I know that many of you are seasoned whisky drinkers, but we also have many WDJK readers who are new to whisky and just trying to sort everything out. Let’s help them. After all, that’s what friends are for, right?
Many of us don’t have a big budget, so we need to factor cost into the equation. With all this in mind, name a whisky you recommend as a “must try” along our whisky journey–something that’s not to expensive and not too hard to find. (Pick any whisky category: Scotch, Bourbon, Irish, etc.)
Core whiskies?
1.Ardbeg 10
2.Laphroaig 10
3.Hp 12.
not expensive, and amazing good quality!
Glenfarclas 12
Red_, Glenfarclas 12 is the only one mentioned here (so far) that I’ve never bought.
What is it about the whisky that makes you think everyone needs to try it?
Glenfarclas is a great distillery and their 12 year old is just a very enjoyable and fairly priced old school whisky. It’s sherried but not drowned like Macallan 12 (my opinion, but I think that some others here would agree), well balanced, malty, just right. I’d take it over Balvenie Double Wood and any number of other similar products. Check it out
Glenmorangie 10
1) Laphroaig 10 CS
2) Lagavulin 16
3) Aberlour A’bunadh
4) Balvenie Doublewood
All good value for money
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Lagavulin 16
Talisker 10
Knob Creek
Edit: Those are all whiskies I still love after a couple of years of spoiling my palet with more expensive and older stuff.
Dalwinnie 15yr
My first purchase and introduction to whisky a mere 4 months back
the bug bit me good and now own 5-6 bottles of various sorts.
Smooth, sweet flavors with hints of smoke and peat on the finish gives an nice introductory insight into both sides of the field at a good price.
Laphroaig, any that’s in your price range, cask strength if possible. If not 10yo. or Quarter Cask.
Marker’s Mark
Since it’s Paddy’s day I’ll toss in an Irish Whiskey too….Connemara Peated Irish Whiskey
For me the standard Lagavulin 16y is the one basic malt I would never reject or deny.
From the cheapo-fraction I suggest giving the Dimple 15y a try. Well rounded, the Dimple has got all the aromas that ar in general associated with “scotch”.
I’d start someone with Highland Park 12, then ask them what they like about it to judge what to produce next. Depending on what they say, some good malts would be:
Bowmore 12 (if they like the peat)
Balvenie 12 (if they like the heather/honey)
Macallan 12 (if they like the sherry/rich fruit)
Talisker 10 (if they like the finish)
I think abother good choice for a malt with a little bit of everything in it is Springbank 10, but that is pricier.
My own tastes tend toward Islay, but I would not go straight to the Big Three for fear of scaring them off. Only if they liked the Bowmore would I then produce:
Ardbeg 10
Laphroaig QC
There ought to be a flowchart for all of this.
Here is my (longish) list of starters that are also good to come back to time and time again. I live in Calgary, Canada, and it seems up here you can find many of these poured at larger whisk(e(y tastings on a regular basis.
Single Malt Scotch:
Glenmorangie 10
Glenfiddich 15 Solera Reserve (skip the 12 and go right to this for a few more bucks and a lot of value IMHO)
Arran 10
Balvenie Doublewood
Highland Park 12
Peat lovers:
Ardbeg 10
Laphroig Quarter Cask (cannot get the cask strength up here in Alberta)
BenRiach 10 Curiositas (quite the peaty value)
Bowmore Tempest (for those who want a relatively inexpensive higher proof bottling)
Sherry Lovers:
Glenfarclas 105 (for those who want a relatively inexpensive higher proof bottling)
GlendRonach 12
GlendRonach 15
Other Malt Whisky:
Yamazaki 12
Amrut (peated or regular)
Amrut cask strength (for those who want a relatively inexpensive higher proof bottling)
Blended Scotch (Malt and otherwise):
Johnnie Walker Green
Black Grouse
Compass Box Asyla
Compass Box The Peat Monster
Irish Whiskey:
Black Bush
Redbreast 12
Bourbon
Maker’s Mark
Buffalo Trace
for bourbon, Buffalo Trace.
for rye whiskey, Sazerac.
these should both be just a little over $20 for 750mL
Basil Hayden’s is a great bourbon to have around.
I agree with most of the comments so far, so I won’t duplicate them.
I would add Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 to the list.
To broaden one’s horizons, the Yamazaki 12yo is still reasonably priced, and is a spectacular single malt for such an age.
Wild Turkey rye…big, bold, beautiful, and less than twenty bucks!
Four Roses Single Barrel…spicy, smooth, sublime, though not widely distributed (yet) and a tad pricey, but worth the effort..
Elijah Craig 12 year…best value in the liquor store, along with Evan Williams 1783.
