Wow...we have some real scotch aficionados around here!! I have wanted to try some and see if I like it...what would you all recommend as a good starter scotch? Quality flavor and affordable price. My grandpa always drank Glenfidditch but I never asked for a glass. It sounds like to me between Glenfidditch, Johnny Walker, Laphroaig, Glenlivet, and Macallan that about covers the bases of mainstream scotch around here.
Glenfiddich and Glenlivet have an aftertaste that will either entice or repel. While they are common gateway scotches, I might try a cleaner one first. I've found that those who like these, generally quickly outgrow it. Personally, I've found that my taste evolves quite a bit with scotch (part of what makes scotch phenomenal); scotches that were among my favorites at one point begin to taste different and I move on to something else. Not that the scotch has changed, but that my palate has.
Gateway scotches that I recommend are:
McCarthy's - actually a domestic single malt, may be a pacific nw thing but very good. ~$35
Balblair 10yr - I refer to this one as the white wine of scotches. May be a good entry. ~$50
Johnnie Walker Green - already described above. May be spendy for a first-time drinker, but a great value and you can't go wrong here. ~$65
A couple more expensive ones that are great easy-drinking scotches are:
Compass Box Hedonism (also L'Orangerie) - drink like dessert. So smooth. ~$85
The Balvenie Sherry Cask - many of my friends who don't like peat or "scotch aftertaste" really like this one. ~$100
When tasting scotch, I recommend taking some time to breathe through your nose with your mouth open, and just sit with it for a while.
