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Advice -- Alcohol as a gift

post #1 of 42
9/21/09 at 4:13pm
Thread Starter 
I'm planning on getting each of my three groomsmen a nice bottle of something as a gift for my upcoming wedding. One loves whiskey (Maker's Mark being his favorite), one loves scotch, and the other is a dark rum guy. Any decently-priced (let's keep it around $50 or so) suggestions from you dru ... connoisseurs out there?
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post #2 of 42
9/21/09 at 4:15pm
Johnny Walker Black Label will set you back about $40-$50 and is a fantastic scotch.
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post #3 of 42
9/21/09 at 4:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson View Post
I'm planning on getting each of my three groomsmen a nice bottle of something as a gift for my upcoming wedding. One loves whiskey (Maker's Mark being his favorite), one loves scotch, and the other is a dark rum guy. Any decently-priced (let's keep it around $50 or so) suggestions from you dru ... connoisseurs out there?
Not sure about the whiskey but for rum you can go with Mt Gay Rum. It's all kinds of amazing. For scotch, it depends on what region he prefers, Speyside, Isley, Lowlands etc.
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post #4 of 42
9/21/09 at 4:21pm
Irish whiskey- Jameson
Bourbon- Knob Creek
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post #5 of 42
9/21/09 at 4:21pm
James Bond orders a Mount Gay and soda in Casino Royale. Give or take Gordon's, if Bond is drinking it, it's good.

Sidebar - congrats!
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post #6 of 42
9/21/09 at 4:27pm
Single Malt Scotch:
- MaCallan 12 (generally under $50)
- Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban (I just bought a bottle for $49.99)
Blend Scotch:
- Johnny Walker Green (generally around $50)

I don't know Whiskeys or Rums at all, sorry.

Congrats, by the way!
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post #7 of 42
9/21/09 at 4:35pm
Ahh, ever a groomsman, never a groom. The best groomsgift I ever received was a watch (Charles-Hubert).
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post #8 of 42
9/21/09 at 4:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Judas Booth View Post
Single Malt Scotch:
- MaCallan 12 (generally under $50)
- Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban (I just bought a bottle for $49.99)
Blend Scotch:
- Johnny Walker Green (generally around $50)
I really approve this list. Green is the way to go with the Walker. The Black Label still has the motor oil taste the Red is so fond of. The Green is beautiful, but as a gift, I prefer to go with Single Malts.

So the Macallan 12 and the Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban are great gifts. Slightly cheaper, the Balvenie Double Wood is probably one of the best quality/price combo you can get for a Single Malt.
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post #9 of 42
9/21/09 at 5:00pm
For the bourbon drinker look to small batch or single barrel bourbons. I recommend Blanton's, Booker's or Basil Hayden's. With scotch you should go single malt all the way. I prefer 14 yr. Oban, but take your pick. It is hard to go wrong with better brands. Talisker, Macallan, Laphroaig. Not so sure on the rum. I don't do rum.
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post #10 of 42
9/21/09 at 5:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mad Man Mundt View Post
Talisker, Macallan, Laphroaig. Not so sure on the rum. I don't do rum.
A small detail. Try to know if your groomsmen like peat or smoky alcohol. Usually, people who have been whisky for a certain times will appreciate the peat. Certain scotch, like Talisker, Laphroaig or Lagavulin, are excellent, but their peat can be overwhelming for beginners.
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post #11 of 42
9/21/09 at 5:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martin Savage View Post
A small detail. Try to know if your groomsmen like peat or smoky alcohol. Usually, people who have been whisky for a certain times will appreciate the peat. Certain scotch, like Talisker, Laphroaig or Lagavulin, are excellent, but their peat can be overwhelming for beginners.
THIS. Find out a brand of single malt that he likes and we'll be able to point you in the right direction.

For the record, the ones that I listed are all pretty smooth scotches without any overwhelming smoky/peaty taste.
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post #12 of 42
9/21/09 at 5:16pm
Richard: another suggestion for you -

Get each of them a nice flask with their names/initials imprinted on it. Fill that flask with some quality whiskey/rum/scotch and give it to them instead of a bottle.

I received that very groomsman gift about 15 years ago, and I still use that flask to this day.
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post #13 of 42
9/21/09 at 5:22pm
Excellent suggestion Judas. More to the point of what I was alluding to with my post. A lasting gift that will bring back memories of this event when used in the future.
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post #14 of 42
9/21/09 at 5:24pm
It may not be a rum or whiskey, but you can't beat this for leaving an impression.
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post #15 of 42
9/21/09 at 5:25pm
Thread Starter 
I actually ordered each of them an engraved old fashioned glass. Sort of a two-part gift.
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post #16 of 42
9/21/09 at 5:38pm
Dark Rum:

Lamb's Navy. Traditional, gives you a stiff upper lip.
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post #17 of 42
9/21/09 at 6:21pm
Angostura 1824, Flor De Cana or a higher Appleton Estate(you may overshoot your $50 target but can find a quality Appleton for under).

