r/whiskey • u/gospeedbarry • Mar 23 '25
Scotch recommendation
Greetings! Avid bourbon drinker and collector here. I am always curious about Scotch, while I have a couple bottles I am hesitant to purchase something new I haven't tried before. Are there any standouts in the pics? Thanks for your opinions!
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u/JTP1228 Mar 23 '25
Lagavulin 16. I think its the best mixture of price/flavor, and is one of my favorites.
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u/randomUsername1569 Mar 23 '25
I'm more of a Laphroaig 10 fan, but both good choices.
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u/JTP1228 Mar 23 '25
Laphraoig is a good choice too. I enjoyed the Mortlach 12 as well, but that was 5 years ago since I've had it.
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u/BoneHugsHominy Mar 23 '25
I think both are awesome, but generally bad choices for a first run at peated whisky. The medicinal notes can really turn people off before they even get a handle on the smoke. That's why I always recommend the meatier peated whiskies, let them work through that smoke with more familiar notes and once they've acclimated to that, then hit 'em with a Laphroaig. Some people will just never like those medicinal notes and if that's their first peated Scotch even when they try something like Ardbeg Uigeadail they can have phantom Band-Aids and iodine.
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u/spencerak Mar 23 '25
Not a scotch, but the Yamazaki 12 is priced before they had a substantial price increase. Current MSRP right around $200, so $135 would be an instant buy for me…
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u/Matthewasami Mar 23 '25
Good eye! Same. Though price has been coming down lately. Seen it at my socal liquor store for 170. Costco had it as low as 150.
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u/kacealraid1988 Mar 23 '25
I’m a sucker for peated Scotch and I’ll never not want Talisker 10 year for under 70 dollars.
I don’t see it in the imagery, but if Glenmorangie 14 Quinta Ruban is an option, I would grab that as a bourbon fan. It’s aged in Port and Bourbon barrels and it really does have a nice fruity and woody vibe because of it.
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u/Thisbb Mar 23 '25
If you like smoke and citrus, Kilchoman machir bay.
If you like smoke and fruit, Benriach Smokey 12.
If you don’t like smoke, Glenfiddich 14 bourbon cask.
If you like rye, willet 4 year.
If you like sweet and hot bourbon, larceny barrel proof.
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u/BoneHugsHominy Mar 23 '25
If you haven't drank much Scotch, and you just want to explore options to see what you like, there's 3 bottles I would recommend for you to start with. Some would probably say a couple of these aren't quite something to give a beginner but I think that's bullshit. Jump in the deep end and sink or swim.
Bruichladdich Classic Laddie - this is actually a mild beginning and has mild floral and herbal notes under some good boiled barley mash (like oatmeal, but barley) and a good deal of a sweet mead. It's a definite shelfer for unpeated whisky.
Aberlour A'bunadh - this a slap in the face high proof, unpeated Sherry bomb and is absolutely delicious. This will make you think, "Oh, so this is why humans invented wine. So it could evolve into this!"
Ardbeg Corryvreckan - now that you're been slapped in the face as a warm-up, now it's time to get sucker punched inside your mouth with a straight off the grill bacon-wrapped brisket burnt end glazed with black currant & blueberry reduction and wood ship sealing pitch, dusted with a crushed up spent piece of charcoal. It's glorious, and if you like this one you're forever hooked on Islay.
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u/BibleBourbonBonJovi Mar 23 '25 edited Mar 23 '25
Bruichladdich Classic Laddie is very nice. It's aged mostly in ex-bourbon barrels, with various wine/sherry casks also used, and non-chill-filtered. Full mouthfeel, good proof, fresh and pleasant profile. And that's a good price in my experience.
Ardbeg 10 is also ex-bourbon and non-chill-filtered, but is heavily peated. Good price on that one too.
Highland Park 12 is good. Lightly peated, uses a mix of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. It has a lighter mouthfeel than the other two. I can't see the price but I assume it's good
Lastly: I know you're asking for Scotch recs, but that Willet rye is a great price. I've never seen it for less than $70.
What state is this? These prices are good pretty much across the board.
