Best single-malt Scotch...

Thanks, Frogman! I have been reading good things about the Amrut... I think some of the newer Macallan stuff is a bit of marketing sadly. Does not mean there is not good new Macallan coming out...just that I think they're flooding the market a bit and taking advantage of their reputation. For the money now, i would definitely opt for an older Glenrothes.

I have really started to enjoy scotch and bourbon over the last 3 years but have invested considerable effort to make up for my lost years. In my approach, I really tried to get to know the different scotch regions as well as irish and american whiskey as well. My go to favorite is the Balvenie, a wonderful Speyside scotch. The 15 year single barrel is to me the best $ spent for scotch but if you get a chance to have the 21 you will be in for a real treat. A good friend just laid out and got a bottle of Balvenie 30 so I hope to get some of that soon. In terms of bourbons, the Blanton's is my best for the $. I have been lucky to get to share all of the Pappy Van Winkle line as well as the higher end Michter's (just got a bottle of Michter's 20). The irish redbreast 12 is my favorite irish spirit.

All great whiskys and have been fortunate to have tried nearly all of the ones you mention. You may like Glenrothes older ones if you like Balvenie...its a bit thicker but also Speyside. Better value for money than Macallan which (can sometime) be wonderful...particularly 18-year...but so expensive due to name recognition. Sazerac 18-year rye bourbon is amazing...regular Sazerac not bad either...Buffalo Trace is the group company, but I like Sazerac better than regular Buffalo Trace so far. On Irish, try Midleton if you can find it...very much in the Irish line (clean, distilled, etc) but also a bit richer in flavour while still smooth. Enjoy!!!

Thanks Llyoyd, I will definitely check those suggestions out, I do not need much encouragement, especially at this time of the year. I have heard good things from others about the Macallan 18 and must try even though I am not a fan of the younger versions.

Truemaineiac - please post back your impressions! Enjoy! Regarding Macallan, I think they have taken advantage of their name and started selling some whiskys where I think its just about the label...sad but it is business sometimes. I concur about the 10 and 12...and particularly the 15 in terms of price/performance. The 18 is nice, but frankly for the performance, it too has some real challengers. I like the older Glenrothes...you can buy a 1985 for about the price of the 18 year Macallan. You may like Highland Park 18---a highland but about as smooth as the speyside with a slightly creamier richer flavor.