Some advice please

@ThreePeat, The world is your oyster. There is no wrong road to take. Sure, you'll kiss some frogs along the way, but another whisky-lover's frog may well become your prince(ss). My suggestion to you is to find some opportunity in which you can taste multiple whiskies, such as a whiskyfest, whisky cruise, or generous friend with a large collection, and not be bound to having to buy a bottle of this, then a bottle of that, in order to try your whiskies one by one. For me, anyway, this is not like serial monogamy, but more like Solomon's 700 wives and 300 concubines. I own a lot of bottles, but I will take any chance I can get to try 5, 10, or 25 new whiskies. Have the experience.

@ThreePeat You're lucky in that you have access to quite a number of tastings in your area. Unlike a festival, you get a reasonable number of sips at a tasting so you can make time to learn about each of the offered expressions -- without the inherent drive to taste all 100 or more whiskies offered at a festival. After you've attended a number of tastings (and therefore have more experience in your toolbox) then try a fest; you will have tried many of the offered expressions already and can really focus on some new ones without feeling the personal pressure to try them all.

@ThreePeat, While I do understand the concern two-bit cowboy has about becoming overwhelmed at a large event like WhiskyFest, I actually think the mega-events are very beneficial for novices. Let's face facts, after about 5 different pours the palette is basically shot for analyzing delicate differences, and after 10 you are really losing most everything other than the basics (my philosophy is after 10 pours if there is something that really impresses me, I make a note that I really want to try it again to see if it is really as good as it seems).

With that said, the mega-events, like WhiskyFest, do enable the novice to try several different types of Scotch and American whisk(e)y to determine what they might like to pursue in the future. They are not a place to do serious tasting, but a great place for becoming acquainted (on a superficial level) with a lot of different pours, without committing to buying several bottles. I will close by stating that I have no relationship with Malt Advocate or John Hansell other than a satisfied customer, but I would recommend you consider heading up to SF for WhiskyFest in October if time and wallet allow.

@ThreePeat, I'm from L.A., more specifically in The Palisades. But listen to @victor, he speaks the truth. He is our Obi Wan Kenobi on this site.

Wow! Only 3 months in and you are into Islays. You have a sophisticated palate. If I were you, I'd venture into Campbeltowns like Longrow and Springbank. They have the peatiness you enjoy but not as much as Islays. Talisker 10 has also a slight peat balanced by hot pepper and sweetness.

Also, check out www.lawhiskeysociety.com for ratings and whisky events in and around SoCal. You just missed the Peat Extravaganza, 2011 Peatin' Meetin' at UCLA.

Thank you very much for all the replies and suggestions everyone. Whiskyshiba I'm from Newport Beach but I live in Los Angeles most of the year for school. I will definetly check out the website you suggested. I have been looking to find events and meet other enthusiasts around so cal. Would you or anyone recommend Aberlour Abunadh? Someone I spoke with at the liquor store yesterday suggested it for branching my taste buds. It's also on sale for $ 49. Thanks again for the help everyone

@ThreePeat, The Aberlour Abunadh is a must buy, especially at $49. Check out the reviews on this site and any other on the web. A top notch sherried monster. At ABV 60% its great bang for the buck as well.

@whiskyshiba thanks I will go pick this up after work then. I was also tempted to pick up another bottle of ardbeg uigedail as they had it for $53.

@ThreePeat, Grab the Ardbeg Uige 1st then the Aberlour. Both great prices. Read @victor's review on the Uigeadail. I have personally experienced the taste/flavor variations on the Uige.

Cheers!

@whiskyshiba I already have a bottle of the uige. It is prob my favorite whisky I have tried to date. I was just thinking about picking up an extra bottle due to the low price. I normally shop at hi time and wine down in costa mesa

@ThreePeat, HiTime is one of my faves. One of the best liquor shops in SoCal. If you haven't been to K&L in Hollywood or Mission Liquors in Pasadena or Sherman Oaks, you won't be disappointed.

You can't have enough Uige.

@whiskyshiba, ill have to check out the one in pasadena. thats not far at all from usc

@ThreePeat, I got my doctorate at USC. I taught International Economics in the early 80's.

@whiskyshiba, very cool. cheers to that!

@ThreePeat...wow, did you steal my profile from this site?! :) The first half of your original post reads almost identical to my whisky journey (started in earnest around Christmas of last year). I jumped right to Lagavulin 16 at a Diageo tasting in January. It is one of my absolute favorites (as re-affirmed during a tasting with @WhiskyJoe last week...thank you, the bottle is awesome!!)

Everyone takes a different approach / has different tastes. I have adopted an all-around approach where I want to taste/own as many variations from as many regions as possible, even if my general impression of a region may not speak to me. As an example, while I do not prefer the generally lighter profile of a 'traditional' Speyside (i.e. Glenlivet/Glenfiddich 12), I am very intrigued by Aberlour Abunadh (strong sherry profile) and Ardmore Traditional Cask (peated profile, created with more 'traditional' production methods, if the marketing can be trusted). Along the lines of pre-conceived notions, while I originally would not have expected to like a Lowland whisky, Auchentoshan 12 (thanks to 'markjedi1', our resident 'Toshan Man') has been a very enjoyable surprise...and an excellent value!

I have also been led (very happily, I might add) down the path of American bourbons & whiskies, largely by 'victor' and 'dbk'. One fascinating aspect of American offerings is the use of rye vs. wheat as the primary flavouring grain. While I enjoy what the powerful notes that rye brings to the table (currently loving the Evan Williams 2000 single barrel from Binny's in Chicago), I have been absolutely blown away by most wheat bourbons that I have tried (Jefferson's Presidential Select 18, and Parkers Heritage 4th edition (still waiting to be opened) have been excellent experiences. It's a very interesting contrast (rye commands your attention while wheat acts as an excellent presenter/enhancer of other flavours).

All in all, research/taste/buy what speaks to you, but I would strongly recommend simply keeping an open mind and try something (even if you don't believe you will like it) whenever you get a chance...be open to being suprised along the great journey that is whisk(e)y!