Whiskey drinkers

[echo4747]

I would like to give a Christmas gift to a friend of a friend who helped me out with a home repair project. I know they like whiskey but not sure exactly what their favorite is. Anyway I would like to spend ~$100. ( a little more than $100 is okay ) and gift 2 bottles. I am not a whiskey drinker and know very little about whats decent. Anyway, I'm looking for recommendations for two different brand/bottles that most anyone would likely enjoy.

 

[pete6032]

Are you looking for whiskey or bourbon?

Ones I would recommend are Eagle Rare or Breckenridge. You could also try and get something from a local distillery if you have that where you are.

 

[echo4747]

not sure and dont want want to ask .. because the person I intend on giving it to would insist on not accepting any gift. Its going to be a gift that just shows up on his doorstep. I suppose I just want something that is decent and has mass appeal

 

[herm0016]

Tin Cup, Bookers, and Colonel Taylor fit that description.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Its kinda hard to guess without knowing the person's preferences.

Does this friend rant and rave about his favorite haggis and comment about how much he loves the smell of burning leaves in the fall?
Islay Scotches (Laphroaig and Ardbeg are my favorites, but, i stress, not everybody likes this style!)

Is the friend into Sushi/Japanese food?
Japanese Whisky (Suntory Toki is a good option).


Otherwise, i think Pete6032 and Herm0016's American Whiskey suggestions are probably the closest thing to a safe bet (assuming you are in the USA.)

I might think to avoid 'Rye' Whiskey, as its appeal tends to be more limited than Bourbon/Sour mash whiskies.

 

[echo4747]

I dont know him well enough to know... just wanted to show appreciation for help he gave me... My neighbor know him better and I sent him a text asking if he knows if he prefers Bourbon or Irish whiskey. just waiting for his response

 

[sandorski]

Buy at own risk.

 

[waffleironhead]

These are all in the $50-60 range depending on market area.
I lean towards sherry cask finish, but it would be hard to go wrong with any of these.

Bruichladdich the classic laddie - unpeated islay
Balvenie 12 Double wood - scotch finished in sherry cask
Aberlour 12 - scotch finished in sherry cask
connemara 12 - irish peated
red breast 12 - irish sherry finish

 

[Paperdoc]

FYI, "Rye" whisky in "pure" form is hard to find in the USA - usually they actually are blends of rye and bourbon whiskeys. Rye is very popular in Canada. If your giftee is American, is is UNlileky he / she would want a rye. Bourbons are the very popular domestic whiskey in the USA, and Scotch as an import type is popular world-wide. Within those two classes there are a LOT of options, so asking for recommendations as you are doing is a good idea.

 

[lxskllr]

Compass Box's Artists blend is pretty good for scotch, and about $35/bottle. It's a blended whisky, but has a higher than usual malt content, and isn't chill filtered. Kind of unique, but approachable for newcomers to scotch.

 

[dullard]

I'm a fan of Minor Case right now. At ~$40 it really has the best value amongst the medium price options. But, I like my whisky a bit on the sweeter side so it tastes like a cocktail without adding anything. So, I like mine finished in sherry or port casks. While Minor Case isn't available at all stores, it should be available at any of the larger liquor stores, so you aren't on a wild-goose chase trying to find non-existent bourbons.

Minor Case - Limestone Branch

Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey Had master distiller M.C. Beam not been stifled by Prohibition, we imagine his straight rye whiskey would taste a lot like the mature elixir we bottle today. It’s aged in cream sherry casks for an unforgettable flavor. 90 Proof /...

limestonebranch.com

 

[dullard]

Buy at own risk.

No, just no. Only if you share the experience with him should you buy Malort.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Buy at own risk.

That is my little brothers FAVORITE drink in the whole world.
That said, he is not known for being in possession of his sanity.

 

[MrSquished]

I'm a fan of Minor Case right now. At ~$40 it really has the best value amongst the medium price options. But, I like my whisky a bit on the sweeter side so it tastes like a cocktail without adding anything. So, I like mine finished in sherry or port casks. While Minor Case isn't available at all stores, it should be available at any of the larger liquor stores, so you aren't on a wild-goose chase trying to find non-existent bourbons.

Minor Case - Limestone Branch

Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey Had master distiller M.C. Beam not been stifled by Prohibition, we imagine his straight rye whiskey would taste a lot like the mature elixir we bottle today. It’s aged in cream sherry casks for an unforgettable flavor. 90 Proof /...

limestonebranch.com

This sounds amazing. I will have to look for that this week.

 

[dullard]

This sounds amazing. I will have to look for that this week.

@waffleironhead had other good suggestions. Anything finished in a Sherry or Port cask has the qualities that I like. It is just that Minor Case is usually the cheapest of that bunch. Minor Case isn't my favorite ever, but for the buck, it is what I go back to. My favorite that I've tried so far is Balvenie Portwood 21 year but that is way out of the price range. https://www.totalwine.com/spirits/scotch/single-malt/balvenie-21-yr-port-wood/p/19089750

 

[Dranoche]

That is my little brothers FAVORITE drink in the whole world.
That said, he is not known for being in possession of his sanity.