Forgot to mention Old Grand-Dad in any expression, 86 proof, Bonded 100, and 114.
I second the Elijah Craig 12 year nomination. I think it’s an exceptional bourbon at that price point.
I third, fourth, and fifth your Elijah Craig 12 yo recommendation.
Bourbon: Buffalo Trace, Elijah Craig 12 y/o
Scotch: Highland Park 12, Laphroaig 10 CS, Aberlour A’bunadh, Talisker 10
Irish: Redbreast (is it just me or does this hold a lot of similarity to A’bunadh?)
If I had to pick just one, based on quality and price, it would be Buffalo Trace.
as a lover of redbreast and aberlour you put me over the edge on the A’bunadh.
Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Sazerac Rye Whiskey
Four Roses Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
All are around $25 a bottle and taste just as good as some whiskeys that I have tried which sell for several times the price.
Get a 750 or 1L of George Dickel 12. Put in it the freezer. Once cold, take a nip strait off the bottle. It could change your life. Never go camping without a bottle of Dickel 12 on ice with your beer. Consume in the same manner as stated earlier. Chase with really good beer (also found in cooler).
Powers is a very pleasant, affordable, everyday Irish.
I agree with just about every recommendation posted so far. What a knowledgeable group! Impressive.
Edradour 10
I’ll throw out a couple from this side of the pond…
Buffalo Trace & Rittenhouse BIB Rye
As far as Scotch goes, I’d say Laphroaig 10. For Rye, I’d go with the High West Rendezvous, which is a pretty great deal for the product you get.
I’ve been a lurker on this blog for awhile. Thought I’d finally chime in with what I feel is a well-rounded list.
Glad to see a lot of Ardbeg, Laphroaig, and bourbon picks!
Scotch: Laphroaig Quarter Cask, Ardbeg 10, Old Pulteney 12
Irish: Bushmills Black Bush
Bourbon: Wild Turkey Rare Breed, Bookers, George T. Stagg
Peated scotch – Lagavulin 16, Ardbeg 10, Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Sherried Scotch – Macallan 12 or Balvenie 12 Double Wood
Unpeated/un-sherried scotch – Glenmorangie 10
Cask strength scotch – Glenlivet Nadura, Macallan Cask Strength
Other scotch – Springbank 10yo 46%, 10yo 100 proof
Bourbon, classic profile – Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey 101
Bourbon, less rye kick – Eagle Rare 10
Bourbon, mature – Four Roses Single Barrel, Bakers
All of the choices in previous posts are great as well. Maybe we old-timers have our complaints about various things, but there is plenty of good stuff out there for general purpose dramming.
Slainte.
Louis
My selections based on availability @ North Carolina’s state-run liquor stores:
Irish: Redbreast 12yr
Bourbon: Blanton’s
Single Malt: Ardbeg 10yr
Scotch Blend: Teachers
I agree with all recommendation in here. I am so glad as Japanese that some of people like Yamazaki, thanks. I would add “The glenlivet” 12yo and Nadurra. They are really great stuff in any occasion.
LIKE the Yamazaki? It’s superb! The 12 is very good, but the 18 is fantastic! If there’s one thing that can be said, it’s that Suntory knows how to make a good whisky.
Thanks for your compliment to Yamazaki & Suntory. I totally agree on Yamazaki 18. That is something special for $80 to $100 range.
Bourbon; Elmer T Lee, Pappy Van Winkle 15yr and 20yr, Blanton’s, Four Roses OBSK Barrel Strength,
Rye; Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye, Sazerac Rye and Sazerac 17yr Rye.
Armagnac; Delord 25 yr
Rum; Zacapa XO, Zaya, El Dorado 15yr
Scotch and Irish — I’ll have to revisit some of those mentioned above and try again,
a lot of people mentioned some expensive bottles and there is actually a lot of style overlap. If you’re trying to save money ou probably don’t need to own lagavulin, laphroig, and arbeg. You should own one, and if you love it buy the rest. my vote goes for lagavulin for it’s epic finish and I would recommend against the widely loved ardbeg because it’s really complicated. I don’t think I fully appreciate it.
Im going to try and recommend cheaper stuff than most everyone else.
Old Overholt Rye. This is a text book example of an old fashioned rye. If you don’t like it it’s still a nice thing to have stocked in your bar. jim beam is also a good choice. I think wild turkey rye is an acquired taste, it’s great, but try it in a bar first to see if you like it’s personal brand of peculiarity.
Evan Williams single barrel is so nice and balanced I barely drink any other bourbon since john turned me on to it.
Old Grand Dad and Elmer T Lee are both rye heavy bourbons I enjoy at different low price points.
