Nothing smoky or peaty
Maximum £100
Was fairly underwhelmed by Glenfiddich 18 - actually preferred the 15
Glenfarclas 15yr for just over £50, or the 105 for just under. Both excellent
Yamazaki 12
Balvenie Caribbean 14
As above, Glenfarclas 15, or maybe a Dalmore 15.
Anyone tried the Glenfarclas 17?
Macallan ?
some people like it, although I think they like it 'cos it's expensive
The whisky shops love it when you ask if they've heard of a Glen Campbell or a Glen Miller and you play Wichita Lineman or In the Mood on your phone.
But I would get 3 different bottles of something classic like Auchentoshan, the 3 Wood, the Classic and American Oak, which makes getting hammered a more scholarly vibe.
For pushing £50 I always enjoy Oban. If I want to try something new at a price point then usually pop into a specialist and ask what they recommend. The Wee Dram in Bakewell is very good. Deliver too.
And well in budget
Forget it - missed the no smokey or peaty!
Dalwhinnie 15
Something lowland, I am enjoying the auchentoshan American oak
I like the Yamazaki and Hibiki whiskeys. They're something different and definitely not peaty!
You say you don't want smokey or peaty?
I really like Speyside malts - they tend to be quite easy drinking, soft, smooth and creamy.
Two of my favourites are:
Balvenie Double wood 17 year old
Dalmore 15 year old
My absolute favourite so far, though was bought from the Whisky Castle in Tomintoul last year. An 11 year old limited edition bottling (1 of 372) made at the Macduff distillery. Bloody lovely stuff. Theres about 5ml of it left in the bottle that I just can't bring myself to finish!
Chita Suntory
The whisky shops love it when you ask if they’ve heard of a Glen Campbell or a Glen Miller and you play Wichita Lineman or In the Mood on your phone
Superb - that made me laugh
Nothing smoky or peaty
Well there goes all my recommendations.
I was going to recommend Balvenie Single Barrel, but it seems to have gone up a bit since my last bottle
Came to recommend the Yamazaki in the CFH post.
Bowmore 18 year old would be my choice.
Try an ancnoc, maybe an 18. Very clean, almost gin like. Spectacular.
Nothing smoky or peaty? Glengoyne 18yo nails that for around £80.
Aberlour Abunadh, as above, however, its price has jumped 60+%, for no apparent reason, maybe due to its popularity?
There are 2 alternatives, Tamdhu Batch Strength, typically £60ish
And, Glenfarclas 105.
Both excellent Speyside whiskys with very similar tastes to the lovely, though over priced, Aberlour Abunadh.
Smokey and peaty is my preference, but that said I do enjoy Quinta Ruban and Lasanta both from Glenmorangie and toward the lower end of your price range
Springbank 15yr old
This is currently my Special Occasion tipple, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. A tiny hint of smoke, but it's pretty well balanced out by everything else that's going on:
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/glen-scotia/glen-scotia-15-year-old-whisky/
craigellachie-2011-8-year-old
The very thought might wrinkle a few sporrans, but there's a delicious whisky from south of the border:
I was bought a bottle for my birthday and it's very, very nice
Whisky is nice, isn't it? I don't really do peat and smoke, plus I do like grain and blended whisky, bourbon, rye, etc.
However, a single malt that really impressed me recently was Kavalan Solist, bourbon barrel (cheapest) version. Just a smidgeon over the price limit if you hunt around. Taste of coconut icecream and pineapple.
Also Paul John (classic select) for £55ish. Rich spicy tropical whisky.
But like I say, whisky is nice.
That Aberfeldy is 25 quid on Amazon at the moment.
My personal tipple is always Scapa Flow. It’s one that doesn’t get a lot of publicity but it has the lightness of a Speyside whisky but with more complex tones from being matured near the sea.
Talking of the sea, another one that’s worth consideration is Inchgower. It can be hard to find as most of its production goes into bells but they do produce a limited run of single malt each year. Again it’s matured near the sea so it has salty undertones but mixed with a more engineering oily feel. Well worth hunting out and not one most whisky lovers will have tried.