Hmmm...not sure where to go with this one. People who don't drink scotch seem to have the strongest opinions here about the best scotches...
If whiskey doesn't age...then this is indeed the marketing coup of the century, since scotch prices are principally driven by age...starting with "cheap" 8-10 year old stuff.
For those who care, truly superior scothes are generally aged in wooden casks for many years, developing intense flavor combined with incredible smoothness. Many non-scotch drinkers that I have introduced to 21-25 year old scotch are amazed at the smoothness/drinkability of the stuff -- expecting the harshness that turned them off to scotch at some point. (BTW, I find the same is true with old cognacs...get up to the XO level and above, and the "sting" disappears.)
The premium blended scotches, like JW Blue, combine the best of numerous bathces to create or blend a great result. Not unlike many great meritage wines these days...not a pure play single grape, but compelling nonetheless. I enjoy both: certain single malts, and the best blends.
Hurray for BA; it's good to see they trot out the Blue. As for the Glenmorangie, I happen to like the 12 year old cask series, although I prefer the sherry wood finish to the port wood finish...but we're talking a $40 bottle compared with a $190 bottle...
Not sure I can say JW Blue is worth all that money, but there is a difference...
Otherwise, I was disapppointed to hear that the McCallan 30 isn't extraordinary, since I was looking forward to the right opportunity to try the stuff ($15/glass sounds amazing!)...and now expect to be disappointed...I'll probably try a blind taste test with the 25 at a steak house on the road one day.
But, please let me know when the next McCallan tasting comes to town!
My house standard is the McCallan 18 -- still the best combination of taste and price available...although it's getting a bit unreasonable at $80 compared to Lagavulin 16 at $50.
I used to buy and enjoy the Ballentine 17 when it was available at Duty Free...it used to run about $40, but I haven't had it in a while. My guess is I'd find it a little weak at this point...
[This message has been edited by nologic (edited 08-09-2001).]