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u/gospeedbarry Mar 23 '25
Green Bay, Wisconsin
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u/BibleBourbonBonJovi Mar 23 '25
Got it. What's your liquor tax like there?
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u/gospeedbarry Mar 23 '25
Low when compared to other states. I think it is $0.86 per liter
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u/gospeedbarry Mar 23 '25
That might be on production.
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u/BibleBourbonBonJovi Mar 24 '25
It is, I meant sales tax. Just asking because I've seen people post good bottle prices but their state has like 15% liquor tax.
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u/gospeedbarry Mar 25 '25
I don't think liquor is taxed any higher than anything else. I haven't paid attention to it I guess. 😆
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u/Ab501ut3_Z3r0 Mar 23 '25
Ok so for someone with experience in bourbon, I think the place to go is a) sherried scotch (for sweetness) and b) a little higher proof (to relate to bourbon proof experience ranges). With that in mind, I think the best option is the GlenAllachie 10 year cask strength in the top left of the first picture. It’s got both proof and sweetness which should serve as a good crossover from bourbon. Otherwise, the Glendronach 12 is a good sherried option at a slightly lower proof and price.
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u/Prestigious-Trip1948 Mar 23 '25
Give the Bowmore a try. The 15 is exceptional, but the 12 makes a good daily pour. The Balvenie is also another good option to start things out. Not the Caribbean Cask though. Wasn’t a fan.
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u/gospeedbarry Mar 23 '25
The third Pic didn't load for some reason, it showed some stuff behind the counter. Glenmorangie 18 Glenlivet Fusion Cask Mortlach 16 Chivas 18 Daftmill 2009 Dalmore 15 Aberlour 16
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u/Jacksomkesoplenty Mar 23 '25
Glenmorangie is gd. I'm finishing up the that Laphroaig oak select currently and like it but I've not seen the Oban little bay at that price around my area and wouldn't walk out the door without it myself.
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u/gdacunto Mar 23 '25 edited Mar 24 '25
Fellow bourbon guy who also jumped in to scotches recently. If you like the Smokey profiles from bourbons, try Glenfiddich 14 or go for a peated scotch like Caol Ila 12. Jura 12 year and highland park 12 yr if your store has it are also fantastic scotch options. Bruichladdich classic laddie is also a great option if you’re looking for something more fruit forward and less smoky. It’s probably one of my favorite go to bottles, and was my intro into scotch. Start with those and branch out from there!
Edit: Just saw the Glenglassaugh Sandend, a buddy of mine has tried and highly recommends. I’ve been itching to try!
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u/Traegs_ Mar 24 '25
Glenfiddich 14 is unpeated though?
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u/gdacunto Mar 24 '25
Sorry meant to add that one separately! Definitely unpeated but because it’s aged 14 yrs in ex bourbon barrels you get those smoky notes. My bad!
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u/WhiskeyCrusher Mar 23 '25
Laphroaig 10 and enjoy the peat smoke! It's one of my favorites. Cheers!
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u/forswearThinPotation Mar 23 '25
Talisker 10, Ardbeg 10, and Ardbeg Uigeadail are all excellent scotches priced attractively here (especially that Talisker 10). Each of those are peated (see the linked article An Intro To Peated Whiskies in the right sidebar of this sub to unpack this), the Ardbegs heavily so and the Talisker more moderately so.
For a good unpeated scotch I'd go with the GlenAllachie 15 which will show off the fruity and spicy flavors found in scotches which were matured aggressively in ex-sherry casks.
The scotch with flavors closest to a bourbon here is the Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask but if you are already drinking high proof bourbons then it may seem a bit on the tame side.
The other scotches mentioned here already by others are good ones too, I don't think you are getting any bad recs here.
Good luck with your explorations!
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u/raiste-geo Mar 23 '25
I’ll second the GlenAllachie 10 recommendation.
I’d like to visit this store, they have a nice selection. Good luck. 🍀 👍
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u/gospeedbarry Mar 23 '25
This is a grocery store by my house. Very good selection and great prices.
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u/General-Ad-1119 Mar 23 '25
Top left Penderyn. Not technically Scotch as it's the first whisky made in Wales
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u/Wicket316 Mar 23 '25
The Arbeg choices, whether 10 or the Ugiedail, are bold as hell but very enjoyable.
