Cheap Single Malts?

I have literally dozens of malts on hand, and one of those is always Speyburn. It is a salty, big-flavoured whisky. I like it on ice for a big splash of flavour, and sometimes (much more rarely) neat. I think it is terrific value on a flavor-for-price ratio. I think it beats out most things at the price (as little as $16.99 in Wisconsin), and I don't think there is a blend that can come close in value to Speyburn.

Those that DO come close in value lately for me are: * Bowmore 12 at $22.99 lately in these parts (nice peat--fab!); * about $20 for a Glen Moray matured in Chenin Blanc casks (vanilla tasty!); * sometimes around $20 for Old Pulteney (light, clean, but still nicely fruity!); * a Benriach that I got in Florida for $22 lately (rich--a steal!);

One that that I DON'T think is worth it in that price range are: * Isle of Jura in the low $20's (almondy, but creepily rough, dull & offish);

And two that I avoid, but might be nice for variety in that price range are: * Auchentoshan (no age statement) around $20 (touch of smoke, but a bit light); * Aberlour 10 in the low $20's (used to be sherry-rich, but I think the quality has gone downhill to a more austere multi-used-bourbon-cask style);

Speyburn isn't bad! It's big and maybe a little rough, but has up-front flavor and character for something that reasonable, pricewise.

Hi Walrus

Hoyt makes some good comments, I agree with him. I will add that you might wanna try Aberfeldy (Aberfeldy distillery also host the exhibition centre "Dewar's world of whisky" so there might be some similarities, but I have never tried a dewar so I don't know myself)

Also Balvenie Doublewood alway's a hit for a new Malt drinker. It's the Malt I use as introduction when I can)

Kind Regards

Steffen

It's always interesting to see how different people's taste preferences are. Even though I sell wine for a living, I enjoy a really nice single malt as a change of pace. A couple of my favorites include the Isle of Jura (particularly the 16 year old, but also the 10) and the Aberlour 10 (although, I have been in the same bottle for a couple of years, so can't comment on whether the quality of production has deteriorated as mentioned.... guess I should buy a more recent bottling for comparison).

Cheers, Gary

Agreed. And when you're ready to try an Islay, I heartily recommend the vatted Glen Salen, which sells around the US for anywhere from $12 to $20. It consistently deceives sophisticated palates.

-- Larry

Agreed. And when you're ready to try an Islay, I heartily recommend the vatted Glen Salen, which sells around the US for anywhere from $12 to $20. It consistently deceives sophisticated palates.

-- Larry

There are some great cheap single malts out there, and my advice is to try them all. My favorites are: Bowmore Legend Bowmore 12 Aberlour 10 The ones I've tried but haven't really gone back to are: Speyburn Glen Garioch Jura

But as you can tell from the postings, everyone has different tastes, and fortunately this is a perfect area for experimentation. For the more expensive whiskies, it's not a bad idea to try them at a bar. However, I find that individual whiskies often taste slightly different each time I drink them, so it really takes a whole bottle (not all at one sitting! :) to really decide whether I like or dislike something.

Also, you can use the cheap single malts to figure out what your regional preference is, so when you do occasionally spring for a more expensive whisky, you're more likely to enjoy it.

Also, give the Signatory Vintage series a try. Orkney (Highland Park?) 7 yo, Islay 5yo (Lagavulin?) and Campbeltown 8yo (Springbank?) are all treats, especially the latter. Wine and Liquor Depot in CA has them for $18.99. Finlaggen has its ups and downs but is worth a taste at $22.99. Finally, if you spot a deal on McClellands Islay, it seems to be identical to Bowmore Legend but often priced for less. Enjoy!

Peter

Besides those mentioned above & in posts to date:

The Dalmore 12 - Here in NYC, it's possible to pick this up from $20-23. For my money, it's the single best value in single malt, quality/taste vs price.

Glenkinchie 10 - less assertive/complex, a Lowland, but if one wants something a bit tamer, it's delicious. I don't recall its price except thinking at the time that it was pretty good for the price.

Glengoyne 12(?) - a pleasant dram under $25. (pr Glen-Win)

YMMV

Where is Glen Salen available (Places that take phone/e-mail orders and ship)?

Peter

"W ä l r ü s ®©" wrote in news:itXLd.6933$ snipped-for-privacy@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net:

Haven't tried the Speyburn. My cheap dram of choice is Mclellands Islay, which goes for as low as $15 US. It is supposedly a 5-year old Bowmore.

BFB schrieb:

Hallo,

one question: what quantity are your bottles?

In Germany you would pay for the Dalmore 12 y.o. 0.7 litre for instance

I should immigrate...

Andreas

Do you have a Trinkgut nearby? I've seen Dalmore at the Trinkgut in Kleve for 25 euro. That's 4 euro cheaper anyway. But it's no 20 dollars...

Marjon

Marjon schrieb:

trinkgut is only in some cities and counties. :-( Kleve is 200-250 km far away. The gasoline for that distance is more worth than one bottle...

Andreas

all single mlts seem to be expemnsive.

In Germany you would pay for the Dalmore 12 y.o. 0.7 litre for instance 29 Euro thats 38 USD!!! I should immigrate...

I used to look forward to my malt whisky shopping runs to Germany--now I bring mine WITH me from the states. With the decline in the dollar, and the very good prices on some very nice malts in the U.S., I can't rationalize even STOPPING at Weinquelle in Hamburg anymore. Our bottles are 0.75L most of the time--and most likely to be 43% whereas too many malts in Germany are sold at 40%.