Help deciding Scotch to buy.

[thephoenix88]

Hi all,

I want to buy a scotch for my father for Christmas but I don't know much about them. He likes Johnnie Walker Black Label and Crown Royal (regular and black). My bugdet is $100. I've heard the older the better I don't know if that is always true though. I saw a bottle of 21 year old Glenlivet for $85. Would he like this? Thanks for the help. Merry Christmas.

[dramtastic]

The older the better, IMO that theory is debateable once you get passed 10 years old. And although it may be an anomaly, I had one 3mth old newmake this year that craped all over a number of aged whisky's I've had.
But I digress, there are so many that are recommendable for that money, so to keep it simple, go with the Glenlivet. Oh and as a gift, an aged statement does seem more special.

[lockejn]

If he enjoys the JW Black you might splurge on one of the more expensive labels, say Green or Gold, or Swing if you can find it. I might also suggest Highland Park 18 which is likely to bump up against your limit, but a nice gift for a whisky lover.

[Drammed]

It looks like he likes a touch of smoke in his whiskey and the 2 malts that make the smoke in JW Black are Talisker and Caol Ila (correct me if i am wrong) so maybe you can find a bottle of those to try.

[Leorin]

I don't know about the prices in the US, but Highland Park 18 y.o. or Talisker 18 y.o are two very good aged single malts!
Either one should make a very memorable gift.

[pkt77242]

Since you said your father liked Crown Royal you could try either the Crown Royal Reserve or Crown Royal Cask 16. Otherwise I agree with the people saying Talisker 10 or 18 (18 can be hard to find the US), HP 18, and your suggestion of the Glenlivet 21.

[thephoenix88]

They were out of the 21 year Glenlivet. I looked for Talisker and Highland park but they were out of both. I ended up getting 18 year Glenlivet. Is this a good one?

[Ganga]

I think the Glenlivet 18 is very good.

[The Third Dram]

It's a very nice whisky indeed, and a big step up from the 12 Year Old.