If you live in NYC go to warehouse wines and spirits and get two one litter bottles of clontarf reserve for $30.
there are not great deals in scotch. there are deals, but they are not great except relative to other scotch.
finnlaggan is a poor man’s islay malt. it’s unrefined but it’s also about 25 bucks. if you like it spend twice as much for lagavulin 16 which is a gorgeous gem that will inspire you to do something worth celebrating.
Johnny walker red. you can get 1.75 litters for under 40 bucks and you know what? Yes I know it’s a blend, but you know what? it’s great and every shitty bar has it stocked. Winston Churchill could drink anythign sand it was his favorite drink. If you really like it and want something better I woudl recommend against JW black. that kind of money is better spent on a single malt. and what better place to go than Talisker 10 the “soul” of the JW red blend. Talisker is brash and powerful. it’s great but takes some getting used to. it’s okay to water it down
Also find a bartender that doesn’t understand displacement and order every scotch they have neat.
I second Old Overholt. I was shocked how decent it was for 9.99 a 750ml.
The PLCB just “delisted” (their term for dropping it) Old Overholt in its birth state during its 200th anniversary year. Shameful and unforgivable. Abolish the PLCB!
http://noplcb.blogspot.com/
Am I the only one who thinks that Laphroaig is not a good choice for introducing someone to peated whisky? I’d say the Lagavulin 16 or Ardbeg 10, but those are a little pricey. Perhaps the Tomintoul with a Peaty Tang. It has a really interesting nose, and doesn’t kick you in the throat so badly.
I agree about not starting someone on Laphroaig 10. Surprised to see it recommended so highly in this discussion. I was introduced to single malts through Glenlivet, and within a week of that introduction someone gave me Laphroaig 10. Literally the second single malt I ever tried. I believe my response was, “That’s interesting, though smells a bit like sitting next to my grandfather while he was dying in the hospital.” I’ve since come to love peat and the Islay malts, but it took me a year to get there. My path to peat started with a non-Islay (Talisker 10) and then Lagavulin 16 and Ardbeg expressions came next.
Laphroaig 10 is actually what got my father into scotch! Forever he had been a man who always mixed cheap Tennessee whiskeys with diet cola, with the only whiskey he drank otherwise was Makers Mark on the rocks. He always said that he hated Scotch until one day he was at my place and I offered him a drink and he told me to get him whatever I was having, which turned out to be Laphroaig 10. At first sip, he looked awfully confused, but after a couple more sips he was hooked. Now he swears by Islay whisky and has quite the variety including about a case of unopened Laphroaig 15, and I only introduced him back to Scotch about two years ago!
Let’s see… I have recommended the following to people just starting:
Laphroaig 10yo or QC
Talisker 10yo
Arran 10yo
Redbreast 12yo
Glenlivet Nadurra
High West Rendezvous
Sazerac 6yo or 18yo
WT Rare Breed
Ardbeg 10
Talisker 10
Highland Park 12
Glenmorangie 10
Bourbon and Rye;
Buffalo Trace
Wild Turkey Russel’s Reserve
Evan Williams Single Barrel
Rittenhouse Rye
Sazerac Rye
1) Ardbeg 10
2) Balvenie Double Wood
3) MacAllen 12
4) Bruichladdich PC6
Irish:
Bushmills Black Bush
Bushmills 16 yr old
Scotch:
Balvenie Doublewood
Glenlivet French Oak 15
Dalwhinnie 15 Year
Bourbon:
Basil Hayden’s
I think most of these are reasonable in price (ie: <$50 if you look around)
If you’re a starter, I would recommend a BruichLaddich at first. Nice floral and fruity. 16 yo bourbon cask for instance.
More advanced drinkers (who enjoy rum etc. as well) I give them a Ardbeg ANB to try. (or a 10).
The very brave, I will give them a Lagavulin 12 yo Cask strength or a Caol Ila 12 yo Natural Cask Strength to drink.
Lately the Highland Park Earl Magnus 15 yo is a nice one to offer.
A fundamental, base-line whisky everyone should try. Hmm. That’s a tough call.
I’d have to say the Balvenie Doublewood is possibly the ideal whisky to get someone started on. It’s smooth but lively, and has a lovely hint of fruitiness in it (orange peel, mostly) that makes it pleasing to those who might just be starting out.
For introductions to Islay whiskies. I’d go with a Caol Ila 12.
If we’re talking about basic, fundamental whiskies I think everyone should OWN, the list would be thus:
- Caol Ila 12
- Jura Superstition
- Balvenie Doublewood
- Yamazaki 12
- Lagavulin 16
- Highland Park 18
If I HAD to pare down my whiskies to only a handful, it would be those.
But I’d be miserably unhappy about the paring.