Lack of sanity confirmed. The only thing I can compare that stuff to is the taste in your mouth after you vomit up a bunch of cheap white wine.

Back to OP's question - Glenlivet 14 (Scotch), Henry McKenna Single Barrel (Bourbon), Tullamore Dew 12 (Irish), Woodford Reserve Malt (American Malt), Glen Moray Port Cask Finish (no age statement, Scotch) in rough order of decreasing price, about $35-60 right now in my area. The flavor profiles are unlikely to offend. I like the recommendations from @waffleironhead as well, particularly the Balvenie and Aberlour.

 

[MrSquished]

@waffleironhead had other good suggestions. Anything finished in a Sherry or Port cask has the qualities that I like. It is just that Minor Case is usually the cheapest of that bunch. Minor Case isn't my favorite ever, but for the buck, it is what I go back to. My favorite that I've tried so far is Balvenie Portwood 21 year but that is way out of the price range. https://www.totalwine.com/spirits/scotch/single-malt/balvenie-21-yr-port-wood/p/19089750

I called the large store by me and they don't carry it but they do have other sherry cask aged whiskeys so I'll try those first. I'm quite sure I will like one because I like more of a hint of sweetness as well. I tend to put a bit more simple syrup in my Old Fashioned's than required. I'd prefer to keep it around $40-50 so we'll see what they have. I can always drive a bit further of course. We have a similar palate for whiskey it seems. I'll let you know what I find and if it's good.

 

[K1052]

Of bourbon that you might actually locate given the holidays and general craziness:

Old Forester 1920
Stellum
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Eagle Rare
Knob Creek 12 year
Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select
Wild Turkey Rare Breed

 

[echo4747]

friend texted me back and says hes knows he likes Makers Mark as they have done shots of that together. I suppose I could get that and some other type of bourbon as well

 

[dullard]

friend texted me back and says hes knows he likes Makers Mark as they have done shots of that together. I suppose I could get that and some other type of bourbon as well

Makers Mark is like an entry to better whiskey. I think a lot of people eventually land on it as a widely available, inexpensive drink that is way better than anything cheaper. That tells me your friend has tried the bottom shelf stuff and realized that they are harsh, often rubbery or medicinal, etc. Makers Mark is a safe bet for anyone who likes whiskey--I drank that mostly when I started drinking.

But, Makers Mark is about as tame as can be in the whiskey world. It doesn't really tell us if he wants something smoky and peaty like many scotches, something oaken and buttery like Irish whiskey, spicier and stronger flavor like many bourbons, etc. A safe route might be exactly as you said, get a Makers Mark 46 (more smooth than standard Makers Mark but a bit more alcohol so it does well as a higher-end mixer) and then one bottle from this thread as something to sip as-is (or maybe with a drop of water to open it up if it is too strong for your friend).

 

[GodisanAtheist]

Throw in another vote for Balvenie 12 Year. Its what opened my eyes to the world of Scotch/Whiskey/Bourbon and its a very safe bet. Very mellow, mildly sweet, extremely enjoyable neat.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

friend texted me back and says hes knows he likes Makers Mark as they have done shots of that together. I suppose I could get that and some other type of bourbon as well

So they make fancy more expensive Makers Mark and you might as well stick to that as your friend is doing shots and not drinking it neat or with 1-cube.

Makers Mark 46 $30/bottle
Makers Mark 46 Cask Strength $40/bottle
Makers Mark Wood Finishing $60/bottle

A 1.75L of regualr Makers Mark can be had for $40 and that might just be your best gift.

 

[uclaLabrat]

Its kinda hard to guess without knowing the person's preferences.

Does this friend rant and rave about his favorite haggis and comment about how much he loves the smell of burning leaves in the fall?
Islay Scotches (Laphroaig and Ardbeg are my favorites, but, i stress, not everybody likes this style!)

Is the friend into Sushi/Japanese food?
Japanese Whisky (Suntory Toki is a good option).


Otherwise, i think Pete6032 and Herm0016's American Whiskey suggestions are probably the closest thing to a safe bet (assuming you are in the USA.)

I might think to avoid 'Rye' Whiskey, as its appeal tends to be more limited than Bourbon/Sour mash whiskies.

Very much this. While the above are what I would call very fine expressions of Islay whiskies, on balance I'd say that entire genre be used for engine degreasing or cleaning drains 😜

 

[crashtech]

If you can snag a bottle of any type of Weller, they are wheated bourbons like Maker's, but much better, imo. They aren't easy to find in a lot of places, though.

If not that, a couple that may not have been mentioned are Michter's and Elijah Criag. They aren't wheated, but are well regarded. Michter's may be another of those that is hard to find, it doesn't stay on the shelf long around here. Elijah Criag might not be a big enough jump from Maker's.

 

[lxskllr]

Michters rye is very good. The mash bill tastes very close to bourbon to me, so it shouldn't offend a bourbon drinker.