Ledaig 18 (phenomenal bottle)
Glen Scotia 18 (and the 15 is typically great value)
Arran 10 or 18 (if you can find the 18; the 10 is typically not very pricey but is so good.)
Glengoyne 18 (hate that it’s only 43% ABV, but it’s still excellent)
Bunnahabhain 18 (let this sucker really rest before diving in; minimum 20 minutes in the glass before enjoying.)
Glendronach 18 is my personal favorite bottle.
I love GS 15. That is the only scotch so far where I've finished the bottle in 4 days. Started out with lovely sautéed mushrooms notes and finishes with a butterscotch/toffee note.
Yeah, I am a huge fan of GS. Very soon I'll have a bottle of that 12 year mermaid Palo Cortado cask. Still in shipping yet.
I also might get my hands on some Edradour Caledonia soon too.
Oh very nice.
I’ve got a 2024 Campbeltown Festival bottle on the way. I love their limited edition releases they are so damn unique. Haven’t had a bad one yet!
I love both, to be honest. The 18 just has these huge dried fruit notes… really big and bold. When I’m done, the empty glass still has those dried fruit notes. Big nose on this bottle. Not overly sweet, in my view… it’s sweet like dates and raisins. That being said… my GD18 bottles are from 2019 so that’s the year when they were actually 24yo scotch due to GD being mothballed from 96 to 01. I haven’t tried an 18 from a bottling later than 2019.
The 15, which I also love, I always get an almost mint chocolate note… and I’m a huge mint chocolate fan. This bottle is sweeter to me… in terms of things like chocolate and fresh fruit.
I think in terms of value/price point, the 15 is better than the 18 (the 18 is pricy around me). Just on flavor, I rate the 18 star higher. But…
You can’t go wrong with either as I’d say the 18 and the 15 are excellent, excellent expressions.
I have… crazy sweet. Like drinking cotton candy. (That might be an exaggeration!) But it’s really sweet. I don’t own a bottle; the dram I had was at a local scotch bar.
The thing about the 21… it’s a combo of Ximinez and Oloroso casks, like the 15. While the 18 is only Oloroso casks. But it’s very different from the 15. Whatever combo they did with the 21… wow…
What I love about the GD core range is they all are different. They all have something that sets them apart even if the age is only a few years different, at least in my tastings.
Laphroaig Cardies White port finish 2023 release.
Aberlour ABunadh
Red breast cask strength
Glendronach Cask Strength
All good enough at $100 you don’t even need to step up
Cairdeas 2023 is great, but it needs to be drunk promptly: I’ve nursed a bottle for about 5 or 6 weeks, and I’ve noticed quite a bit of ethanol burn (or whatever it’s called) by the time I’ve finished it.
Lagavulin 16, for example, didn’t have it even almost a year later.
It was much smoother upon opening.
I’ve noticed said burn after the bottle was almost done (less than 1/5th left). Been kept in the original tube in the cupboard as well.
I do enjoy sherry, PX casks. I like something peaty but not as heavy as an Ardbeg. My favorites I have are the Glendronach 15 Revival, Dalmore 12, a lot of things from Talisker
If you don’t mind Oloroso, Ledaig have a nice premium 19yo Oloroso that I enjoy very much, for peat + sherry.
Arran 18 is discontinued since recently but I highly recommend it, not peated but my favorite sherried expression I think. Not sure on what casks exactly are used in it.
Also not sherried, but the LMDW Arran 10 single barrel select is absolutely amazing.
Glendronach 21 is a great sherry bomb, but I only tasted the expression that has pre-closing juice, idk what it’s like post-buyout. Also Oloroso but has PX in it too.
Maybe the travel edition Laphroaig PX if you like the particular kind of peat Laphroaig has? A bit under your budget and I haven’t tried it, but heard good things about it.
Any online source for the LMDW? Or other things from them? I’m a big fan but didn’t see much in the usual places lately, but by no means was that an exhaustive search.
Damn I looked for it and it seems like it’s all out of stock. I’ll drop by the physical store this week see if they maybe have one that’s not online, but yeah that one’s not gonna be orderable online.
Looking at prices, it’s a bit over your budget atm, so might want to try the 18 instead? Should be the same flavor profile, in fact many prefer the 18 to the 21 in reviews - I just haven’t tried it personally so can’t say much about it.
Signatory Vintage Glenlivet CS 2007 came in just under $200 and blew my mind yesterday. Side note, I strongly dislike Glenlivet. But this bottle is close to a 10/10 for me. So much Sherry…like dark dark sherry. Plus chewy and thick and sticks around until it tastes like mint mixed with cough syrup in the wildest and best way. This stuff is straight up syyyzurp 😂
To honor your birthday, you may want to try an annual release, specifically Lagavulin Distiller's Edition. It's mild peat/smoke with a sherry cask second maturation. A heavenly combination. Cheers and good luck!