Neil,
Couldn’t agree more, I always start friends out with Balvenie Doublwood. In terms of price and quality, I don’t think there is a better place to start for people interested in whisky.
Depending on their reaction, I either push them toward the usual Islay suspects or something like a Glenrothes 91/94.
I live in San Francisco where we have some excellent purveyors of fine spirits, and I’m also new to whisky, so I thought I’d mention a bottle I haven’t seen anybody else mention yet that a guy at The Whisky Shop recommended:
Aberfeldy: it’s a 12 yr Highland malt with citrus, smooth honey, and I tend to get something like burnt sugar on the finish. Excellent price at just over 40 (in this city!). I was pleased with the recommendation, but I’m not sure how common it is.
I also buy Pappy Van Winkle’s 15 whenever I can find it, but Buffalo Trace is great for the price.
I guess this is somewhat dependent on my task. If i want to convert them to scotch, and want them to buy at a price point they are ok with (to at least to get them through the door into the world of scotch) that list would be small.
Finlaggan: the best bottle out there for it’s price point. A light, and nicely balanced Islay. (found in the 20 something price)
Ardbeg 10: the gold standard that I score everything against. It is a great bottle and can be found on the net around 50 bucks or less if there is a sale going on.
Caol Ila: soft and lovely and not too over the top for the new drinker and around 50 bucks.
maccallan 12: in the 50 dollar range and perfectly balanced for the new drinker. It tastes like a scotch and should point the drinker into where their ideal flavor profile is.
Here’s my recommendations for a core set. It’s a set that will take you around Scotland and let you taste the different whisky styles available. I am doing Scotland only as I know too little about other places
Laphroaig 10 – to try some peated whisky
Highland Park 12 – less peated but more sherried
Springbank 100 proof – Cask Strength and Bourbon Casked
Glenlivet 12 – A popular OB with no peat
Extending this list (ie the next step) should be to try something heavily sherried and an old whisky, the last one might be pricy thou and fall out of what’s asked for in this thread
Macdeffe
Here are my choices along with prices I pay for them
Bourbon
Elijiah Craig 12 ($22)
Ridgemont Reserve 1792 ($22)
Wild Turkey Rare Breed ($25)
Evan Williams SB ($22)
Irish
Jameson’s 12 ($32)
Black Bush ($28)
Redbreast ($35)
Connemara CS ($50)
Scotch
JW Black ($28)
Glenlivet 12 ($28)
Macallan 12 ($38)
HP 12 ($38)
Talisker 10 ($50)
Lagavulin 16 ($75)
Canadian
40 Creek Barrel Select ($25)
Crown Royal Reserve ($35)
All are very good whiskies and reasonably priced
Sean, where do you live where you can get Wild Turkey Rare Breed for only $25?! Every time I buy it it is usually $35-40 here in Idaho. If I could get it for $25, I would stock up! Easily one of my favorite bourbons. Have any idea how much Bookers, Bakers, and George T. Stagg are where you’re at?
Bob
I live in Phoenix AZ.
Bakers is $40. Bookers $50
George T Stagg goes for between $68-85 depending on the place.
The PLCB delisted Rare Breed, too. Bastards! They just reinstituted Baker’s after a few years’ absence, at $40, George T. is $56 here (a steal), and Booker’s is $45 (also good, $42 on sale). Prices here are reasonable, selection bites it. Abolish the PLCB!
http://noplcb.blogspot.com/
Oops forgot Japanese
Yamazaki 12 ($40)
I alsmo might add Cragganmore 12 to my list as well.
If you know the person receiving the recommendation, then you might know enough about her or his tastes to suggest peat or spice or sherry. But without such knowledge I’m inclined to go trad. I think Glenfarclas 12 is a fine choice for the reasons Red gave, plus I think it works well for showing what a couple drops of water can do.
If the person is in my house, she or he will get HP 18. Anyone who hasn’t tried that and wants a fuller appreciation of scotch has a gap to fill asap.
Don’t forget all of the minis that are out there.
The best way to enjoy whisky is to try new ones – and it is much easier to do that when buying four or five 2oz mini-bottles as opposed to full bottles, especially when you are new to the spirit.
Where does one find a decent selection of minis on the web? I’d love to buy some but haven’t come across any sites? Do Binny’s and the like sell them? I haven’t noticed any for sale on sites such as that here in the US.
Not in Pennsylvania, that’s for sure. Abolish the PLCB!
http://noplcb.blogspot.com/
Whisk(e)y staples I “grew-up” on and think are good values (typically less than $40) for the novice and can be sipped neat
Highland Park 12 for mild peating levels
Laphroaig quarter cask for high peating levels
Macallan 12 for unpeated heavy sherry
Glenlivet 15 French Oak for medium oak finish
Crown Royal for canadian whiskey
Bushmills 10 for irish single malt
Sazerak rye for rye whiskey
Redbreast
Very different bourbons: Evan Williams 2000, Wild Turkey, Woodford Reserve
Also Rittenhouse Rye.
