Hi, we want to gift a great friend with a very fine bottle of whisky. I know he likes Ardberg and Lagavullin, peaty smokey ones. Any suggestions of something that would look and taste special. Budget up to £150 because it's a big deal.
And he's done tasting tours etc, definitely want to gift a bottle or bottles.
Thanks
Lagavulin distillers edition is a rather nice dram if that’s what they like.
How about .... https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/caol-ila/caol-ila-17-year-old-2007-cask-3-cask-strength-collection-signatory-whisky/
You can get this lovely gift set for £98...
And add in a bottle of this for all the peat without buying a very expensive bottle that might not hit him right...
https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/3395/laphroaig-10-year-old
I'd look at something west coast but nuanced, maybe: Kilchoman; Ardnamurchan; Tobermory/Ledaig
Possibly Nc'nean also, but its at the lighter/less peaty/smokey end of that regions flavour profiles
If he likes the smoky peaty ones, how about an Octomore? Kids bought me one for my 60th...... the bottle looks pretty trick too
https://www.masterofmalt.com/search/?query=Octomore
Octomore is excellent but if you want to be sure of getting him something he's not had before then look at a single cask bottling from an independent bottler. The other south coast Islay distillery, Laphroaig is often bottled as Williamson by indies, and is generally very good. eg https://www.thompsonbrosdistillers.com/product/williamson2010/
Chorltons recent Highland 21yo is a heavily peated Jura so would probably appeal too. https://chorltonwhisky.co.uk/uncategorized/chorlton-whisky-bottlings/