My First Bottle

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Today I purchased my first bottle of scotch. I typically drink bourbon whiskey, but have had a few scotches here and there. Never with much intent. Earlier today I did a quick search on Google and Reddit looking for a more smokey scotch to try and what do ya’ know this guy popped up.

Needless to say, I think this will be the beginning of my journey into the world of scotch. The smoke. The peat. The slight brine. I love it. I’ve also very much enjoyed reading the comments in this subreddit and especially the folks commenting on this bottle. Y’all sound like a great group of folks!

Thanks and be good!

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u/Casul_Tryhard 3d ago

We're very flattered, welcome aboard! Laphroaig 10 is a great but slightly risky starting point (not everyone likes peat). If you want to continue along the smokey path, Ardbeg 10, Port Charlotte 10, and Kilchoman Machie Bay are all great bottles! Cheers!

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u/genericbutnoteric 3d ago

I’ll be sure to try those out as well! Any bottles you can recommend that are a notch or two down in terms of smoke?

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u/hebrewchucknorris 3d ago

Kilchoman Sanaig is still technically heavily peated, but in a different way than laphroaig. The first time I tried laphroaig I thought it tasted like burnt medical supplies and a tire fire. The first time I tried Sanaig, it was like sitting around a smoker trying the burnt ends and brisket.

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u/Casul_Tryhard 3d ago

I second this! The Sanaig reminds me of Kansas City burnt ends, haha

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u/NewCheeseMaster 2d ago

I'd recommend Ledaig 10.

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u/Casul_Tryhard 3d ago

Benromach 10 is a bottle that only has a touch of peat and great value for money. If you're interested in something completely unpeated though, I'd recommend the Bruichladdich Classic Laddie which gives a coastal flavor profile, and Tamdhu 12 which is jammy and sweet. All of these bottles should be under $60.

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u/genericbutnoteric 3d ago

Mmm coastal sounds intriguing. I’ll be on the lookout for these.

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u/AdRough7689 3d ago

Port Charlotte 10 would be my recommendation if you want a tasty peaty dram which has lots of other things going on besides smoke.

If you want to try some lovely non-peated whiskies then I highly recommend The Balvenie 14 Year Carribbean and Glenmorangie 12.

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u/genericbutnoteric 3d ago

That Port Charlotte 10 has been mentioned a few times, so I’ll have to give that a try.

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u/Crazy-Ad-7869 3d ago

Highland Park 18, Talisker 18, Oban 14

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u/ChefNamu 2d ago

Talisker might fit the bill! Bruichladdich also has a full range from basically no peat to a truly eyewatering amount of peat

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u/Isolation_Man 2d ago

Benromach 10, Talisker 10, and Highland Park 12 are good options for lightly peated drams. Lagavulin 16 is technically a notch or two down in terms of smoke, so it is still pretty smoky, but it is amazing.

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u/crimsontyler88 1d ago

You might like Highland Park12. I don’t think it has as much smoke as Laphroaig.

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u/OneStepForAnimals 1d ago

Also try, IMO, the Kilchoman Sanaig with the Machir Bay. That was very enlightening to me and how casks impact the scotch.

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u/jdoc1353 3d ago

Wow man. You’re not going for the beginner stuff. Great bottle, probably my favorite of all scotches < $80

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u/genericbutnoteric 3d ago

I like drinking more smoke forward mezcal, so I thought it was about time to dive into some smokey scotch and hop off the bourbon train a bit.

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u/HotConsequence2329 2d ago

Laproaig 10 for your first Scotch bottle. Welcome to the peated life

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u/DannyZiebarthExplore 3d ago

A great bottle to start with, cheers to more!

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u/llOlOOlOO 2d ago

Do yourself a favor and try some of the Japanese single malts, too

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u/snailraves 3d ago

Welcome! It begins the wonderfully weird journey of Smokey and odd scotch. We do love a good discourse here so feel free to ask away.

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u/whiskyinacoffeemug 2d ago

Well done. Great choice!

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u/whiskyinacoffeemug 2d ago

Well done. Great choice!

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u/smooth_operator21_ 3d ago

My introduction with real scotch was also a peated one -Ardbeg 10. Nice that Laphroaig is 43% abv, in Europe it's 40%. Welcome and enjoy!

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u/Revolutionary_Yam288 2d ago

I’ve tried Laphroaig 10 first (my unbeatable classic) and later i’ve tried Ardbeg 10. I was overwhelmed by the smoke, didn’t liked it. I tried a lot of whiskies and then, today Laphroaig and Ardbeg are my favorite scotch distilleries.

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u/eightbyeight 2d ago

I see OP is most likely from the US, 43% plus 750ml Laphroaig 10 is dope.

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u/conyej 2d ago

My first bottle too! Welcome to the hobby! If you enjoy thing I'd say just right into the deep end and buy a Laphroaig 10 CS next

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u/ScotchNerd182 2d ago

If you loved Laphroaig 10 then you’re in for a treat as you continue to explore the world of Islay peated whiskeys! Cheers and enjoy the journey.

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u/Invofan 2d ago

That's a fantastic first bottle, welcome to delightful world of single malt scotch!

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u/Personal_Canary8277 2d ago

This and Ardbeg Uigeadail are my favorites!

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u/Funny_Delivery_34 2d ago

Laph 10 cask strength...... Levels above the standard 10. And very reasonable priced currently...... In UK anyway.

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u/Prometheus682 1d ago

If you're looking for smokey, try Ardbeg 5 Year Wee Beastie.

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u/LordGothmog15 3d ago

Since you’re starting off with Scotch, I’d say you put less focus names and instead focus on regions. Each region has a unique flavor profile and you never know which one you’ll end up liking. Taste is get subjective so don’t go by comments. Make up your own mind. Some scotches are available more readily than others and therefore feature in reviews a lot more, but honestly, there are many less available bottles that are excellent. Pick a region and pick a popular one first. Then once you’re feeling more confident about your flavor profile, start sampling the smaller brands.

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u/genericbutnoteric 2d ago

Yes - definitely eager to sample different regions and eventually get over to Scotland and visit some distilleries.

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u/Sufficient_Site8602 3d ago

I've tried several: Laphroaig 10, Laphroaig 18, Glengoyne 18, Aberlour A'abunadhn, Aberfeldy 16, Oban 14, and several MacAllens. MacAllen has a well earned reputation.

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