SpinzCity

For price, consider buying malts in Germany. Liquor taxes there are so low that you can pick up very good malts at and under $30 - - and things like Laphroaig Quarter Cask or a liter of Glenfarclas 105 (60% strength) for around $35. But not at duty free - - which is a huge ripoff - - you have to go to the dedicated malt shops like Weinquelle in Hamburg. When I go to the UK from Germany, prices are close to double what I've paid in Germany, so I bring a liter along. Even Wild Turkey Rare Breed is around $30 in Hamburg.

yurtripper

Blue is way better than Black, which I'd only use as a mixer, and I wouldn't put JW Black and Macallan in the same sentence! Not all blends are undrinkable and Blue Label is exceptional. I'd still take something like a Lagavulin over it but it's certainly good enough to drink neat.

KingBraden

As a single malt drinker, I agree. The issue with Blue isn't that it is terrible it is that you can find better Whisky at much lower prices.

StayingHomeIsBetter

While I am a single malt drinker, I find JWB to be quite acceptable.

I first had it in a remote site in a West African country, only accessible by a 1 hour flight in a float plane (this is starting to sound like a Raymond Reddington anecdote ).

The site manager seemed to have an inexhaustible supply of JWB... which was greatly appreciated.

thesaints

J. Peterman, actually

dlffla

If someone cannot tell the difference between these two single malts, it is because they have not been taught to distinguish the spiciness say, that comes from sherry casks (GL 18) versus the lack of it in using only Oak casks (GL 12). Discerning is not about which one a person likes "better" or distinguishing the most expensive one but about picking up on nuances in the drink brought about by location, soil, type barrels, etc. If someone has a discerning palate, they can often, but not always, identify where the drink is from and it's vintage and subsequently it's price. However, this is only because they can identify the characteristics.

Tasting is an adventure that provides different experiences. I have 8 different single malts that I select from at home, depending on my mood and circumstances. The price is not the determining factor.

That said, when out, if I wanted to try this, I would be happy with the $30 price.

KDCAflyer

Sherry casks are preferred. Don't know if it's the oak, but I find GL 12 and 15 to both be very disappointing. I guess there's a reason why GL 15 is about $20 cheaper than M 12 at my local store.

KevinDTW

Macallan has to pay for all those expensive ads they run in the WSJ, Esquire, etc.

miraclebear2003

M 12 is sort of my go to when I'm at a bar and don't want to decide what to have. But I think the pricing difference is more on the management at M. They seem to think they have become so popular they can charge whatever the market will bear. The retail price for M 12 is ridiculous in my mind.

About three years ago I was at a rum tasting at a large liquor store in N.E. and was talking to the owner. He had a great selection of single malts and I asked how come he didn't have M 25. He said they had just made it too expensive to keep; if he had a customer that wanted it, he would have no problem getting it.

Duke787

Never understood the M12 hype. Bought a bottle for cheap at the San Mateo Costco a couple years ago when I lived out there. Have tried it twice and hated it both times.

It sits in my liquor cabinet now waiting for some time when I have visitors who like whisky and I want to give them something nice without having to go into my personal stash.

javabytes

I think you're illustrating my point. The "nuances" brought on by barrel type, soul, location, etc. are exactly that - nuances.

I was answering WWads' question:

When these nuances are so subtle you have to be trained to detect them, how can there possibly be room to be "blown away" by a Scotch?

KingBraden

Not all of the difference in scotch are subtle.

Glen and McCallan are both speysides so they are going to be nuanced differences.

Compare them to a laphroaig and you might not believe they are the same drink (think an IPA and a low hop stout).

miraclebear2003

I'll be over as soon as I can to help you finish the bottle to make room for something else.

I totally understand the difference in taste. I started drinking scotch when I was 18 and it was Chivas. At that time about the only single malts you found were Glenlivet and Glenfiddich. As they became more available, I expanded my drinking. However, Islay is a different experience. About 15 years ago, my wife and I bought a bottle of Lagavulin. We didn't care for it, sat it down and tried again a couple of weeks later. Nope, not for us. Fortunately, we knew someone who liked it and he gladly took the rest of bottle off our hands.

Handcake

This thread has sold me on trying JWBlue the next time I see it at a reasonable price.

I prefer a high end rum when I am buying bottles for an after work nip. When I am out though, I have been arm twisted by colleagues to try out some whiskey/scotch items.

I realized I haven't found a single malt that really makes me go "wow".

I tried Hibiki 17 year old Japanese blended recently, on ice. It was smooth and tasted great. That shot though cost me probably $40.

I have tried the Highland Park stuff...I like the 18+ year stuff.

Those saying there isn't a big difference between 12 year and 18...it depends, but I can notice it in the smoothness. Also a big difference between 18 and 22 year for smoothness and flavor.

I recently tried 18 year Glenlivet and it wasn't for me.

caliform

Hah, this reminds me of meeting the Macallan sales rep in the Bay Area who was mixing Macallan 18 into cocktails.