Scotch Whiskey Tasting Help

[Drillagent]

A group of us at work are planning to have a whiskey tasting. However, I'm limited in my knowledge of what brands from which locations, and we're all kind of narrow
in the brands we've tried before. Also, if anyone has any etiquette suggestions, I am all ears. (or eyes if you want to get technical)

I know the different areas are Speyside, Highland, Islay, Island, Lowland, and Campbeltown. If you have any suggestions as to what brand from each of these
locations and whether to get a blend or single malt, it would give us a place to start. Thanks for the help.

[Charlie Mc.]

I will always recommend a single malt over a blend. I prefer Islay malts myself. They tend to be dark and peaty in flavor. My favorite is Ardbeg, but Lagavulin is quite tasty as well. For a non Islay malt Highland Park and Talisker top my list.

The tasting method I use is as follows:
warm the whisky a bit in my hand
Hold the glass up to admire the color of the whisky
swirl the whisky lightly to observe the Viscosity
Inhale the nose starting from away from the glass and ending with your nose almost in the glass
Sip the Whisky
swish it in your mouth making sure to hit all areas in your mouth
Swallow then inhale through your mouth

This is just my method, but I find it really lets you experience all aspects of the Whisky.

Finally I would keep the following in mind:
1. Don't chill the whisky, it kills the flavor
2. Proper whisky glasses enhance the tasting
3. Never pour over ice (see number 1)
4. A bit of water can enhance the flavor, but make sure it is spring water and only use a bit, the point isn't to water down the whisky.
5. Enjoy!

[Howard Clark]

I like many of the highland malts. My favorite is Oban. Lagavulin is may favorite of the Islay's. And I recently had a taste of cask strength Bowmore "Mariner's malt" that was outstanding, and unique in my experience so far.

Good advice from Charlie already.

[Big Mikey]

Following is a link that may provide some info for you. It is a list and brief description of the "Classic Six" single malts, as defined by United Distillers. They cover the main regions and flavours.

http://www.awa.dk/whisky/clasmalt.htm

Enjoy!

[Madadh]

If you can find it, Edradour makes a fine single malt. The distillery is in Pitlochry and is the smallest distillery in Scotland. They only make 12 cases a week.

[Arlen]

Congrats on getting to host one.
First, I'll be the one to point it out. It's Whisky (Without an E)

Second, here is the bible for getting into Whisky as written by our very own P1M.

It's got everything you need to know and a bit more for fun.