Ventage Whisky (Scotch) - where to source

Pinch Flat

I have a brother celebrating a 40th birthday next March and thought it would be cool buying him a bottle of 1974 whisky to celebrate. Either that or I'll get him a personalised bottle from Laphroaig - we both love whiskey, both with an without the 'E'!

Spotted this on t'interweb - anyone any experiences of buying from these places?

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/Vintage-1974.aspx

Morf

I've used The Whisky Exchange and found the bottles well-packed and would recommend them.

Not that well-informed at how they compare to other sites.

Brockagh

The Whisky Exchange are first class. Another options would be www.masterofmalt.com. whisky.fr, www.thewhiskyshop.com, www.royalmilewhiskies.com, www.lfw.co.uk...

buck65

You could be spending big bucks on a 40 year old whisky. Maybe a selection of cheaper whiskies? Try Celtic Whiskey Shop in dublin too.

Pinch Flat

Yeah fair enough Buck65, some of them are mad money ok. Will have a shop around.

Tugboats

Whats the story with ordering from whiskey exchange? Are will caught for extra taxes?

Brockagh

Tugboats wrote: »

Whats the story with ordering from whiskey exchange? Are will caught for extra taxes?

No extra taxes.

Pinch Flat

Anyone have an opinion on this?

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-16803.aspx

buck65

That site is blocked on my work server. What is the whiskey?

Pinch Flat

From the website - "Glenlivet 1974 / 37 Year Old / Cask #5247 / Berry Brothers / 70cl / 46%
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Berry Bros & Rudd
A well-aged 37 year old whisky from Glenlivet, distilled in 1974 and released by veteran wine and spirits trader Berry Brothers and Rudd in early 2012.

Retailing at just shy of £130

buck65

Just looked it up online there, looks like a lovely bottle. I've drank Glenlivet recently and not been overly wowed by it but they were one of the best distilleries in the past so I'd say it's good.

Pinch Flat

yep, I know my brother loves the Glenlivet 12 year old - he also got me a bole of the 15 year old a while back, which was smashing. Can only imagine his would be nice, good reviews on line as well.

IrishWhiskeyCha

As already mentioned TWE are top notch and I would have no worries about them.

Buying an independent bottle of any distillery is always pot luck as you will not know if it is similar to the usual distillery profile or not. However they are always interesting so if your not overly familiar with the Distillery then go for it as your not expecting a certain taste.

However I'd suggest you go for one of the Cask strength versions (There's Glengrants there too) and you can water to your own taste but they will probably be very drinkable as they are currently anyway. Either way I would imagine you'd not loose.

The Glenlivet is one of the biggest selling Scotch Single Malt Whiskys in the world and Glengrant is also a well known brand. Glengrant is more known for it's sherried whisky. So depends which way your brother leans in regards to his whiskey.

There is a 26yo 1974 Glenlivet (From Danehill) which I would not rule out and looks like excellent value. You'll get a bigger whisky as Glenlivet is one of the lighter scotch whiskys. There is a mention of sediment which does not really affect the whisky. Just let it settle and pour away. Only when near the end just be careful and maybe filter then rather than on opening as seems to be suggested by TWE. A mouthful of sediment near the end of a bottle is just like drinking charcoal flavoured whiskey but small amounts will not really affect it.

Best of luck in your choice.

Pinch Flat

Thanks for that IrishWhiskeyCha - that's a great insight. None of the Scotches really phase us in terms of taste - between us we'd have Auchentoshan, Laphraoig, Bowmore, Dalwhinnie, Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet, Glenmorangie, Arbeg & Laguvulin so a wide range of tastes and peatiness in there. But agree "The Glenlivet" is a mild in terms of taste - we both like it, have tasted it up to 15 YO and majorly impressed.

Any chance of a link to that 26 YO?

IrishWhiskeyCha

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-19266.aspx

Have never heard of Danehill as an independent bottler but customer reviews seem to think it is ok and for the price worth a try.

Pinch Flat

So had a bottle of this delivered last week:

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-21576.aspx

One thing worth noting - the choice and price has changed dramatically in a few weeks .Worked out at just over €200 - a lot of dough, but will be worth it!