What are your five benchmark whiskies?

Highland Park 18, Talisker 57*, Ardbeg 'Corryvreckan', Lagavulin 12yo. Cask, Springbank 12yo. Cask.

& Aberlour a'bunadh which narrowly missed the cut: Not so long ago a'bunadh would have been right up there!

I try to always keep a few of each style of whisky open at all times. I'm not sure that I have benchmark whiskies per-say. For instance, I have a Glendronach, Glenfarclas, and an Aberlour open at the moment. That covers the sherried whiskies. I have an Ardbeg, Laphroaig, and Flaming heart open for some peated malt, and so on... Until I have bought a bottle of every bottle that looks appealing to me I try not to buy doubles unless it's a special release or something not readily available. Talisker 18 is prob one of my fav scotches that can almost never be found so I've bought a few of those. I do believe however that I coming close to the end of that journey. I've been considering only purchasing the "unattainable whiskies" for a year rather than all the $40-$70 range stuff that makes up most of the market. With over 100 in stock it is unlikely I would run out of whisky to drink. Seems I have gone a bit off topic. Oh well... Drinking an Old Pulteney 12 right now...def a should be someones benchmark especially for the price point!

@lmann86, I couldn't agree more with your statement, " I've been considering only purchasing the "unattainable whiskies" for a year rather than all the $40-$70 range stuff that makes up most of the market." There's no use in keeping excess inventory that is readily available. The search for "unattainable expressions" is often worthwhile, especially when you find a dusty one when least expected.

Tough one here - I have benchmark Whiskies which are a staple in my collection as I know them very well and use them to calibrate my senses before I do a proper tasting - if I detect something unusual or miss some of the key characteristics I know that I´m not in a god tasting shape. My benchmarks are:

1. bourbon matured non peater: Laddie Ten or Auchentoshan 21 (for older ones)
2. sherry matured non peater: Glenfarclas 15 or Glenfarclas 25 (for older ones) or Strathisla 40 (for very old ones)
3. bourbon matured peater: Laphroaig Quarter Cask (or cask strengh)
4. sherry matured peater: Ardbeg Uigeadail
5. Island Style: Talisker Ten (or Springbank 10 100 Proof)
6. Blend no peatier: The Antiquary 12
7. Blend heavy sherry: Black Bush
8. Blend peated: Johnnie Walker (Double) Black
9. Bourbon wheated style:Pappy Van Winkle 15
10. Bourbon high rye style: Eagle Rare 10
11. Bourbon traditional style: booker´s
12. Irish: Redbreast 12 (or 12 cask strength)

I also use Yamazaki and yoichi 12 as japanese benchmarks.

@maltster, an elegantly communicated list. Love it.

My must have whiskies, which can be found in my cabinet at all times: Auchentoshan 12 or Three Wood (for sherry); Greenore Single Grain (Irish); Aberlour or Glenfarclas (Speyside); Clynelish (Highland), Talisker (Island), Highland Park (Islands) and Ardbeg (Islay; whatever release is current). I always have at least two US whiskies on hand as well, currently Wild Turkey Rare Breed and Bernheim Original.

Here are my top five: Ardbeg Uigeadail, Lagavulin Distiller´s Edition, Laphroaig Triple Wood, Talisker Distiller´s Edition and Talisker 10.