Thread: Getting into scotch...

Some of my favorites include Talisker and Laphroaig as well as Mackmyrna (but that one is hard to find)
For just starting out I would recommend something like Glenmorangie or even Tomintoul, but stay away from Glenlivet! I would never buy that overpriced salty water.

I love whisky, single malts that is, and have sampled as many as I can. They are incredibly diverse, and without any pointers it is very hard to give any hints. They vary from very light to amber dark, and flavor impact is on the scale from 'light and delicate' to something like 'eating a sigar while wrestling a bear'.. Well, you get my point. In the whisky world championship they have 3 distinct classes: Smoky, peaty and general. Perhaps this could offer a starting point? Also check out Whisky Magazine, lots to learn there.

If you have any good whisky bars nearby, one thing you could do is visit one and try a "flight". Typically this would be 3 different whiskies to try. A nice introduction to the different types, and an avenue for you to attempt to figure out what you like best (if any of them).