A Newcomers Top Ten List????

Welcome @Rocko. In my opinion, there seem to be 3 major broad classes of single malts: Light and/or Winey, Medium Peaty/Smoky, and Heavy Peaty/Smoky ( this partitioning may be controversial :-) ). As a beginner myself, here is what I like:

Light and/or Winey: Glenmorangie 10 Orig, Glenmorangie Nectar D'Or, Balvenie 12 DoubleWood, Auchentoshan 3-Wood, Redbreast (Irish blend), Aberlour 12 Double Cask

Medium Peaty/Smoky: Springbank 10, Ardmore Traditional Cask

Heavy Peaty/Smoky: Have not tried ... but see the Connosr Top Ten List on this site.

Also see the previous Discussion regarding what to try (about a week ago). Hey @Connosr, maybe we need an archive of FAQs (like this discussion) !?

@Rocko Not sure where you are in the world, but let me suggest a few introduction malts that are worth looking out for (for their quality as well as for the price):

• Glenlivet 15yo French Oak
• Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX
• Amrut Fusion
• Bowmore Tempest
• Highland Park 18yo
• Lagavulin Distiller's Edition (or the regular 16yo)
• Talisker 10yo
• Laphroaig 10yo Cask Strength
• Ardbeg 10yo

Aberlour A'Bunadh should have been in that list as well, as an introduction to heavily sherried whisky.

IMHO, don't bother with the Glenlivet French Oak, the Nàdurra is much, much nicer, and should be available for around 60 euros, 50 pounds or 90 dollars, should you be so inclined. Much more expensive then the 15 YO French oak, but it's a better dram.

Other then that, I think Rubens list is very good, a nice balanced selection of new favorites and old classics.

Thanks for the advice! Actually, I've already added several to my cabinet! Now, can anyone suggest some light reading to get myself up-to-speed about the world of single-malts??? Or where should I start?

Good list, I'd probably add Dalwhinnie 15 year old to that.

Ditto... a Balvenie bottling would make my list too. Signature or Doublewood.

@Rocko, hmm, I am not seeing your cabinet list on your profile ... your cabinet is empty.

@WhiskyNotes, your suggested list is useful to me as well ... thanks !

@AboutChoice Perhaps @Rocko means his 'real life' cabinet? Shock horror ;-)