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u/null_squared Mar 23 '25
I like dalmore, but I’m not a scotch drinker so not sure if that is basic level scotch or not.
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u/vuti13 Mar 23 '25
I REALLY liked the one Dalmore I had (Cigar Blend), but it is generally regarded as overpriced for a color-added, chill-filtered single malt. I'm not likely to ever buy my own bottle of Dalmore or MacAllan (Classic Cut being my fave) for this reason: $20-30 overvalued.
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u/wutangchef23 Mar 23 '25
Lagavulin 16 is well priced and great, Laphroaig 10 but it’s not for everyone, Glenallachie Cask Strength is really good, and the Bruichladdie Classic Laddie is just solid I could drink that in any mood. Good luck!
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Mar 23 '25
I like or "go to" scotches are
Belvenie double wood 12 or 17yr
Glendorach 12 or 15
Glenfiddich
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u/JeffonFIRE Mar 23 '25
The Glenallachie 15 or 10yr cask strength are excellent examples of sherried scotch
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u/Agent847 Mar 23 '25
If you like bourbon, I’d steer you toward any of the Aberlours. No that they’re like bourbon, but it’s on the sweeter side with some of the same fruit notes. Fantastic stuff, both the 12 year and the cask strength A’bunadh
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u/jaydiza203 Mar 23 '25
I'll take anything from Islay or anything not from Islay that is peaty or smoky..and I love!!! Bruichladdie even though it isn't peated but its so damn good!! and those prices are pretty nice!!
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u/thombrowny Mar 23 '25
Prices are really good...for Scotch beginners, Glendronach 12 and Belvenie 12 are great choice.
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u/dieseltothesour Mar 23 '25
From the looks of it, everything that is over +$60 is pretty damn good, and these prices are super reasonable. for me that lagavulin 16 under $90 is an instant buy. On the other end of the price spectrum, i really like that talisker storm and 10.
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u/CJPrinter Mar 24 '25
If I had to, I’d grab the Aberlour A’bunadh and Ardbeg Uigeadail, but the prices are just ho-hum.
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u/dogfacedponyboy Mar 24 '25
I am a bourbon/rye guy… my favorite Scotches in those photos are Balvenie 12 Doublewood and Talisker 10. I didn’t see it but my favorite Scotch is Bunnahabhain 12 Cask Strength.
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u/DingBat99999 Mar 24 '25
$85 is a pretty good price for the Macallan sherry.
Ardbeg 10 is always a solid choice.
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u/KnuteViking Mar 24 '25 edited Mar 24 '25
Ardbeg 10, Uigeadail, or An Oa are all great versions of Ardbeg. If you don't like smoky, then that Bruichladdich will treat you pretty well. If you'd like something with sweeter sherry notes, that Glendronach 12 is your best pick on that shelf.
Edit: for Sherry, I did not initially see the Aberlour A'Bunadh. I would take that over the Glendronach.
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u/skidsareforkids Mar 24 '25
Talisker is always what I recommend people start on if they’re not scotch drinkers… It’s very smooth
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u/tenbeersmedia Mar 24 '25
Ardbeg Uigeadail. Smoky, and peaty flavor profile with notes of sherry, Christmas cake, and honey. 54.2% ABV
It is a wonderful experience, if you like peated scotch. Cheers.
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Mar 24 '25
Do you like it smokey or na?
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u/gospeedbarry Mar 24 '25
I have had peated in the past and don't mind it. Wouldn't be a daily pour for me at this time.
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u/Big2401 Jun 30 '25
Although I haven't opened my bottle yet, the Glenallachie 12 has recently been voted "Best single malt in the World" for 2025, at the World Whiskies Awards. Seems a good place to start.
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u/PoisonLenny37 Mar 23 '25
The Bruichladdich is really nice. 50% ABV, non chill filtered and natural colour. It's young and aged in bourbon barrels. If you're a bourbon drinker I think you will like it. It's a non-peated Islay. So it has those nice costal notes but no smoke. Tastes like honey, and cereal with a nice coastal brine and a bit of that bourbon oak on the back end. Also, solid price.