Best "anytime" gift bottle?

by **pouranother** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 11:55 am

I'm picking out a "gift bottle" that my wife has thrown my way and I want to make sure I make a good choice. Keep in mind I know they are all completely different animals and am open to all options.

by **Deactivated Member** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 12:11 pm

On balance it is hard to get past the HP18. It has a little of everything and will suit most moods.

by **Frodo** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 1:32 pm

I'd rate the Mac lower than the other 3. HP, Balvenie and the Abelour are all different whiskies, so it depends what you like out of these 3.

by **Ardbeg311** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 5:18 pm

As I read your question, this is a gift to you and not a gift you are now responsible to give to give to someone else?

I would go with the Balvenie 21yo Portwood. It is a wonderful, solid whisky that unfortuntely is a bit overpriced now. I like the HP as well, but it is much cheaper and you can always pick up one of these on your own when you have some spare cash. I confess to not being a great fan of the Aberlour (but I've only had #6, #11, #14 batches and never a full bottle).

I have not been thrilled with any of the fine oak Macallans I tried (though I have not had the 30yo).

by **bamber** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 6:14 pm

Any except the Aberlour A'bunadh. Lovely, but a dessert dram for me only.

HP 18 is the best, but I think the Balvenie would make me smile widest. Not sure why.

by **Badmonkey** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 1:53 am

HP 18 is the safest choice because it has such broad appeal. The Aberlour a'bunadh is a real impact player, though, and scores big points for surprise if the recipient hasn't tried it before.

by **Ardbeg311** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 4:11 pm

I may have misread your question in my previous answer. If this bottle is for someone else then I too would go with the HP 18 of the four you list. Everyone I have given it to has liked it a lot and I think your chances of success are greater with this bottle.

Personally, I would like to recieve the Balvenie more than the HP but that is because I like the Balvenie 21 more than the HP 18.

by **Drrich1965** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 8:18 pm

Personally, I like the HP18 best out of the lot, and it is a great all arounder (to quote a famous whisky writer). However, as a gift, the new Balvenie 21 Portwood has a pretty spiffy box, and for a present, makes an impressive presentation. I guess it depends on the person you are given the gift too; is style important, or only substance? Also, in the US, the HP 18 is about 25% cheaper.

by **Dubois** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 8:36 pm

Highland Park 18 , no doubt.

by **pouranother** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 8:43 pm

The bottle is for myself, my wife had been saving a few odd dollars to buy me a nice bottle She doesn't have a clue and I want to make sure I select a good bottle.

by **Muskrat Portage** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:48 am

Pouranother:
Gosh, if it was for me and due to the paucity in my region of Canada, I'd pick the Balvenie 21 yo Portwood first. It's a lovely dram and worth the money in my mind. As an alternative I'd select the Aberlour A'Bunadh CS as I've got one each of batches 13, 14 & 15 and am waiting for 16 to show up on the radar. :twisted:

Muskrat Portage

by **Wendy** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:29 am

I voted for the Balvenie 21 Port wood.

Hi MP: FYI Last Tuesday night when I was at the Summerhill Tasting Tower the Aberlour a'bunadh Batch 16 was available for sampling. To ease your pain, not one bottle could be found on the shelves. I haven't been back since so it may be a different story.

Cheers,
Wendy

by **pouranother** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:53 am

I'm glad to see the Balvenie making a late comeback. I have to admit I'm kinda leaning towards the Balvenie, sounds great and $80/bottle, I want to make sure I get it before it goes up in my area.

by **Deactivated Member** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 4:08 am

If you can get it for $80, do not wait another minute. Binny's has it listed for $130. I'll never have another bottle at that price--way off my Frodometer.

by **StephenBaird** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 10:19 pm

I would personally go for the Aberlour as that is such a distinctive one, but the Highland Park would be running a really close second

by **Ardbeg311** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 4:54 pm

I would concur with Mr T., grab it at $80.00!!!

by **Muskrat Portage** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 9:00 pm

Wendy wrote:... FYI Last Tuesday night when I was at the Summerhill Tasting Tower the Aberlour a'bunadh Batch 16 was available for sampling. To ease your pain, not one bottle could be found on the shelves. ...Cheers, Wendy

Pain, what pain? Agony more like. If I'd been able to come to Toronto Whisky Live, I might have had a shot at trying a batch 16! Woe is me. :cry:

Musky Pete

Best "anytime" gift bottle?