Best Scotch for the $ ?

[ForresterModern]

Green Dragon

I would not dare to argue with any of the above suggestions, but will add a few myself. For the starting single malt drinker I would second Glenmorangie and Glenliveet as quality but easily palatable and affordable. A slight step up might be Auchentoshan and Tobermory, both light bodied and easy to drink, and in the same price range.

Tell you what, send me a PM and I will try to set up a combined kilt night and single malt scotch whisky tasting sometime at my house east of Louisville, for all the locals and anybody who can make it in from Cinci, Lex, Indy for the event. I have more than 70 bottles of fine whisky, all single malt, and most scotch, that would make for a nice spread for anyone interested in trying out a bunch all at once, one against another, for comparison. Only one rule, anybody coming regimental has to sit on a towel on the furniture as WIFE has a thing about cleanliness and all that.

jeff

[bdkilted]

My favorite is Glen Keith, but that distillery is closed.
I also like Glenfiddich 12 yrs, and for an inexpensive single malt, Dalmore cigar blend.

[chewse]

My wife and I visited The Pot Still in Glasgow a few weeks back. This "pub" was fantastic! http://www.thepotstill.co.uk/

It was our first experience with true Scottish whisky. We “bellied up to the bar” and asked the bartender for a recommended whisky. He proceeded to ask us several questions about the food we like, our tastes in drinks and our experience level with Scotch. After answering the questions to his satisfaction, the bartender turned is back on us and began scanning the hundreds of bottles of whiskies that lined the back of the bar. He finally spotted the bottle for us. He climbed up onto a ladder, similar to one you would see Professor Higgins use in his study in the movie My Fair Lady, reached up to the highest tier of shelves and pulled down a bottle Cragganmore’s Distillers Edition, Double Matured, Single Seyside Malt whisky.

That Scotch was sooooo smooth!

Since returning, I’ve checked several liquor stores for this particular bottle to no avail.

[Old Hippie]

I've found the "best for the $" question tough to answer. Lagavulin 16 is, to my mind, a very good Scotch for the money -- but it's a lotta money.

Trying to find the hidden bargains in something as over-marketed as single-malt Scotch (or Irish, or Japanese...) basically boils down to whether you can stand the taste of the cheapest stuff you can find. I drink Screech because I like the taste. Even a great single-malt can taste like battery acid and iodine to some. Problem is: how ya gonna know without buying a bottle? I understand completely.

In terms of value for my dollar, I often go to the blends. I find the Grant's line to be quite palatable at around $25.00 the bottle. I'm particularly fond of Grant's Ale Cask Reserve, if you can find it.

When I drink single malt, that's all I'm doing. The whisky deserves my attention. Frequently in the evening, though, I'm doing something else: reading, conversing, or whatever. Not that I drink mindlessly, but I know I'm not giving $5.00 worth of attention to what's in my glass. Seventy-five cents or a dollar, that I can afford when I'm otherwise occupied.

[Dale Seago]

I think Glenlivet is a good "baseline" malt for those new to whisky and not wanting to spend too much. In the same vein, if you're near a Trader Joe's store they now have a "Highland single malt" under their own label: No idea what distiller it's from, but it's quite decent stuff and only $19.99.

[KFCarter]

I have more than 70 bottles of fine whisky, all single malt, and most scotch...

jeff

I'm still trying to get past this....

gave me palpitations...

[Kilted Rogue]

Something i just learned. Battle Hill scotch. They are around the 39.00 range.
the label makes them look on the cheep side, but the story goes, they take the leftover scotch from( yeah did you guys know out there some where there is left over scotch!!) from major distilleries. the big names, Macallan, Glenlivet, Glenmorangie, just to toss a few. bring them leftovers home and age them a little more. So on the label you will see odd years like 13 yr, 9yr, 17 yr. 14 yr and the like. The label tells you where if comes from, its just a year or 2 older so they dont just relabel as there own. I havent tried it yet, but its next on my list to get.
Gives you an way in to single malts with out dropping the big bucks

[BLHS209]

I will second one of Bing's suggestions - The Macallan Fine Oak 15 yo. The 18 is nice but only had it (a bottle) once. Not cheap but very nice

[Scotland Forever]

I will second one of Bing's suggestions - The Macallan Fine Oak 15 yo. The 18 is nice but only had it (a bottle) once. Not cheap but very nice

This is my go to for $ vs taste. It's smooth w/ a nice afternote.
I typically get it for $56+tax in Maryland (10 minute drive from work).

Has anyone had any experience buying online from Scotland?
I see some *very* good prices online and it would be great getting a 21 year Macallan for $165-ish.

[Big Mikey]

Owing to the inordinate amount of "sin tax" we are forced to pay here, there are few so called affordable whiskies. That being said, the MacClelland Islay and Highland are both very good in body, nose and flavour and locally are priced at half of the price of most that have been previously mentioned.