Scotland Scotch

Assuming that I'm correct in believing that you live in North Carolina, sure it is. You just have to buy it as a special order from the ABC.

Also, there are places a lot closer than the U.K. that you could visit to purchase them.

Where are you, Nick? They're certainly available in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and Georgia. And mail order is awfully easy within the US from some places with

I wouldn't carry anything back from Europe unless it was really, really rare -- something like a very small distillery run, a bottler who doesn't export to the US at all, or an older vintage bottling.

-- Larry

Yeah butttt ... none of them are Yorkshire!

Thanks Larry..

She would like to bring me 2 or 3

too early in the morning to do this but...

you do realize that you are asking us to somehow psychicly determine exactly what is avalable where you live and the price range you find acceptable?

First go to

personally I tend to go for rare Ardbegs or any of the older Broras when I get the opportunity, so those are obviously the ones I would recomend, but they tend to be pricey so YMMV.

As for distilleries to visit if she is going to visit Islay then the top two distilleries are both in range Ardbeg is number one and Laphroig a not too distant second (Bruchladdich and Caol Ila are also worth seeing and close but after not instead of the other too).

If she isn't going to hit the island then in order .. Edradour ... Glenmorangie .. with Glenfarclas and Strathisla tied for third (in both cases we got non standard guides/tours for those so I can't vouch for the standard one). Aberlour gives an excellent tour and class if she likes scotch..or even if she thinks she might. It costs more than most but the class at the end is worthwhile, but she needs to be remiinded not to buy the personal bottle at the end.. the whisky is fine but it is a gimmick and there is only so much you can carry on a plane.

sorry about the spelling.. still working on the first coffee

messagenews:3CSRi.51550$uC1.4263@trnddc04...

of lagavulin. visit laphroaig,

substitute one of them for the johnnie

the wrong guy to ask.

Ok so I should have read farther into the thread..

ARDBEG 16 Year old 'Airigh Nam Beist' LAPHROAIG 1991 Signatory Cask Strength ARDBEG 'UIGEADAIL' CAOL ILA 18 Year Old TALISKER 18 Year Old

The only Brora that I see available is a Gordon and MacPhail and I have learned to avoid them.

As far as I can see nobody has mentioned the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. I know they are available in the US but a visit to the 'mothership' in Edinburgh may provide a couple of bottles that aren't available in the US. The staff are knowledgeable to advise on this.

When I was last there I picked up a lovely 20-year Highland Park (4.116) that I am currently using to wet my nephew's head.

Well this thread certainly puts paid to the oft voiced complaint that there is nothing going on here!

I would echo Rajmunds comments about the majority of the tours, those places that cater to big bus tours give a standard boring tour that is designed for those think that scotch is what goes into a "Rob Roy" and that drinking it neat is crazy.

As descrbed above I really think that the Aberlour tour and class is well worth while.. admitedly it was 2004 when my wife and I were there but the class at the end of the tour was an excellent introduction to the subtelties of whisky. You were able to taste new make spirit, straight from the cask 10yr old from bourbon and sherry casks with a reasonable discussion of the effects of the wood, then a blend of the two casks as bottled at I think 15yo and the current realease of the A'Bunadh.

The key as Rajmund has said it to ask intellegent questions, the people who are doing this for the most part truly love what they do and they really enjoy the opportunity to share that love with others. My wife and I have been pulled out of tours or pulled aside at the end of others and given what can only be called special treatment all based on the fact that my wife is a teacher who really enjoys interacting with the guides and I am a freak for trivia about scotch.

different opinions about anything regarding whisky or tours but if you want any opinions seconded the e-mail address here works.

know they are available in the

bottles that aren't available in

I am currently using to wet

Thanks Steve.

They buy their own casks for bottling, so you can find unique bottlings there, with age/wood combinations unavailable anywhere else.

A friend who has done this reports they're not cheap, but raved over the experience. The staff happily let him sample a number of malts before he settled on one to buy.

Problem there is that you'd want to visit in person, join the society and exercise your own palate. It's not an errand you can send anyone else on.

messagenews:3CSRi.51550$uC1.4263@trnddc04...

of lagavulin. visit

substitute one of them for the

the wrong guy to ask.

Hi:) Just for verification. Do you mean:

Thanks

messagenews:3CSRi.51550$uC1.4263@trnddc04...

bottle of lagavulin. visit

substitute one of them for the

the wrong guy to ask.

That is the one..

That is always a hard call.. Though with Diagio Malts i suppose it is pretty much a given. If you are in Chicago the combination of Binny's and Sam's give a pretty amazing selection..

True. It would be better for your daughter to be a whisky drinker for this 'mission'. On the other hand if you check out the range at you could always request something.

Prices are high but cheaper if you buy in person.

One can bring back more. Just declare the overage and pay the duty.

ChEAr$, Harlan Lunsford

would like to bring me 2 or 3

A friend just brought these people to my attention.

I cant remember what he paid for it, but do remmember it being very expensive. If you notice on the label it say's 25 December 1959. Back in the days when they even worked on Christmas day. This date happened to be the mans day of birth, which was why he bought it. I hope you decide what to choose for yourself.

Peace,

Jock

We always bring back several bottles more than allowed, but we have never been questioned or charged extra. But then SM is about all we bring back these days, and probably stay well under the dollar limit (rather than the bottle limit).

nick