Which whiskey?

[Parks 788]

I know lots of you are whiskey drinkers and many know the classy ones. Not a big whiskey guy myself and need to get a nice, good bottle as a thank you gift. Which whiskey would you get that isn't what a typical drinker would buy for themselves but shows gratitude for a big favor given to my wife and I? I don't mind spending more than normal and would like something unique. Thanks fellas.

Your top three, please. (in case they don't have your number one at my shop)

 

[donner]

hmm, lots of good ones. You're likely going to get anything from Jack to very expensive recs like Pappy VanWinkle (which i find to be too hot and not really worth the extra $ for me). It really it kind of depends on what that person likes as some whiskeys are hot, some sweeter etc.

Personally we've had good luck with
Eagle Rare
Four Roses Single Barrel
Black Maple Hills - personal favorite but harder to find.

 

[Perplexed]

Glenfiddich 50 Year Old

 

[SoonerP226]

For straight whiskey, I prefer Single Barrel Jack Daniels. If you want to branch out to bourbons, Woodford Reserve is a good choice, and I'm told that Bulleit Bourbon is an excellent product, though I've never tried it.

 

[Cohiba]

Every Christmas I get my boss either Buffalo Trace or Blanton's along with a small bottle of George Dickel#12.

Lately I've been impressed with Evan Williams Single Barrel...last year 2002, this year 2003 vintage.

Look at my buddy's website...sourmash manifesto. Jason has some excellent reviews.

If you want both American and Scotch...go to ralfy.com

Both are excellent resources

 

[Danny Tanner]

hmm, lots of good ones. You're likely going to get anything from Jack to very expensive recs like Pappy VanWinkle (which i find to be too hot and not really worth the extra $ for me). It really it kind of depends on what that person likes as some whiskeys are hot, some sweeter etc.

Personally we've had good luck with
Eagle Rare
Four Roses Single Barrel
Black Maple Hills - personal favorite but harder to find.

Is Four Roses really that good? I have a bottle at home (forgot how I obtained it, I know I didn't buy it), but assumed it was cheap whisky. It's at least in a glass bottle, but still. I haven't tried it yet because I assumed it was bottom shelf.

 

[FamousAJ]

Gentleman Jack
Crown XR
Makers Mark Reserve

These 3 will run $60-100. Affordable in my book. I would recommend scotch, but its an acquired taste and I don't wanna set you down the wrong path. There is a whole thread for this topic. I love some Macallan 12 yr though. $65ish

If you really wanna show off how big your wallet is, get a bottle of Louis XIII. $1500

 

[inactive]

If you really want something atypical, go for Hudson Baby Bourbon or 4 Grain whiskey. It's unusual enough that the person may not have tried it. Some love it, others don't like it as well. But it will show you looked into the matter. It runs about $40 a bottle, which is kinda pricey as it's only 375 mL but that saves you from buying an $80 fifth

Aside from those, Blanton's and Eagle Rare are a bit less common / less special but still fairly well known to be good bourbon. They also use a fairly balanced mash bill which appeal to most connoisseurs.

I'll add a fail-safe fourth option: Any of the "Pappy" Van Winkle stuff is considered "holy grail" stuff if you can find it as it's hard to obtain. Anyone who knows bourbon would appreciate the effort and expense spent on that as a gift.

Is Four Roses really that good? I have a bottle at home (forgot how I obtained it, I know I didn't buy it), but assumed it was cheap whisky. It's at least in a glass bottle, but still.

The basic stuff is cheaper (IIRC $20 for yellow label) but VERY good for the price. The small batch and single barrel variants are very highly regarded. It's a high rye mashbill though, so a bit "hotter" in spice similar to Bulleit, Basil Hayden. Those who like wheated bourbons (Maker's, Weller, Van Winkle) don't care as much for that flavor profile. Similarly, I prefer high rye and find wheated bourbons too muted.

 

[Cohiba]

Rye, I've been drinking George Dickel Rye. How about a blended Whisky?...Johnnie Walker black, double black, green, or gold...Johnnie Walker always carries a little prestige.

 

[Perplexed]

Pikers. I mentioned Glenfiddich 50 Year Old - that's about $16,000 a bottle for whiskey that you can get on the open market (i.e., no one-off's or discontinued runs being auctioned)