New to scotch single malts - seeking some recommendations

[Tomhyde1986]

Good evening everyone. I guess I'm the new new guy. I'm new to single malt scotch whiskeys and if truth be told new to whiskeys in general but they have certainly peaked my interest. So far I've tried:

Bowmore 12 Year Old
Bruichladdich Waves

The Bowmore is a friends personal favorite and he kindly bought me a bottle of Waves as a gift from a visit to Islay so i had something to contrast against the Bowmore 12. Of the two I think I preferred Waves overall although both were very drinkable and enjoyable. Having finished my Waves I find myself needing to fill the hole on the shelf so I'm seeking recommendations around the £30 mark. A bit more or bit less is fine. These two in particular have caught my eye:

Ardbeg 10 Year Old
Laphroaig Quarter Cask

Any thoughts on the above two and any others that might fit the bill? I consider myself open minded and as this is a subject I know only a little about but have plenty of enthusiasm my horizons are ready to be broadened.

Best regards.

Tom

[soundmangt4]

Well, if you like both the Bowmore and the Bruichladdich then you obviously enjoy the smoke!
If you like more smokey malts, then Ardbeg and Laphroaig are both excellent choices. Ardbeg 10 YO is a fantastic Islay, but seriously peaty, but a great choice, and the Laphroaig is also very smokey, but a bit more interesting. Personally I would go for the Laphroaig 10 top start with, which is very smokey and medicinal too, but with a good sweet edge too.

Also, I would seriously consider Talisker 10, which is still one of my favourite malts and my 'go-to' malt every time, with a touch of smoke, but also very salty and savoury, with a huge peppery finish. A true taste of a costal malt!
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Rob Hughes
Scotch Malt Whisky Society member
www.smws.co.uk

[Alexppp]

I second Rob's recommendations, Talisker is my 'go-to' whisky as well. From Islay my favourite is Lagavulin 16, but it's a bit more expensive than the £30 budget. Then again, so is Ardbeg 10. Laphroaig has by far the best value for money and you can't go wrong with either the 10 year-old or the Quarter Cask. I'd say by all means go for the Quarter Cask since you already have a taste for smoky whisky - it's more interesting than the 10 year-old.

[Kenny M]

If you have a taste for peaty whisky then the Ardbeg 10 Year Old and Laphroaig Quarter Cask are both excellent whiskies which i would highly recommend

[Tennessee Dave]

Might want to try something a bit different like Highland Park 12 or Springbank 10 as well.
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Dave