I’ll go with a mix of blends, vattings and single malts that I think cover a good range both taste-wise and price-wise.
Pinch/Dimple 15, which I believe, as a blend, has Dalwhinnie as its predominant single-great overall flavor, but not overpowering, some smokiness, some sweetness, but all nicely balanced, about $35
Balvenie 12 Doublewood, single malt, a great introduction to the world of sheery wood finishing without the power of Macallan, which I also love, but might be a bit much for a beginner, about $45
Johnnie Walker Green, a vatting containing Talisker, Cragganmore, Linkwood, and Caol Ila. The beautiful creaminiess of Linkwood and Cragganmore which temper perfectly the spice and smoke of Talisker and Caol Ila, about $50
I also like Green because if you know what singles are in its mix, a beginner can branch out and try those singles to see which parts of the whole he or she would like to explore.
Blended Scotch
- Black Bottle
- Teachers Highland Cream
- Chivas 12yo
Single Malt
- Highland Park 12yo
- Caol Ila 12yo
- Bowmore 12yo
- Bowmore Legend
- Laphroaig Quarter Cask
- Ardbeg 10yo
- Bunnahabhain 12yo
- Glenmorangie 10yo Original
- The Balvenie Doublewood
- Aberlour 10yo
- The Glenlivet 12yo
- Old Pulteney 12yo
- Springbank 10yo
- Auchentoshan 12yo
- Dalwhinnie 15yo
- Oban 14yo
- Talisker 10yo
- Cragganmore 12yo
Aberlour 12
Balvenie DoubleWood 12
Highland Park 12
Lagavulin 16
Talisker 10
Redbreast 12
Woodford Reserve
Keeping price points low…
Buffalo Trace for bourbon is easily my favorite for the price.
Highland Park 12 and Arran 10 are great, rich, introductory Scotch at low-end single-malt prices ($40).
Cragganmore 12 and Linkwood (pretty much any age you can find) are my favorites for classic Speyside complexity, and Mortlach 10 is fascinating as a sweeter Scotch.
Compass Box Oak Cross is great, and if you feel like splurging, Flaming Heart ($90) is amazing, but harder to find.
In the inexpensive blends category ($20) for real newbies, I’d put Famous Grouse over Johnny Red.
The Black Bottle is also a nice Islay blend for only $25, and very satisfying.
I would always recommend the Balvenie Doublewood or the 15 Year Single Barrel for Scotch. For Bourbon it’s the Eagle Rare 10 Year. Always two good solid choices.
glenrothes 1991
talisker 10
affordable, available, and whiskies that you will like when you’re new to single malts and which you will continue to like just as much many years later. my own personal favourites are all islays but i wouldn’t start anyone new to single malt scotches on them.
I’d never recommend a strong peated whisky unless the friend had tried and liked some. Most of my friends like spirits with a touch of sweet, and smooth is never bad. It also has to be widely available in my area.
Thus any of the Compass Box blends for $50 or so (Oak Cross, Asyla) or Balvenie Doublewood, which can be had for $35.
For American whiskeys Jefferson Reserve, Basil Hayden or EW Single Barrel. Friends are more likely to buy something if it’s on the cheaper side, though some will pay a lot if they take a liking to something.
Hey, all you guys who are charging recklessly ahead, recommending the whiskies you like best regardless of cost…keep in mind one of John’s initial dictums here: “Many of us don’t have a big budget, so we need to factor cost into the equation.”
Some of you are the same folks who deride the reviews of whiskies that are “too expensive,” so let’s keep it to bottles under $50, which, in my mind, is a VERY high upper end for an introduction to good whisky.
I already apologized for bringing Four Roses Single Barrel to the table!
I agree, but as I have discovered on another forum, saying $50 means little in the U.S. Single malt prices vary widely across regions for different brands and seemingly with no rhyme or reason. Maybe readily-available would be a better way to say it. A lot of even small shops in small towns if they have a varied single malt collection will have Talisker, HP 12, Laphroaig..
Texas, I would have to respectfully disagree. If a person who is unfamiliar with whiskey spends $50 on a bottle that they end up not liking, it’s money down the drain, and could severly checker their future appreciation of good whiskey. Those of us who are enthusiastic about this diversion have a pretty good idea of what the average price is around the country. I don’t travel much, but I can tell you what my favorites cost in New York and Chicago. Comparing that to home gives me an idea, for sure. Hell, who among us has not purchased (by price) from the internet?
