Scotch/Irish Whiskey: $100-200

On the 20th Day of BottleReport’s Christmas, Santa brought to me:
Here is Mark’s Christmas Guide recommendation for Scotch/Irish Whiskeys between $100 and $200. Mark says “These are some of my favorite whiskeys that anyone would be happy to get as a gift, All are great but those marked ** are exceptional and highly recommended.”

The List of 5 are:

Glenmorangie Very Rare 18 Year Old**
What: Single Malt Scotch. Slowly matured for 15 years in the finest ex-bourbon oak casks, a proportion is transferred to Spanish Oloroso sherry casks for the final three years of maturation. It has a silky, smooth texture, a long, enticing finish and an intriguing balance of sweet dried fruit and a dry Oloroso nuttiness. With an ABV of 43%, its key flavor notes are mellow, nutty and dried fruit.
From: Scotland
Distillery: Glenmorangie

The Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask
What: Handcrafted single malt Scotch. The Balvenie Madeira Cask was aged exclusively in traditional American oak whisky casks before being transferred to barrels previously used in the production of fortified Madeira wine.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE-Rich, deep and complex. Spicy, earthy oak notes with subtle hints of vanilla and honey. Soft fruit aromas, a slow baked apple infused with cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.
TASTE-The deep, luxurious aromas translate into an equally rewarding flavour. Initial sweet vanilla oak notes gradually develop into rich spices and dried fruits (apricots, figs, dates).
FINISH-Exceptionally long and an intriguing balance of sweetness and dry oakiness.
From: Scotland
Distillery: The Balvenie Distillery

The Glenlivet Archive 21 Year Old
What: The Glenlivet 21Year Old Archive is a batch produced whisky using only hand-selected casks. It is a complex whisky with sherried and wood notes integrating seamlessly with the aromatic palette.
COLOR
Amber with sparkling copper shades.
NOSE-An opulent, mature nose with a sherry influence. An intricate array of wood and fruit: Christmas cake, sultanas, maraschino cherry. Water enlightens the fruity bouquet and brings out vanilla and lighter notes of ripe peaches. Pear and marzipan pie. Luscious barley sugar aromas.

PALATE-This full-bodied whisky is unctuous and mouth coating, almost syrupy. Oak holds the reins back, releasing a drying spiciness of cinnamon, ginger, walnut and dark chocolate.
FINISH-The finish is everlasting and warming with lingering presence of toasted hazelnuts and a full layer of liquorice.
From: Scotland
Distillery: The Glenlivet

Jameson Gold Irish Whiskey **
What: Jameson Gold Reserve is a creative blend of three whiskeys of advanced years, one of which is uniquely matured in virgin oak barrels. It’s the inspired choice of this virgin oak, coupled with the bourbon barrels and sherry casks, that account for the whiskey’s satisfying complexity and honey toasted sweetness.
TASTING CHARACTERISTICS
NOSE – Fragrant wood, rich pot still with a touch of sherry sweetness.
TASTE – All the creaminess and honey sweetness come together to create a taste sensation of spicy character.
FINISH – A very long finish with a pleasantly peppery finale.
From: Ireland
Distillery: Jameson

The Macallan 18 Year Old **
What: This legendary Single Malt is Triple Cask matured for a *minimum of 18 years in a unique, complex combination of Exceptional Oak Casks; Spanish oak casks seasoned with sherry, American oak casks seasoned with sherry and American oak casks seasoned with bourbon. This delivers an extraordinarily smooth, delicate yet complex Single Malt.
From: Scotland
Distillery: The Macallan Distillery