Thanks, all. Macallan 12 is $40-50 or so. I have had and liked Balvenie and Glenmorangie. Haven't tried Aberlour.

I found a bottle of Oban 14 for $63 this evening, and bought that.

prices in state of virginia have really gone up

is there a way to see what macallan sells for at distillery?

That's why you need to start going over to D.C. to buy your scotch (and other liquor). I save at least $10 a bottle, depending on what I'm buying. The last time I needed to stock the bar (with generally just the essential 5-6 bottles), I saved close to $100 over what the VA ABC prices.

I was surprised to learn that the top whisky for 2015 is distilled in Japan! :confused:

http://blog.thewhiskyexchange.com/20...5-the-winners/

"While the number two and three positions in his top five whiskies are held by two of his Buffalo Trace Antique Collection favourites, the sold-out William Larue Weller and Sazerac Rye 18yo from last year, his number one is a first. It’s a Japanese whisky – Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013. "

I've had Yamazaki before. It's pretty good - Japanese whisky is basically a scotch clone.

"Pretty good" does not seem the same as the best whisky for 2015. Can you elaborate? I get the impression you didn't think it was the best whisky you ever tasted.

I actually don't remember it very well - I just remember liking it. And I'm not sure if I had the particular bottling that won the "best whisky" award. I think I just had their standard 12 year old whisky.

With whisky, I tend to have a hard time tasting individual flavors - harder than with wine. I think the higher alcohol content makes it more difficult to taste. I basically taste smoothness and, with scotch, sweet and smoke. Maybe a little caramel too.

Whiskey newb here who just came across this thread.
Thanks for posting insights and favorites.

Dalmore 12 is my new favorite in the sub $100CAD range. Have so far tried The Macallan 12, Highland Park 10, Glenmorangie 10, Bushmills Black and Johnnie Gold. Not to mention countless cheap blends in my college days.

I've had the Highland Park 12 and 15, preferred the 12 enough to buy a bottle. I'm wondering if anyone here has tried the Dark Origins?

Big fan of the Hibiki 17. It's outstanding, but not a Single Malt (tastes like 1 though). The fact that it's at least $50 cheaper than the Yamazaki 18 doesn't hurt either.

Managed to get my hands on a couple of bottles of Hanyu The Joker, for those not familiar it is the last in a playing card series from Ichiro's Hanyu and is bottled using vintages from 1985 - 2000.

One will be for drinking over the festive period and one will be for the collection, the cost was £300 per bottle but like most limited Japanese whisky will soar in price already hitting £600 - £700 at auction.

I'm visiting Scotland (for the first time) this July for 5 days. We are going to Edinburgh and Glasgow. Unfortunately, the purpose of the trip is not to enjoy scotch. With that being said, do you guys recommend any scotch distilleries in either city? I'm hoping I'll have time to pop in one or two. Thank you!

Just got this...

http://static.wine-searcher.net/imag...d-10495173.jpg

Heard good things...looking forward to sampling it.

I've yet to be disappointed by a Laphroaig so I imagine it will be a very good experience ^

I'm a big fan of Hibiki 17, too. I had the opportunity for a free taste in a Tokyo liquor store where Hibiki 17 was served alongside Yamazaki 18 and a few big-name 21 year labels from Scotland. With such strong competition I expected the Hibiki to be the weak member of the group, but it held its own. That plus it's significantly lower price makes it a winner. It's the bottle I bought that day.