Looking for a smooth whisky

@Stoatgobbler Which Aberlour did you try? The Aberlour A'bunadh connosr.com/whisky/speyside/… is a much celebrated sherried whisky and quite affordable, depending on the batch number. Last time I checked you could pick a bottle up for £31 in Waitrose.

It packs a punch though, at up to 62% ABV (again depending on the batch).

The A'bunadh is much more aggressive than the Balvenie so that would be an interesting next step for you. It has a family resemblence to the Aberlour 10 but its more like a bolder brasher older brother. Its not as smooth and easy drinking as Doublewood (even if you at water) but it is "hot" and fun, loads of sherry but an altogether different beast. Might not be the smooth taste you're looking for but I reckon PeatAndMeat is right, you'll enjoy the experience. Bags of character.

Stoatgobbler, I think I was where you are a few months ago. I have been tasting a few malts this evening (about 1/4 oz per taste, w/drop or two of water). After reading your post, I got out my Balvenie DoubleWood as a reference to what you like. Bal DblWood is one I also like: sweet sugar, med warm pleasant fruit, little or no smoke. You also suggest that you like the sherry or wine influence on maturation ... I do also.

Here are a few you might try, if you have not gotten hooked by the enticing smoky character yet: Glenmorangie 10 Original. This was my first single malt, and I still really enjoy it. Soft, pleasant, citrus, butterscotch, complex, non-smoky.. For a change, try it w/ a little lemon juice !! Also, try Glenmorangie Nectar D'Or (Sauterne cask).

Dalwhinnie 15 will be a candidate for you, but I thought it uneventful and a little harsh. Irish Redbreast is also a light, non-smoky smooth whiskey which you might enjoy.

Bushmills (Irish) Black Bush will give you a deep, strong nose, a big tasty, creamy palate, and a tasty finish, with no smoke. It has an Irish character which is matured in sherry, and with a big, satisfying taste. One I like a lot.

I was going to recommend Macallan 12 (sherry matured) to you, but after getting out my bottle, compared to my other samples, I thought it was dry, rubbery, grainy, and had a short finish. The nose was gluey and rubbery. Hmmm, I thought I liked it before !

Now ... as I have progressed to trying some moderately smoky malts, I feel that you might also evolve in this direction. The taste and feel of sweet, smoke (and peat?) has been an exciting major step up in my scotch discovery. These are really adictive and almost mesmerizing malts.

Here are some I am tasting this evening (my subjective opinion, of course) :

Oban 14 - Lovely citrus nose, addictive. Brown sugar, dry, smoky, deep flavor. Warm med finish. I rate this as just OK, but I would still want to hang on to this bottle.

Auchentoshan 3 Wood - Big fruity nose w/some smoke. Good honey flavor. Warm, smoky, satisfying finish. i really enjoy this.

Oban 14 - Lively citrus nose, addictive. Brown sugar, dry, smoky, deep flavor. Warm medium, dry finish. I like this, but not my favorite, but very drinkable ... but might be yours.

Now my big favorites, during my evolution:

Ardmore Traditional Cask - Somewhat attractively peaty and smoky, nose, enticing and addictive. Big, deep sweet, smoky flavor. Yummy and satisfying ... almonds, cake, tobacco ... ummm. My current co-favorite !!

Springbank 10 - Big enticing citrus, grape, butterscotch, gluey nose. Big yummy, warm flavor .. very satisfying. Long, warm finish ... nice smoky, lingering, sweet flavor. A great single malt for me ! A co-favorite. I love this stuff !!

Am I on the road to the ultimate Lagavulin/Laphroiag/Ardbeg malts ??

Anyway, I felt that my experience was similar to yours ... and I hope my experience will help you choose your future malts. Let us know where you go, and how you have liked it.

@AboutChoice Excellent post, that will be very helpful for @Stoatgobbler

I do love the Doublewood, and would echo the call for Auchentoshan. I'd also go with Edradour for beginners. I'm afraid I 'm not sure on prices though...