Best Peaty Islay for $100-$120

[cigarchitect]

I am a whisky fan, but I generally drink SM highlands, the smokiness of something like laphroig just never agrees with my pallet. But, the office is all pitching in to get our boss a good scotch. I have seen him drink Laphroig and Lagavulin. But with the 120$ we have raised I want to get something special. I think Lagavulin 16 would be a good choice, but I think it's only 70$? for 750ml? Any other options closer to $100-$120? Once again he likes the peat-y-ness.

[JJR24]

I would try the Lagavulin Distiller's Edition, if you say he is a fan of Lagavulin. It's very good, and should be in your price range. Also, I would recommend any of the Port Charlotte PC offerings (PC5, 6, 7, 8 or 9).

Here are some links for reference, though you can usually get better prices than these, depending on where you are located.

http://www.binnys.com/spirits/Bruichlad ... 64086.html

http://www.binnys.com/spirits/Lagavulin ... 63136.html

[Ganga]

Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist. This can run anywhere from $80-130. Also, it is going away.

If you are somewhere near Binny's Chicago. I would recommend one of the older Laphroaigs bottled at cask strength.

Pricing of Lagavulin is all over the place. The 16 can be had for $52 in LA currently but I've also seen it at $110. I think it is much better than the Distiller Editions I've tried. My preferred Lagavulin is the 12 CS. I believe this is up in the $90-100 range now with a few places getting it a little lower.

Bowmore is its own animal. Unless you know they like Bowmore, avoid.

[cigarchitect]

I hope he lets me have a glass... Thanks friends. He's not a huge whisky guy but he is a relative yuppy and will appreciate a good scotch. It will be hard to go into the liquor store with 120$ budget and not get something for myself.

[dramtastic]

Caol Ila Natural Cask Strength is what I'd suggest without knowing what's available to you.

[Knolly]

Although personally I'm not a fan of the Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist (to each their own), I do think that there have been some excellent whiskies mentioned for sure.

The PC series is really good, and Ganga nailed it with the Lagavulin 12yo cask strength which has been consistently been excellent. It was my first thought when I saw your post.

For something a bit different (not isaly, but people will think it is) you could find a botle of Benriach 21 Authenticus as well: it's a peated speyside whisky.

Something else that i've picked up recently that was different and quite tasty have been a few Duncan Taylor (independent bottler) Caol Ilas of various ages.

Or - you could just take that $120 and buy him two bottles of the best whisky for the money in the world: Laphroaig Cask Strength! Ha ha!