50th Birthday Bottle

[Jez Hellewell]

It my 50th birthday in July & I’m hoping to get a little money for presents. I’ve never spent over £50 on a malt, but am wondering whether I should go up to £100 to mark the occasion? My 2 favourite whiskies are Lagavulin 16 & Auchentoshan Three Wood. I could get both or risk the extra on something a bit more unique & special. What are people’s thoughts? We have an incredible whisky shop in Skipton, so I could lose myself, happily, in there for an hour or so! Open to any suggestions!

[BigShing]

I think in that price range Lagavulin 12 has to be an obvious suggestion given your fondness for the 16!

[Charlie]

I tend to look for something different and new to me when I treat myself. Have you tried any thing from Glendronach, their 12 15 and 18 are brilliant single malts IMO.

As a peaty option I do like to treat myself to something from Kilchoman or the Ledaig 10 and 18 are brilliant whiskies.

[lincoln imp]

Hi Jez, if you like Toshan, i have had 2 bottles of this one

https://www.oldandrarewhisky.co.uk/products/auchentoshan-21-year-old-vintage

ignore this price but you can pick them up at auction for sometimes around the £100-£110 plus fees, it is worthy of consideration.
_________________
Pour me a glass please.

[Jez Hellewell]

Thanks for the replies. I’ll look in to all of those. Tried kilchoman Machir Bay & Ledaig which were both fantastic. Lagavulin 12 sounds interesting as does Gelndronach. Opens up a whole new, unexplored, market when you up your budget!

[Scotchnthings]

There is definitely something to celebrate there. Make it special I can also recommend caol ila 18 or talisker 18, I openend a nice bottle of caol ila when my daughter was born and dont regret spending the extra, special occasions require special bottles (moments) .

[BigShing]

Lagavulin 12 imo is definitely a step up from the 16 and 8yr, so if you want a safe, familiar option (although the 12 is definitely a different taste experience than the 16, but in the same family for sure) then that's there for you.

If you're thinking around £50ish then Ardbeg Uigeadail is a whisky I'm always pimping out on here because it's one of my absolute faves and Cask Strength Sherry Ardbeg just works and gives you something different to Laga but in that same rich & peaty ballpark.

Springbank 12 Cask Strength is one of the best bangs for your buck whiskies at around £55 when it is released, but I don't know when the next bottle will land.

Glenfarclas 15: One of the best sherry cask whiskies on the market and IMO the jewel in the Glenfarclas crown in terms of bang for your buck.

Kilchoman Machir Bay Cask Strength: If you liked the regular Machir Bay then perhaps this is worth a crack? Not tried it myself but it's around £50-£55 if you can find a bottle.

Bruichladdich I would definitely recommend the Classic Laddie or the Port Charlotte, maybe even the Octomore for something that's peaty but definitely unique, if you can find a bottling for £100.

Have a look at Kilkerran as well, their 12yr, 8yr Cask Strength, and Heavily Peated are each lovely whiskies for the money, but again some of these might not be on the market in time for your birthday.

Glen Scotia whisky is lovely (I love Capmpbeltown malts and they offer something distinctly unique to the other regions imo) so something like the 15yr or their Victoriana are definitely worth consideration.

[Latic]

Some great recommends here.

I'd add Port Charlotte 10yo as a shout, well less than 100 quid however!

Happy exploring and many happy returns.

[Jez Hellewell]

Many thanks for such detailed replies, greatly appreciated. I’m going to print them all out & pop down to Wright Wine, in Skipton (worth a Google btw, they haveAn impressive selection), nearer the time & see which are available. They often have.quite a few opened bottles & let you sample too!
Thanks again.

[Jez Hellewell]

Just saw Glenfiddich 18 in Morrison’s for £59. Seemed a decent price, although I haven’t tried it. But think that would be a good celebration dram!

[Timp]

[Jez Hellewell]

[millsey101]

Just had a look at Wight wines Jez and your right, they have a great selection on their web site. Prices seem reasonable also. Wish I had a shop like that on my doorstep!

They deliver... for a tenner... have used, excellent.

[Peloquin]

Another great one would be Victoriana green Glen Scotia. It's a NAS but it's fantastic.

[Jez Hellewell]