Recommendations Needed

For the intro to scotch, for real newbies, you could consider entry-levels like glenlivet 12, Dalwhinnie 15, HP 12. I'd stay away from Islay to start. Instead of Dalwhinnie you could try a Bladnoch 10, but I would recommend it at 46%, not 55%.

For the international ones! some people like Glen Breton ( I prefer the ice wine cask finish). I have never tastes an Amrut I don't like. Fusion at 50% is very good. The Intermediate Sherry and Portonova, as well as some of the other special releases are likely tough to find and expensive.

I have less experience with Japanese and no experience with Australian, NZ and Taiwanese malts, but I hear good things.

Intro to Single Malts: Aberlour 10, Highland Park 12, Springbank 10, but I'd also suggest throwing in Compass Box Great King Street Artist's Blend to show them what a good blended Scotch can be like.

Malts of the World: Nikka Taketsuru 12, Amrut (anything), English Whisky Co. Chapter 6, Belgian Owl, Mackmyra (Sweden).

From Scotland, I would suggest Talisker 10 (Islands), Glenfarclas 15 (Speyside), Dalwhinnie (Highland). This way you get citrusy, honeyed with the Dalwhinnie, Christmas cake and spices with Glenfarclas and marine and smoky with Talisker. From the world, I would suggest a Mackmyra First Edition (Sweden), Amrut Fusion (India) and Nikka or Yamazaki (Japan).

Thank you so much! Excellent suggestions! Now to make that shopping list...

Scotland, I'd start with a good Sherried Speyside whisky, like Balvenie 12 DoubleWood. Then move on to a spicy Highlander, Glenmorangie 10, and finish with a lightly peated islander, Highland Park 12.

International, I'd start with Powers 12 from Ireland, then switch a blended malt from Japan, Hibiki 12, and finish with Amrut Fusion from India.