The BEST Whiskies For Beginners!

[@kellywellington7122]

My first taste of single malt was from a test beaker at the Strathmill distillery in Keith, Scotland. That was before single malts were widely marketed in the US. Just a few years later, as marketing of single malts ramped up, I did a cursory taste test and settled on Glenfiddich 12. I stayed with that for a couple of decades. It was the Scotch addition to the standard Bushmills I kept in my cabinet. From there, I slid into Glenfiddich 15, with its more sherried profile. About that time, I started trying other single malts. I stumbled into Laphroaig and was immediately repelled and alienated. I would go a couple of decades before I returned to Scotland and got a taste of 'lightly peated' single malts, specifically Highland Park's Einar. Of course, it wasn't sold in the US and I couldn't find another HP product that delivered. So, I set out on my journey to fill out my liquor cabinet. Starting with about six bottles of spirits in 2018, I have now amassed a selection of about 80 bottles of spirits, most of them single malt Scotches, representing a wide selection of flavor profiles. Benromach 15 is, by far, my favorite. The Glencadam 10 rates very high, as does the Kilchoman Sanaig, Bunnahabhain 12, Port Charlotte 10, Deanston 12, and the Isle of Raasay Hebredian. The past few months have been something of a Nantucket sleigh ride of acquisition and I suspect I'm approaching exhaustion of my budget...but I've still to obtain my luxury bottle of Signet. For my 70th!

[@danieljerosch5602]

I'm a simple man. I see Phil post a video, I click.

[@davidm_shaw]

Nice video, Phil. My whisky journey in a nutshell below: (1) Began with Jura 12 Elixir (bought for a whisky night. Okay but not compelling). (2) Talisker 10: “Wow! Whisky can be *really* interesting.” (3) Glen Scotia 15: this was the one that sent me headlong into whisky geekdom. Keep up the good work, mate.

[@RalphMettier]

Spot on Phil. Aberlour 12 was not the first one I bought, but it was the one that first amazed me at how delicious a whisky could be. Then, for a while, I liked sherried scotch but really couldn't tolerate anything peated - even HP12 was too smokey for me. Enter the Kilchoman Sanaig, that really opened my eyes to a new world of flavour. Fast forward to today, and I struggle to find a single malt that I don't like 😄

[@Valera_Scotland]

Laphroaig and Lagavulin were my gateways! Now I really recommend: Ledaig 10, Springbank 10 (probably my overall favourite whisky on my journey... It's a shame I only tend to find it once or twice a year in the shops as a reasonable price) .... and when you are ready for it.... Ardbeg Uigeadail ... That last one in particular is pretty crazy, but special too (barbecued meat, tar, smoke, berries... it's worth giving it time).. Having said all this, worth remembering that we are different, and I'm a smokey whisky lover.. For others, something like Arran 10, Bunnahabhain 12 etc will be a better choice... I just gravitate to the smoke and peat and savoury, instead of the sweetness... In fact may give my Arran 10 away, I just can't get into it p.s. I have now made it a rule to only buy: non chill filtered, non coloured and over 46%.... it just weeds out the basic stuff, and narrows down the options...as an alternative to Laphroaig 10, the Lore is fantastic and it's 48% too.. I would suggest - don't always go with hype. Do some research and maybe order some samples on line. I have saved ALOT of money by buying samples on Master of Malt for example and realising that I don't like sherry heavy whiskies (e.g. Springbank 15, Bunnahabhain 18 etc)... For Lagavulin 16, I can only say that it is over-priced for what it is. It is coloured, chill filtered and expensive.. I like the taste, but there is so much more in the integrity malts mentioned above (in my opinion anyway)...

