my first single malt purchase?

Had my mini bottle of highland park 12 last nite, wow a very well balanced dram indeed. Enjoyed it as its flavours change over the hour or so & the last drops were heading towards the sweet end. Glad i started with this whisky. Many thanks to all who recomended some great whiskys. Now next stop bigger bottle of highland park 12 & other sampling.

I would go with HP 12 for a very well balanced dram. For peat, Laphroaig 10, Cask Strength, or Quarter Cask. Also look at Balvenie 15 and Macallan 15

I recently had a Caol Ila 12yo. at a Whisky bar and it was sensational. 3 drops of distilled water delivered with a small pipette (all provided by Lark, Tasmania). This was a generous pour and really impressed!

The bottle was a little better than half full, so I asked my charming hostess how long it had been open - "...about 6 mths. or so." 'Reinforces what I've known about Caol Ila for a long time.

Slainte.

I went straight for a complex malt as my first single malt which was HP18yo, I'd recommend however the glenmorangie 10, Aberlour 10 and Ardbeg 10 as your first 3 starting malts. That should give you a good into to the light style, sherry style and peated styles.

Highland Park 12. If you really do want something really peaty, Ardbeg 10, Laphroaig 10, or Talisker 10 are also great options. I am not sure of the prices in pounds though.

Hello whiskypanda . Welcome to the world of whiskies. I suggest an Isle of Arran 14 year old , affordable , nice starter, a little better than the Arran 10 or general malts. Laphroaig 10 was the one that hooked me to single malts, so maybe thats a good one too. Enjoy!