In this economy, $50 is a lot for damn near anyone to spend on a luxury item; in fact, it’s approaching my personal high end for a bottle of anything, and I’ve been buying whiskey for over 30 years. There are too many good ones out there at lower price points (thank God!).
Not to get off topic but I have never understood the don’t give a new whisky drinker a peated whisky. Most whisky drinkers I know enjoy peated whisky and I don’t think of it as an aquired taste (at least I don’t know of anyone who kept drinking peated whisky after peaty whisky trying to learn to enjoy it) so why shouldn’t someone start with it? At least there is one or two flavors that should be really easy to pick out. Now while I probably wouldn’t start someone with Laphroaig, I would have no problem starting them with Caol Ila, Lagavulin or Ardbeg.
Sean I think you are right! The second single malt I ever had (first was Glenlivet 12) was Laphroaig Quarter Cask. I loved it from the get-go.
In ref to my last port George T Stagg is expensive in the UK.
Lighter sweeter single malts are under represented above, I’ll suggest Tamdhu 10 and Tomintoul 16
Lighter, sweeter malts are ALWAYS under represented.
So many good starters – Not much to add here
Glenmo 10
Glenfarclas 12
HP 12
Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig 10 CS
Great idea, John. Going with relatively inexpensive here.
Blended Scotch:
Teacher’s Highland Cream
Johnnie Walker Black Label
Bourbon:
Wild Turkey 101
Evan Williams Single Barrel
Elijah Craig 12 year
Eagle Rare 10 Single Barrel
Old Weller Antique 107
Rye:
Wild Turkey Rye, and for a bit smoother Russell’s Reserve Rye..both $25 or less.
Single Malt Scotch:
Laphroaig 10 CS..an amazing cask-strength Islay whisky for $50 or less..how can you go wrong.
Springbank 10..perfect example of what pure distilled barley should taste like (no woodiness), maybe a bit pricey but worth it in quality.
Highland Park 12..great all-arounder.
Talisker 10..my favorite although maybe a bit expensive.
Aberlour 12 Double Matured..great sherried malt for less than $40.
For whiskies everyone should try I would say Van Winkle 12 year Lot B and Four Roses Single Barrel are prime examples of DIFFERENT sorts of bourbon. Wildly different than most bourbons on the market and both really spectacular. Should be in the $40-$50 range which make them, while not everyday sorts of drams, pretty accessible to a lot of people.
For anyone who has not tried bourbon and is just starting out, I suggest Jim Beam Black. It’s an 8 year old with nice flavor but not too much of a rye bite that more seasoned bourbon drinkers appreciate.
It is available most everywhere and quite affordable – I can get a 1.75L bottle here for $23. A nice introduction into the world of bourbon.
I agree with many of the postings but some surprisingly absent, like:
- Highland Park 18Yr
- Springbank 15Yr
Other whiskies in my core include:
- Laphroaig Quarter Cask
- Glenfarclas 15Yr
- Bowmore 15Yr Darkest
- Ardbeg Uigeadail
- Arran 10Yr
And the newest additions:
- Glendronnach 15Yr
- Benromach 10Yr
Slainte!
Andrew
I would recommend not to buy anything.
Visit first some festivals or big tastings. Figure out what you like, peated, non peated, bourbons whatever and go on from there.
That sounds better to me than buying a 50 dollar bottle and leave it on a shelf because you don’t like it at all.
Great thought. WhiskyFest is the perfect venue for this, minis…and take a friend!
1. Black Bush
2. Powers 12 year old
3. Redbreast 15 year old pure potstill.
Honorable mention: Tyrconnell single malt.
Haven’t tried Powers 12Yr, agree with the Redbreast but would put Connemara Cask Strength at the top of the list of Irish whiskies!
The Connemara line is an interesting little family of whiskeys. Like yourself, I like the cask strength version best. But the 12 yo has a lot of admirers, as does the new sherry-finish. Some of the older single cask versions (c. 15/16 years old) are immense.
I think Connemara is a decent introduction to Irish whiskey for those coming at things from a peaty Scotch background.
But I think the Tyrconnell is more truly expressive of what Cooley is about. And pound for pound, I’m not aware of a better value whiskey on the planet than Black Bush. Plus you can get it everywhere.
1. michter’s – any of their products: ryes, bourbons or american whiskey. all incredibly awesome tasting
2. the macallan cask strength
3. t.h. handy sazerac rye
4. sazerac 18yr
Weller Antique 107 Proof —- I add just a splash to bring it down to around 100 proof. Wheated bourbon just like Maker’s Mark, only cheaper and much much better!!!
