From John:
I love a single malt in the evening. I am retired and not in the position to “splurge” on the very expensive malts. My tastes runs to the Speyside types rather than the more robust island types where you can literally taste the sea breeze and the peat. Can you put me on to a modestly priced single that comes close to a Glenlivet 12 or similar type? I went to the malt festival in Denver recently. I loved the Nadura but it is out of my price range. Thanks.
From Scotch Hunter Steve:
John, thanks so much for writing. Yours is a good question.
Of course, you can spend as much as you want for a bottle of good single malt. The real question is, “Is it worth the extra dollar?”
Fortunately, the sweet spot for excellent single malt is between $50 and $100. Hundreds of excellent fall within this range. The Nadura is an exceptional cask strength malt that retails for about $70. If that is a bit steep for a man of good taste on a fixed income, I would try the following:
Aberfeldy 12 YO – $40
Aberlour 12 YO – $42
Balvenie 10 YO – $45
Dalmore 12 YO – $35
Glenfarclas 10 YO – $50
Glenrothes Select Reserve – $46
Highland Park 10 YO – $44
Macallan 12 YO – $47
All of these are Speyside/Highland malts. If I had to pick only two, I’d go with the Balvenie and the Glenfarclas.
Happy hunting and thanks so much for your question.
Slainte,
Scotch Hunter Steve
Steve@ScotchHunter.com
www.ScotchHunter.com
