Nice Vodka/Whisky?

[BassTech]

A few colleagues at work have helped me out recently buying a new car, so I want to get them a little something to say thanks

One likes (proper) Whisky, the other Vodka - Can anyone recommend some nice brands, something a bit classier than your usual smirnoff/jack's but not too expensive, and where I can get it?

 

Many thanks

[aerospacemango]

Depends what you mean by "proper"!

 

Whisky? I do enjoy a dram of "Chivas Regal" every now and again.... Much nicer than your Teachers/Bells rubbish! (My opinion!)

 

Can't recommend vodka, as I stopped drinking the stuff about 17 years ago! (Worked in Romania.... Vodka was £1 a bottle, Coca Cola was £1.50.... Economics meant that you bought 2 bottles of vodka!!! Messy times....)

[glennda]

Erm @Grumbledock @ZeroHour

 

There are a few others from the conference that had a collection but after a few beers i can't remember who!

[LosOjos]

Jameson's is a nice moderately priced whiskey IMO

Eristoff vodka is nice too

 

Neither of those are your "upper range" spirits, but they're nice and not too expensive.

[themightymrp]

Jameson's is good, or a Highland Park single malt is pretty tasty. Tesco's have the Highland Park one at £25 at the minute if you want to go that high??

[6Foot2]

This post: http://www.edugeek.net/forums/jokes-interweb-things/88595-single-malt-whisky-flavour-map.html makes reference to a flavour map for single malts.

 

The linked site: The Single Malt Scotch Whisky Flavour Map includes a guide to choosing a whisky.

 

Edit: Once you have completed the age verification upon entering the site.

Edited November 22, 2012 by 6Foot2
Add detail to the post.

[TechMonkey]

A bit out there but blooming lovely. Pendryn Welsh Distillery do both a lovely whisky and gorgeous Vodka. Come to think of it, their Gin and Cream Liquor are awesome too!

[sonofsanta]

My wife swears by Absolut as the nicest neat vodka.

 

Personally I'm enjoying a bottle of The Singleton at the moment - very drinkable, and down to £22 in Tesco atm (Singleton Of Dufftown 12 Year Old 70Cl - Groceries - Tesco Groceries). Glenfiddich/Glenlivet/Glenmorangie are also very nice - something in the glens, clearly. Infact, any of the £22 70cl bottles at Tesco look to be winners...

[GrumbleDook]

If you are buying whisky then find out if they prefer a lighter one or something with more of a peaty flavour. There is no point wasting a decent Islay (Ardbeg, Lagavulin, etc) or a Highland Park or Talisker if they want an Auchentoshan or Old Putney (you can guess my preference!)

[GrumbleDook]

Royal Mile Whiskies is also good for ideas.

[SpuffMonkey]

If you're quick - your local Aldi might have a bottle of this left - it was a Special today

 

ALDI - Thursday Special Buys 22nd November 2012

 

They've some nice Rum too - but I bought the Tokaji wine ALDI - Thursday Special Buys 22nd November 2012 to have with the Christmas pud - its a top dessert wine

[sippo]

Bison vodka is the purest. Available in sainsburys. Its made from grass....

[hardtailstar]

If you are buying whisky then find out if they prefer a lighter one or something with more of a peaty flavour. There is no point wasting a decent Islay (Ardbeg, Lagavulin, etc) or a Highland Park or Talisker if they want an Auchentoshan or Old Putney (you can guess my preference!)

 

Its like he read my mind the day before Id even read this thread.

[Rawns]

Jacks?!?! Jacks is ultra classy and a lush bit of whiskey!

 

Maybe get a bottle of 'Gentleman Jack'! It's seriously nice!

 

Just like Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Gentleman Jack is charcoal mellowed before going into the barrel. Gentleman Jack, however, receives an additional “blessing” when it is charcoal mellowed again after reaching maturity – making it the only whiskey in the world to be charcoal mellowed twice, giving it ultimate smoothness. Gentleman Jack is full-bodied with fruit and spices, and its finish is silky, warm, and pleasant. When you drink Gentleman Jack, you’ll always enjoy rich, rewarding taste.

[AlexB]

I moved on to Russian Standard a while back and I've been very happy with it neat and mixed. Most stores carry it.

[Andrew_C]

And don't buy them Jack (or other 'merkin Wiskey) if they like Scotch. It isn't the same. A bit like Windo$e and Nix, both have their good points, bad points, and fan-boys. Interesting, small distillery stuff; Glen Garioch and Edradour (the smallest distillery). Not cheap at sort of £30, but interesting.

[speckytecky]

Jura Superstition is about one of the best for my taste buds. Waitrose and Morrisons sometime stock it on special offer at about £25 a bottle.

[BassTech]

Oh **** there is an aldi literally across the road from my house as well but didn't see this until today!! Thanks for the advice everyone, going to go in-store and have a look at your recommendations the weekend.

 

If you're quick - your local Aldi might have a bottle of this left - it was a Special today

 

ALDI - Thursday Special Buys 22nd November 2012

 

They've some nice Rum too - but I bought the Tokaji wine ALDI - Thursday Special Buys 22nd November 2012 to have with the Christmas pud - its a top dessert wine

Edited November 23, 2012 by witch