Good Inexpensive Scotch?

[Pelikan]

Hey there guys. As may be obvious I'm a craft beer drinker first, everything else a distant second. However a relative just came back from abroad and gave me a bottle of Glenlivet 12 year, by my understanding an entry-level single malt. I have to say I quite like it. I've had and enjoyed Johnny Walker Green and black in the past, but this is really the first time I've gone through a bottle of liquor myself (over the course of a few weeks, fyi).

I have to say transitioning to Scotch may save me some coin in the long run (although I'll never give up beer entirely). I'm wondering for those of you who partake, what's a good, inexpensive scotch that at least approaches Glenlivet in quality. I don't necessarily want to spend the ~$40 on Glen 12 year when I can get a blend for half that...although I'd gladly spend the extra money if the difference is a matter of worlds and universes.

I know at my local store they have a few blends, seemingly the best among them Famous Grouse and its cousin Black Grouse. The black is a little less than $10 more, but starts to get within lower end single malt price range.

If grouse is no good there's a well stocked liquor store across the bridge in Jersey that may have more blends than my Nazi-esq PA Wine & Spirits. Really sort of willing to try anything but need to keep costs down.

 

[CB_in_Tokyo]

I don't know if you have a Costco in your area, or if they sell liquor there, but you do, and they do I'd take a look there. They have their own branded stuff that can be an amazing deal. I Picked up some Kirkland 19 year old Macallan for about $60 that was amazing for the price. Recently I picked up this bottle of 20 year old Single Malt Speyside for $25. Unbelievable bargain!

 

[Pelikan]

Wow that's an incredible deal. Unfortunately Costcos here don't sell alcohol but I'm moving back to Los Angeles in a few weeks so I'm sure they'll have it there. Indeed, part of my reason for going so cheap is this move is going to sap me a bit.

Anyhow I've seen online Teachers and Whitehorse may fit the bill in addition to or in place of Grouse. For someone that likes Glenlivet and is just getting into scotch, which of these blends should I try? Or maybe there's something else out there I should give a go? Don't want to spend more than $30 at the most right now, something closer to $20 = ideal.

 

[clickondan]

In that price range, I'd look for Bank Note. It can be hard to locate depending on where you're at.

 

[adiochiro3]

It's been my experience that "good," "inexpensive" and "Scotch" are words that just don't go together. There's nothing like a single malt that goes through multiple phases on your palate. Worth every extra penny

Sent from my brewery while sitting on the John.

 

[pdietert]

Check out some of the craft bourbon options, you will not be disappointed. Give your location for suggestions.

 

[pdietert]

http://www.wiglewhiskey.com/

http://dadshatrye.com/product-category/limited-release/

 

[Pelikan]

Hey there, I'm in the Philadelphia area of Pennsylvania.

Bank Note seems a great choice but I'm only seeing it at BevMo and the like so it'll have to wait until I get back out west.

Up until the recent past I always had a bottle of Remy Martin 1738 in the cupboard, which reminds me quite a bit of Glenlivet. I was expecting the scotch to be much more in your face but its a nice drink. Cheaper than 1738 at any rate.

 

[FatDragon]

If you can get it, look for Macallan Select Oak. The bottle I picked up was only a little bit more than a Glenlivet 12 (I know you're trying to move down, not up), but it's way better than those entry-level single malts. If you want to become awesome, you'll get a bottle of Laphroaig Quarter Cask and learn to appreciate it; Islay malts are like the IPAs of Scotch - more off-putting for newbies, but more delightful to someone who has taken the time to learn to appreciate them.

As for blends, I'll be honest, I don't like them. My least favorite single malt is Glenfidditch 10 (or maybe 12, their lowest-tier stuff) and I would still take it over Johnny Walker Blue or Chivas Royal Salute any day.

 

[pdietert]

If you can get it, look for Macallan Select Oak. The bottle I picked up was only a little bit more than a Glenlivet 12 (I know you're trying to move down, not up), but it's way better than those entry-level single malts. If you want to become awesome, you'll get a bottle of Laphroaig Quarter Cask and learn to appreciate it; Islay malts are like the IPAs of Scotch - more off-putting for newbies, but more delightful to someone who has taken the time to learn to appreciate them.

