Quote Originally Posted by mrtr33 View Post
My personal favorites, in order:


Lagavulin - has a very distinct flavor - probably not for the novice scotch drinker, but it's definitely worth a try - a bottle is a bit more of a commitment, as it's not cheap
Oban - very smooth, more classic scotch tasting, but again, a bit expensive.
Balvenie Doublewood - benchmark. Actually, start here. Great taste, very smooth, the bottle is pricey, but definitely worth it.
Auchentoshan - might have a hard time finding this one, but if you do, it's another good one, too. Shouldn't be an outrageous price.
Laphroaig - great, cheap. Actually, scratch that, it's fabulous and cheap. This should be the everyday drink of the casual scotch drinker.
Glenlivet - good, and it's what got me hooked on scotches, but I don't reach for it so much anymore. Maybe I'm burned out on it now. I've gone through lots of bottles of it, and just don't appreciate it as much anymore. Also, I'm really only a fan of the 12 year - the 18 and 21 years don't do it for me.

There are a couple more I can't think of right now.

I should also qualify this mini-review to mention that I don't normally drink scotch with a cigar any more. I don't know, personal preference, but I find I have a hard time enjoying both at the same time, because I'm trying to pick out flavors and what-not with each of them.

I also never EVER dilute the scotch with anything - water, ice, soda, milk, whatever. I don't dilute it for the same reasons that I don't put steak sauce on a steak after it's cooked.
I too like the Islays more than most other single malts. Talisker is a nice one too.

I love Ardbeg, Caol Ila and I managed to get my hands on a bottle of Port Ellen which is FANTASTIC! My favorite (and most the most ridiculously expensive bottle in my collection) is Ardbeg "Lord of the Isles" which is almost impossible to get these days. I also have a 30yo Bowmore kicking around here. A less peaty Islay is Bunnahabhain and I have a bottle of that as well. It's much lighter than the regular big-name Islays like Lagavulin and Laphroaig.

Earlier this evening, I had a few fingers of Ardbeg Uigeadial. At 108 proof, I can't drink it neat, I have to drop in an ice cube or two.

Bruichladdich is the only Islay I've never tried (well I also haven't had the new ones, Kilchoman and Port Charlotte since I don't think they've been around long enough to sell any product yet).