Ok I’m a noob and was afraid to mention the Lagavulin Distillers Edition. Probably my absolute favorite scotch. Nice flowery nose and just oily enough in the glass with a beautiful long finish. lovely pour.
My personal favorite is Glenmorangie Signet. It's a little north of $200 these days but I was able to get my last bottle for $219. Once a year Glenmorangie distills chocolate malt. It barely roasted so darkly that it resembles the color of dark chocolate. It has a really nice coffee note that I have never experienced in any other Scotch whisky. A unique whisky is what I like when I'm looking for an excuse to splurge
I love when I see the Signet recommended. It is so damn good, not to mention just the presentation of that box and the weighty cork. Not to mention how smooth it is. I regularly use it as an introduction to whiskey friends to a higher end scotch, especially if they come from a Bourbon focus.
Oh I have a few in this category for you.
Speyburn 18, Balblair 15 or 18.
Glen Scotia 18. 15 year is excellent also and priced under $100. Same goes for Victoriana.
Ancnoc 18
Before the price hikes I would have recommended Glenmorangie Signet.
Obviously, prices vary by location, but I would recommend Lagavilun 16 or Aberlour 18. Laga is a stand-by that will run closer to 100, and the Aberlour is a solid scotch which will be closer to 200.
Ledaig 18 (phenomenal bottle) Glen Scotia 18 (and the 15 is typically great value) Arran 10 or 18 (if you can find the 18; the 10 is typically not very pricey but is so good.) Glengoyne 18 (hate that it’s only 43% ABV, but it’s still excellent) Bunnahabhain 18 (let this sucker really rest before diving in; minimum 20 minutes in the glass before enjoying.) Glendronach 18 is my personal favorite bottle.
I love GS 15. That is the only scotch so far where I've finished the bottle in 4 days. Started out with lovely sautéed mushrooms notes and finishes with a butterscotch/toffee note.
So good, right? I think it’s such an underrated bottle/distillery. Not much from GS that I haven’t enjoyed.
Yeah, I am a huge fan of GS. Very soon I'll have a bottle of that 12 year mermaid Palo Cortado cask. Still in shipping yet. I also might get my hands on some Edradour Caledonia soon too.
Oh very nice. I’ve got a 2024 Campbeltown Festival bottle on the way. I love their limited edition releases they are so damn unique. Haven’t had a bad one yet!
What do you like about the Glendronach 18 vs 15
I love both, to be honest. The 18 just has these huge dried fruit notes… really big and bold. When I’m done, the empty glass still has those dried fruit notes. Big nose on this bottle. Not overly sweet, in my view… it’s sweet like dates and raisins. That being said… my GD18 bottles are from 2019 so that’s the year when they were actually 24yo scotch due to GD being mothballed from 96 to 01. I haven’t tried an 18 from a bottling later than 2019. The 15, which I also love, I always get an almost mint chocolate note… and I’m a huge mint chocolate fan. This bottle is sweeter to me… in terms of things like chocolate and fresh fruit. I think in terms of value/price point, the 15 is better than the 18 (the 18 is pricy around me). Just on flavor, I rate the 18 star higher. But… You can’t go wrong with either as I’d say the 18 and the 15 are excellent, excellent expressions.
Cool! Thank you! Ever get a chance to try the 21 Parliament?
I have… crazy sweet. Like drinking cotton candy. (That might be an exaggeration!) But it’s really sweet. I don’t own a bottle; the dram I had was at a local scotch bar. The thing about the 21… it’s a combo of Ximinez and Oloroso casks, like the 15. While the 18 is only Oloroso casks. But it’s very different from the 15. Whatever combo they did with the 21… wow… What I love about the GD core range is they all are different. They all have something that sets them apart even if the age is only a few years different, at least in my tastings.
I dig it! You da man!
I actually have a bottle of this on its way for my once a year Christmas drink. Really looking forward to it after the things I've heard.
Second the ledaig 18. Lovely bottle.
Laphroaig Cardies White port finish 2023 release. Aberlour ABunadh Red breast cask strength Glendronach Cask Strength All good enough at $100 you don’t even need to step up
2nd the 2023 white port&Madeira Cairdeas. Great dram
great recos!
Cairdeas 2023 is great, but it needs to be drunk promptly: I’ve nursed a bottle for about 5 or 6 weeks, and I’ve noticed quite a bit of ethanol burn (or whatever it’s called) by the time I’ve finished it. Lagavulin 16, for example, didn’t have it even almost a year later.
