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Added May 5th, 2011
Buying Single Malt Scotch as a Gift
by Roland Babineau
Throughout my many years in the retail liquor industry I have been asked countless times by customers, “My Dad, (or uncle, or friend, etc.), drinks single malt Scotch and I’d like to purchase a gift for him. What should I get?” Now THAT is a loaded question!
My first reaction to that question is, “Do you know what he normally drinks?”. My second question is, “How much money are you comfortable with in spending?”.
Scotch is absolutely the most diverse of all whiskeys. Although the signature taste of Scotch comes from the flavor of peat roasted malt, the level of flavor can be light and “feminine” or very bold. Whisky flavors can be light and slightly sweet with cereal grain notes to quite robust with distinct flavors of salt, heavy peat smoke, iodine and acetone. Quite a range! As Scotch drinkers are as diverse as what they drink, it is imperative that we can match the right whisky to the drinker.
If in doubt, the safe bet is to go with a Highland or Speyside malt. They tend to be the least peaty or smoky of the lot, as well as the most popular. Glenlivet and Glenfiddich are the most popular single malt Scotch whiskies sold in the world and come from the Speyside region of Scotland. (Technically, Speyside is the most northerly part of the Highland region). The vast majority of distilleries in Scotland are located in the Highlands, so there are quite a number of Scotches to choose from, each with a very distinct flavor.
Single malts can range in price from just under $20.00 right up to hundreds of dollars, or more. As with wine, there are great values in every price range, as well as others that I wouldn’t give a wooden nickel for! But then again, everyone’s palate is different, which makes for a lot of fun discussions!
Questions? We’re here for you! Come in and visit me personally at our Brewster store and I’ll help you find the right gift.
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