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Best single-malt Scotch...

I have to give credit to Redwiki for the inspiration to start this thread. Yes, certain malts better compliment certain music or certain moods. Of the fifteen or so different malts in my cabinet right now, my favorites are: Aberlour "Antique", similar to the popular Macallan, but not as syrupy; a bit drier, light hearted and less complicated; great with Mozart and Brubeck. Mortlach "Limited Edition" cask strength. Powerful, smoky, mysterious. Great with Bartok, Berg and late 'Trane. Loch Morar 25 yr old. Incredibly complex and intense, with a hint of honey and flowers. Great with Poulenc, Stravinsky and Bill Evans. Any other single-malt aficionados out there?
frogman
rja's avatar
rja
2,373 posts
 
The Glendronach 15YO Revival is a very nice dram at about $75-80.

I don't understand the astronomical price rise of Macallan.
Yes, the 18YO is a lovely dram but $160-180? There are plenty of respectable 18YOs in the $100 range.

Try a 18YO Talisker!
kennyt's avatar
kennyt
1,226 posts
 
Rja,

If you can find it try the 25 y/o Talisker....

I still have a few ounces of that one left and it is insanely good! I used to drink Macallan but the prices have gone out of control. I used to get the 25 y/o for $99 and you could buy it in the grocery store, now that bottle is over $750 and in my mind not worth that, I'll stick with Balvenie 21 Port for less than $200 (actually my LLS still has some at %150!)
baka1969
101 posts
 
@ kennyt. I went out to try and find Macallan 15 or 18 within reasonable driving distance and could only find 10 or 12. I ended up with the 12. I called around and the prices I did find were getting steep. $51 for the 12. $80 for the 15. $145 for the 18. $350 for the 21. $650 for the 25. $1100 for the 30. Plus tax for all of them. Those prices are in the city of Philadelphia.

As I've mentioned in this thread, I rarely drink and, for me, $80 would be as far as I'd stretch.
kennyt's avatar
kennyt
1,226 posts
 
Yeah, Macallan has essentially priced itself out of the market. They sell most of their product to Asia where it is a major status symbol, in the US me and my friends drink the 21 Port Balvenie. It's available for ~$200 and is to my palette better than the 25 Macallan. YMMV and we all need to tailor price to taste!

The Mac 12 is pretty rough for my tastes, I can't tolerate the 15 even. When things were cheaper I used to keep the 18 as my 'house' scotch but now I will serve Balvenie 21 when friends come by.....
johnmadden
15 posts
 
Forget Scotch!

Irish Whiskey!
A decent bottle at $50 equivalent to the $200-300 scotch range that I used to buy is "Red Breast" 12yr!
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