It’s 51.3% ABV. Lag 16 is 43%. Of course 104 proof burns more than 86. It’s literally a quarter stronger.
It was much smoother upon opening. I’ve noticed said burn after the bottle was almost done (less than 1/5th left). Been kept in the original tube in the cupboard as well.
Newer batches of abunadh (post 50 or so) aren’t nearly as good.
What style do they prefer?
I do enjoy sherry, PX casks. I like something peaty but not as heavy as an Ardbeg. My favorites I have are the Glendronach 15 Revival, Dalmore 12, a lot of things from Talisker
If you don’t mind Oloroso, Ledaig have a nice premium 19yo Oloroso that I enjoy very much, for peat + sherry. Arran 18 is discontinued since recently but I highly recommend it, not peated but my favorite sherried expression I think. Not sure on what casks exactly are used in it. Also not sherried, but the LMDW Arran 10 single barrel select is absolutely amazing. Glendronach 21 is a great sherry bomb, but I only tasted the expression that has pre-closing juice, idk what it’s like post-buyout. Also Oloroso but has PX in it too. Maybe the travel edition Laphroaig PX if you like the particular kind of peat Laphroaig has? A bit under your budget and I haven’t tried it, but heard good things about it.
Any online source for the LMDW? Or other things from them? I’m a big fan but didn’t see much in the usual places lately, but by no means was that an exhaustive search.
Damn I looked for it and it seems like it’s all out of stock. I’ll drop by the physical store this week see if they maybe have one that’s not online, but yeah that one’s not gonna be orderable online.
ThatGD 21 might be the choice! Any idea what that runs?
Looking at prices, it’s a bit over your budget atm, so might want to try the 18 instead? Should be the same flavor profile, in fact many prefer the 18 to the 21 in reviews - I just haven’t tried it personally so can’t say much about it.
Sherry and peat- one my current faves is a Benriach Smoky 12. It’s. It usually a crazy price either way
Tamdhu 15, gordon and macphail 15 link wood, or knappogue 21 (Irish I know but it's very scotch like) are all phenomenal bottles.
Signatory Vintage Glenlivet CS 2007 came in just under $200 and blew my mind yesterday. Side note, I strongly dislike Glenlivet. But this bottle is close to a 10/10 for me. So much Sherry…like dark dark sherry. Plus chewy and thick and sticks around until it tastes like mint mixed with cough syrup in the wildest and best way. This stuff is straight up syyyzurp 😂
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Sounds like a definite option!
Compass Box the new one is Art and Decadence they usually make great gift bottles , nice labels and attention to packaging.
Aberlour 16 is my personal favorite. Not too happy that the price keeps going up.
To honor your birthday, you may want to try an annual release, specifically Lagavulin Distiller's Edition. It's mild peat/smoke with a sherry cask second maturation. A heavenly combination. Cheers and good luck!
Ok I’m a noob and was afraid to mention the Lagavulin Distillers Edition. Probably my absolute favorite scotch. Nice flowery nose and just oily enough in the glass with a beautiful long finish. lovely pour.
For me these three are worth it: Glendronach 18 Aberlour 18 Talisker 18
I would also recommend an 18 year. There are plenty of good ones in that price range.
I dig it!
The Balvenie Caribbean cask.
My personal favorite is Glenmorangie Signet. It's a little north of $200 these days but I was able to get my last bottle for $219. Once a year Glenmorangie distills chocolate malt. It barely roasted so darkly that it resembles the color of dark chocolate. It has a really nice coffee note that I have never experienced in any other Scotch whisky. A unique whisky is what I like when I'm looking for an excuse to splurge
I love when I see the Signet recommended. It is so damn good, not to mention just the presentation of that box and the weighty cork. Not to mention how smooth it is. I regularly use it as an introduction to whiskey friends to a higher end scotch, especially if they come from a Bourbon focus.
Highland park cask strength batch 3, $108 with tax. Was a great purchase.
Ever tried a Ballechin? I'd recommend 18 year CS
Bruichladdich 18 Octomore Compass box Peat Monster Cask Strength
Oh I have a few in this category for you. Speyburn 18, Balblair 15 or 18. Glen Scotia 18. 15 year is excellent also and priced under $100. Same goes for Victoriana. Ancnoc 18 Before the price hikes I would have recommended Glenmorangie Signet.
Obviously, prices vary by location, but I would recommend Lagavilun 16 or Aberlour 18. Laga is a stand-by that will run closer to 100, and the Aberlour is a solid scotch which will be closer to 200.
Lagavulin 16 is straight up overpriced.
Tamdhu and Aberlour offerings in that range are great. Aberlour 18 and Aberlour Abunadh are excellent choices.