Laphroaig

[DyerStraits]

I was going to say, "Try Ardbeg." That's where I started with Scotch and everything since seems so smooth. Also, you can add some water and still be considered a legitimate Scotch drinker. It affects the flavor in a way that's chemically more complicated than just diluting it. (That's as far as my knowledge of that goes.)

Folks will disagree on the water part, but it might be worth a try before you give it away. Some say it "opens up" the Scotch.

Absolutely, precisely correct--a little cool water. Some say No Ice, but I find a small amount of ice is OK. It does indeed temper the "warmth" of the alcohol and release the phenolic flavors, especially with Ardbeg, which famously turns a bit "milky", sort of like Pernod or Ouzo.