Whisky Forum - Help me pick a gift bottle (Novice here)

cjwolter · New Member Joined: 27 Jan 2016 Posts: 2

My brother is a scotch drinker, I am a novice but certainly learning more in the process. He is retiring in the coming years from the military and I would like to get him a bottle as a gift. Significant years for him are 1990 and 1994 so I originally set out thinking to find a bottle distilled (indicated on the label) in one of these years. His go to is Oban but also drinks Glenlivet, Dahlwinnie, Macallen and Auchentoshan. The options are fairly limited and wanting the distilled year ('94 or '90) indicated makes it a tougher pick.

My question is which do you feel would make the best gift?

The bottles I am considering are:
1) Oban 21yr Limited Release (no link to the dates but a premium bottle of his go to)
2) Glenlivet 1994-2011 Single Cask @58.9%ABV bottled by Berry Bros & Rudd
3) Oban Distillers Edition (1990 vintage)
4) Auchentoshan 21yr (1994 distilled) single cask @54.8%ABV bottled by The Whisky Agency
5) Auchentoshan SilverOak Limited Release 22yr (1990 distilled) @50.9%ABV

Cheers and thanks in advance!

Whisky Dog · Master Of Malts Joined: 09 Apr 2014 Posts: 708

The 2 Auchentoshans are superb, if I had to choose between them for myself I would take the Auchentoshan Silveroak, the better whisky and being a limited edition makes it a better gift as it wont always be around.

Cuba · Master Of Malts Joined: 10 Aug 2010 Posts: 296

I haven't had the pleasure of the Auchentoshan Silveroak but it has been reviewed as being very good, I know the distillery bottling of Auchentoshan 21 is very good.

I think the Oban 21 year old was a Diageo Special release back in 2013 and you may have trouble finding a bottle available now, but the Oban Distillers Edition is pretty good.

Brummie · Master Of Malts Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 661

The single cask Glenlivet does sound appealing but I haven't tried it so I cant vouch for its quality. The Oban Distillers Edition is very good.

Whisky Dog · Master Of Malts Joined: 09 Apr 2014 Posts: 708

sorren · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 4:23 pm Post subject:

A very biased answer but
Auchentoshan silver oak..superb whisky..
Then the other Auchentoshan..
Then the Glenlivet from bbr..
Just my opinion but I do love the Auchentoshans..

McKay · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 5:15 pm Post subject:

I will add my vote for the Auchentoshan SilverOak

cjwolter · New Member Joined: 27 Jan 2016 Posts: 2

Great recommendations. I was originally thinking the 21yr Oban (source located but $400) because he is a fan of the Oban 14year. The Auchentoshan SilverOak is much more reasonable for price and has the year association. Is the Oban 21yr Limited Release just not as good or not worth the $?

sorren · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 9:08 pm Post subject:

I'm sure the Oban 21 is good, I have not actually tried it.. The Toshan is good and I have tried it on the odd occasion.. 3 bottles worth of odd occasions 🤔😁