Building a Tasting Cabinet

Absolutely a Glendronach! Highly recommended, even the basic 12yr. Also in the heavily sherried category is the wonderful Aberlour a'bunadh, particularly charming as it changes a bit with each batch. Among single malts with very unique profiles, the following come to mind: Talisker, Clynelish, and Auchentoshan. The Ardbeg 10 I consider to be vastly different from their other expressions such as Corryvrecken and Uigeadail, and isn't a personal favorite. I would urge you to consider something other than the 10yr, but then again it wins awards and has it's fans. Lagavulin is a classic, always amazing. The Laddie 10 would be a nice fit here as well. I've been buying up Kilchoman expressions lately, and that's another distillery worth exploring. Their bottlings are young, but made in a much more deliberate, handmade manner than the majority of other modern distilleries, and I believe that process comes across in the spirit. Springbank expressions can also be very rewarding.

I find it intriguing that you have stuck to the core expressions from each distillery, mostly, in your cabinet purchases. Is this purposeful, or just fate? Though in some ways these bottlings do "define" a distillery, I would argue that they do not always present the most "personality."

@EvaRees : Thank you for your reply. It is probably more fate. I received the Glenfiddich and Tomintoul as gifts and bought the Jameson a few years ago after a chance visit to their distillery. It was only after a whisky tasting put on by Laphroaig and then my tasting my Tomintoul 27 the next day when the unexpected difference sparked my interest (yes, I was a real newbie). So I've only added the Highland Park and Oban since. After reading as much as I could, I realise certain distilleries are reknowned for certain whisky expressions. eg Ardberg and peat. I was thinking of sticking to the core so I could explore differences between distilierries rather than within distillery differences. That said, if you think there are some non-core expressions that might give a more interesting variety to this cabinet, that is exactly what I am going for. I haven't looked at Springbank or Kilchoman at all so I will definitely look into them. Thank you for your advice!

It may be a good idea to try and get one or two bottles from each of the regions in Scotland/ I agree, it is worth putting a few more pounds in and getting a more expensive Ardbeg. I would strongly recommend a Glenfarclas, the fifteen in particular is really good value generally. Definitely get the Lagavulin 16 and I think you should probably have a Bowmore in there but go for the 15 darkest over the cheaper bottles. @merged

Only one thing from Japan would be Yamazaki 18 or Nikka Pure Malt 12. I would had something from Europe like Mackmyra First Edition and from the US Van Winkle family reserve 15 (get a bottle for me!). Why not something from Campbeltown, Scotland? Longrow CV is my favorite so far. And don't forget us folks from Canada. Treat yourself with a Forty Creek Confederation Oak or a Wiser 18.

In addition to the excellent information given by other members i would suggest that you build up your stock over time with Malts that you particularly like - i.e. You're tasting a Whisky and think that it is very good, go back to the same store 'lickety split' and purchase another; if, you find the Whisky not to your taste set it aside in a different part of your cabinet reserved for such bottles and give it a second chance in a month or so: Some fine Whiskies don't show their real character until some time after opening.

All the while, you will be building up a cabinet of Whiskies that you really like! My cabinet has never (hardly ever) been without a bottle or two of Talisker of some description...It's a Whisky that I really enjoy and it's my cabinet.

Cheers and Good Luck.

Laphroaigs are very good indeed, and very suitable (Quarter Cask is a must) for a cabinet. I'd also say a good bottle of Bunnahabhain will also make a great contrast to the mix as it is very maritime, and brine. Whisky doesn't have to be expensive at all (both above are exceptionally affordable), just taste them first and only buy what you like. However a word to remember is that your palate changes and whiskies will appear to you that you may like later on but not right now. I remember when I first drank Old Pulteney Single Cask, hated it at first as it was basically too sour and salty. Now I very much enjoy it.