What's your favorite single malt Scotch Whisky?

[Retro Red]

Avoiding the obvious answer, "The one that's in my hand!" - for those of you that indulge in the water of life, what's your favorite single malt Scotch Whisky?

I just started exploring this wonderful elixir about 6 months earlier this year & would welcome the recommendations of those connoisseurs of single malts on this forum.

My favorite, so far, is a 12 yr old Cragganmore, though I certainly appreciate the boldness & complexity of Laphroaig & I really enjoyed the smoothness of a 30 yr old Glenfiddich I tried up at the Flagstaff Games & the kick of Aberlour A'bunadh that a friend let me sample. I've also tried younger Glenfiddich, a couple different Balvenie, Macallan & Glenlivet.

I'm willing to spend upwards of $75-$80 a bottle on something I'll really enjoy sipping (of course, I'm even happier to spend less if it's good), but hate to spend that kind of money to experiment & unfortunately, I don't know of a place here in the Phoenix area with a wide selection of single malts to sample.

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[Livingston]

First and foremost......the ones that others buy for me




Then, in no particular order - 12 yr Cragganmore; Glenmorangie Port Wood Finish; Oban; The Glenlivet, The French Oak Finish aged 12 years; and I'm sure there are more that I just can't think of right now.

We've been trying all the single malts that our package store has and there are a few!! And yes, my wife likes it too. double the bar bill!!

[Mike1]

RR, I'm not sure if you've already visited, but be sure to check out a sister forum to this one, The Pub. You will likely see some familiar names over there.

[turpin]

Lagavulin, a 16 y/o single malt Islay. It's similar to Laphroaig, but smoother, yet smokier. A fine drink, for about $85 a bottle. Try one at a Pub and let us know what you think.

[Kilted KT]

Oban...plain and simple.

[Big Paul]

Laphroaig!

[Andrew Green]

Tomatin 12 year is really good, and relatively inexpensive at $30 a bottle. Bowmore is a nice Islay from my experience. I have heard good things of Glenfiddich, Oban, and Glanmorangie... now that someone has given a nod to the Port finish...which is the one I was wanting to try anyhow... I may have to give it a try. Speyburn is an OK Speyside variety, and it can usually be had for little, around $20 if I recall, maybe $25.

[Rab Gordon]

Jura is worth a mention

Rab

[Andrewson]

I'm either in a Islay mood, in which case it is Lagavulin 16yr old or Bowmore, or a Speyside one, in which case it is Cragganmore 12yr. Speyside when I am in need of a lift to the spirits (sic) and Islay when I am in mood to explore the complexities a bit more.

[Robin]

Talisker