for neat and sweet, look for Balvenie, Edrador, maybe Glenmorangie. For peaty and smoky, Ardbeg or Laphroaig. For something in the middle, Cragganmore, Oban, or Dalwhinnie.

www.brown-liquor.com/sco...

Thanks!

My go-to Scotches are Talisker 10 (18 if I can find it) and Laphroaig 10. I love peat, brine, and smoke. I like Woodinville Whiskey's rye, but you probably can't get that in Cali.

My usual smoother recommendation is Dalwhinnie Distiller's Edition, or regular (12, 15?)

Layered, sweet, and neat mouthfeel

My go-to show drink is Jack, straight up. Something lime Basil Hayden is a much more shippable American whiskey.

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Aberlour

review of Aberlour

So many suggestions! Thanks all!

I think the best thing to do is attend a tasting and try all the different regions!

YES ^^^

there is a whisky bar in town that features tastes of super expensive Japanese and Indian scotches, too.

save you some money - categorically avoid Asian scotches.

The only place that makes "scotch" is Scotland. Everything else is "whiskey" or, for Irish varieties, it's "whisky".

But yes, Shteevie is correct, Asian whiskies are universally awful.

If you want a good introduction to Scotch, sample the six classic malts, first.

Lagavulin 16. Laphroaig Quarter Cask. Ardbeg. If you want something less peaty, both the Balvenie Double Wood and Balvenie Caribbean Cask are my current choices.

I'm really more into beer these days, but I do still keep a full whiskey cabinet in my office at work.

wakko and shteevie are on point here.

And I'm super jealous of the work whisky cabinet

also jealous of the work whiskey cabinet!

I do have a bottle of Suntory Yamazaki 18 in my office, but i've never opened it.

Current state of the work whisky cabinet:

Ooooh, Macallan 15. I got to try the 25 once.

I actually picked up Macallan 10. I'll save this plurk to try some others later!

the fine oaks are little more fiery than the mainline versions, if you like barrel character. Behind it is an empty bottle of Fine Oak 18 which is discontinued and which I keep around to be wistful about.

If you can afford it, the Balvenie Port Wood is incredible.