Good Single Malt for the Holidays?

[StealthyRR]

Hello,

I have been strictly a blended scotch drinker for a few years now and want to try a good single malt over the holidays. Anyone have any good suggestions for someone like myself in this situation? Don't really want to spend more than $50 us but want a good first impression.

[powderhound]

Originally Posted by StealthyRR

Hello,

I have been strictly a blended scotch drinker for a few years now and want to try a good single malt over the holidays. Anyone have any good suggestions for someone like myself in this situation? Don't really want to spend more than $50 us but want a good first impression.

What kind of whisky do you prefer? Do you like peat, more dry or sweet, etc?

[jwise]

For a traditional single malt scotch that tastes like a refined blended (Famous Grouse, Dewars, Johnnie Walker Black, etc...), try a Speyside or Highland whisky. This will be similar in taste to most of the blends I have tasted.

Speysides and Highlands include quite a few: Glenrothes, Dalwhinnie, Balvenie, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Macallan, etc...

If you want to try something that you just can't get in a blended, try a wood-finished whisky. These would include Balvenie 12yr Double Wood, Aberlour 12yr Double Casked, or Macallan 12yr for a lighter finish.

If you'd like to try a peatier/smokier malt, try Bowmore, Laphroig, Lagavulin, or for a lighter taste than these heavy hitters, the Highland Park.

If I lost all my whiskies, the first one I'd replace is my Macallan Cask Strength, then the Aberlour 12yr.

[StealthyRR]

Thank you all. I picked up a bottle of Macallen 12 year and it also had a 50ml bottle of 18 year old included in the packaging. I haven't had the opportunity to open them up yet but will in the upcoming evenings. I also forgot that I had a bottle of "Oban 14 year old" in my collection that was a gift. Anyone know anything about Oban 14?