OK, Scotch drinkers - I can’t stand the stuff, but my husband adores it. I’m thinking about buying him a bottle of 25yo for our upcoming 25th anniversary. Prices seems to run at least $300 - is it really that good? There’s a bottle of Macallan listed on the Virginia ABC price list for $1100!!! What do you think of this gift idea, and can anyone recommend a brand on the lower end of the price spectrum (not the Macallan 
)?
Anything but Macallan, it seems to be sold mainly on price and as a dubious ‘investment’ (greater fool theory when it is time to sell it).
My biggest Scotch purchase for my dh has been Glenfiddich. Depending on the age, it is less than $100. I think 18 year old bottles are around $120. I just know to get single malt.
You should take into consideration what he likes to drink now and its flavor profile. Scotch varies greatly in tastes. Some do not like the big bold smoke and peat. Some could not do without those favors.
What @2015pop said. The link below was interesting – might be helpful.
http://whiskyadvocate.com/buying-guide/
Another idea, depending on where you live, would be to arrange a scotch flight of the very best they’ve got at a local restaurant or bar. That way your DH could sample some things he has not tried, and you could purchase a bottle of his favorite.
There is age listed but Johnnie Walker Blue label is pretty good scotch for $300 or so from Costco.
Both Glenlivet and Glenfiddich 25 (single malts) are also within that price range in some places.
If he likes blends - like Dewars, etc. - then you should get him a lowland single malt because they aren’t as peaty or harsh. My attitude is that anything that old is for sipping, not mixing, and any will be good so it’s really the thought that counts.
I got DH a bottle of Glenlivet XXV for our 25th anniversary this year. I would highly recommend it if your DH likes the Speyside flavor profile.
When DH’s office partner passed away, his wife told DH to help himself to the liquor he kept there.
I have two unopened bottles of single malt scotch:
One is distilled at the Balvenie distillery in Scotland. It says it was in the barrel in 1988 and bottled “by hand” in 2003.
The other is Glenmorangie single “rare malt Scotch Whiskey” aged 15 years.
I don’t know Scotch from Adam. Could someone compare these to a wine? Is it comparable to a 15 dollar bottle of Rodney Strong, or more along the lines of a Silver Oak? If I gave as gifts, does it seem cheap or maybe a little too extravagant?
Thanks for helping out a clueless one.
Glenmorangie 15 years sounds about 100-150 range unless it was 15 years and been sitting around for a while.
1988 scotch might be worth some real money although it sounds like it was bottled around 15 years.
Both are very, very good Scotches. DH would love to receive either bottle as a gift. If you don’t drink them yourself, they would make an excellent gift. Just make sure you give them to someone who would truly appreciate them.
^^Thank you. I don’t drink scotch, and DH rarely does, which is why they are still in the liquor cabinet (in some lovely containers rather than just the bottle).
Thanks.
I’ve been researching all morning. I’m thinking of Midleton Very Rare (yes I know it’s Irish, not Scotch) OR HIghland Park 25, along with a set of vintage Dorothy Thorpe/“Mad Men” silver rimmed tumblers. The Highland Park is considerably more expensive.
I have no idea what his favorite is. Most of the whiskies in the cabinet were gifts, and certainly not of this caliber.
Any thoughts? I’m still open to all suggestions, as who knows what I’ll find at the local ABC store. No buying whisky at the Costco in Virginia (and there’s not one in my town anyway).
Mama duck, I’m pretty sure that interesteddad is a scotch fan. If you are patient I am sure he will pop over here and give an opinion. Idad is a good source
Mama duck, my husband occasionally enjoys a single malt scotch after dinner. I think any of the scotches suggested above would make a lovely gift. I also wanted to mention that for Christmas I gave my husband a glass made by Reidel specifically for drinking single malt scotches. He said it really enhanced the entire taste experience for him. You might consider adding one of those glasses to your gift. Just a thought.