: Known for being triple-distilled and exceptionally smooth.
: For those who want a premium, experimental rye. which whiskey to buy
: A bottle for when you want a bold change. Lagavulin 16 or Laphroaig 10 are the heavyweights of smoke and brine from Islay, though Highland Park 12 offers a gentler, more balanced introduction to peat. : Known for being triple-distilled and exceptionally smooth
: Matured in two different types of wood for added honeyed complexity. Building a Diverse Home Bar Lagavulin 16 or Laphroaig 10 are the heavyweights
: Stay away from cask-strength or high-proof bottles (anything over 55% ABV) until you’ve developed a tolerance for the alcohol burn.
: Some "allocated" bottles like Blanton's or Weller are often marked up by retailers. Many readily available bottles, like Eagle Rare or Old Forester 1910 , offer similar quality for a fraction of the "black market" price.