Caol Ila 18 for something a little oban-like. Not a fan of that region much. Stick with the Islays if you can help it. Scotch gets to be very personal. I like them heavy and smoky. If you're into mac, try 15 fine oak. way better than the 17/18.

lag 16, laphroiag 18 (bit light compared to lag), and if you're really a man, arbeg ugeaidail (or whatever it's spelled as) - this shit is SMOKY. it's like power, the more you have the easier it is to get used to, and of course the more spoiled you get.

and scotch doesn't need water. at all.

 

Capri-Sun. The drinker's juice box. I love it.

 

Easy or early: 'Livet 18 yr old
Late or if I want to be challenged: Lagavulin

 

Laphroaig

 

You must really like this stuff... second identical post!

I like Glenlivet, Glenmorangie, and Balvenie. I just made up a scotch and soda with Glenfiddich, which although many would consider a waste, I think taste great. Is it the true way to appreciate scotch? No, but it's tasty as hell, and is following up the New York strip and Cabernet very well!

 

Lagavulin and Laphroaig are my standbys.

 

Great to see some Whisky enthusiasts on board!

Craigger:
It all depends on what you're interested in trying. A lot of the suggestions given so far are for a "stronger" flavored Scotch. Peaty, salty, smokey, fairly stereotypical flavor profiles of what people think of when they hear "scotch whisky."
But there are much lighter regions and distilleries, such as Glenmorangie (as already mentioned by others).

Off the beaten path, my suggestion for something different than what these gents have suggested but should still gather some taste-bud-appeal:
Murray McDavid 16 year old Highland Park.
It has a Sherry AND Port finish so it's got some sweeter notes to it but it isn't light like Glenmorangie nor heavy like Lagavulin.
Another option would be Glen Ord, not as complex as the Highland Park but very nice and approachable. Well rounded.

 

Just bought a bottle of the macallen fine oak 17 year eariler today for a get together tomorrow...

 

so my friends and myself were sitting around enjoying cigars one day for a buddies engagement party. While BS'ing and whatnot we figured we needed something for the other hand. Well the idea came around for some Scotch.

Yesterday for my going away for my MBA party I picked up a OBAN 14yr for us to try. I did not check TS before hand to see but i looked at this thread a while back and remember seeing the OBAN.

Let's just say that we are not scotch drinkers. I gave it a chance 3 different ways where everyone else just tried one or the other.

First up:
-warm, straight out of the bottle.
It warmed me up in a heartbeat. The taste was smooth just strong. The best way tried out of the three.

Second:
-warm, with a dash of similar temp bottled water
This was while still warming felt missing something. I did notice in the glass it almost looked as it wasnt mixing.

Third:
-warm, with an ice cube
This way was the middle of the three. The cube made the taste mellow out quite a bit and i felt like a coffee with a lot of cream drinker. While a bit of water opens it up, this felt overboard but still good. Almost as if a totally different drink.

I will say my experience was a good one. Just strong and I still have most of a 750ml bottle left. I am taking it with me to school for entertainment on occasions. I will a say glass next to a fire with good company around could be a great experience.

 

Just drank a bottle of Glenlivet 12 last night. Good stuff.