Does anyone have a recommendation for a reasonably priced scotch that would be good to keep in the house ? We are wine and bourbon drinkers so don’t have a good feel for what is a good reasonably priced scotch to keep in the house. I had a bottle of Glenlivet or glenfiddich it in the house, but it seems to have sprouted legs and it was gone when I went to offer someone a drink. By reasonably priced I mean anywhere from 60 to 80 or 90 is OK. I could pick up a McAllen at Costco but wondered if there were other suggestions. Thanks in advance. One of our friends likes monkey shoulder I think and something else that begins with a B I’ll have to look up the name.
It’s balvenie.
Of course if there is a better hidden gem for a bottle in the $30s or $40s that’s great too.
I don’t drink scotch. But H does, and he’s found that nobody ever refuses Kirkland (yes, Costco’s house brand). I don’t know who makes it but given Costco’s business model, it’s probably someone well known if not the highest end distillery.
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My husband loves this question - not sure if hidden gems but here goes:
Under $50 - Glenfiddich 12 year old, Glenlivet 14 year old and Aberlour 12 year old.
$75 range: Talisker 10 year old, Macallan 12 year old double cask, Auchentoshan 12 year old - all single malt.
He would add to this list if you were looking for an impressive gift for a Scotch lover - but I asked him if you had 1 bottle in your cabinet - provide a few ideas.
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Another vote for Talisker. Their “Storm” is also great.
My H likes Ardbeg An Oa.
I’m a Lagavulin girl. They have an 8 year old version that would fit in your budget.
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paging @NiceUnparticularMan - somehow I imagine he will have a great list 
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I don’t drink, but my husband is a big fan of Laphroaig single malt scotch (the 10 year is around $45-50.) It’s known for it’s peaty, smoky flavor, which my husband really likes but may not be to everyone’s taste. He also likes Lagavulin and Talisker.
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DH agrees with Macallan and Glenfiddich but would also recommend The Classic Laddie (Bruichladdich, Islay) as a reasonably-priced scotch.
Calling @Catcherinthetoast.
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Another vote for Glenfiddich. A taste like no other.
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This is what my Scottish relatives bring when they visit - they consider it the best -The Balvenie Doublewood 12
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Thanks everyone. This friend also talked about the different Maclarens they sell at Costco. Am now curious what the Costco brand is!
If you are stocking for a particular person, it’s helpful to know their general flavor profile preference since whisky varies tremendously. We like our whisky smokey and tend towards the Islay whiskies. H likes a bit lighter and I like them richer.
If your friend is a Macallan fan, the Balvenie would be a great choice as they have similar profiles and both come from Speyside.
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If you want something novel, I was introduced to Kavalan during my time in Asia. It is a scotch distilled in Taiwan and has won numerous international awards.
Bourbon is my preference. I don’t have any scotch knowledge. Sorry.
FYI not sure if I am flattered or insulted to be called out on a booze thread😀. I guess I am in denial.
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Anyone heard of this? Just wondered
We serve wine or bourbon 99% of the time. So obviously I didn’t even notice that the scotch was gone. This one particular friend like Scotch and he’s the one that mentioned that particular one (Balvenie) and also mentioned Macallan Sherry flavored.
The island malts are interesting and all have a story behind them. Laphroaig is also a favorite of mine, but a friend told me one time that he thought he was drinking mud, so maybe not the one bottle to have. In addition to Talisker, Bowmore and Highland Park are nice, with a little peatiness but not overpoweringly so.
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Johnnie Walker Black. A blend. Not hidden. Not a gem, but does the trick. Otherwise, I second The Glenlivet
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two answers here, and one is a Rye lol
Lagavulin is the choice for scotch, South Islay in origin and certainly an acquired taste. Legend has it that when Richard Burton went on the wagon he would have a Lagavulin every night just to smell it - probably not the best strategy for sobriety lol. Overwhelming peat, tastes like earth and charcoal - nothing like it on the planet.
Second choice is Whistlepig 10 year old Rye - sharper than bourbon or scotch, and heaven to sip. For the fancier set, makes an incredibly tasty Manhattan
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Do you know my DH? I thought for a minute he’d posted here.
We’re getting ready to leave for Maine tomorrow, and DH has moved most of his bar to the freezer for safekeeping. The WhistlePig’s in there somewhere.
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