£30 budget to buy a nice malt for the local pub?

[The pierced 1]

My local pub doesn't have any malts in at the moment and I have been badgering the landlord to get one in for Xmas. He has just given me £30 to get one for him as the brewery is very limited as to what they supply.

I want to get one that is for the masses not just me and I am most definately an Islay man so I thought I would ask you guys based on what the supermarkets have on offer at the moment.

I will be buying it after work tomorrow so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Many thanks,

Roy

[Alexppp]

Laphroaig? It's by far the most affordable out of the big Islay malts (around £20-£22, depending on the offer), and I've seen it in lots of pubs so it's definitely popular too. Glenmorangie 10 will be a popular choice as well - Tesco still have the 1 litre for £25 as far as I know, not sure how many are still available though.

[McKay]

I would say stay away from the the Islay malts as you want to encourage your landlord to add more malts in the future and if some try an Islay malt and dont like it then he may not add more to the bar.

I would suggest the Glenlivet 18 £28 - £30 at the moment in the big supermarkets or the Glenfiddich 18 again £30 in the big supermarkets, both great whiskies that will impress most drinkers who will feel they are getting a premium whisky given its age and once they taste it he should have no problem shifting it.

[The pierced 1]

Thanks Alex but I think the Laphroaig would be wasted on the local old men and the Glenmorangie 10 is a bit ordinary.

I know that Waitrose are doing the Aberlour A'bundha for less than £30 at the moment and Morrisons have the Bruichladdich Rocks for about £24 but I would still like other opinions as to what would be a good idea for a maltless pub.

Cheers,

Roy

[The pierced 1]

Thanks Mckay,

When I spoke to Denni (Landlord) earlier we decided that £2.50 a measure was a good price and based on that he gave me the budget of £30, I know that several of the supermarkets are doing both the Glenlivet 18 and the Glenfiddich 18 for £30 or less so they are in my shortlist.

Still welcoming other suggestions.

Roy

[McKay]

I would also suggest the Balvenie Signature 12 year old which is £23 - £25 at the moment or Dalwhinnie 15 again a good price at the moment.

[Big Mac]

Not sure of the price you can get it for but the Highland Park 12 year old has bit of everything in it and a great around malt or perhaps the Talisker 10

[The pierced 1]

Thanks to both Big Mac and Mckay as these are all malts that I have considered and this is definitely helping me with my decision

Regards,

Roy.

[5-12-1908]

I prefer the Glenfiddich 15 to the 18.

However, the supermarkets are falling over themselves at the minute with prices.

I managed to get some "Old Pultney" at £16 a bottle, Glenlivet 12 at £18 a bottle Sainsbury.
Arberlour was £16 in Asda.

Waitrose had some Arberlour A'bunadh batch 31 and the new boxed batch 32 for £25.


Seems that they really are trying to shift their stocks.

Happy hunting.

[Alexppp]

Yeah I see what you mean about Laphroaig - my suggestion was more because it's the only Islay malt I regularly see in bars and pubs. I agree you can't go wrong with either Glenfiddich or Glenlivet. They also have the added advantage that they're probably the two most recognisable brand names, so people will recognise them as quality products even if they're not single malt drinkers.

But I have to defend Glenmorangie 10 - I too thought it was 'a bit ordinary' at first because I was used to stronger flavours, but it won me over very quickly. It's absolutely delicious!

[The pierced 1]

I am not knocking the Glenmorangie 10 but I am hoping to get something that isn't always seen in the pubs which will make the old boys that do like a malt raise an eyebrow when they notice it.

Thanks to everyone for the input so far, I have had a good think about this and I will make my decision later when I get to the supermarket. I have gone off of the idea of the A'bunadh as I think it might be a little too much for the average pub drinker.

Still open to any more suggestions though so keep them coming.

Cheers,

Roy

[r900p]

If i'm not too late.

Have you considered something from Auchentoshan, don't believe it would insult anyones palate, the last one I had was the Three Wood and really enjoyed it, however its a tiny bit over the budget. I haven't tried the 12 but at £25 it may be worth a try.

Rob

[SkyeIslay]

For £30 or under, I believe the ideal choice is the Glenlivet 18. Whisky drinkers will recognise it as something special (and I've never seen it in any regular pub), and it won't offend any newcomers' palate like a Laphroaig or a Talisker might. As Alex said it has the added advantage of the Glenlivet brand being instantly recognisable even if you don't know a lot about whisky.

Of course, all of the above also applies to Glenfiddich 15 and 18! But I prefer the Glenlivet by a whisker.

[The pierced 1]

Hi Rob,

Actually that is one that I hadn't thought of although I haven't got the scope to go over budget on this one and I'm not sure that any of the large supermarkets have it in but if I am wrong then please do let me know.

Cheers,

Roy

[JAB]

Aberlour A'bunadh Speyside Single Malt Whisky £26.29 from waitrose