The story so far...

Sorry for the wall of text. Obviously this editor doesn't like paragraphs. :)

@Zanaspus It sure does you idiot!

@Zanaspus thanks for sharing your story! We're always interested to hear how folks have discovered whisky here, looking forward to more stream of consciousness...

@Zanaspus...welcome aboard, from a fellow novice who has been on the whisk(e)y journey in earnest for only about 10 months (with several previous inroads prior to the 'ah ha' moment in January of this year). You'll enjoy the ride!

I wonder which Singleton it was. Dufftown, Auchroisk or Glen Ord? I'm not entirely sure which one is available in the US. I know Dufftown is Europe and thought Auchroisk was the Far East, but that could also be the Glen Ord. Anyway, Zanaspus, can you shed light on which dram you exactly had? Was good fun to read your first steps into this wonderful world of whiskies. Welcome aboard!

@markjedi1...could also be Glendullan, which is one of the better priced bottles in Ontario. I was able to sample some in Michigan on the weekend, so it is likely in the US as well.

@markjedi1 Pudge is spot on. The Singleton of Glendullan

@Zanaspus Good luck with the future whiskey purchase. You've certainly picked some gems.

An update into step 2 of the process. I picked up a bottle of Glenlivet 12 in the interim and quite like it. Now, to the big purchase. Cragganmore 12: This should be called Crackingmore 12! A splendid sweet tooth dram! Laphroaig QC: Well, they say you either love it or hate it. I must say I am beyond loving it! I want to marry it! Old Pulteney 12, HP 12, Talisker 10. I need to spend more time with each of these. The HP I had after the Laphroaig. I noticed the smoke, but it couldn't measure up to my new love. I did get a sense of the balance, and I'm sure I'll grow to love it. Talisker was a strange one. I'd read all about medicine in Islays and some Islands. This one seemed 50 times more medicinal than Laphroaig, more study necessary, Old Pulteney just seemed a bit flat and lacking to me, again all these tastings were done rapidly over the weekend, and I need to spend more time.

So, I know I love sweet stuff and silly smoke.

Hi @Zanaspus, I would maybe just recommend for next time to sample Laphroaig QC as your last dram, as its "in our face" peat and smoke, often completely overpower the subtle flavors of other malts. I would suggest to sample the whiskies you mentioned in the following order: Old Pulteney 12, HP 12, Talisker 10 and Laphoraig QC. Cheers

@Zanaspus, Welcome aboard. The best Whiskies are well within your price range; find the ones you like best and simply enjoy!

@Zanaspus, it sounds like you are a customer of The Party Source. How fortunate that you live within driving distance of that wonderful store! I have never had the pleasure of visiting it, but my wife Dramlette has made a couple of major whisk(e)y acquisition runs there while visiting her parents who until recently lived in Dayton. I am unfamiliar with their selection of malt whiskies, but am very aware that they are one of the very best sources for American whiskeys in the USA.

@Victor The Party Source is an absolute wonderland of spirits. If you're curious about their stock, it's at www.thepartysource.com Feel free to suggest things to me that won't break the bank.

@Zanaspus, the possibilities are many. Why not try those two very good American malt whiskies McCarthy's Oregon Single Malt and Stranahan's? Also, $ 20 or less gets you these great whiskeys; George Dickel # 12 Tennessee whisky, Old Weller Antique 107, or the very drinkable bottom of the bottom shelf $ 7 whiskey, Kentucky Gentleman. On the high end, Parker's Heritage Wheated 10 yo is fantastic, as would most likely be any of those Willett single barrel bourbons. The Party Source has a very active private barrel program, and well worth keeping an eye on, though I find Four Roses products very hit or miss.

@Zanaspus, Lots of good suggestions for you to try. May I add a single high quality Malt to the list? Highland Park 18yo. which may be a little out of your price range at the moment: The Party Source carry the H/P and it is $112:95 which is out of budget however as far as fine Whiskies go this is one of exquisite quality and consistency.

It is a Whisky that I wish I had tried many years prior to my first tasting! For me, the blinkers really came off and instantly I had a yardstick by which all other Whiskies could be measured. All the components of a classic Malt are to be found in the H/P 18yo. and in such incredible balance that the overriding impression is, "This is Malt Whisky".

I would like you to experience the H/P magic, if not this week or this month, sometime soon.

Slainte!

@Zanaspus, the recommendation by @A'bunadhman is seconded here, in spades. Highland Park 18 is magnificent and extraordinary, but WHEN you buy your first bottle, don't be surprised if its full flavours are not completely in bloom until the bottle has been opened for three or four months. The price tag may be steep at first, so maybe find a friend with a bottle to let you try a dram, or sample some in a bar or restaurant.

What @Victor said...& If you can lay your hands on a good crystal decanter, the H/P 18yo. responds very well to being decanted. I have a couple of Webb & Corbett decanters, the larger of these would hold about 900ml. The smaller about 400ml. What happens is that when you decant a bottle into a large decanter there is a good air space which allows the Whisky to breathe and mellow in a shorter period of time. You need not be to gentle with your decanting - Use a funnel and bubble the whisky into the decanter, replace the stopper and store in a cool, dry place away from any light whatsoever. Have a look at the Whisky in a months time and you will be astounded by the quality! Moreso if you have had a sneak preview before decanting.

When you think the Whisky can't get any better transfer the whisky to your smaller decanter (which you don't have yet,either) and leaving little or no air space you will have captured the majesty of one of the worlds' great Malt Whiskies.

Good Luck.