Getting started again

[JJTrav]

Hi All,

I haven't really drank much in the way of whisky for the past 5 years or so, but I'm looking to get started again. Currently residing in a country where brandy and wine are the main drinks, so likely limited to duty free.

So, first things. What happened to the price of whisky??? Even relatively young offerings are expensive now.

Second. I used to like Glenfiddich 15, HP 12 and Glen Moray 12. What is a good "starter pack" to get going again with? Will likely look to buy 5 and see where it takes me.

[WinBase]

The price of whisky increases by ridiculous percentages month on month, and from what i can tell its mainly sheer greed because its 'In' ATM with a growing market, but i sincerely hope some of them seriously get burned when people have had enough of being ripped off, and move on (and im a real whisky lover). As far as reasonably priced entry level scotch goes, theres the ever popular glenfiddich 12, Glenmorangie 10, Ardbeg 10, Aberlour, balvennie, glendronach 12, the list goes on, all palatable drams and reasonable value for your dollar, and currently because its fathers day next sunday a lot of supermarkets are doing good deals (i bought a glenmorangie today for £25 from ASDA), however as that probably doesnt apply to you living overseas, maybe check some companies who deliver abroad as even with the increased postage it may work out better. I know Master of malt deliver abroad, & i used to spend heaps with them, but they too seem to have increased prices way above inflation every week but their site has great reviews, so i buy elsewhere now and shop around more, as i usaually spend £70-£100 a bottle these days. GL with your experimenting.

Bob

[Kray]

Welcome to the forum. Malt whisky prices have risen enormously and continue to. The Glenfiddich 15 and Highland Park 12 in comparison to other malts of the same age are still relatively good value for money in terms of the quality you get for your money, unfortunately if you are limited to the selection in duty free you wont find these whiskies in airport shops now, Glenfiddich and Highland Park now have their own travel retail exclusive ranges and they are all mostly no age statement expressions and not that cheap either.

There are some good duty free whiskies to be had such as Highland Park Einar, Glen Grant 12, the 1 litre bottles are good value such as Ardbeg 10, Talisker Dark Storm, Glenmorangie 10,

[TheWM]

Aultmore 12 has really surprised me this year with its complexity and price point and is also available at duty free.

Talisker 10, HP12, Ardbeg 10, glen moray Chardonnay, glenfarclas 105, aberlour 16, aberfeldy 12, laphroaig QC, Balblair numbers (look for indy bottlings from G&M especially), ancnoc 12 are some bottlings that represent excellent value for money even at their RRPs but many are often on offer.

Having been sampling brandy (Jerez) recently, that's not a bad spirit to be drinking if the whisky market gets a bit too toppy.

[JJTrav]