The Bonus is IN!

[Turk10mm]

So I wait patiently for a very important post, one that I've been interested since before I ever even signed on with a username.

EDIT to make this post at least useful in some way..

What super premium, available, spirit would you suggest for an aspiring Whiskey connaisseur. Something in the $200 to $300 range. To be drank very sparingly, and enjoyed at only the most important times in my life.

I've never purchased a bottle in this price range before.

 

[tone-ny]

Few cases of Boone's Farm.





All kidding aside read some of the threads that AVB has posted over the years. They are very informative and you'll get a sense of the various tastings and dollar ranges. If all else fails PM the guy and he'll help you out.

 

[rbbrock]

That depends greatly on what you like. Seeing as you're looking for whiskey, do you want bourbon or Irish? Or do you mean whisky, i.e. Canadian or scotch? If it's bourbon or scotch, check AVB's pinned review thread. There are some good review sites on the web as well. Malt Madness is probably my favorite, but there are spirit reviews at Wine Enthusiast, and Whisky Magazine has some as well.

 

[Turk10mm]

That depends greatly on what you like. Seeing as you're looking for whiskey, do you want bourbon or Irish? Or do you mean whisky, i.e. Canadian or scotch? If it's bourbon or scotch, check AVB's pinned review thread. There are some good review sites on the web as well. Malt Madness is probably my favorite, but there are spirit reviews at Wine Enthusiast, and Whisky Magazine has some as well.

sorry, i'm used to bourbon, and Whiskey.. Excuse my mispelling of Whisky..

Well, there's a lot to choose from. I've read most of AVB's reviews. I wouldn't even know where to start.

 

[rbbrock]

I've never purchased a bottle that expensive before either, so I would just have to start with what I know I like and then read some reviews to help me decide. If it were me, I'd probably buy Laphroaig 30 as that's my favorite distillery. Highland Park 25 looks like it's also in that price range, and I think pretty much everyone likes HP. Any more than this and I'll be wholly into guessing, instead of just mostly. :laugh: Pick your favorite brand, check some reviews to make sure the aged version is decent, and try to find one, would be my advice. Anything other than that is probably a crap shoot.

 

[NorCalCigarLover]

I've never purchased a bottle that expensive before either, so I would just have to start with what I know I like and then read some reviews to help me decide. If it were me, I'd probably buy Laphroaig 30 as that's my favorite distillery. Highland Park 25 looks like it's also in that price range, and I think pretty much everyone likes HP. Any more than this and I'll be wholly into guessing, instead of just mostly. :laugh: Pick your favorite brand, check some reviews to make sure the aged version is decent, and try to find one, would be my advice. Anything other than that is probably a crap shoot.

That's what I started to do as well but it wasn't working for me so I went to a tasting event to get a better understanding of my Scotch palate. For example, the Highland Park 18 yo I really liked a lot while the 25 yo wasn't as pleasing to my palate. Now the Highland Park 30 yo was outstanding!. In the Balvenie line, the 12 yo Double Wood and the 21 yo Port Wood were my favorites after tasting through the entire lineup.

It's very interesting waht you can learn about your palate at an event like this.

 

[sigar_zealot]

That's what I started to do as well but it wasn't working for me so I went to a tasting event to get a better understanding of my Scotch palate. For example, the Highland Park 18 yo I really liked a lot while the 25 yo wasn't as pleasing to my palate. Now the Highland Park 30 yo was outstanding!. In the Balvenie line, the 12 yo Double Wood and the 21 yo Port Wood were my favorites after tasting through the entire lineup.

It's very interesting what you can learn about your palate at an event like this.

Funny how many times now I have read someone say they liked HP 18 better than HP 25. I was hot to trot to buy a bottle of the HP 25. I even went so far as to pm AVB a couple of times to get his opinion. After reading what he said I backed off hoping to find some in a bar/restaurant before spending the money. I found some yesterday so naturally I bought a glass. I'm glad I listened to AVB, really glad. Don't get me wrong it wasn't bad, but for $240.00 I could buy 3 bottles of the 18, which is superior IMHO.

I would love to hear your opinion on Balvenie 25.

 

[khari]

I second the vote for Laphroaig 30. It's an excellent scotch, and it's pretty difficult to find at this point. This makes it truly a special occasion spirit, IMO. Another to consider is Macallan 25. Some say it's overpriced, but few can say they dislike it.

 

[AVB]

I reviewed it in case you missed it.

I would love to hear your opinion on Balvenie 25.

 

[AVB]

It is at the point where most say it is over priced. The 18 is 98% of the 25 and one third the price and would be my recommendation for a Macallan.

I second the vote for Laphroaig 30. It's an excellent scotch, and it's pretty difficult to find at this point. This makes it truly a special occasion spirit, IMO. Another to consider is Macallan 25. Some say it's overpriced, but few can say they dislike it.

 

[AVB]

I'd suggest that you have an idea of what you like before dropping 3 bills on something you don't really know about. If you already have an idea of what you like then post it so the members can base their recommendations on something instead of just winging it. Lots of good stuff out there but not everybody likes everything.

What super premium, available, spirit would you suggest for an aspiring Whiskey connaisseur. Something in the $200 to $300 range. To be drank very sparingly, and enjoyed at only the most important times in my life.

 

[rbbrock]

That's what I started to do as well but it wasn't working for me so I went to a tasting event to get a better understanding of my Scotch palate. For example, the Highland Park 18 yo I really liked a lot while the 25 yo wasn't as pleasing to my palate. Now the Highland Park 30 yo was outstanding!. In the Balvenie line, the 12 yo Double Wood and the 21 yo Port Wood were my favorites after tasting through the entire lineup.

It's very interesting waht you can learn about your palate at an event like this.

I'd suggest that you have an idea of what you like before dropping 3 bills on something you don't really know about. If you already have an idea of what you like then post it so the members can base their recommendations on something instead of just winging it. Lots of good stuff out there but not everybody likes everything.

This is great advice! I didn't think of the tasting because out here in the boonies there are no events like this. :laugh: I have to rely, for the most part, on online reviews to help me decide what to try and then order the bottles online as well. However, I always make it a point when I take a trip to find a bar with a good selection and try a few glasses of different scotch because, like AVB says, everybody's tastes are different.

 

[sigar_zealot]

I reviewed it in case you missed it.

I would love to hear your opinion on Balvenie 25.

Although I haven't commented on your review, I have read it at least 5 times. I'm trying to justify the cost of the 25 year over the 21 year, which as you know is about 1/2 as much and is pretty damn awesome. I'm not in a huge hurry and not that I don't value your opinion, but I would like to try one or two glasses before I buy an entire bottle. If that sounds a little harsh please accept my apology.

My scotch cash supply is running a bit low right now as I just won a bottle of Macallan 25 Fine Oak at auction. Needless to say, I'm a little excited!

 

[AVB]

None taken. The 25 is very different then the 21 since it is stored only in ex-bourbon casks. Best price in the US right now.