Whisky Forum - Looking for less expensive every day scotch

Lord_Calvert · Member Joined: 15 Jun 2012 Posts: 5

Good Day,

I am a bit of a new scotch drinker, I have been exploring the world of scotch for about a year now. So far I have found I really like a lot of the Islay scotches but I drink at least a glass every night and am looking for suggestions for less expensive decent drams.

I am open to other regions I just haven't tried very many yet. I tend to like the peat/smoke flavors a lot which is why I have stuck to the Islay malts.

For reference what I have liked so far
Bowmore 18
Battlehill Bowmore 28
Lagavulin 16
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Ardberg 10
Bunnahabhain 12
Laphroaig 10
Balvenie 15
Clynelish 14
Talisker 10

Most of these range from 50 US Dollars (32 GBP) and up. I am looking for something that would be between 20 - 30/750 ML (approx. 12 - 20 GBP) bottle but still a decent drink to enjoy.

I appreciate any suggestions.

Thank you in advance.

Lord_Calvert · Member Joined: 15 Jun 2012 Posts: 5

If you would like to see what's available at my liquor store you can view this website.

http://www.beltwayfinewine.com/eng/categories/spirits/scotch][/url]

Quaich1

Lord_Calvert · Member Joined: 15 Jun 2012 Posts: 5

Big Mac · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2012 1:59 am Post subject:

You will have a very slim choice of single malts in the $20 - $30 price range.

I see your store has an independent vatted malt bottling named Island of Geese 10 year old Islay malt listed for Â£32.99, i have tried this and it was ok, it is a blend of whisky from 3 Islay distilleries i thought it was possibly Caol ila, Lagavulin and Bunnahabhain in the bottle, great for this price.

The McClelland's Islay 1.75L bottle for $35.99 and i think you could safely say it will be young Bowmore whisky in the bottle as the McClelland's brand is owned by Morrison Bowmore Distillers.

Bowmore Legend at $29.99

Away from the smoky whisky both Glenmorangie original and Old Pulteney 12 dont cost too much over your $30 budget and 2 excellent whiskies.

Cheers, Mac

Quaich1 · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2012 11:04 am Post subject:

bifter · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:39 pm Post subject:

I know this is a malt whisky forum but have you tried exploring blends? Even entry level malt costs a lot more than blends and grain whiskies as the production costs are high and the scale is small. However good blends and grains can often rival malt whiskies in quality so, if you want to be frugal, it doesn't pay to be snobbish (not that I'm saying you are).

Another way to make your money go further is to drink blends or cheap malts with mixers such as green ginger wine (1:1 or 2:1) to make a Whisky Mac or Drambuie/Glayva (1:1), making a Rusty Nail. Green ginger wine is about Â£4 a bottle here.
_________________
"Whisky is liquid sunshine."
[George Bernard Shaw]

Lord_Calvert · Member Joined: 15 Jun 2012 Posts: 5

Lord_Calvert · Member Joined: 15 Jun 2012 Posts: 5

minesascotch · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2012 7:05 pm Post subject:

If you would like an easy drinking blended whisky, for me it's Johnnie Walker Black Lable and BNJ, when I was introduced to BNJ I was surprised, I expected less, due to price and the Black Label is an old family favourite, (Father, Grandfather & Great Grandfather all drank it)

bifter · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2012 7:19 pm Post subject:

Yes, I was going to recommend BNJ and also Teacher's. Both are high in malt content, 60% and 45% respectively. BNJ is owned by Glenmorangie and I believe that is present in the blend. Teachers own the Ardmore distillery and that is the dominant malt in Teacher's Highland Cream. I believe Teacher's is also sold at 43% abv in the US (40% in UK).
_________________
"Whisky is liquid sunshine."
[George Bernard Shaw]

Quaich1 · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2012 8:52 pm Post subject:

nitram · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2012 9:27 pm Post subject:

If you are looking for an everyday priced blend with a touch of Islay try both Black Bottle and Grouse Black Label

For my money the Black Bottle has to be close to the best value whisky you can buy, and the Grouse black label is (much) cheaper than and, to my taste, better that the JW black label

(JW Red and Black labels give me a sore head..but the green is sublime!)

bifter · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2012 10:12 am Post subject:

I just posted a review of BNJ in the Blended Whisky section:

http://www.scotchmaltwhisky.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=15859#15859

Not sure how available it is state-side though.

Looking at that link you posted $33 for 1.75l of Teacher's is a great price compared with the UK though you may wish to sample before buying so much:

http://www.beltwayfinewine.com/eng/product/teachers-highland/3725175
_________________
"Whisky is liquid sunshine."
[George Bernard Shaw]

DavidUK · Double Malt Member Joined: 20 Mar 2010 Posts: 174

I don't think you'll find much single malt for that sort of price range.

In Britain the cheapest non-Islay single malts would be Glenfiddich 12 Glenlivet 12, Glen Moray Classic, all of which are decent drams which the supermarkets often have on special offer. You might have to raise you price threshold by $20. Good malts are a reasonable price would include Old Pulteney 12, Bunnahabhain 12, Bruichladdich 10. I know the latter two are Islay but they are practically unpeated so radically different from the Laphroiags, Lagavulins etc