similiar to Ardbeg

If 30-40 dollars is the average stuff you give to newbies, then you are lucky. For those of us with slightly scaled-down definitions, I would recommend Aberlour 10. It's very drinkable and only $20, and it's something I enjoy and keep around when I can't afford 30-40 dollars for what I call the good stuff. It was my go-to back in the early days when I thought Laphroaig tasted like barf. :-)

My last bottle of Highland Park 18 won't be shared with anyone. I haven't even opened it yet.

For me, you can never go wrong with Isle Of Jura 10yr. I bought a bottle on sale last week for $17! ANd I really like it, so it's not like I'd be serving them something I wouldn't drink.

I find the 10 yr superior to the 15 and even the 30. I don't know why, maybe it's just the salty taste, The older ones seem to have lost it.

But I would definately go with the Jura 10yr as a house malt.

Can't fault that... I think Jura is a bit underrated. Wish I could get it for GBP17 let alone USD17.

Believe it or not cheapest price quoted in UK is just over GPB21.. nearly GBP7 cheaper than prices quoted from US suppliers for shipping to UK. But no doubt HM Customs will bump the US price up considerably.

Roger

Saw a bottle of that for 35$ just yesterday but wondered about the taste. Is it very "peaty"? I'm thinking "peaty" like Talisker and some other island malts.

ChEAr$, Harlan Lunsford

Nope.. the malt used is only lightly peaty, and the water used in the distillery flows over rock. There is a trace of peat, but that's all. The proximity to the sea accounts for salty undertones to the whisky.

Roger

Personally, I like Islay malts the most...especially Lagavulin.

What did you think of your bottle?