As for blends, I'll be honest, I don't like them. My least favorite single malt is Glenfidditch 10 (or maybe 12, their lowest-tier stuff) and I would still take it over Johnny Walker Blue or Chivas Royal Salute any day.

Seriously? I would not call someone who does not 'learn to appreciate' Islay and someone who dose not 'learn to appreciate' IPA's a newby. Developing taste is more complex and individualistic than that.

 

[Pelikan]

You know it's funny, the person who bought this for me said the Macallan Oak was their second choice. Quarter Cask will most certainly be on my short list once funds start flowing into the black again.

As for rye I actually saw the Father's Hat last time I went to the liquor store but for $40 I dunno...

 

[pdietert]

Hey there, I'm in the Philadelphia area of Pennsylvania.

Bank Note seems a great choice but I'm only seeing it at BevMo and the like so it'll have to wait until I get back out west.

Up until the recent past I always had a bottle of Remy Martin 1738 in the cupboard, which reminds me quite a bit of Glenlivet. I was expecting the scotch to be much more in your face but its a nice drink. Cheaper than 1738 at any rate.

Balvine 10 or 12 (if you can get them for cheap. Also Abelour 12. They may be a bit over 30 but well worth it. Also Willett is a really good KY bourbon. If you can get 'em, there are some good Texas bourbons: Rebecca Creek is really good and TX bourbon is good and cheap.

 

[pdietert]

If you want to try some of the Texas craft bourbons and can not get them, let me know, we can do some horse trading for some of the PA or LA craft brews that I can not get down here.

 

[FatDragon]

Seriously? I would not call someone who does not 'learn to appreciate' Islay and someone who dose not 'learn to appreciate' IPA's a newby. Developing taste is more complex and individualistic than that.

Newbie might have been a poor choice of words - I didn't mean to imply that one who doesn't appreciate those styles is a newbie, but that one who is new to those styles often doesn't appreciate them, and certainly not everybody will gain an appreciation for them.

My Islay malt experience is actually pretty strange - the first few I had, from a few different bottles, all tasted salty to me and I really didn't like them. I bought a bottle of Laphroaig Quarter Cask determined to like the peat-smokey flavor of Islay anyway, and the first few drams tasted as salty and nasty as anything I'd had up to that point. I forgot about the bottle for about a year, and the next time I poured from it, it was the second-best whiskey I had ever tasted, and that persisted until it was empty another year or so later. Since I haven't gotten another bottle since (too much on the shelf, and with a recent entry into homebrewing it doesn't move off the shelf very fast), I'm not sure if I was really appreciating the Islay experience or if the distinctly Islay flavors aged out and I was just appreciating a whiskey that had mellowed in the bottle.

Balvine 10 or 12 (if you can get them for cheap. Also Abelour 12. They may be a bit over 30 but well worth it. Also Willett is a really good KY bourbon. If you can get 'em, there are some good Texas bourbons: Rebecca Creek is really good and TX bourbon is good and cheap.

I've had Balvenie 12 year DoubleWood and thought it was just alright. If you're building up a shelf of entry-level scotches, it's a nice entry to put in beside your basic 10-12 year Glenlivets, Macallans, and Glenmorangies, but it didn't really stand out. I've had two bottles of the Aberlour 12 and the first one was definitely a cut above those, while the second didn't impress as much.

And speaking of Glenmorangie, they've got a nice line of three whiskies finished on different casks - the Lasanta, the Quinta Ruban, and the Nectar D'Or - I've had the Lasanta with a friend and it was good, I treasured my bottle of the Quinta Ruban and consider it a great whiskey for the price, and my girlfriend loves the bottle of Nectar D'Or (definitely the lightest of the three in taste and color) that she's been nursing for a couple years.

 

[HomeBrewForum]

If you want to become awesome, you'll get a bottle of Laphroaig Quarter Cask and learn to appreciate it; Islay malts are like the IPAs of Scotch - more off-putting for newbies, but more delightful to someone who has taken the time to learn to appreciate them.

I agree with you on that one isaly's take a while to get used to but are divine. Talisker from Isle of Skye is another nice malt in the vein of Islays.

Lagavulin is my favourite malt by far. Laphroaig is also a favourite though I prefer the normal bottle, the quarter cask is aged for less time.

