introductory single malt

[buffdaddy]

I always post this video when someone asks this question ...

Love Ralphy's reviews! Great examples of some affordable Scotches to check out. Also like Ralphy said don't disregard the blends either. There's some pretty decent stuff out there.

 

[goatee]

it really depends on your taste and what style you like. once you have tried a few, try the dalwhinnie 15. what i mean is, go to a bar and order a shot before you buy a bottle.
the dalwhinnie 15 will run you around $70. but i think its worth every penny.

 

[halfturk]

Watching people try really smoky scotches (usually laphroag) is one of my favorite past times. The faces made are priceless. The best faces are made by women when offered a sip by their date. Scotch is always in my house because that is the only thing my wife won't touch.

 

[Jerryz]

Ive see MaCallan mentioned a few times. i have to disagree with this suggestion. The days of MaCallan being a truly good scotch are over I think. Now I think of them as a marketing operation with a middle of the road product. This may sound like heresy, especially based on your question, but if I'm spending < $50.00 on a bottle then I opt bourbon. There are a ton of great bourbons in that price range. Single malts... You're kind of in transition zone.

 

[soccerguy83]

I will say I tried the Macallan 12 last night and truely enjoyed it.

 

[JavPinero]

I know this thread is old, however, I have to agree with the folks recommending the Highland Park 12 and the Glenmorangie 10 as first forays into single malts. Both are very good and very affordable. Old Pulteney 12 might a good one as well, however, some one new to single malts might find the salty notes on that one off putting. They sure do have a distinctive house profile.

 

[Hawkeye5]

I know this thread is old, however, I have to agree with the folks recommending the Highland Park 12 and the Glenmorangie 10 as first forays into single malts. Both are very good and very affordable. Old Pulteney 12 might a good one as well, however, some one new to single malts might find the salty notes on that one off putting. They sure do have a distinctive house profile.

Glenmorangie, as I am lead to believe, is the best selling single malt in Scotland. That alone should recommend it.

Having recently wandered off into the rather interesting world of Islay as a result of an old friends trip to that storied isle, I would also second the Caol Ila recommendation. Very nice, but not overwhelming as Laphroaig or Ardbeg (a peat monster), but with more smoke and peat than Bunnahabhain (although I may have to go back and try Bunnahabhain again as it was the first Islay tried).

That said, even a milder Islay such as Caol Ila might overwhelm a beginner to single malt scotch whisky.

 

[dsmdylan]

If you're coming from bourbon, +1 for Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban. It's finished in port casks so it's a little bit sweeter than usual.

 

[jedimojeaux]

A good one to start with, in my opinion, is Aberlour. Their 12 year can be had for about $35-40 and is a fine whisky.

 

[Hawkeye5]

For what it may be worth, comments from whisky blogger Jason:

My standing offer to friends of mine where I live (New Brunswick) is that they should start with Cragganmore 12 yrs old, and if they don't like the bottle, I'll buy it. So far, I haven't had to buy a bottle yet. So, my anecdotal experience is that Cragganmore 12 yrs is nice place to start. It is soft, gentle, yet interesting. A real crowd pleaser. If you drink your scotch with ice, Cragganmore would be great for experimenting 'neat.' I like it best with a teaspoon of distilled water to a double pouring.

 

[tfinch]

I would think Glenmorangie is pretty easy to get along with. But then Lagavulin 16 was the first single malt I ever tried - loved it immediately and it's still my favorite. So there are some out there that will enjoy the typical profile of Islay whisky without the acclimation period.

 

[Thu'umhammer]

Speyburn. It's a nice middle of the road scotch in terms of intensity and is a very fine product at the low price of $25 per 750 ml.

 

[dpm802]

Talisker

 

[Doc4]

Glenmorangie, as I am lead to believe, is the best selling single malt in Scotland. That alone should recommend it.

"Most sold" doesn't always equate to "best", though.

(Although, to be fair, I don't think that Glenmorangie is at the "Big Mac" level of quality.)

 

[Basil]

my favorite scotch when i started out was the Balvenie doublewood. It's still my go to bottle.

I know lagavulin will kick a beginners *** but the 16 is great if you ever try it.