I am looking to buy a bottle of Scotch for a friend. It is a big occasion (PhD graduation) but on my budget. I am hoping to spend $50-100. I know that he likes a strong peat flavor. I was considering the Laphroaig 10 year old? Any other suggestions?
If he likes peat, go with Lagavullin.
Tallisker
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Bowmore 15 - very peaty
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Laphroaig is what I think of when I think of peaty scotch. I am also partial to MaCallan scotches. You might find Johnnie Walker blue label at the upper end of your range as well. And as ther previous post suggested, you can’t go wrong with one of the classic 6 single malts.
I dont drink the stuff but my old man did and other family members.The Balvenie has some 15 &20yr. single malts.
I’m with Khai on this…Lagavulin. I’m partial to the Islay malts and it is my favorite without question.
Another vote for Lagavulin. If your friend likes a peaty Scotch he will love it.
You might find Johnnie Walker blue label at the upper end of your range as well
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JW Blue is way out of his stated $50-100 range. It runs over $200 for a 750ml bottle. I’ve been wanting to try Blue but just can’t bring myself to pull the trigger and spend the dough. I’ve been told by numerous people that it’s really good but nowhere near worth the price.
Really?
I have not purchased it lately, I tough that you could get it duty, free or wholesale around $100 or a bit more.
mia culpa
You might find Johnnie Walker blue label at the upper end of your range as well
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JW Blue is way out of his stated $50-100 range. It runs over $200 for a 750ml bottle. I’ve been wanting to try Blue but just can’t bring myself to pull the trigger and spend the dough. I’ve been told by numerous people that it’s really good but nowhere near worth the price.
Don’t waste your money, I went to a scotch tasting a couple of weeks ago that was put on by Johnny Walker, the representative was very informative. He explained the only reason Blue label is so expensive is because of the rarity of the scotch’s used in the blend. Since Johnny Walker has been buying scotch for decades they have stockpiled barrels from distilleries that have since gone out of business. In his opinion (and I agreed) Green label was every bit as good and about a quarter of the price. If you really want to taste it, go to a decent bar and pay 15 bucks for a glass, don’t buy the whole bottle, that is unless you have that kind of disposable cash in which case you can do whatever the hell you want 
Black label is pretty damn good too. IMO no blended whiskey is nearly as peaty as a single malt though.
The Laphroaig is excellent. The Lagavullan mentioned above is great - if he REALLY likes peat. Even for Islay fans, it can be too much. I’ve had a bottle for a decade and it’s still 3/4 full.
If your friend has a collection or has been around scotches for a while, consider something a little different. I like Ardbeg. You can certainly get the 10 yo in your budget and maybe even the cask strength. Someone mentioned the Bowmore, also a good choice.
As a former bartender, I’ve “sampled” plenty of Blue Label. It’s nice, but ultimately forgettable. As you say, save your green and get Green Label.
Or, if you’re in the mood for a cheap Islay-based blend, try White Horse. By appearance and price, you’d think it’s the scotch equivalent of boon’s farm. But it’s based on Lagavulin or Laphroaig (can’t remember which) and is an awesome every day scotch.
I’ve been working on a bottle of the Laphroig (sp) cask strength for a couple of months. Others that come to mind are Auchentosen, or lagavulen
If he likes peat stick to the Isley scotches. Also if you have a good store the guy behind the counter can point you in the right direction.
That reminds me of a funny story - this year, Chinese New Year fell on the same day as Robbie Burns Day - so I brought a bottle of scotch over to my folks’ house and invited anyone who wanted to have a drink. I wasn’t really thinking about who might be there, so I just grabbed the Lagavulin on my way out the door as it is one of my favourites.
My cousin had brought his girlfriend to dinner, a very nice gal but a little young (early 20s is my best guess). She was hesitant to take some in case she didn’t like it as she didn’t want to waste what looked to be an expensive bottle - so I said “no worries, I’ll just pour you a wee dram and certainly won’t be insulted if you don’t like it”. After we all raised our glasses and before anyone could stop her, she threw hers back like a bar shooter. Well needless to say, she was a little surprised. 
In retrospect I probably should have brought something like a Dalwhinnie, but I didn’t know she was coming…
Aberlour 12-yr old single malt. Very smooth.
Dalwhinnie 15 is a wonderful scotch - in the Oban type of tradition - but it will never be an Islay scotch, nor is it meant to be. I appreciate both - bery different, but I cna see the point of what happened.
Craggenmore is certainly smooth enough for women (moreso than Dalwhinnie IMO). I think that Oban, Craggenmore, Lagavulin, Dalwhinnie (sp) and Talisker are all the same “owners”. For me I like the Lagavulin, and if I want something less peaty its Bookers or Knob Creek burbon…
For any and all Scotch drinkers, I highly recomend the “Malt Whiskey File”. It rates every malt whiskey imaginable (including Irsih and Japanese), but it only rates in Sweetness, Peatiness and Availabilty. So if you like Lagavulin, you can find others that are similar in nature (i.e. sweetness and peatiness).
Don’t waste your money, I went to a scotch tasting a couple of weeks ago that was put on by Johnny Walker, the representative was very informative. He explained the only reason Blue label is so expensive is because of the rarity of the scotch’s used in the blend. Since Johnny Walker has been buying scotch for decades they have stockpiled barrels from distilleries that have since gone out of business. In his opinion (and I agreed) Green label was every bit as good and about a quarter of the price. If you really want to taste it, go to a decent bar and pay 15 bucks for a glass, don’t buy the whole bottle, that is unless you have that kind of disposable cash in which case you can do whatever the hell you want Black label is pretty damn good too. IMO no blended whiskey is nearly as peaty as a single malt though.
I’m suprised that the Blue isn’t even a single malt. I was at a semi-trendy bar a couple of months ago and was feeling good so I decided to order a shot of Blue for the hell of it. I figured it would be $15-20. Wrong! It would have been $36 for a shot so I passed. I have the Green and Gold at home and they’re both good enough for me.
Don’t waste your money, I went to a scotch tasting a couple of weeks ago that was put on by Johnny Walker, the representative was very informative. He explained the only reason Blue label is so expensive is because of the rarity of the scotch’s used in the blend. Since Johnny Walker has been buying scotch for decades they have stockpiled barrels from distilleries that have since gone out of business. In his opinion (and I agreed) Green label was every bit as good and about a quarter of the price. If you really want to taste it, go to a decent bar and pay 15 bucks for a glass, don’t buy the whole bottle, that is unless you have that kind of disposable cash in which case you can do whatever the hell you want Black label is pretty damn good too. IMO no blended whiskey is nearly as peaty as a single malt though.
I’m suprised that the Blue isn’t even a single malt. I was at a semi-trendy bar a couple of months ago and was feeling good so I decided to order a shot of Blue for the hell of it. I figured it would be $15-20. Wrong! It would have been $36 for a shot so I passed. I have the Green and Gold at home and they’re both good enough for me.