JW is always a good friend. "The day goes - Johnnie Walker comes":D

Was just at my local CostCo (Mar Vista). The 16 yo Lagavulin is for sale (not on sale) there at about $69. When it does go on sale it can be had for around $55.

Thanks for all the input, it's been pretty educational.

I'll try to provide a bit more context... the recipient enjoys liquor but is not a scotch expert. This also involves a culture that values brand names quite a bit, so it's more about the label and less about what's inside. I think I'm going to try to find some Green, Gold, or Platinum. If not... Double Black at the minimum... or Blue, if I'm trying to knock 'em dead :)

I've been in the same position of buying liquor for people who are mostly concerned with label. My suggestion is to follow your instincts and not try to impose extra-cultural sensibilities (like taste ;) ). In some places, the higher end JW's are considered "premium" Scotchs and are almost universally recognized (by others in that culture) as such.

Personally, I would go with Blue as the price difference between that and Platinum isn't that great and, as you said, they will probably be blown away by it. Depending on the circumstances, Green and Double Black may not be considered "prestigious" enough.

The only downside to giving Blue is if it makes it look like you're trying to curry favor by overstepping the relationship or results in a counter-obligation which would be considered by the recipient in a negative light; but I'm probably over-thinking this - go with the Blue.

I saw a really nice set of Scotches (is that the plural?) this weekend at the liquor store. It had a 10, a 15 and a 25 year old bottle of the same brand, each 300ml I believe. It might be a nice way for a non scotch drinker to get into scotch. No idea of JW do a tasting set of similar ilk.

JW has a 4 pack of 200ml - I think it is black / green / gold / blue. It makes a nice gift. It was running about US$100 duty free for some time, but it seems to have crept up about 20% recently. For that price, I'd rather give a nicer 1L bottle of a "more expensive colo(u)r."

Or for those who like a sweeter malt, Aberlour or Glendronach or the Balvenie double wood are worth considering.

Sometimes it's nice to have a flavor profile that isn't your first choice around; I aim very sweet, and don't care for the stronger Islays (Bowmore is about my limit), but it's nice to have one around for guests.

Oh, certainly, although it depends a lot on what you like. I've yet to find a blend I cared for except mixed (and I prefer an inexpensive bourbon for that); if you have any recommendations for one with the same strong sherry or port notes that the sweeter single malts I like lean to, I'd be happy to try one.

^I second the recommendation for Balvenie Doublewood.

+1

buying something like laphroaig for someone whose tastes you don't know is a horrible idea.

agreed - I tend to keep Aberlour 16 and A'bunadh on hand. Just finished up a bottle of the Balvenie double wood and would recommend.

Talisker - the sherry cask if you're feeling flush. It's interesting enough to be a conversation piece (the only distillery on Skye) with a bit of smoke (not a fireball like Laphroaig). If the recipient is a fairweather whisky drinker then try an Isle of Jura. Any of the variants are tasty but not hard going. Also consider the Glenfiddich Solera Reserve 15 yo.

Laphroaig Quarter Cask should be under $50 and is about the best deal you can get with scotch.

A friend and I bought this about 6-7 years ago for CAD$100. It has red, black, gold and blue; we wanted it to learn the difference between the labels. We've still got half the bottle of the blue left, and both prefer it over the gold. I've since seen the 200mL bottle for sale in YYZ transborder duty-free for CAD$80 alone, so if you can get all four for $100 now that's pretty good.

Macallan 12 is the correct answer. As single malts go, it has a fairly balanced flavor (not too dry, not too smoky or peaty). The cost is around 50 bucks, a gift amount that's not too cheap nor too expensive.

Also, I am assuming that OP wanted Johnnie Walker b/c it was a recognized status symbol (really the only reason to spend the same amount on JW as on a nice single malt), and Macallan is prob the most famous and known single malt, so it would have the same status symbol effect (as opposed to a smaller distillery that a non-Scotch drinker may not have heard of).

But, when they eventually open it and drink it, they'll be happier it's Macallan and not JW!

It is always appreciated as a good gift when traveling.

I'm in Brasil currently, brought a bottle (JW Red) along duty-free, and it was well received. As mentioned above, it is probably more for show in a well-stocked bar here than anything else.

Personally, I do not drink it.