[@troylittle5715]

My first single malt was the Glenmorangie 14 Quinta Rubin Port cask, how to coworker recommend it to me and it took me quite some time to really appreciate it. I think an easy recommendation for people getting into the world is something like a Woodford double oaked due to its sweetness and approachability, most of the times when I recommend a scotch people are afraid lol

[@Vortex1988]

My first experience with scotch was Johnnie Walker Black Label. A friend of mine suggested that I try it at a bar we were at, and I realized that it was something I could drink neat and enjoy. The first thing that really sent me down the single malt rabbit hole, though, was Ardbeg Uigeadail. I had already tried Lagavulin 16 at a friend's house, and I really didn't like it. I really wanted to see if I could find something peated that I did like though, and I also wanted to try some things other than scotch, so I ran out and got three bottles: Ardbeg Uigeadail, Benromach 10, and Woodinville Rye. I ended up liking all of them, but the Uigeadail is the first one that I tried and is what really blew me away. I couldn't believe the intensity of the flavors, and I was absolutely hooked. It's a bit of an unorthodox journey for a beginner, choosing a 54% abv heavily peated scotch and actually enjoying it, but that's the one that really started my journey, and I still love it to this day.

[@pcsongi]

I would add to the list one of my gateway single malt: Talisker 10. I already liked the peaty-smoky stuffs thanks to the Laphroaig 10 but the very kickstart was the Talisker 10 for me.

[@pcsongi]

And the Glenfarclas 12 and 15 was my gateway drug into the sherry forward single malts.

[@AlmirSevero1]

Also my kickstart into the whisky world

[@daipau]

Mine was the Glenlivet 12y (long time ago) and shortly after I switched to Bourbon. Recently I've been back to Scotch but my palate changed and now I'm interested in peaty, smoky whisky. The Caol Ila 12y did it for me when I was in Scotland. Thanks for your video!

[@geekoid83]

I started drinking bourbon in my late 30ies. Not really liking any other whiskey I tried. But I recently got introduced to a Swedish sherried whiskey called High Coast Berg and was blown away! This stuff is not Smoky at all, I had no idea! Now am really looking forward to trying some more. This channel seems to be a fountain of information. Thanks Phil!

[@SaxOps1]

Ardbeg 10 was the first that just clicked for me! Still one of my favourites

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

So good!

[@jasonedwardledburynewzeala9897]

I tried a Talisker 10. Loved it as my first smokey whiskey. ❤❤❤The Whiskey That Got Me Started Was The Glenmorangie 14 quinta ruban. So smooth easy to drink. Yum.😊👍🥰🥰🥰😋😋😋

[@Joey-Cameltoe]

I have been using Slane Irish whiskey as an entry gateway to getting family and friends into Whiskey drinking. It's blended ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks and very smooth. Abelour 14 is my go to but I have to admit that the Slane is fantastic value when you can get a bottle for £19 in the sale....I walked out with 4 bottles and have been gifting them to friends. Enjoying Propper Twelve tonight. Cheers!

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Oh yeah, I remember that being crazy good value. Great pick!

[@EdenRiot2]

The whiskey that started my journey was Wild Turkey Rare Breed, a barrel proof Bourbon. I was shocked that something as high a proof as that was flavorful, but not hot. Bourbon was the gateway to me and as I was starting that journey a friend of mine had started experimenting with Scotch. Eventually we began sharing our favorites and now we both love it all.

[@bryanosborne3853]

Amongst my favorite Single Malts is the Bruichladdich "The Classic Laddie". It is around $55 in my area and it is fantastic. What is more fun is to follow it with a Port Charlotte 10 (Also from Bruichladdich) and trace the single malt notes from the Laddie to the PC10. That makes for a good time.

[@whiskyinsv]

Hey Phil, excellent lists. Like yourself, my journey started with Glenlivet 12 but it was the Laphroaig 10 that made me a real whisky enthusiast

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Wow! We had a very similar intro to Scotch. Thanks mate!

[@JeffWhisky]

Top tier video as always buddy. Finding more and more people are being lured in with peated whisky. Lagavulin 16 is fantastic bait. Cheers to the next one 🥃

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks mate! Appreciate your face

[@dennisvandepol5938]

Awesome video and very helpfull. My first was Glenfiddich 12 and Dahlwinnie 15, after that i got some Glen Livet's and Redbreast 12. Both also very nice and smooth. Now i'm going for a higher abv en just got the Arran 10 and Bunnahabain 12. For me personally i didn't like the smoky ones but after some experience i find a hint of smoke in the background rather interesting.