I have a bottle of Angostura 1919 and if it is any indication of the quality of the 1824 I would go with the Angostura.

I had a patient bring me a bottle of Flor De Cana 7 year and it was OK. Not something I would buy on the regular but perhaps because I am more partial to golden rums.

If it doesn't have to be dark then the 1919, Barbancourt 15 year or 10 Cane are very respectable choices.
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post #18 of 42
9/21/09 at 6:23pm
Ignore Spike's JW Black suggestion. You'll definitely come off as a scotch cheapskate if you do that. Judas' list & martin's suggestion re: getting to know their preferences are secondeed. I'd add The balvenie Doublewood to Judas' list. It's got a nice, comparatively smooth & mellow flavor, but has enough kick to keep it honest. Cragganmore might be a good way to go, too, if they don't like smoky & peaty, but it's a little less kick to it than The Balvenie.
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post #19 of 42
9/21/09 at 8:48pm
For rum, I second the Mount Gay and Appleton suggestions (for Appleton I would recommend at least the Extra, which is a 12 yr). And although the name and presentation might seem gimmicky, Pyrat is actually pretty nice.

And for the whiskey, Woodford Reserve is very reliable. No idea about US pricing so it might be above the budget range.

Even though it's 9:30 in the morning here, I now feel like fixin' myself a rum or two. Such is the power of the Chud boards.
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post #20 of 42
9/21/09 at 8:55pm
Irish whisky: Bushmills for me. Their 10 yr single malt is delicious, like a dessert with kick.
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post #21 of 42
9/21/09 at 9:08pm
For bourbons, it's exceptionally difficult to beat the 1792 Ridgemont Reserve. Around $30-35, so not too pricey. Exceptionally smooth, quite potent... overall, a fucking amazing whiskey!

I was a Maker's Mark man myself until I tried it, now I drink nothing but the Ridgemont.

For Scotch, the Macallan's Cask Strength is top drawer, but a bit pricey at around $50-60. I'd go with Auchentoshan for single malts or The Famous Grouse for blends, since they use The Macallan as one of the blend whiskeys.

Rums? Gosling's Black... bar none.
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post #22 of 42
9/21/09 at 11:14pm
Old Parr is a pretty decent whiskey, in my opinion. I don't know how easy or hard it is to come by over there. It does the job for me. And it's a nice looking bottle.

(But if your man already prefers Maker's Mark - which is a fine choice, by the way - go with that)

For Scotch, I'd say Johnnie Walker Green Label is definitely a good bet. Blue Label is AMAZING. But pretty expensive. At least around these parts. Well over 100 dollars.

I would love to recommend rum. But I really don't know what you have available over there. I'll give it a try anyway... I'll say right now that the Bacardi Solera variation is very good. As is a vintage Barceló.

DO NOT under any circumstances get Bacardi Black or Gold. That's piss in a bottle. Havana Club is an overrated rum. Though the 7 year "añejo" is not bad.

But if you can get your hands on a genuine Solera from Venezuela (in a leather pouch with a stainless steel shot glass) your friend will be very impressed. I imagine it must be pretty expensive, though. So go with Bacardi Solera and you should be fine.
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post #23 of 42
9/21/09 at 11:35pm
Thread Starter 
Ooh, my friend loves Bacardi Black. We don't get it here in the States any more though, we get Bacardi Select, which they say is the Black just renamed, but he swears it's original like Coke Classic is original.
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post #24 of 42
9/21/09 at 11:48pm
Bacardi Select might be the English name for Bacardi Solera. I'll have to look it up. But your friend is dead wrong about it being Black "renamed" if that's the case. Black is a terrible variation. It's slightly better than Gold. But only slightly.

Gold really is poison.
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post #25 of 42
9/22/09 at 8:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ludwig View Post
Dark Rum:

Lamb's Navy. Traditional, gives you a stiff upper lip.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lima Oscar Lima View Post
Rums? Gosling's Black... bar none.
Both excellent choices...I would humbly add Pyrat XO Reserve to that shortlist, however.
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post #26 of 42
9/22/09 at 8:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Erix View Post
Bacardi Select might be the English name for Bacardi Solera. I'll have to look it up.
That's the one indeed. And pretty much what was said above, though I'd add DYC whiskey to the anti-recommendation list. Herpes-ridden bile it is too.