Many of our decent blended malts also include some Islay in them Johnny walker being one I think. My other favourite blend is Black Bottle that does have quite a hit of Islay.

Finally if you want to try something completely different and unlike any other malt in the world try Penderyn a welsh Single malt. It is complex sweet like toffe but completely unlike any Scottish malt Whisky.

 

[FatDragon]

I agree with you on that one isaly's take a while to get used to but are divine. Talisker from Isle of Skye is another nice malt in the vein of Islays.

Lagavulin is my favourite malt by far. Laphroaig is also a favourite though I prefer the normal bottle, the quarter cask is aged for less time.

Many of our decent blended malts also include some Islay in them Johnny walker being one I think. My other favourite blend is Black Bottle that does have quite a hit of Islay.

Finally if you want to try something completely different and unlike any other malt in the world try Penderyn a welsh Single malt. It is complex sweet like toffe but completely unlike any Scottish malt Whisky.

Talisker sounded really good from everything I'd read about it, but I didn't really taste anything special in the bottle of Talisker 10 I finished a few months ago.

I've always wanted to try Lagavulin, but I've actually never even seen a bottle - living in China, the only quality whiskey I tend to see is when I fly internationally and poke through the duty-free shops, and I have yet to find one that had Lagavulin.

The Penderyn sounds really interesting, I wonder if I'll be able to track that one down, if I ever need to refresh the whiskey shelf, that is...

 

[HomeBrewForum]

Have a look here at the Penderyn

 

[pointcity-homebrew]

My Father-in-law drinks 100 Pipers as his everyday scotch. He has a few bottles of 80 year old that he brings out on occasion. I am not sure what they are as I am not a scotch drinker, but do know that they were brought over from the UK.

 

[HomeBrewForum]

It is a blend though I have never had it.

 

[neilpcraven]

Black bottle WAS the best value drinkable whisky out there IMO
Sadly they changed the recipe last year.

If you dig around regional liquor stores you might find a dusty bottle hidden somewhere (it's not super famous or popular). You want the one with the bulge in the neck, not the straight sided one. (compare the two on this page http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/B-304-Black_Bottle.aspx)

 

[masonsjax]

Dimple Pinch is about the only blended scotch worth pursuing. I'm a huge fan of Oban, Laphroaig (not the 10), and Aberlour (All are good but A'bunadh is awesome!), depending on what I'm in the mood for. Those may be out of the price range a bit though.

For Irish whiskey, Red Breast is nice. Blantons is my favorite production bourbon, but on the cheap I like Elijah Craig.

 

[amcclai7]

Glenmorangie 10 is a very nice approachable single malt that runs around $30

I like all of the Laphroaig Products. The Triple wood and the Quarter Cask are fantastic values at around $50-60

The $20 ones McClellan, etc are casks of single malt that the company buys from large distilleries and then bottles. I have had some that were great and some that were undrinkable. I got a highland version one time that was worth every bit of $60. I got an Islay version once that smelled and tasted of rotted fish. Might be worth a chance but I would go for one of the others if it was me.

 

[roastquake]

http://www.mcclellands.co.uk/mcclellands-islay/

I picked this up from my local ABC, I want to say it was under $35. Not the greatest but I really enjoy it. McClellands also has whisky from all the other regions in Scotland as well.

Black Grouse is a mainstay in my cabinet, again, not the best but I'm not picky and it works for when I just want a little peat flavor, and the occasion doesn't call for single malt.

 

[roastquake]

I got an Islay version once that smelled and tasted of rotted fish. Might be worth a chance but I would go for one of the others if it was me.

Haha, it is a bit oceanic

 

[Pelikan]

http://www.mcclellands.co.uk/mcclellands-islay/

I picked this up from my local ABC, I want to say it was under $35. Not the greatest but I really enjoy it. McClellands also has whisky from all the other regions in Scotland as well.

Black Grouse is a mainstay in my cabinet, again, not the best but I'm not picky and it works for when I just want a little peat flavor, and the occasion doesn't call for single malt.

Im leaning toward black grouse given the limitations in this neck of the woods. Pennsylvania really needs to get rid of state controlled alcohol.

Either way Ill be back to the land of bevmos and dispensaries soon enough so no worries.

