Your personal favorite single malt scotch

[ForresterModern]

Well as a newbie to single malt scotch, I must say that on a budget, I have tried 2 types:

1) Tamnavulin
2) Glenfiddich

And I believe I would rate them in that order but as I say I know ALMOST nothing but I am willing to learn.

Thanks all,

Eric

Both good choices for the starter---readily available, not outrageously expensive, and pleasingly tasty. Well done.

Last eve I had a nice taste of Auchentoshan Select Oak Wood-----veeerrrrryy nice. I can still taste it now just thinking about it. Good thing the work day is almost over.

[ziggy]

I just came from Halifax where they have many bars with many scotches... tried Laphroaig, a Glenlivit 18 and Oban 14... allexcellent, the Glenlivet especially good... Oban, quite nice, light tasting... the laphroaig....honestly this could be my islay, it's the best I have tried yet.

[JRB]

...the laphroaig....honestly this could be my islay, it's the best I have tried yet.

Try Laphraoig Quarter Cask if get the chance. IMO, it does Laphraoig one better.

[Sawney Bean]

Laphraoig. The fact that it's enjoyed by HRH Prince of Wales doesn't put me off either...

[Jack Daw]

BTW, for those that like their whisky chilled without being diluted by (shiver) water, you can put cold whisky stones into your glass. Look it up!

[Eric Schutte]

OK all, quick newbie update, I was in Vacouver WA this weekend and got to try Laphroaig 10 yr old...OMG it blew Tamnavulin and Glenfiddich completely out of the water....very tasty, fairly smooth, and just tasted like it had a lot more substance than the first two I mentioned, now if I can just find it in a bottle around my area somewhere......

[Jack Daw]

last night I hit on a perfect (to me) combination, I had a 12 YO MacAllen and a Honduran Mamora churchill cigar- these two complimented each other amazingly well.
One of the finest combos I have ever had. I know this will never repeat since every cigar is a wee bit different and other variables also can change it.

I'm not a regular smoker for many reasons, but a good cigar smoked outdoors can be quite something. Whisky taken outdoors also seems to taste better, but I don't know why.

[ForresterModern]

Whisky taken outdoors also seems to taste better, but I don't know why.

Jack, I agree wholeheartedly. As a matter of fact that is how I got started.

While strictly a beerdrinker, I went on a flyfishing trip with a few buddies, and at the end of a phenomenal day of slamming it to the trout on the Frying Pan River we all met back up at the car at about the same time, with the after sunset purple sky overhead bracketed by the mountains on either side of the stream, feeling ultimately satisfied like a bunch of cats with bellies full of warm milk, because of the really great fishing. One of my mates broke out a flask of single malt, I don't know what brand it was, but we sat around sipping that for nigh on an hour, basking in the beauty of the evening, memory of the great day of fishing, warmth of great friendship, and the fire that scotch put in our bellies. That was my first experience with good single malt scotch, and I have been a convert and collector since. I don't think Scotch has tasted better ever since, but each time I taste some I am reminded of that glorious evening, and it makes whatever I have in hand that much more enjoyable.

By the way, thanks for stirring that memory. I feel better just thinking about it.

[Sawney Bean]

I hear ye Jack! A couple o' years ago I knew a lad frae Ulster who visited Cuba and brought me back a guid cigar - that combined with a single malt was grand - despite the Memsahib insisiting that I smoke in the greenhouse...

[David H]

There are two that I really like, Macallan (which is my oldest son's middle name) and nothing beats a good Islay in the winter time. I love Lagavulin, the 16 year old. Nothing warms you up on a cold day like that one.