In my experience friends who enjoy a good structured red wine gobble-up the Islay whiskies at first try. I can think of 4 out of 4 that fit this mold and all are chefs that otherwise avoided whiskies their entire careers. Maybe it’s a palate thing or their appreciation of age statements and time involved in making a other wine and spirits? I had one just call me the other day from the liquor store asking which one bottle was similar to the one he tried (Laga 16) the night before. He bought three: Laga 16, Uigeadail, QC. Another partner in whisky crime hooked.
Interestingly, as someone who’s done whisky tastings with large groups that are also big wine lovers, I’d say that less than a third go for the Islay whiskies outright. Three quarters of the tasters get VERY turned off by the Islays. I’ll always start them on something unpeated and more delicate in flavour profile and then move to the Islays later if they’re still feeling adventurous. Some are definitely interested. Most very much aren’t. People will tend to gravitate toward the Balvenies and will go as far as the Highland Park for their ‘smoky’ scotch.
With those looking to expand their horizons, I’ll start them on something unique, like the Jura Superstition, with a nose so radically different from its palate. And then move them over to a Caol Ila 12 or an Ardbeg as an example of the intricate complexities possible with Islays. If I find they like those, I’ll point them at Lagavulin and Laphroaig as examples of just where one can go when one pursues Islay in all its rugged glory.
By the time we’ve reached Laphroaig, I’m down to maybe 1 in 10 that started the whisky journey. The rest are quite content to steer clear of Islay altogether.
That is interesting. Might be just coincidence or the fact chefs (which they all were) typically embrace new things they try?
I’d say probably the latter. Hard to be a good chef if you’re afraid to venture into the realms of the unfamiliar. It’s weird, though. I’ve had seemingly adventuresome people who’ve been turned off by Islays with just one whiff of smoke. And I’ve had the timid and cautious embrace them with full force simply because they’re looking to get the full experience.
I noticed the three posts I had in this thread are no longer here…am I the only one?
Which ones? Anyone else having a problem?
Texas, I had that problem at first two, you need to go to the newer comments at the bottom of the thread. John, since he won’t see this comment as he isn’t clicking the newer comments button (I don’t remember this button, just that they were all on one page, is this new?) can you email it to him? Thanks
I also think the “Newer Posts” button confuses the issue. Took me a minute to figure it out. Is there a reason all comments no longer fit on the same page?
I had a post where I listed my favs in various categories, and also replied to a couple of folks about starting out with peated malts.
John, never mind sorry. Thanks Sean for pointing that out.
This was set up as an automatic default when we went to the new blog design. I just disengaged it, so newer posts shouldn’t be broken up into pages of 50 comments at a time.
Always at the ready:
Talisker 10
Lagavulin 16
Glenmorangie 10
HP 12
Dalwhinnie 15
This is a great list of 5 great, widely available scotches that are very different. This would be a great tasting to introduce someone to scotch.
I would look at OWA 107, OGD 114, Buffalo Trace, FR Small Batch and 1792. Best valued bourbons and each a superior whiskey experience.
Everyone should try? While not necessarily the best and greatest, I think every whisky drinker should have at least tasted the following at some point (I’ve limited to scotch):
The Glenlivet 12
Glenfiddich 12
Ardbeg 10
The Famous Grouse
JW Black
My basic list would include:
Single Malt Scotch:
Ardbeg 10
Highland Park 12
Blended Scotch:
Johnnie Walker Gold Label
Ballentine’s Finest
Bourbon:
Buffalo Trace
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Eagle Rare
Rye:
Wild Turkey
Sazerac
Irish:
Redbreast 12
Knapogue Castle
For single malt a must would be Balvenie 12 yo DW and Highland Park 12 yo. For bourbon and reasonably priced and fantastic, Elijah Craig 18 yo. All three are well priced and excellent.
I think a wide range is what i like to offer friends…..give them a chance at real taste, and discovery,
-aberlour a’bunadh the sherry
-Balvenie Doublewood alittle of everything
-Laphroaig Quarter Cask smoke with alot going on
-Highland Park 18 smoke and sherry but just the right combo of both
-Glenfiddich 15 clean and smooth
-Redbreast 12 rich and full of flavor
- Pappy Van Winkle 20 y if you like bourbon….this is one of the best…. full flavored
I am old in real years but relatively young in whiskey years. So far I prefer bourbon as my pour of choice. And as far as a core every day pour I would say that for the money you can’t beat Evan Williams Black Label or for a wheated bourbon I like the W. L. Weller 7yo. Both are under 20 dollars for a 750ml bottle and hold up quite nicely (for me) as my daily dram. The VanWinkles 12yo Lot B is a favorite, as has been the Evan Williams Single Barrel bottlings.
And while not bourbon, I really enjoy the High West Rendezvous Rye.