 

[HomeBrewForum]

Haha, it is a bit oceanic

Most people say it is like TCP but that is because of the tannins in the water used.

 

[neilpcraven]

For an inexpensive malt there's also Ledaig (pronounced led-chig). It's a relatively young whisky that comes from Tobermory distillery on Mull. Not sure of the availability in US though.

 

[AleForce1]

Dimple Pinch is about the only blended scotch worth pursuing. I'm a huge fan of Oban, Laphroaig (not the 10), and Aberlour (All are good but A'bunadh is awesome!), depending on what I'm in the mood for. Those may be out of the price range a bit though.

For Irish whiskey, Red Breast is nice. Blantons is my favorite production bourbon, but on the cheap I like Elijah Craig.

Took a chance on a bottle of Aberlour (not inexpensive), and fell in love... Definitely A'bunadh is awesome!

 

[amcclai7]

+1 to the A'bunadh

 

[Pelikan]

I went to see UNDER THE SKIN in NYC this past weekend as they're not screening it in Philly. Stopped in a liquor store around the block and bought a bottle of Bank Note for $18.

You know, it's not bad. But having started with Glenlivet I think this'll be my last bottle...

...Glen goes for about $35 which won't kill me if I buy a bottle every other week or so. Thank God women aren't like Scotch; if I had a single malt taste in that arena I'd be dead by now.

 

[Johnnyhitch1]

Laphroaig quarter cask ALL DAY

 

[jcoxen]

If you can get it, look for Macallan Select Oak. The bottle I picked up was only a little bit more than a Glenlivet 12 (I know you're trying to move down, not up), but it's way better than those entry-level single malts. If you want to become awesome, you'll get a bottle of Laphroaig Quarter Cask and learn to appreciate it; Islay malts are like the IPAs of Scotch - more off-putting for newbies, but more delightful to someone who has taken the time to learn to appreciate them.

As for blends, I'll be honest, I don't like them. My least favorite single malt is Glenfidditch 10 (or maybe 12, their lowest-tier stuff) and I would still take it over Johnny Walker Blue or Chivas Royal Salute any day.

Have you tried Glenfiddich 15? I had an opportunity to try the 12, 15 and 18 side-by-side and the difference between the 12 and 15 was significant. 15 year is much smoother, more vanilla notes...just all around more enjoyable. It's become my go-to Scotch...much better than the 12 but not a lot more $$$.

There's a big difference between the 15 and 18 as well but that's another big step up in price.

 

[MaxStout]

Balvenie Doublewood 12, $35 at Total Wine.

 

[rmyurick]

I'd say the difference between blended and SM scotch is huge. Blends have neutral grain alcohol added, which don't add anything in terms of flavor. If you like smoky, peaty flavor, then Islay scotch is the ticket. Laphroaig or my favorite, Ardbeg. The ten-year Ardbeg runs around $50.

 

[masonsjax]

Ooh yeah I almost forgot about Ardbeg. I bought a bottle on a whim last year and was quite happy with it.

 

[HomeBrewForum]

If you like the islays then you would enjoy talisker as well. Also Jura and highland park (orkney) aren't bad either.

 

[Riot]

So Im looking at a promotion/raise etc, want to start buying a decent bottle every couple months and starting a collection. Looking for advice on where to start, move towards and such. Want bottles under $100 at least to start, keep in mind I live in Canada, ie laphroaig quarter cask is 70, balvenie 12 is 85, and glenlivet 12 is about 60, just as a comparison. I have only really tried glenlivet 12, laphroaig quarter, glendronach and Johnnie black. Any advice is appreciated, I understand that I am more than a little bit green.

 

[masonsjax]

A good collection would start with one good representative from each major region.

 

[RachmaelBenApplebaum]

Ballantines, handles.

 

[hunter_le five]

In college, my brother and I drank a lot of Teacher's. I don't know if it's "good" by your definition, but it was cheap, and pretty good on the rocks.

I also tend to like Speyburn (I forget which one). ~$20 for a single malt here, not super refined, but tasty enough to drink neat. I've put away quite a few of those as my nightly nightcap in the past.

Haven't drank scotch for a while though, been more into Irish and bourbon lately.


Sent from my iPad using Home Brew