Inexpensive Scotch.

[switters]

Last night I bought a 750ml bottle of McClelland's Highland for a whopping 15 bucks. I Have been drinking scotch for a short time and have only been drinking Glenlivet 12. I thought it tasted fine and it made me wonder what I am paying for when getting the older single malts for substantially more coin. Does anyone else enjoy a cheap drink or should I be embarrassed about my unrefined palate?

[KenS]

Only you can decide if you are embarrassed by your cheap taste or not. I OTOH tend to be frugal. As such, I can often be found going for the Scorsbeys
Yours in frugality, Ken.

[TromboneGuy]

I had the same question, so I eventually found a friend of mine that also was a scotch drinker and we'd split the price of nicer bottles to try them out. the more expensive ones are generally smoother and have more complex flavors than the cheaper ones, but it's possible to find some hidden gems. It all depends on your tastes.

For the money, it's damn hard to beat a bottle of the Balvenie DoubleWood. It runs about $40, but it's worth every penny of that IMO.

[JohnP]

If you have one nearby,
check out a Trader Joe's. They have a 10 year old single malt "store brand" that is made for them by MacAllan, for perhaps the same or less than you have been paying for the Glenlivet 12. Keep your eyes peeled. There are bargains to be had, especially if you aren't dead-set on the name-brand maker's label being on the bottle...it's what's IN the bottle that counts, after all...
My opinion, anyway.
John P.

[Doc4]

Given the traditional scottish appreciation for frugality, you needn't be ashamed. If the $12 bottle does just as much for you as the $100, then you can be $88 worth of foolish if you want!

And even though I'm a big fan of the single malts, I still covet a 'cheap' scotch for a scotch & soda, or for mixing with Drambuie. Yum!!

[BroJohn]

I confess a liking for Dewars for an inexpensive blend.

-- John Gehman

[Straight Arrow]

Although I enjoy Glenlivet, Glengoyne, and other single malts, I do have a penchant for Johnnie Walker Red. Ummmmm!!

[Doc4]

Although I enjoy Glenlivet, Glengoyne, and other single malts, I do have a penchant for Johnnie Walker Red. Ummmmm!!

JW Red is an oddity ... the expensive cheap scotch ... worth the little bit extra, though!

[Straight Arrow]

JW Red is an oddity ... the expensive cheap scotch ... worth the little bit extra, though!

I didn't know it was expensive! People keep giving it to me. I've never purchased a bottle!!

[TimmyBoston]

You should never be embarrassed about not spending much on any whiskey. Though Glenlivet 12 is the cheapest Scotch that I enjoy.

Bourbon is another story. I have found a handful (and I know there more that I don't know about) that are inexpensive and quite good.

Evan Williams 1783 - it's 10 bucks and I have posted a review in Speakeasy Review Section.

Old Forrester 100 - 100 proof, $13, very good as well

Very Old Barton - Another good one at under $15

Sazerac Rye (not the 18, just the standard) - $13 A quality rye at a good price

Old Fitzgerald , another good one under $15

[greendyk]

For a fine quality, inexpensive blended Scotch try William Grant's. I buy it when it's on sale for around $20 for 1.75L.
Amazingly good for the price IMO.

John

[ratcheer]

I don't drink much scotch at all and what I do drink is expensive. But Teacher's Highland Cream is one that I always hear is excellent for the money. Personally, back in the day when I did enjoy basic scotch, I always gravitated to Johnnie Walker Red Label.

Tim

[msandoval858]

For Scotch about $30 is the cheapest I've been able to find something I enjoy so far. A few lower end single malts and JW Red can be had for around that price.

[ratcheer]

I don't drink much scotch at all and what I do drink is expensive. But Teacher's Highland Cream is one that I always hear is excellent for the money. Personally, back in the day when I did enjoy basic scotch, I always gravitated to Johnnie Walker Red Label.

Tim

I am sorry, I believe I was mistaken. Instead of Teacher's, I was actually thinking of The Famous Grouse. I should have checked my sources before posting.

Tim

[lorenzo]

Switters,

I've tried the McClelland's Highlands myself and found it quite nice. Its actually a young (5yrs or so) Glen Garioch whisky that parent company Morrison Bowmore--itself owned by Suntory of Japan--markets under the McClelland name to keep the lower price line distinct from the company's "full price" bottlings. Other McClelland's offerings contain whiskies from other Morrison Bowmore distilleries, including Auchentoshan (Lowlands) and Bowmore (Islay). In my opinion, the Highlands is an excellent value in a quality single malt.

Larry

[DMS]

I am sorry, I believe I was mistaken. Instead of Teacher's, I was actually thinking of The Famous Grouse. I should have checked my sources before posting.

Tim

+1 for The Famous Grouse

[switters]

Thanks for all of the replies. Here is to enjoying the cheap stuff.

[joea527]

Teacher's Highland Cream

Tim

+1 on the Teacher's. It's the best blended scotch. It is hard to find around here lately. A friend of mine gets it for me when he goes to Ireland.

-Joe

[analog_kid]

I personally think the Glenlivet 12 is the best scotch for the money, I can usually find it for $20 or so. I wish I could say I've had the luxury of sampling some high end scotch but when I want to splurge I go for The Macallen 12, which is only about $40.

[Groomer Monkey]

Normally I buy Seagrams, because I find Canadian whisky has a nice taste as opposed to a lot of comparably priced whisky.

I'm guessing it's all down to the drinker though.

My wife is a saint: rather than red hearts and gumf like that, for Valentine's day she bought me a bottle of Crown Royal amongst other things.

Nice.