I would also agree that the Redbreast is quite nice and would be the best Irish Whiskey I have tried. A bit on the pricey side for all the time. But, quite drinkable.
And I won’t even pretend to admit much knowledge about scotch whisky. But one thing I am pretty sure of is I do like like some of the heavier peated whiskies I have tried. But so far I have enjoyed the Highland Park 12 yo and the Glenrothes. But, I am open to suggestions.
I am old in real years but relatively young in whiskey years. So far I prefer bourbon as my pour of choice. And as far as a core every day pour I would say that for the money you can’t beat Evan Williams Black Label or for a wheated bourbon I like the W. L. Weller 7yo. Both are under 20 dollars for a 750ml bottle and hold up quite nicely (for me) as my daily dram. The VanWinkles 12yo Lot B is a favorite, as has been the Evan Williams Single Barrel bottlings.
And while not bourbon, I really enjoy the High West Rendezvous Rye.
I would also agree that the Redbreast is quite nice and would be the best Irish Whiskey I have tried. A bit on the pricey side for all the time. But, quite drinkable.
And I won’t even pretend to admit much knowledge about scotch whisky. But one thing I am pretty sure of is I do not like some of the heavier peated whiskies I have tried. But so far I have enjoyed the Highland Park 12 yo and the Glenrothes. But, I am open to suggestions.
Bowmore 15
Auchentoshan 3 Wood
Glen Grant 16
Glenrothes 85
Glen Garioch 12
Yamazaki 18
Cragganmore 12 for starters
Single Malt:
Lagavulin 16
Ardberg 10
Laphroaig QC
Highland Park 18
Jura Superstition
Bourbon:
To me, the best I ever tasted: Booker’s
This one is hard to find in US or Canada, but if you have a business trip in France or UK:
– Kilchoman.
I just bought one in France and it is very interesting. Extremely more mature than its 3.5 years old as it is the first year this new Islay distillery is allowed to produce a Single Malt appellation. It is simply Islay in a glass.
For bourbon it’s simple, Elijah Craig 12. For the value and taste nothing compares.
For bourbon it’s simple, Elijah Craig 12. For the value and taste nothing compares. At $22 you can’t beat it.
Easy(ish) to get and cheap(ish)
Scotland:
> Highland Park 12 (great all rounder)
> GlenDronach 15 (AWESOME sherry beast at the price)
> Aberlour A’bunadh (always great and sometimes exceptional)
> Lagavulin 16n (best of the cheap(ish) and readily available Islays)
> Caol Ila 12 (for the interesting creamy, bourbon-y aftertaste)
> Ardbeg 10
> Mortlach 16 (for a few more £ – slightly harder to get but really worth it)
> Glenfarclas 15
> Bowmore 15 Darkest
> Dalmore 15 (with a bit more cash again)
> Glenmorangie Lasanta (doesn’t touch the 18 or the Sonalta PX – but loads cheaper)
> For a few extra £ you can’t go wrong with either a Glenrothes 1991 or a Highland Park 18 in my view.
Irish:
> Redbreast 12
> Jameson 12 Spec Reserve (very easy to get and remarkably good for such a mass produced whiskey)
Japan:
> Nikka from the Barrel (excellent cask-strenth blend and cheap)
> Yamazaki 12
> Much more expensive (but soooooo worth it): Yamazki Sherry Cask – about £60 UK. Fabulous whisky. I love this so drink so much.
US: (I tend to like rye more than bourbonm, and my bourbons more rye-heavy than wheat)
> Buffalo Trace (great cheap all-rounder)
> Sazarac Rye (I think the standard bottle’s a 6YO)
> Rittenhouse 100 Proof Rye
> Wild Turkey 101 Rye
> Knob Creek
> Wild Turkey Rare Breed
> Baker’s 7YO (interesting cognac-type aftertaste that makes it a very interesting drink. Hard to come by in the UK; probably a lot easier in the US…)
> George T Stagg (only kidding…)
George Stagg is very nice – but expensive in the UK.
I suppose I should mention that the standard Clynelish 14 is worth a try. Very nice for the price.
Highland Park 18y/0
Glenfiddich 15y/o Solera
Ardbeg 10y/o
Elijah Craig 12y/o
Glenlivet 12 & Johnnie Walker Black seem to be very common, very good and often under $40. Slightly less common, slightly more expensive (often under $50) yet very good are Glenmorangie 10, Highland Park 12, Macallan 12, and Suntory Yamazaki 12.
• Ardbeg 10 Year
• Laphroaig Quarter Cask/CS
• Highland Park 12 Year
• Balvenie 15 Year
• Caol Ila 12 Year
• Wild Turkey 8 Year 101