Islay Whisky gift recommendations

[Fiona L]

Hi all I wonder if i could bother you for some advice

I am looking to buy a special bottle of whisky for a retirement gift for a friend. I know he is a big fan of Ardbeg and Lagavulin whisky. The cost isnt that important as long as it is a good whisky, i am happy to spend up to £300

Any suggestions/recommendations will be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Fiona

[Archer]

Both Lagavulin and Ardbeg have some excellent whiskies for way less than £300 such as:

Lagavulin Distillers Edition for around £55
Lagavulin 12 Year Old special release fro around £60

Ardbeg Uigeadail for around £50
Ardbeg Corryvreckan for around £60
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist for around £80
Ardbeg Supernova 2010 for around £85

Lagavulin and Ardbeg are bit limited for choice around £300 especially Lagavulin. The only Lagavulin i can think of is the Lagavulin 21 year old is which is very good but this is £650

For something special from Ardbeg then there is:
Ardbeg 17 year old for around £200
Ardbeg 1978 bottled 1997 for around £350
Ardbeg 1978 bottled 1999 for around £300
Ardbeg 1975 bottled 1999 for around £350

[Keith]

As Archer says the choice for Ardbeg and especially Lagavulin is limited. If he likes Ardbeg and Lagavulin then i would also suggest something from Port Ellen. There is a number of Port Ellen special release distillery bottlings as well as some excellent independent bottlings from the likes of Douglas Laing.

You can get the Port Ellen 1978 29 year old 8th release distillery bottling for £300 and it is very good.

Or if you look over at The Whisky Exchange they have a few Port Ellens from Douglas Laings Old & Rare range. Any Douglas Laing Port Ellen i have tried has been excellent.

[Blackadder]

I agree with Keiths suggestion of Port Ellen, i am sure he would like it and any whisky drinker would consider it special i think.

My choice would be something fro DLs Old & Rare Platinum Selection range. The Whisky Exchange have 2 bottles i would go for the Port Ellen 1979 / 31 Year Old / Refill Hogshead or the Port Ellen 1979 / 29 Year Old / World Duty Free

[Kray]

[William]

I will second the suggestion for the Port Ellen from Douglas Laings Old & Rare range, i have had a few of these and without fail they have been excellent and i wouldnt hesitate to recommend a bottle for a special gift.

[Fiona L]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I have been swaying between one of the vintage bottles of Ardbeg or something from Port Ellen after reading your replies. After reading up on Port Ellen it seems ideal so i think i am going for a bottle of Port Ellen, just to decide which one.

Thanks again for your help

Fiona