Up to about £80 (ish)

Ardbeg 18yr old

What he said.

You could get a single cask bottle if you wanted something off the beaten path. I tried a bunnahabhain single recently, tasted like a burnt clutch. Something like that would be a nice gift for a phenol fan.

Scotabroad +1

“tasted like a burnt clutch”

😆

if you have that kind of budget, I would get on to the Royalmilewhiskies site or go and see them in person if you can get to london or edinburgh, they know what they are talking about

alternatively you could get a talisker 15yo and pocket the change

Caol Ila – one of the more mellow Islay malts. Tastes lovely, particularly if you find the likes of Laphroaig just too overpowering.

http://www.drinksdirect.co.uk/acatalog/Caol_Ila_12_Year_Old.html

Currently enjoying Smokehead

http://www.smokehead.com/

Just came back from Islay, went to every one but Caol Ila

Bunnahabhain 16 year old was my fave (apart from the 21 year old that is)
http://www.drinksdirect.co.uk/acatalog/Bunnahabhain_18_Year_Old.html

Lagavulin 16 Year was also tasty. Amazing how much better than their 12y.
http://www.drinksdirect.co.uk/acatalog/Lagavulin_16_Year_Old.html

Didn’t like any of the Laphroaig or Bruichladdich stuff.

A Bunnahabhain would be my choice.

Once had the chance to buy a Bunnahabhain bottled in the year of my birth (1967) but baulked at the price…

+1 for Caol Ila

Lagavulin 16 YO is sensational in my view.

+1 Caol Ila – great stuff you could pop in and see or ring These Guys in Soho really helpful guys and lots of malts available in store!

Didn’t like any of the Laphroaig or Bruichladdich stuff.
All a matter of personal taste I suppose. Just came back myself & brought 4 bottles back, a Caol Ila Distillers Edition, a Laphroaig 10 yr, a Bunnahabhain 12 yr, & a Bruichladdich Port Charlotte An Turas Mor ( which I’m slurping now & I find to be delectable so 1st choice)
My 2nd is the Bunnahabhain but I don’t know what 3rd choice is cos I haven’t opened the Caol Ila yet, so can’t compare really! (Caol Ila was shut for ‘improvements’ or summink)
So, apart from my OP being a bit of a troll, what have we learned apart from what we already know, which is that one mans meat is another mans poison. 😉

Now, where’s that bottle of Dalwhinie…..

That Caol Ila is lovely stuff. I’m also a fan of the Laphroaig quarter cask.

For those recomending the Coal Ila track down a bottle of the 18 year old as it’s far better than the normal 12 year old. My money would probably go on a bottle of Ardbeg though, either the uigeadail or the 17 year old if you can find a bottle.