Favorite Scotch under 70$USD

[SliceOfLife]

True, I was impressed by the color and immediately after a bit let down by the content. It is MUCH better after getting some air to it... but it feels weak now almost. Not as cloying, but very low in flavor. The heat is a real strong point though. For the level of heat in it, it goes down surprisingly smooth reminding me a bit of the warm sake's I've had once or twice in that respect... not much burn until after it's down, then it warms up from the belly out.

Still, I agree HP would have been the better choice for me. Live and learn. I(t) will get dr(a/u)nk.

[zammboss]

Not enjoying the Ardbeg at all It's a little to peaty? for my taste. Not the flavour I was looking for :( too bad. Could have bought almost 2 bottles of HP 12yr

[Loric]

Single malts if possible.

Recently went through 2 bottles of Highland Park. Awesome stuff for the price!

+1 this is easily my favorite Scotch, though I rarely spend any more than this on a bottle.

[bastimret]

If anyone reading this thread has not had Highland Park 12, just go out and buy a bottle now. Trust me, it will become a regular staple in your collection as other bottles come and go.

[joshmpdx]

Not enjoying the Ardbeg at all It's a little to peaty? for my taste. Not the flavour I was looking for :( too bad. Could have bought almost 2 bottles of HP 12yr

Don't fret, you've picked up a good bottle to have and compare with others you'll pick up. It's likely that as you dislike the peat now, you could acquire a taste for it down the road.

[zammboss]

Don't fret, you've picked up a good bottle to have and compare with others you'll pick up. It's likely that as you dislike the peat now, you could acquire a taste for it down the road.

I am sure it is great. I can tell it has a great taste to it once you get used to drink this kind of scotch. The first sip is the hardest after that it becomes a little easier. Has a very strong smokey taste to it that I am sure would go very well with a nice cigar. Will definitely keep trying to refine my palette to be able to enjoy it.

[La Mosca]

Oban. I likes the peat.

[WoodfordReserve-Neat]

i like glenlivet 15 oak. i am said to have no taste :) i mean under a bill. otherwise macallan 1928. that is not exactly $70 though.

Not really a scotch drinker here, but,
I just bought a bottle of the single malt Glenlivet 12. I bought it to pour into a glass of Innis & Gunn's original beer. I believe I could get to liking Single Malts...dang that kicked up my I & G and not bad for sippin straight either...course I'm just an old fine Bourbon sipper at heart, but still....

[Haggises]

If anyone reading this thread has not had Highland Park 12, just go out and buy a bottle now. Trust me, it will become a regular staple in your collection as other bottles come and go.

SWMBO told me the other day to pick up a nice bottle of whisky for our NJ vacation.
This thread inspired me to pick up a Highland Park 12 year old today.
Resisting temptation to crack it now (must do painting!)

[Penguinetti]

Whaaaaa? $100 that's a JOKE!!!!!!! It gets as low as £30 round here about $47 ATM that said I am in Scotland! A totally scandallous markup who's setting the prices Al Capone?

Regards Grant

This makes my heart hurt. I'll have to go to the liquor store today and find out what our prices are at... But I'll guarantee here and now that they definitely won't be $47 a bottle...

what can I say, I'm an Islay man- always have been - the peatier the better IMO, although I've enjoyed many a Highland, Lowland and Speyside :) Even a few Irish and a wonderful Japanese malt.

My dad ONLY drank single malts as i was growing up, and he rarely drank at all - so as a teenager when we would steal booze from our folks and meet in the woods to party etc I wound up showing up with a high end single malt (and he was none too pleased about my watering his bottles down lol) but I acquired a taste very young, and none of my friends ever seemed to want any, or even to be within smelling distance - heck i was able to keep a bottle or two at all times through college with little interest from my roommates (try that with vodka, bourbon or tequila!)

here is what I currently have on hand:
Attachment 262160

Lag 16 (I always have a bottle or 6, it's 'my go to scotch', all the nice restaurants I frequent just know to carry it as well lol)
Laphroaig 18
Aberlour a'bunadh (cask strength - this is some strong stuff - 130 proof??)

I have to agree with you on that. Islay man all the way. At home I regularly carry Laphroaig (albeit not the 18yr, sadly). I actually just tried Lagavulin (although I don't remember what year) and it was superb. Definitely worth it.

[arghblech]

I'm pretty darn fond of Old Pulteney 12. $35 a bottle here. It really has my attention and has enough character to make this Islay drinker sing it's praise. The Old Pulteney 21 is phenomenal but it runs $120 here.

[Penguinetti]

So I perused the liquor store yesterday, and found the Laphroaig Triple Wood for $78. Not quite under $70, but I figured it's close enough to $70 to allow the jump, and probably worth mentioning as well.

I didn't buy it (not in my budget) but because of all the 'Ardbeg is a must have' type comments on here, I ended up going for it:



Definitely made for a pleasant evening given the wonderful aroma, smoky/peaty flavor, and the laudable $40 dollars it cost (maybe $45).

[zammboss]

Definitely made for a pleasant evening given the wonderful aroma, smoky/peaty flavor, and the laudable $40 dollars it cost (maybe $45).

lucky! mine was 90 bones at our govn't operated liquor commission.

[mcgils]

Laphroiag 10 or Highland Park 12, but I generally go Irish - Redbreast.

[blindmouse]

The Balvenie Double Wood is my favourite sweeter range scotch. It's no Laphroaig, but for a cheaper peat-laden glass I like Bowmore Islay 12 year. It's my go to. I know it's got colour in it. But man is it tasty.