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I only have $20 left... What's the best scotch for that? 

Cutty Sark

LOL, didn't see this before I posted!  Great minds and all of that...

[Travellin Dave]

Morning Dean, Dave, Tony, Scott.

Picked up a Garage Brewing Marshmallow Milk Stout over the weekend. Sounded like ST Creme Brûlée but not quite as sweet. Intended to drink it Sunday but whiskey got to me first.

say Joe, (and any other of the scotch drinking cognoscenti!)
 take a look at this link, of different single malt / malt blends scotches.
 My son's 31st birthday is coming up. advice would be helpful. Either one killer
under $200, or a combo of different tastes like a home grown sampler
http://www.shoppersvineyard.com/store/pc/Single-Malt-Blended-Malt-Whisky-c312.htm?pageStyle=p&ProdSort=3&page=3&idCategory=312

At 31, I would not think he is too set in his scotch ways yet, and a single high priced offering may not be fully appreciated.  Now I'm just listing general names, but of course each has different ages and different cask methods used.  I would probably go with the basic offering, 12 year is fine, maybe a 15 if on sale.

Highland:  Macallan, Dalmore, Highland Park, Dalwhinnie or Glenmorange
Lowland: Glenkinchie
Islay:  Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Lagavulin
Speyside:  Glenrothes, Abelour, Balvenie (Glenfiddich and Glenlivet are most common, but are fine light offerings)

how do these look:
http://www.shoppersvineyard.com/store/pc/GLENMORANGIE-18YR-SINGLE-MALT-SCOTCH-WHISKY-312p19805.htm
http://www.shoppersvineyard.com/store/pc/DALMORE-15YR-SINGLE-MALT-SCOTCH-WHISKY-312p9491.htm

Dalmore is a fine offering, Glenmorangie is a solid choice as well, but the 18 year/cost may not be appreciated fully.  Then again, it's a gift and he will enjoy.

[Travellin Dave]

I only have $20 left... What's the best scotch for that? 

A glass of Highland Park 18.

[Travellin Dave]

"There once was an indecisive man stranded in the middle of Scotland. From where he stood, he could set off in any direction and find good Scotch: straight south to the light, fresh Lowlands; straight north to the fruity Highlands; up to the caramel-y region of Speyside in the northeast; or down to peaty, seaweed-y Islay off the southwest coast. Just before he could set off, though, a man behind him asked him to move his shopping cart. Because he was just standing there, blocking the aisle in the liquor store."

[BackyardSmoker]

I only have $20 left... What's the best scotch for that? 

Speyburn 10… almost.

I'm not joking about Speyburn 10.  I think I paid $24ish for it and dollar-for-dollar I'd put it up against many of the major Speysiders.

Oh, I was believing you. And if I'm reading correctly, you would put this Highland in competition with the Speyside. So, Imma give it a try. The Black bottle too. fwiw.

[CigarGuy87]

Afternoon, Scotchtasters

Howdy Steve!

Hiya, Shaun. Wanna buy some exotic wood? 

All price pending

[razgueado]

Flip, I think the most important question here is, what does your son currently enjoy??  Being new or not really knowing is a valid answer, too.  So much variety that you could give him the most expensive Islay scotch on the market and he'll hate it if he doesn't care for that style.

Islays are always a risky proposition anyway.  Too strong a taste for most folks new to scotch, and among longtime scotch drinkers there are those who love it and those who despise it.  My general rule of thumb if buying a bottle for someone is, "Highland for noobs, Speyside for vets, and Islay only if I know they love it."  Of course, Brits will castigate the Highland scotches as "Lady's Scotch," and seem to believe Scotch begins and ends in Speyside...but dafuck do the Brits know?

Seems like a good rule from my limited understanding of the regions.

I know nothing about the Lowland scotches, so will be interested to hear what you think of the Auchentoshan.

I need to start taking some notes at these tastings, especially the ones where most everything is new to me.   I'll definitely report back tomorrow.

IMO lowlands are the most challenging.

In what sense?  To find, to characterize, or to enjoy?

