Help me choose!

The Balvenie.

Haven't sampled anything from Glenthroes yet, but at $44, I'm assuming you mean the Select Reserve. The reviews by Connosr members aren't exactly raves.

I have both of the other two, and I had a very tough time with the Dalmore 12. (If you'll pardon the self-promotion, I just wrote a review of it last week: connosr.com/reviews/dalmore/…). Some like it, but most agree that it needs time to open up. It's a very different whisky once the bottle's been opened for a few months.

The Balvenie doesn't wow me, and it also needs some time to reveal its true character, but it's pleasant enough from the first out-of-the-bottle dram. Sweet, no peat, and non-threatening. Worth trying at that price, I'd say.. (Although you'll be saving only about $5 from what most U.S. outlets charge for it.)

My instincts tell me that you probably won't enjoy any of these three as well as the ones you mention. The A'bunadh, the HP 12, and the Talisker DE are all wonderful drams (although I can speak for only the '99 edition of the Talisker). I'd say the Balvenie is a worthy addition to your cabinet, but don't expect anything on the level of your stated preferences.

Finally, one more reason to avoid the Dalmore: shop around and you'll probably find it elsewhere for about $10 cheaper.

@WhiskyBee I wanted to react on this one, but (again) Whiskybee already said it all :) Are those three the only whiskies they sell? Good price for a litre bottle tho :)

Oops, I didn't notice these were liter bottles. Good prices for all three, in that case. Apologies for the oversight.

@WhiskyBee sorry you had great points dam phone accidentally gave u a minus one.. To answer the question I would definitely go with balvenie double wood

Yes. Same response to the Balvenie when I tried it. Similar to the Yamazaki or Glenmorangie in my novice palate. It's a good second whisky, but I wish I got some $$$ for an Oban or Balblair that I liked them more.

Of those three, I have only tried the Balvenie, but I really enjoyed the bottle that I had. It's fairly light compared to the bottles that you already own, but it is rich in texture and tasty. The sherry finishing is fairly short (only a couple of months), but it's a well-crafted whisky. And, like the HP that you have but unlike the A'bunadh, it is highly quaffable.

@goldfilm If the Glenrothes is the Select Reserve the you maybe disappointed based on the HP12 or the A'bunadh. As @WhiskyBee pointed out there are not a lot of good things to say. The Balvenie DW, and Dalmore 12 are good for those prices and I say worth a try. Let us know how you make out good luck. Hope this was helpful. :)

I've decided for the Balvenie at $44, but now, based on the other discussion I've started about the Laphroaig, I may consider the Laphroaig Quarter Cask at $51. Both are 1 Liter bottles... being HP12 my current favorite, I don't know if I should go for a sweeter option for a second bottle, or go straight to a peatier for special occasions...

So, the current battle is Balvenie DW vs Laphroaig QC.

@goldfilm personally is go laphroig qc for that price it's just too good to pass up!

So, I ended up buying the Balvenie DW. The other two were out of question, and the Laphroaig QC ran out. It's good to have a smooth option at home, yet complex, to accompany the HP12. I'll taste the QC in a bar soon, who knows if that will be my next favorite... thanks for the suggestions.

If you get into a duty free again, see if they have Aberlour Non Chill Filtered, Glenfarclas 17, Caol Ila DE, or Talisker 18. As for Balvenie, the 15 Year Old Single Barrel is miles above the double wood 12 to me.

Anyhow, those are my suggestions. The double wood is a good start. It certainly beats the Dalmore 12, which has quite a bit of the fake caramel additive (otherwise known as a sham that tastes like poo, in other words, "shampoo").