I need to buy a gift as a thank you for someone doing a favour, but all I know is they like Whisky and no more details. What would be a safe choice around the £20 mark? NB I don’t drink the stuff so know bugger all…

At that price bracket you’re in the realms of Glenfiddich, Glenmorangie, Jameson’s and their ilk. (And there’s nothing wrong with that.)

A bit more would get you something a cut above; Jura, Highland Park.

A bit left field perhaps, look at half bottles of something which would be out of budget otherwise, should be able to get something nice that way.

£20 is relatively low for something even half decent IMO. Might get a basic Glen Moray, maybe Aberlour for that.

£25 – opens up to nice Old Pulteney, Highland Park, Glenfiddich varieties, Glenfarclas – not sure.

How about this?

Maybe not the best but tasty enough and bang on your budget.

^^ just a bit more than a stone’s throw from me 🙂

Actually, here’s what I’d do.

Go to an actual whisky shop, rather than Tesco. Tell them your budget, and see if you can pick up a half bottle of something nice (then you’re getting a half of a £40 bottle for £20, broadly).

If they like their Whisky, it’s going to be stupidly expensive for something palatable. Beyond my gift budget, even for a close relative 😀

Otherwise, a cheap one from supermarket. They’ll probably keep it to give to someone else.

The Japanese ones … 😀

If they like their Whisky, it’s going to be stupidly expensive for something palatable.

I dunno about that. I like expensive whisky but would be very appreciative of anything gifted that wasn’t Teachers or Bells.

The Japanese ones …

For £20? Hook me up with your dealer.

Given it will be unexpected, it’s the thought that counts etc and I’m quite happy if they just shove it in a cupboard and give it to an aunt at xmas etc.

In which case, have you considered a really nice bottle of wine?

Near a Sainsbury’s?

Bargain for £30.

Cougar – Moderator

The Japanese ones …

For £20? Hook me up with your dealer. [/quote]

Arrgghhhh … my eye sight! My eye sight! I did not see the £20 …

Naahhh … for £20 you are in the Teacher Highland blended stuff like this one. 😀

My bottle is bigger than yours …

If you know someone with a Costco card, Glenlivet Founders Reserve £19.

If they like their Whisky, it’s going to be stupidly expensive for something palatable.

Dunno where you get that from, there’s stacks of VERY tasty stuff for not stupid money. Unless your’e just a snob, (which reminds of when my mate was hauling French wine back from err, France, & he gave me a bottle of the finest Beaujolais Nouveau, something like ££££’s a bottle, I’d rather have drank chip shop vinegar.)
As I’ve said time & time again on here ‘one man’s meat is another man’s poison’.

Look for offers on Old Pultenay, Dalwhinnie & some of the Jura’s or Islay’s.

Edit, even Teachers is ok to have around.

even Teachers is ok to have around.

Get out.

Cameron Brig single grain, around £20 Nice enough drink and a bit different being not malt

As I’ve said time & time again on here ‘one man’s meat is another man’s poison’.

Look for offers on Old Pultenay

Haha, Old Poultney tastes revolting to me. And I like Islays generally.

Haha, Old Poultney tastes revolting to me. And I like Islays generally.

Haha also! I must have a weird sense of taste, my actual faves are Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old & Caol Isla 12 yr old, but I also really enjoy OP as it’s fairly mellow (to me)
I have never tasted a bad malt whisky!

How about a pair of nice whiskey glasses?

Or some reading material, latest copy of The Whiskey Bible?

Otherwise 20cl bottle of Lagavulin 16?

Aberlour 10yo for £21 at Morrisons would be a bargain.

Of course as a commited drinker, I have all the necessary info to hand.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AsH9BBL4g1OhdDI0WGs0Zk5IN3lSZk5FS0xkaFhVZXc&usp=sharing#gid=0

Ok, so it’s 50% over budget but Maker’s Mark is one of the finest drams available @ £30

Black Grouse or Bailie Nicol Jarvie are both under £20 and are ridiculous value.

Glen moray is rather nice, bit light but very nice in its own way.

What about a Vatted malt like monkey shoulder

For around £20 I would give (and be happy to receive) a full bottle of Jamesons or a half bottle of Jura – looking at Tesco prices.

Southern comfort?

Jim Bean?

If you can find it…
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/black-bottle/black-bottle-whisky/

Black grouse is nice for a blend and within budget

That Balvenie looks a decent buy, failing that see if there is a MaCallan on offer anywhere 🙂

Have a look at the whisky section on here

It’s worth stretching to the Balvenie if you can.

Very nice stuff but also not too extreme so a safe bet.

Now where;s there a Sainsbo’s near me…

You could pick up a bottle of Black Bush for nearish your budget. It’s one of the nicest blended choices for that money. For a tenner more you could get a bottle of Redbreast in Sainsburys which is a lovely bottle as a gift.

In the end I blew the budget and went for:

That’s pretty random for a “safe choice”!

I just went on the advice of the guy in the local wine merchants.

You’ve chosen wisely. Benromach is lovely (though the Organic is the best they do IMHO).

Cheers,

It was as a thank you for the owners of a local gym, we hired to host a weight lifting comp. They helped out loads inc spending two hours as bar loaders for us!

[url=https://flic.kr/p/tfEQsp] [/url] by Ben Freeman, on Flickr