Festive 18yo Whisky suggestion please

From your list, I'd probably go with the Bruichladdich (for me), and even more especially so for a Big Flavours Guy like you.

(but I also probably wouldn't be too far behind in picking up bottles of the Aberlour 18 and Glendronach 18)

I'd say it depends on which Springbank 18 you have available to you. If it's the first one, from 2009, most certainly go for that one (the peat in this one is a complimentary background note. If the release available is from 2010 or later, pass on the Springbank for this occasion and pick up the Bunnahabhain.

Of course, it's all a matter of your personal taste. Whatever you choose, enjoy!

I agree with @two-bit-cowboy I don't remember if the bottles state when they were released, the first 18 was in the hard blue box, not any of this flimsy cardboard nonsense. That said, I didn't think the more recent 18s were anything to scoff at.

Glendronach for no peat...it's pretty darn good.

@Max: The Highland Park 18yo. has Happy Birthday written all over it - Yes, it does have a peat backbone but it is a gentle, sophisticated peat that does not assail and that has, on many ocassions, re-arranged my take on peat!

At H/P they are expert at selecting 'shallow cut' peat and that means heather, roots, foliage and the resulting dram has the most beautiful flavor in the World of Whisky: Heather Honey, a gentle smoky, leafy tang all in the most amazing balance. I'm having one for my birthday...Hurry along Boxing Day!

Cheers and have a great day!

@Max. What A'bunadhman said.

Thanks, guys! I thought you would propose HP18 as it's quite highly regarded. But for some unknown reason it's price it just ridiculous here - 1.5 times more than Glendronach(( At 165 USD per bottle I'm just not sure...

@Max: It is pretty expensive here too - When you have tasred it, you will know, instantly and without reservation!

I don't have many pricey bottles these days but when I do they come out less often, get one smallish pour & in this way actually cost less; I save money! My Minister for 'War and Finance' has never been able to come to terms with this amazing cost saving concept...and it's so simple!

Slainte!

Well, couldn't resist yesterday and bought a 5cl Glendronach 18 miniature for a test. Poured half of it to my glencarn glass. This whisky is quite heavy sherried. With a lot of oak influence and some bitterness. There are typical flavours of sultanas, dark fruits, walnuts. But it seemed to be very closed and reserved. I could feel the potential, but eventually it needs more time to open up, 18 years in a barrel didn't come unnoticed. I'll get back to the rest of my sample in a month or so.

@Max The GlenDronach 15 is widely regarded to be better than the standard 18. Better than both are the individual cask bottlings, but I'm not sure if any of these are currently available in an 18 year old expression.