Someone explain Johnnie Walker to me
#16
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Before you give a single malt, be sure that the person likes its flavor profile! I hate Laphroaig, for example - it tastes like you retrieved the bottle from the burned out wreckage of your house.
#17
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If you know the recipient likes scotch, then you should get him his preferred brand. If you're not sure whether the person likes scotch but want to give scotch, a blend is appropriate because they tend to have more mass appeal.
Before you give a single malt, be sure that the person likes its flavor profile! I hate Laphroaig, for example - it tastes like you retrieved the bottle from the burned out wreckage of your house.
Before you give a single malt, be sure that the person likes its flavor profile! I hate Laphroaig, for example - it tastes like you retrieved the bottle from the burned out wreckage of your house.
#18
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#19

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If the guy is actually Scottish, I would get a single malt whisky (Macallan & Glenmorangie are good suggestions). From my time in Scotland & abroad, blended whisky, even "the good stuff" was usually only consumed by aspirational foreigners.
#23



Join Date: Mar 2006
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If you know the recipient likes scotch, then you should get him his preferred brand. If you're not sure whether the person likes scotch but want to give scotch, a blend is appropriate because they tend to have more mass appeal.
Before you give a single malt, be sure that the person likes its flavor profile!
Before you give a single malt, be sure that the person likes its flavor profile!
the belief that any given single malt is better than a blend is a clear mark of ignorance.
#25




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I find Johnnie Walker Black or Macallan 12 to be perfectly acceptable. JW Double Black is a little too smokey for my taste. I just recently finished the 2 bottles I bought on a trip to Puerto Rico. I've tried Glenlivet, Talisker, Jura. All are acceptable. Right now I'm back to my Macallan 12, although my partner just brought me back a bottle of Macallan Select Oak 12 yr from Europe.
JW Black is about $30, Macallan 12 is about $50. Whatever you do, don't give JW Red. It's drinkable but not much of a gift.
JW Black is about $30, Macallan 12 is about $50. Whatever you do, don't give JW Red. It's drinkable but not much of a gift.
#26
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In JW I like the Double Black. I think it is a good buy. Not as good as the malts above I mentioned in my opinion but generally about half or even a third the price.
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#28
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#29
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#30
Join Date: Aug 2011
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Lagavulin
I would strongly recommend Lagavulin too. Its a great mix of peaty and sweet without being very peaty (like, say, Ardberg).
Depending on where you are in the US, you can get a bottle of Lagavulin for $60-$75 bucks as well.
Should you go this route, I'd recommend staying away from the distiller's edition of Lagavulin - I never warmed up to it.
Depending on where you are in the US, you can get a bottle of Lagavulin for $60-$75 bucks as well.
Should you go this route, I'd recommend staying away from the distiller's edition of Lagavulin - I never warmed up to it.

