Given the similarities in their composition, it's odd that scotch, rye, bourbon, and other whiskies have such devoted followers. For many people, the tipple of choice is sacrosanct, and nothing else will do.

This is not to say, however, that holiday Scotch purchases necessarily have to be ridiculously pricey. With a little careful purchasing, and a few lesser-known brands, it's possible to offer a decent scotch selection without breaking the bank.

When it comes to blended whisky, most people assume that high-priced brands like Dewars or Johnny Walker are the only way to go. However, one of the best blended scotches is also one of the cheapest. Bell's was the first blended scotch and, in my humble opinion, still stands heads and shoulders above most of the brands that followed. Unfortunately, however, it's very difficult to get in the United States.



While most single malts are incredibly expensive, Laphroaig is actually fairly reasonable at $30 for a fifth. One of the definitive Islay malts, it has a rich, peaty flavor that belies its bare-bones packaging. On a particularly cool note, Laphroaig also has the "Friends of Laphroaig" society; to become a member, one need only send in a piece of the metal foil that surrounds the top of a bottle. In return, one gets a "lease" of one square foot of the island of Islay, rent for which is a dram of scotch, payable if you come to the distillery. Even if you don't show up, they send you a certificate and Christmas cards.

On a cheaper scale, Bowmore is an islay single malt that costs only $17 a bottle. Similarly, Auchentoshan is a lowland single malt that also costs $17. Both are decent, tasty tipples that are almost ridiculously underpriced. Auchentoshan has a mellower, smoother flavor, while Bowmore is a little peatier and more intense.

Finally, for those whose tastes tend more toward the Irish end of things, Powers Irish whiskey is priced in the $20 range. It is a smooth, flavorful spirit that makes an outstanding Irish coffee. Of course, for those who are addicted to Jameson's or Bushmill, this will be a tough sell, but it is definitely worth a try!

Miss the first two parts of this series? You can find them here and here!