Best "Budget" Single Malt Scotch

[DE Shaver]

I know that there are some good scotches out there and it easy to spend quite a fortune on 18 or 21 year scotch. With some recent talk of scotches on the B&B, I was thinking what would be my favourite "budget" scotch. Although I've tried a number of brands, I think for under $50, Bowmore 12 year is my choice.

How about yours?

 

[ackvil]

Bowmore is good. Others I have tried and like Dalmore 12 YRO; Glenfiddich 12 YRO; McClellands (there are a number of different ones). One that I haven't tried yet but comes recommended by a liquor store manager I know: Speyburn. It goes for around $24.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Glenfidditch and Glenlivet are always serviceable, available and reasonably priced. I'll happily drink either.

Though it isn't scotch, my favorite budget brown liquid is Evan Williams bourbon. It might seem too cheap to be any good, but it's surprisingly good. Not the absolute best, but perfectly drinkable and enjoyable.

 

[MrMoJoe]

Glenlivet 12 is really good considering the price, and in fact, I would be happy with it anytime. If you want to spend just a few more dollars, both McCallan 12 and Balvenie 12 Double Wood may be a notch above and are fairly priced.

 

[Loner16]

The Glenlivit is always good, but I also found a Single Malt a bit less expensive called "Speyside," and it's quite good!

 

[Agent8426]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: "any Glen will do." My favorite "budget" scotches are Glenlivit, Glenlivit, and Glenmorangie.

 

[Mazeman]

Under $50?

Highland Park 12yo, hands down.

 

[drunkentester]

Ardbeg 10....of course.


--Dennis

 

[DE Shaver]

Glenlivet 12 is really good considering the price, and in fact, I would be happy with it anytime. If you want to spend just a few more dollars, both McCallan 12 and Balvenie 12 Double Wood may be a notch above and are fairly priced.

I definitely agree with the Balvenie 12 Double Wood. An excellent single malt scotch for the money. I've tried the Glenlivet 12 as well and was satisfied. The Highland Park 12 year is one I've been meaning to try so I'll look for that in the stores next time.

 

[Pete]

Under $50?

Highland Park 12yo, hands down.

What he said. Highland Park is a steal for $40. It's a 12-year malt with a flavor profile which most single malt drinkers would find pretty agreeable. Not too peaty, not too sweet.

Ardbeg 10 was mentioned, which I find to be a damn good Islay for the price, but the iodine notes characteristic of Islays are a bit polarizing... especially for someone new to single malts.

If I were to recommend a single malt under $50 to a new scotch drinker, Balvenie Doublewood would be my first choice. The sherry casking really sweetens this one.

 

[natchez]

I find one of the best moderate priced whiskeys is Isle of Jura. I am sure the ten is under $50. A friend with a home on the Isle of Mull brought me some and it was truly delightful. Unfortunately, it did not last long at all

Based on the above postings, I am definitely going to give the Highland Park a go. Thanks!

 

[spoonman]

+1000 on the Highland Park 12! It was the first single malt I tried and after now having sampled approximately 40 different single malts, I still believe the Highland Park 12 is the best in that age group.

 

[Ronan the BARBERian]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: "any Glen will do." My favorite "budget" scotches are Glenlivit, Glenlivit, and Glenmorangie.

The more I read this forum the more I am impressed by what good taste every body has.

By Good taste I mean, the same as mine.

Best All round scotch, in terms of value for money is GlenLivet.
Its hard to beat at tiwce the price even

 

[BigRich]

Ardbeg 10....of course.


--Dennis

Unfortunately that's not a budget dram anymore. It's regularly $65 a bottle on this side of the country.

 

[msandoval858]

My favorite was Dalmore Cigar Malt, but unfortunately I hear it's been discontinued. Was great for $35 a bottle.

 

[drunkentester]

Unfortunately that's not a budget dram anymore. It's regularly $65 a bottle on this side of the country.

Damn...I can still find bottles of the 10 for around $47 a bottle locally in CA.

--Dennis

 

[DE Shaver]

Damn...I can still find bottles of the 10 for around $47 a bottle locally in CA.

--Dennis

You are very lucky indeed. I won't tell you how much they are in Canada. Ok, I will. It's about $100 for a fifth in Ontario.

 

[knlgskr]

Finlaggan @ Trader Joe's for the money isn't bad but as to whose whisky is in the bottle or the age no one seems to know other than it is an Islay Malt.

Dalmore 12 Year Old & The Glenlivet (same age) are known qualities.

 

[BigRich]

You are very lucky indeed. I won't tell you how much they are in Canada. Ok, I will. It's about $100 for a fifth in Ontario.

Yes LVMH is very proud of their "relatively" new division and is pricing it as such. The did the same thing with Glenmorangie when they repackaged but the prices have been coming back down after they figured out people weren't going to pay those prices. Unfortunately, Ardbeg is still riding the peat-freak wave of popularity so those prices probably aren't coming down anytime soon.

 

[jwcarlson]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: "any Glen will do." My favorite "budget" scotches are Glenlivit, Glenlivit, and Glenmorangie.

Had some Glenmorangie and being an extremely "green" whisky drinker the 46% was extremely strong for me. It was a good whisky, I liked the flavor but it was a bit more burning than the 40% Glenlivet.