorfaust

Oh and to the OP or anyone for that matter, If you have time to burn and want to learn about whiskey, flavors history and tasting all things distilled. Check out this guy https://www.youtube.com/user/ralfystuff
I find him quite entertaining and you may learn a bunch. Enjoy responsibly

A BIG +1 to the advice to check out Ralfy. He is very well informed, funny, independent (many reviewers and review sites are tied in some way to a particular distillery - Ralfy isn't) and really not pretentious. All good signs in my book.

Also, for anyone venturing into the wonderful world of whisky, Charlie Maclean has some great info too. I especially like some of his vids in this series because he doesn't tell people how to enjoy their whisky, but rather informs as to how the different approaches will affect the experience. Also, they are quick vids. Full disclosure: he's a friend of a friend, and by all accounts a terrific guy.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...CEFB7B0C73A51D

When I started I had the exact 2, glenfiddich first, the next I had after those was Balvenie Caribbean and is one of my all time favorites. The funny part is I don't care from Rum, go figure...

Originally Posted by Razorfaust

Sound advice. If your looking for some premier scotch and only have experience drinking glenlivet or glenfiddich I would do some tasting first.

Some of my favorites Balvenie Carribean cask, Glenlivet Nadurra both these whiskys would be an easy transition from what your used to.

Laphroaig 10 and quarter cask are heavens nectar Imo but are smokey/ peaty and may be an acquired taste for you. For me personally I would stick my head in a vat of the stuff

Originally Posted by cosperryan

Well these are some great recommendations. I really want to try a islay malt, but if I don't like it then I'm stuck with some expensive alcohol. Oh the choices.

Trader Joes actually sells one called Islay Storm. Tbh it tastes like a young Lagavulin. It's only $20, but it's worth it to see if you actually like Islay. And yes it's a single malt.

If you like smoked meats such as bacon, ham, fish and the smell of wood smoke then I can't imagine you wouldn't enjoy the peated whiskies mentioned. When people refer to a "medicinal note" in some peated whiskies, I don't know how old you are, but a good example of the medicinal note was the smell of band-aids back when they were packaged in the metal tins.

Even if you'd find the peat too heavy, letting the dram breathe for 30 minutes + in the glass will calm it down making it easier for you to identify and enjoy any other notes that may be initially suppressed by the smoke.

I like peated whisky (had a dram of Ardbeg 10 a few nights ago); Ham, bacon, smoked fish are...smoked foods. In a literal sense, peated whiskies are...smoked whiskies. If you like smoked foods then..... if a person doesn't like smoked foods then.......won't like smoked whiskies.

I've heard of people that ONLY drink peated whisky for whatever reason. That certainly would not be me. Way too many excellent unpeated whiskies out there. I would consider such a practice to be a limiting shame.

ChrisL

ChrisL