Oh, and congrats to RD too, and thanks for the flask-idea, JB. I'm still a year away but that could be a great touch when telling the Evil Three they've been selected for sacrificial duties.
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post #27 of 42
9/22/09 at 10:29am
Bacardi Select is horrible. It is so overpowered by the sugar and alcohol as to have no value whatsoever. Once you get past the burning it tastes like you swigged simple syrup with a side of honey.
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post #28 of 42
9/22/09 at 12:37pm
Thread Starter 
I'm staying away from Bacardi, since he drinks that a lot. And he's had Gosling's before, so I want to try something different.
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post #29 of 42
9/22/09 at 2:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TzuDohNihm View Post
Bacardi Select is horrible. It is so overpowered by the sugar and alcohol as to have no value whatsoever. Once you get past the burning it tastes like you swigged simple syrup with a side of honey.
If it's the equivalent of Solera I can only assume it must be prepared differently for international markets. Because the Solera I drink is top notch.

But when I recommend Solera, I do so as a mixer. It makes a mean Rum & Coke, I can assure you.

For men who prefer their rum straight, I would recommend something entirely different...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson View Post
I'm staying away from Bacardi, since he drinks that a lot. And he's had Gosling's before, so I want to try something different.
...which brings me to my point. You might want to seek out Pampero Añejo Aniversario. This Venezuelan rum comes in a leather pouch. It is a little pricey, but absolutely tremendous. And the kind of rum you can drink straight and enjoy. If that's your bag.
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post #30 of 42
9/22/09 at 3:11pm
What, hookers aren't good enough for them?

As a guy who liked his Captain Morgan's, I really liked the Captain Morgan's special reserve. It's the kind of rum that you can actually tell the difference when you mix it with coke, though that has more to do with the spice than the rum. Still tasty and gets you all kinds of Fup Duck however.
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post #31 of 42
9/22/09 at 5:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Miller View Post
What, hookers aren't good enough for them?

As a guy who liked his Captain Morgan's, I really liked the Captain Morgan's special reserve. It's the kind of rum that you can actually tell the difference when you mix it with coke, though that has more to do with the spice than the rum. Still tasty and gets you all kinds of Fup Duck however.
Sailor Jerry's is the only spiced rum for me!
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post #32 of 42
9/22/09 at 7:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jared Melton View Post
Sailor Jerry's is the only spiced rum for me!
Hells yes. It's nearly impossible to find down here, but I know a few bars that import it. They get a lot of my money.
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post #33 of 42
9/22/09 at 8:20pm
Yeah, Sailor's is better. It's not expensive, but it's still pretty damn tasty.
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post #34 of 42
9/22/09 at 9:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jake View Post
Yeah, Sailor's is better. It's not expensive, but it's still pretty damn tasty.
Actually, here in Philly it's a dollar cheaper for a fifth. Makes a damn good Dark And Stormy!
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post #35 of 42
9/22/09 at 10:07pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for all the input everyone. After due consideration and research, I went with the Macallan 12 for the scotch, Mount Gay Extra Old for the rum, and Basil Hayden for the bourbon.

If they don't like I'm coming after every one of you fuckers.
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post #36 of 42
9/22/09 at 10:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson View Post
Thanks for all the input everyone. After due consideration and research, I went with the Macallan 12 for the scotch, Mount Gay Extra Old for the rum, and Basil Hayden for the bourbon.

If they don't like I'm coming after every one of you fuckers.
As long as you bring drinks, then yes... do come!
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post #37 of 42
9/22/09 at 11:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson View Post
Thanks for all the input everyone. After due consideration and research, I went with the Macallan 12 for the scotch, Mount Gay Extra Old for the rum, and Basil Hayden for the bourbon.

If they don't like I'm coming after every one of you fuckers.
Hey, now! I don't recall ever saying word one about some Mount Gay. I have always cocked my head sideways at it at the store as it appears to me to be a well liquor. I have never given it a try.
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post #38 of 42
9/23/09 at 9:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson View Post
Thanks for all the input everyone. After due consideration and research, I went with the Macallan 12 for the scotch, Mount Gay Extra Old for the rum, and Basil Hayden for the bourbon.
If the guy doesn't like the Macallan 12, stop talking to him. It's the Lawrence of Arabia of whiskies.
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post #39 of 42
9/25/09 at 12:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TzuDohNihm View Post
Hey, now! I don't recall ever saying word one about some Mount Gay. I have always cocked my head sideways at it at the store as it appears to me to be a well liquor. I have never given it a try.
Tastes like a well liquor, from what I recall. This guy's gonna fucking HATE Richard when it's all said and done.

(Not really, I just think he shoulda gone with the Sailor.)
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post #40 of 42
9/25/09 at 12:17pm
Thread Starter 
For forty two bucks, it damn well better not taste like a well liquor.
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post #41 of 42
9/25/09 at 12:19pm
Nevermind, I noticed that you got the old gay stuff. Disregard!
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post #42 of 42
9/25/09 at 12:22pm
ah, just catching up on this. EXCELLENT choice on the MaCallan 12, Richard. He should love it.
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