jonathan18:

 

Maybe it's the arrival of the (relatively) colder weather, or perhaps it's the inundation of junk mail this week given it's world whisk(e)y day this Saturday, but I've found myself thinking about buying a new bottle, but trying something new. Being relatively unexposed to the wide range of options I'm interested in recommendations.

 

My preference is definitely towards Islay single malts or similar; my go-to buy has been Bowmore 12; My FiL got me a bottle of Caol Ila Distiller's Edition, which I have really loved but clearly too much as it's nearly finished! Another one I've liked (but not owned) is Talisker Dark Storm. I also have a bottle of Ardbeg 10, which I really am not a huge fan of.

 

So, based on those preferences, what would people recommend at, say, around $100 or less?

 

Many here seem to love Laphroaig, but I'm once bitten, twice shy given the 10 year's placement on some of the flavour maps (as reliable and useful as these are?!), being so close to the Ardbeg that I don't really like.

 

This is the 'map' I'm talking about:

 

 

Anyway, appreciate any recommendations. 

Dark Storm is an excellent compromise for those that want some peat but not the heavy peat found in Islay malts. The peat flavour in the west coast island whiskies gets progressively weaker the more northerly the island is so Dark Storm (or similar) would be a good recommendation. Another good one would be something from the Highland Park warrior series such as Einar - although Orkney is not a west coast island, there are still some peaty flavours in there.