I’m trying to build my whiskey repertoire
My go to was makers mark, I’ve had suntory, gentleman’s jack, etc but nothing really higher up
What’s a güd baseline higher end one I can start with and then advance?
I'm a scotch whisky guy myself, nearly all single malts (I only drink blends at bars, weddings, etc.). I like the taste a lot more than American bourbon whiskey - I find the corn-based stuff too sweet. That said, if you do try scotch, decide first if you want a smokey taste or not.
If you like cigars or don't mind a taste of char in your drink, try an Islay (or "peated") malt like Laphroaig.
If (like me) you don't want your whisky to taste/smell like an ashtray, start with a simple 10yr old Highland like Glenmorangie. You can get a bottle for like $35-40. It's my go-to for when I'm just looking to have a couple drinks at night. If you try it and like it, start trying stuff that's older and finished in different barrels (sherry, bourbon, rum, etc.). Balvenie 12yr old double wood is one of my all-time favorites (~$65), and their Caribbean Cask (14yr old, the last two finished in a Rum cask; ~$80) is sensational.
Once you've really developed an idea of what you like, that's when I recommend trying a $100+ 18yr old+.
But yeah, figure out if you want that smoke taste first. Might be worth checking with your closest BIG liquor store if they ever have tastings, that way you can try a few things at once without committing to buying a whole bottle of something you don't like. Also, you can generally believe the tasting notes on the bottles. I like spicier stuff neat in fall/winter and the sweeter/fruitier stuff on ice in spring/summer. If you want specific reviews of stuff, check Reddit's r/scotch reviews. The reviews can be so-so, but the comments on the reviews can tell you a lot to give you a a good consensus view of what the stuff's actually like.
Make sure to post what you try here, though, and enjoy!
www.gobourbon.com
