Over the past year or so I have been making a small foray into the world of single malts and buying bottles. I started with Glenfiddich 12, which was okay but obviously not anything wonderful. My next bottle was a Dalwhinnie 15, which was definitely better and nice enough but somewhat lacking in depth and complexity. I then picked up a bottle of the Macallan 10 Fine Oak and honestly it just felt sort of muddled and incomplete - which is too bad, because Macallan 12 is my go-to scotch while out and about. Finally, I just opened up a bottle of Lagavulin 16 and while I can objectively appreciate the quality it is far more to the smoky/peaty end of the spectrum than I would prefer.
Now, that’s the bottles I have bought for myself. As I noted above Macallan 12 is my default when out and I genuinely like it as a reliable, everyday choice. I have also tried the Bunnahabhain 12 which was nice enough but verging on the peaty side, likewise the Laphroaig 10. Glenlivet 12 is on a similar level to the Glenfiddich, drinkable but a bit meh. It’s also worth sharing my experience at an amazing bar in Finland where I got to try some 16 year-old (unrecalled producer) finished in Sauternes casks, not to my taste, and a 25 year-old Aberlour at cask strength which was absolutely divine. However, I know that was not something likely to be repeated very often - especially since that Aberlour was the last short pour out of the bottle and they let me have it for 5 euros.
So, if I’m to sum up I suspect I lean more towards the highland style rather than Islay, low to no levels of peat and smoke, and more towards lighter bodied, smoother with aromatic complexity and more subtle flavors rather than power.
Suggestions under let’s say, $80? Start taking chances on some of those K&L specials?