Can you recommend a good Malt in the £80-£120 range?

[BigShing]

Looking for a good malt whisky for a friend's 40th. I've already bought him a bottle of Springbank 12 Cask Strength personally, but another friend has asked me to choose a bottle for his present to this friend. He's got more money than me so the budget is higher! :D

I've got a few in mind, but I'm not really all that knowledgable compared to many of the folk on here - especially when it comes to independant bottlings. I can tell you that my friend loves Islay and Campbeltown whiskies in particular, his favourite malt is Ardbeg 10 and perhaps Octomore 6.1 (he hasn't tried any other Octomore), but he does like Speyside and Highland too!

I was thinking more along the lines of a good Cask Strength unusual bottling rather than something fancy and old, but really all suggestions are welcome!

[asmazda]

Sounds like you need something peaty, and in your price range you may want to consider:

Lagavulin 12
Laphroaig Cairdeas
Longrow 18
Port Askaig

[BigShing]

Awesome asmazda, thanks!

I was looking at Laga 12 and Cairdeas, but couldn't find much feedback on the 2018 bottling, he's a BIG fan of the standard Laga 16yr and the 8yr. Two of his favourites.

Longrow 18yr sounds like a great shout, definitely adding that to the shortlist!

Does anyone have any feedback on any of the Octomore 9 series?

Other ones I was looking at was the Glen Scotia 2003 Rum Cask Festival Edition and the Kilchoman 2006 Single Cask (Loch Fyne Exclusive): https://www.lochfynewhiskies.com/kilchoman-2006-single-cask-loch-fyne-exclusive

[asmazda]

Lagavulin 12 is consistently good year to year. The Caridreas I don't know.

[TheWM]

Get a cask strength 15 Ledaig bottled by old particular. A belter of a whisky, a complete mind bender and such a well made memorable dram that I have not encountered either since or before. It’s consistently been rated in the 90s by people who know a lot more than myself.

[BigShing]

Is the Laga 12 a noticeable improvement over the standard 16yr? The reviews for the 2018 edition over on Master of Malt are pretty damning, but I can't tell if it's just because people are salty over the price increase or not!

Ledaig 15 sounds like a good shout but I can't find anywhere selling that bottling. They're currently doing a Ledaig 21 bottling though on the higher end of my budget at £130. Don't suppose you've tried that WM?

[TheWM]

No I haven’t tried the older ledaigs. Although from my experience anything younger is better when it comes to ledaig (made after 2008ish).

If you can’t find a ledaig bottling (although there should be a few independent releases still out there), then I’d also suggest a young Caol Ila as they are very good.

Similarly, independent bottlings of young Highland Park are excellent but not as peaty as you’re looking for.

[asmazda]

[BigShing]

Awesome guys, thanks. Looks like Lagavulin 12 is the frontrunner and I'll have to check with my friend that he's still feeling generous enough to go with a £100+ whisky! :D

Definitely gonna have to check out some Ledaig at some point, I've not tried any of their whiskies yet!

[MartinG]

I got a bottle of the Talisker 18yo a few months ago and I will not be without one in future if I can help it. It seemed to get better as the bottle emptied.

[BigShing]

Yeah I don't think I've ever had a bottle of Talisker (and I've had Skye, Storm, 10yr & 57North) that went flat in the bottle, they all maintained their strengths to the last drop. I'd love to try the 18yr though! Maybe one day I can afford to splurge £80-£90 on a bottle and I will be able to try these whiskies you all are recommending for myself!

[Peloquin]

How about the Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 20y/o?
Lovely and under 100 quid.

[MattS]

Although a little under budget at 50-60 as he likes Campbeltown what about a Kilkerran 8 Cask Strength

http://www.whiskyfun.com/archivejune18-1-Strathmill-Pulteney-Bowmore.html#120618

[BigShing]

Thanks for the suggestion guys, I feel I should point out that I recently purchased the Lagavulin 12 2018 bottling for my friend. Was only £88.90 as well!

Obviously if people want to keep posting suggestions in a general sense for anyone looking for a good whisky in that price range then feel free to fire away!