[@damenjackson594]

Thanks, Phil. If I might suggest just a few intro Whiskies of my own: 5. Glenmorangie 10 4. Arbelour 12 3. Highland Park 12 2. Bunnahabhain 12 1. Glenfiddich 14 Bourbon Barrel Reserve Cheers

[@joshuaclacher1118]

This is great! I'm going to send beginners to this video! I would add the glenfiddich 15 to the sherry category and a green spot to the bourbon forward ( rather, smooth Irish) category. I agree with the Lagavulin price going up is a difficult first bottle, but if the beginners palate does like peaty whisky - it is a must buy later down the road as it is a clissic and will be a favorite!

[@mikoolo1698]

I got a friend into whisky by first buying them a bottle of Tamnavulin Sherry Cask last year. It's imo a extremely bang for the buck single malt scotch. He enjoyed it very much. A week ago when I had him drive me around in town to get a new chair for my computer and some other stuff coz I got some money from the insurance company I treated him to a good lunch and bought him a Talisker 10yo because I felt bad to show off buying expensive stuff infront of him so I treated him well for the help. Talisker 10yo is imo a great entry level to peated whiskys. He said it was a bit hard at first but it grew on him and now loves it. He said he had to mark the bottle coz his father in law apparently loves it and sneaks a sip from time to time when he's babysitting the kid.

[@austinh7967]

My first ever single malt was just yesterday. Glenlivet 12 year double oaked. Loved it compared to most bourbons! Delicious malt and fruit with a lot of character for a $35 whiskey! I’m thinking of picking up Deanston 12 as my first bottle purchase of a single malt scotch. (The Glenlivet was a 50ml)

[@elduderino3120]

GlenLivet... my dad (in his later years) finally graduated from bourbon to GlenLivet 15. That stuff has some memories for me. Laphroiag was my first single malt. When I was a lad of 17/18, I never really enjoyed the taste of cheap lagers (Stella, Kronenborg etc) as I'd been brought up on red wine. I enjoyed getting drunk of course, but I would experiment with drinks just about every time I went to the pub to the point that my friends would leave me out when they bought a round because they knew I'd take too long choosing something. A bonus was that my shot of Laphroaig would last me about half an hour! Back then (1995) if a pub had a single malt it was usually Laphroaig or Macallan, but after a while (late '90s/early '00s) I started seeing Talisker, Oban, and Glenkinchie in a lot of bars and enjoyed the Glenkinchie but it was perhaps a little too smooth for my palette. Drank a lot of all of those, then started drinking Glenrothes after my brother gifted me one for my birthday (around the mid '00s I also started noticing a deterioration in whisky quality - I'd had Jura in the late '90s, but the mid/late '00s it was becoming very bland). As big-name malts became... kind of shitty compared to how they tasted in the '90s, I started an on-off fling with bourbon as I was visiting my dad in the states a lot. After I'd tried all of the big names and even done a Kentucky distillery tour holiday, I came back to Europe and had a batch 46 Aberlour Abunadh that blew my socks off, and from then I was a regular Aberlour 12 buyer (I couldn't find the Abunadh in Spain). Laga 16 isn't the same anymore, and I've nearly finished a Kilchoman Senaig - it was a little too smoke-forward for me for most of the bottle, but by the halfway mark I started to taste less smoke and more of the sherry cask influence. It's a really good dram if you're a smoke fan, and I would still say I enjoyed it, but neither the Senaig or the Laga are touching PC10 for me. I cosine all of your suggestions... for a bourbon drinker, try an Arran 10, or a Classic Laddie maybe? Sherry bombs usually go down well with newcomers, and if you like the Laga 16 but want better value for money, Ledaig 10 is cheaper and tastes better to me.

