Whisky Forum - Best 30 year old whisky???

soupisgood · New Member Joined: 07 Mar 2011 Posts: 3

As an absolute beginner to whisky, I was hoping someone could give me some advice!

I'd like to gift my boyfriend a 30 year old bottle for his 30th birthday. All I know about his tastes is that he likes blended whiskies (especially Johnnie Walker Blue and the Johnnie Walker King George edition), but I know he's been wanting a nice bottle of single malt whisky. I'm a little wary of asking him about his preferences in more detail, as I'd like this to be a surprise.

I've been looking into the Macallan and Laphroaig 30, but does anyone have any other suggestions, especially given his tastes in blended whiskies? I've read some reviews online claiming that the Macallan 30 is (arguably) not quite as good as the 25.

Thank you in advance!

Alastair · Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 11:58 pm Post subject:

What is the best 30 year old will be down to personal taste but there is quite a good selection of very good 30 year old single malt whiskies available.

All of these are excellent IMO
Glenfiddich 30 year old
Brora 30 year old
Talisker 30 year old
Balvenie 30 year old
Laphroaig 30 year old
Highland Park 30 year old

All the above are truely excellent but if you are not sure what he will like then i would recommend Balvenie 30, Highland Park 30 or the Glenfiddich 30

On the other hand the Talisker, Brora and Laphroaig are all superb also.

Big Mac · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 12:06 am Post subject:

I can highly recommend the Highland Park 30 and the Balvenie 30.

Samson · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 3:10 am Post subject:

The Laphroaig 30 is probably by far the best whisky to have come out of the Laphroaig distillery. The the Highland Park 30 and the Balvenie 30 Mac mentions are both excellent also.

soupisgood · New Member Joined: 07 Mar 2011 Posts: 3

Thank you for the responses! I'll certainly look into them, especially the Highlander Park and Balvenie.

I'm also considering getting a 18 y/o and a 12 y/o or two 15 y/o's instead of a 30... any suggestions?

Grant M · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 4:38 pm Post subject:

I agree the Highland Park 30 and the Balvenie 30 are both excellent.
There are many good 18, 15 and 12 year olds

Highland Park 18
Talisker 18

Glenfiddich 15 Solera Reserve
Balvenie 15 Single Barrel
Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Year Old
Glenfarclas 15

There are loads of decent 12 year olds such as Highland Park, Aberfeldy, Balvenie Doublewood, Macallan, Craganmore, Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 12 year old, Lagavulin and many more.

Blackadder · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 11:34 pm Post subject:

If you are going to get an 18 year old the 2 Grant mentioned are hard to beat.

Samson · Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 2:30 am Post subject:

soupisgood · New Member Joined: 07 Mar 2011 Posts: 3

Thanks so much! I think I'll go with the HP 18 and Balvenie 12 DoubleWood.