Originally Posted by
number_6
That is the allure of JW -- well priced and reliably good. Each increment in price does lead to more exclusivity and recognition of the cost. As for taste, there is a different flavour to each one, personally I prefer Green over Blue (despite being much cheaper). In some ways the Double Black is the best of all. But Glenmorangie has it beat at all levels, just much harder to acquire and not as well known, so I drink Glenmorangie for pleasure and give JW as gifts.
Not sure comparing blended Scotch with single malts is a valid one. Main issue is knowing your intended giftee well enough to determine their tolerance for peat in their whisky. JW DoubleBlack is ideal if they do, otherwise I agree with others that Blue is overrated and that Green or Gold (or the new Platinum) are smoother drinking and make a more welcome gift to a whisky drinker than the run of the mill Red (yechh) or Black.
If label fixation is a factor and you want to go single malt, then Macallan has both class, taste, brand recognition and status. Much better regarded than Glenfiddich or The Glenlivit. While the others mentioned are fine single malts, giving them to someone who doesn't know much about whisky may not be as appreciated.