I need a Scotch reccomendation......

[armorrich]

Hi gentlemen....my neighbor's father in law is going to repair my dilapidated brick front stoop next Monday. This will involve some minor demo work, complete repointing and resetting the railing on one side. The guy is a workaholic from Poland and he won't take a cent other than materials. I know he likes scotch so i want to get him a bottle of good stuff. I know zip about scotch...nada...i'd be much obliged if anyone would help me out with a reccomendation.....thanks a lot...best, rich

[Hirsute]

Well, scotch is very diverse stuff and there's a wide range of preferences. If you know what he likes, that's a good starting point. For example, if he has a wife, can you ask her what kind of scotch he drinks? Then go to a liquor store and tell them what he likes, and ask them to recommend something nicer that's similar.

If you're shooting in the dark, it's hard to go wrong with a bottle of The Glenlivet.

[armorrich]

The guy lives with his daughter and son-in-law....i can ask them if he's got a preference. Thanks for the help.....best, rich

[way-nuf]

There are so many different types of scotch, like Hirsute said, you need to have a starting point.

[djm2]

Probably a major point of differentiation will be whether he likes good blends, or good single malts. Of the single malts, a major further differentiation will be if he likes a "peaty" or "smokey" flavor.

[armorrich]

Thanks djm2.....i appreciate you trying to give a bit of direction....best, rich

[Chaucer]

Another approach is to buy him a bottle of Johnnie Black or Chivas. He'll know what they are. Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, Balvenie or Macallan would be other good choices. Every scotch drinker would be happy with any of these, even if they're not his or her absolutely first choice.

[feralhog]

It depends on what your price range for this is too. If this is a big deal, a bottle of Johnnie Blue might be in order. If you don't want to drop $200ish on Scotch, Macallan 12 or Johnnie Walker Green might be a good buy depending on whether he likes single malts or blends. Those should both be in the $40-50 range.

[TheClassicGentleman]

I agree with feralhog and Chaucer, I would get him a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black or Blue Label, you can't go wrong with either of those. If you want to get him a single malt I'd would suggest Glenfiddich or perhaps even Johnnie Walker Green Label.

[barrycv]

Absent any knowledge on his preferences, I'm along w/ the Johnny Green or Gold range. Not the cheapest stuff, nor the most expensive, but still considered pretty good.

I'll just throw this out there - are you sure he even likes scotch? Not to get too stereotypical, but it seems most of my brethren from the old country there like vodka.

[nannahill]

I'll just throw this out there - are you sure he even likes scotch? Not to get too stereotypical, but it seems most of my brethren from the old country there like vodka.

First thing I thought of too.

[armorrich]

Wow...thanks for those suggestions!! He's positively a scotch man but not the $200 a bottle type. I think something in the $40 to $50 range is appropriate....he doesn't sit around the fireplace in a smoking jacket, he's just a plain hard worker. He's offered me scotch in the past but i gag on the stuff so even the cheapest rotgut is wasted on me!!

Thanks again...i really appreciate the input!!

Have a great weekend...best, rich

[buffdaddy]

Well it comes down to how much you really want to spend. Like others have said there so many choices when it comes down to Scotch. Johnny Walker red or black, Chivas and Glenlivet are the most widley available (JW and Chivas are blended and Glenlivet is single malt). All 3 start at $25.00-$30.00 a bottle depending where you go and you really can't go wrong with any of those. If you're looking for something out of the ordinary try Drumguish which is a pretty interesting Scotch and is only around $20.00. Speyburn is pretty decent at around $25.00. Ardmore is good as well at $25.00 a bottle.

If your want to get him something pricier I would go with Macallan 12 year old traditional single malt Scotch which is around $50.00. Very nice mellow Scotch with a bit of sweetness and a hint of citrus.

[The Chandos]

Aw, just get him the Corryvecken by Ardbeg, excellent stuff! By that, I mean, get him a bottle of Scotch that he wouldn't normally buy for himself. It'll be special.

[nrv216]

Macallan or Johnnie Walker as others have mentioned. I am truly amazed by a bottle of Dalmore 12 year that I have been savoring for a few weeks.

nrv216

[trot1984]

I second the Johnnie Gold recommendation, I seem to like it better than the blue.

[acesn8s]

In the $40 - $50 range, as you mentioned - you might look at:

Single-malts (scotch made from 1 recipe):
Glenfiddich 12 year or 15 year. lightly peated (smokey)
Glenmorangie original (little more smokey)
Highland Park 12 (even more smokey with a sweet cherry finish)
Ardbeg or Laphroig (heavily peated and salty)

Blended (scotch made from many different brands, kinda like table wine)
Dewars 12 year
Johnnie Walker Black

[Greyfox]

I get him a bottle of what he drinks.

[Doc4]

Whatever bottle of Johnnie Walker (black or better), Glenlivet or The Macallan fits your budget. The JW has its different colours, the other two you will see the normal '12/y/o" as well as older bottles ... 15s, 18s, whatever.

[channy]

Most scotch drinkers are insulted by blended scotches, including Johnnie Blue. If you got some cash, get him a bottle of Talisker 18 for $50. If you're broke, Glenlivet 12 for $25 is an excellent value and most scotch drinkers go to at bars.