To characterize.  I think the lowland style is unmistakable yet difficult to define.  It's not peaty, not fruity.  Honeyed might be close.  Herbal too.  It's just, lowland.

  Well, too much has been made of the whole "regional" thing in any case.  It's somehow human nature to look for the "voodoo" that makes, say, a great Islay scotch.  The fact is, politics and commercial concerns had more to do with regional differences than unique craftsmanship ever did.

[jswaykos]

I only have $20 left... What's the best scotch for that? 

Speyburn 10… almost.

I'm not joking about Speyburn 10.  I think I paid $24ish for it and dollar-for-dollar I'd put it up against many of the major Speysiders.

Oh, I was believing you. And if I'm reading correctly, you would put this Highland in competition with the Speyside. So, Imma give it a try. The Black bottle too. fwiw.

In the end, the only way to find out if you like something is to try it!

[razgueado]

Morning Dean, Dave, Tony, Scott.

Picked up a Garage Brewing Marshmallow Milk Stout over the weekend. Sounded like ST Creme Brûlée but not quite as sweet. Intended to drink it Sunday but whiskey got to me first.

say Joe, (and any other of the scotch drinking cognoscenti!)
 take a look at this link, of different single malt / malt blends scotches.
 My son's 31st birthday is coming up. advice would be helpful. Either one killer
under $200, or a combo of different tastes like a home grown sampler
http://www.shoppersvineyard.com/store/pc/Single-Malt-Blended-Malt-Whisky-c312.htm?pageStyle=p&ProdSort=3&page=3&idCategory=312

At 31, I would not think he is too set in his scotch ways yet, and a single high priced offering may not be fully appreciated.  Now I'm just listing general names, but of course each has different ages and different cask methods used.  I would probably go with the basic offering, 12 year is fine, maybe a 15 if on sale.

Highland:  Macallan, Dalmore, Highland Park, Dalwhinnie or Glenmorange
Lowland: Glenkinchie
Islay:  Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Lagavulin
Speyside:  Glenrothes, Abelour, Balvenie (Glenfiddich and Glenlivet are most common, but are fine light offerings)

how do these look:
http://www.shoppersvineyard.com/store/pc/GLENMORANGIE-18YR-SINGLE-MALT-SCOTCH-WHISKY-312p19805.htm
http://www.shoppersvineyard.com/store/pc/DALMORE-15YR-SINGLE-MALT-SCOTCH-WHISKY-312p9491.htm

Dalmore is a fine offering, Glenmorangie is a solid choice as well, but the 18 year/cost may not be appreciated fully.  Then again, it's a gift and he will enjoy.

Methinks the Traveller and I share an enthusiasm for the Highland scotches. 

[BackyardSmoker]

I only have $20 left... What's the best scotch for that? 

A glass of Highland Park 18.

I have the 12... I'm a noob on a low end tasting budget.

[razgueado]

"There once was an indecisive man stranded in the middle of Scotland. From where he stood, he could set off in any direction and find good Scotch: straight south to the light, fresh Lowlands; straight north to the fruity Highlands; up to the caramel-y region of Speyside in the northeast; or down to peaty, seaweed-y Islay off the southwest coast. Just before he could set off, though, a man behind him asked him to move his shopping cart. Because he was just standing there, blocking the aisle in the liquor store."

^^ This.  What I said, only funnier and more profound.

[razgueado]

I only have $20 left... What's the best scotch for that? 

Cutty Sark

Sheesh.

[jswaykos]

Enjoyed the booze talk, but if I'm gonna sneak in a pre-lunch cigar I gotta get moving.  Enjoy the rest of the day, all. 

[LuvTooGolf]

Enjoyed the booze talk, but if I'm gonna sneak in a pre-lunch cigar I gotta get moving.  Enjoy the rest of the day, all.

I'm 100% sure you did absolutely no work today. Later, Joe.

[razgueado]

I only have $20 left... What's the best scotch for that? 

I kinda like Black Bottle as a super cheap option.

Haven't had that.  For cheap scotch, I usually go with Famous Grouse.