Hi

i am what you would probably call an inexperienced hiskey drinker - but my dad runs a hotel in North Scotland famed for its whiskey (2nd best in the world!), and was looking for a present for his birthday any ideas? Original and not too expensive

Hi Jinty a hiskey drinker hey! lol

How about a lead crystal decanter and glasses set?

Hi jintyblue, can you tell us the name of the hotel? The first thing you need to learn is scotch whisky has no 'e' in it. (irish does)You nedd to find out subtly which region is his fav as they all taste so different. Where about in the North are you - are you near Elgin? Gordon & McPhail do bottles from distilleries that have closed down or s'times ahve great bargains.

May I suggest you buy him a quaiche?
It's a very special metal cup with two small handles made especially for drinking whisky. There's a very good example on www.madeinsheffield.com where it's described as a friendship cup. The one I'm referring to is made of spun pewter and a work of art for twenty five pounds. I hope that's within your budget Jintyblue.

Huggy,

The name is Drumchork Lodge Hotel, its in Aultbea in Wester Ross - I havent been up to visit him cos i stay more than 7 hours drive away, but this Summer we're gonna try and make it up, so kinda wanted to take him a present.If you want, send me ur email addy and ill send u a link to his site - dont think id be allowed to do it on here.
They've just been granted a licence to distill their own whisky, which is why i kinda wanted to get him a pressie!

Everyone else - sorry about the typos!

Hi jintyblue no suggestions for a prezzie I'm hopeless at that sort of thing.

People can put Drumchork Lodge Hotel into google and the site is the first one, the hotel looks nice and your dad has 500 single malts I see. I don't think I knew that there were that many.

Should have added that its best not to give your email address out publicly - just a precaution.

Terry

Just a point guys; even if they got their distillery up and running this year it would be 8 more years in the barrel before it could be sold as single malt. It is clear stuff like gin when it goes into the barrel or cask, and it is the leeching of the resins in the oak that gives the amber colour. There is an allowance made by HM Customs & Excise for loss due to evaporation which over the 8 years can be a substantial amount. When it finally emerges from the cask it's known as 'cask strength' which is as much as double the % proof of what eventually is bottled for sale. Some cask strength is sold to connoiseurs, but the majority is 'cut' with spring water down to the 40% ish at which it is sold.
There are many distilleries in Scotland which have ceased distilling but which still have a bonded warehouse containing stock from previous production.

You never cease to amaze me with your information Gastrovolpe.

Just a novel idea Jintyblue. An aerial photogragh of the hotel and area or just a photo of the hotel, beautifully framed and signed by your self to dad. At leasts it's different. I get lovely pic's from the net copy them onto photo paper and either laminate them or frame them

hey blondie that was gonna b my idea!!! lol, great minds!!

Hy'a snoozy, really. aha, I beat you to it. Yep! great minds ey!. My parents have had an aerial photo taken of our home and it looks lovely above the mantle. Are you having a good day?

Aeriel photos are great but beware of the price they charge. Someone knocked on my door with one of my house and I paid what he asked for it. Discovered within days four of us had all paid different prices, in the road. Everyone, except foolish me, had bargained and got it cheaper, one for half the price I paid. Of course, who else is going to buy a photo of your house if you don't - noone and they are landed with it!

Gaye,

Wow! I must confess I never buy anything from a door to door salesperson. If I wanted an aerial photograph I'd go direct to Getmapping who have photographed the whole of the UK.

Their website is [link] target="_blank">[link]

Prints cost from £19.14 + VAT.

I hope this helps.

All the best,

--
Ian

well!!!!! i had this chap that took a pic of my house and came round to sell it to me and i said that i would have to think about it first, he wanted £50 , i said if he came back next day i would let him know. he said that he wouldnt b back so i told him to forget it!!! lol. he then said that i could have it half price, i said no, then he said he was only gonna chuck it then so i could have it for a fiver!!!!! wey hey, of course i bought it then!!! dont like to c things go to waste!!! lol

Thanx for all the suggestions

I tried the website Ian, but each postcode ive tried its come up "no data", even my own postcode - any other websites that do this kinda thing?

Ian you do look after us all so well. Thank you for smacking my fingers, I won't buy from the door again. I have looked at getmapping though and it is just an aerial view of my postcode area. I did get a framed picture of my house and garden in the summer and nothing else. However, I gave in at the half price offer snoozy mentioned!
All the best!

My dad's a whisky drinker & he absolutely loved the bottle of Harrods 20 year old malt whisky I bought him all those years ago. I've bought several since, different ones but all Harrods, & he's enjoyed them all. I lived in London then though, but I'm sure there's a website.

How could I have forgotten 'Hebridean Liqueurs'?!! Scottish pal, Erna, gave me a bottle of William Shakespeare's Whisky Liqueur for Christmas, & it was absolutely divine. The bottle was fab too & I've kept it. They also offer Hebridean Whisky Liqueur in 2 sizes: £15 for 50cl, £8 for 25cl. Don't know if your dad is in to liqueurs, but it's good to keep in mind for future pressies to be bought. Website: www.hebridean.net :-)

If it's something different you are looking for visit "www.global-grocer.com"! I have only just found this site but have fallen in love with it as it sells food and drink from all over the world and I can finally get my fave food and drink items from past holidays. Just purchased food from the USA, Caribbean and Australia. It cetainly will be an original present for your Dad as a lot of the stuff sold I have never seen within the UK before.

Thought Id update you all on this story - if you look at pg 225 i think of Good Food mag - my dads hotel gets a mention - now is that a coincidence or what???

He was voted Whisky ambassador for Scotland last month - so thats another acclaim for the hotel!

p.s. this isnt an advert just thought id let people know that its a small world - wae me being on this site and my dads hotel being in GF mag!

Well done your dad, that is really good for him to achieve that.

I am going to make a point now of checking out the GF mag, it is a while since I bought it.

hi jintyblue.my best suggestion would be to not by your dad an expensive prezie but to spend your money on petrol/coach/train what ever and get up there to see him more frequently.I know people are always short of time for one reason or another but i'm sure your dad's most loved gift would be to spend more time with you.I lost my dad a few weeks ago and i know that the best thing a parent could wish for is quality time with their kids!that's why i make sure i give my kids a piece of mine now and i'm sure your dad would love that to!I have so many great memories of my time with dad and my family beacause we are a family of 6 kids and we are always getting together!and one of my dad's best gifts was a this is your life book of photos and memories of our family!that would be great if you could manage that!good luck.jane.x

hi little eddie - excellent plan for jinty blue I think. Sorry for your loss but you have lots of good memories - I wish you well

Oh jane - your post is so sad. I'm so sorry for your loss. It's great that you spent lots of time with him though. As a family, we are really close and get to see each other as much as we can. Families are the most important thing in the world and I count my blessings every day that we all care for each other and enjoy each other's company.

Sorry - don't want to sound maudlin but it hit home.

xx