[@landonlyons7951]

I know alot of people love balvine double wood, that's one I really gravitated too at first. I have recommended glenscotia double wood, it's about the same price in canada, fairly available and exposes people to new flavors, in an approachable way

[@gareth630]

You don't know me well enough to call me that in the Title 🙂 Good to see you back, I won't argue with you're picks ( Lag 16 and Loch Gorm as good as they are, to pricey for a beginner ) Johnnie Walker 12 yr Black, easy going hint of smoke but a blend or BenRiach 10 yr 43% an easy going malt. Out of left field best peated dram for a beginner if the could find it Longrow ( gold as I call it ) the peat and smokealways there but not TCP, BBQ, wood fires and hospitals, just saying matey ;-)

[@zoltanmpapp]

My first malt was Old Pulteney 12 quite few years ago, and actually tried many since (Nikka from the barrell, Arefeldies, ARdbegs, Highland parks, Abelours etc...) but without any knowledge whatsoever how should I put the taste experience in place, what casks mean, let alone appreciating it, it was about quantity for me, to get drunk from nice looking bottles. So I adandoned whisky for many years, as I drink less and less to almost 0, then not long ago I saw a Dalwhinnie heavily discounted, and I pulled the trigger. Gosh it was so good on the nose, the honey especially. I like it so much that I went to the distillery this spring. Since then I kinda hooked, and thanks to these channels, learnig a lot about whisky, and eager to discover more. I buy a bottle a month to try stuff, but I never finish them, few days a week I just pour and drink minimal amounts. For me the nose is the hook, I tend sniff the dram for long long minutes, and hours after the whisky dried out from the glass, its beautiful.

[@ollirasanen1222]

I have spent quite a bit of time learning stuff about whisky and trying to get my hands on different style of whiskies. I was laughing for the fact that so many of my bottles were on the video, maybe I did something right 😅 Great video, this will help so many people so much time exploring whisky 😊

[@mattbullen7522]

I got into Whiskey through the Band of Brothers series. After watching it for about the 10th time I noted the Whisky revered by Capt. Lewis Nixon was the Vat69. I felt i needed to try it. After finding that I couldn't buy it locally and searching online, I found a neat little business called Whiskey and More, I have made a few orders now and have started a nice little collection, am learning lots from you and other Whiskey Channels and have found a new hobby. Cheers, Matt Bullen

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Great list Phil! My first whisky which got me hooked to Scotch was Laphroaig 10 and I will always remember that moment! Interestingly my wife who said she hates whisky was absolutely blown away when I had her try Uigeadail! Now her favourite is the Signet but peaty whiskies do tend to bring some people in to the fold. Cheers for another brilliant video! 🥃

[@ytbenny1964]

I was never a drinker let alone a single malt scotch fan. Then I had my first peated whisky Octomore 6.3 and my mind was blown. I have now gravitated to ex-bourbon and sherry expressions and my journey is well under way. Thanks for your input Phil. You’ve helped immensely.

[@vladimirdemenko6860]

I would recommend Talisker 10, that whisky made me scotch lover and its easy to find. Also for the budget option for begginers I like Naked grouse (malt), Monkey shoulder and Dewars 12 double oak

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Great suggestion Vladimir!

[@michaeltovey02607]

Glenlivet 12 is always in my collection. An easy drinking, affordable and smooth nectar. I also love Glenlivet 15 (French oak). My collection has expanded somewhat to include Cardu, Smokehead, Wormtub, Aberlour. I like them all.

[@marek_r]

I totally agree with recommending the peaty whiskies for beginners. It's what got me into scotch, although I will never know for sure whether it was Bowmore 12 or Ledaig 10 which converted me. I had several drams that night but the one thing I'm certain about is that peaty has been my favourite style ever since I tried a single malt for the first time!

[@heyarvee]

I agree with Glenlivet 12 - it's also what got me into Whiskey. 100% recommended for beginners 😄

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Great to hear! Thanks Arvind!

[@dmytroskripchenko9632]

It is interesting to see how taste differs from person to person. I am pretty new to the whisky and when I was researching where to start I picked Glenlivet 12. Unfortunately it was opposite for me, I did not like it at all and it somewhat stopped my whisky journey. What worked just great is Springnbank 10 and Kilkeran 12. It is often said that those are not for the beginners, but it’s what really brought me into the whisky.

[@011humphrey]

My first whisky was Balletines, that got quickly replaced by Jameson, the first single malt I had was the aberlour 12 ncf. To me whiskytastings are a great way to explore what I like. That is how I got to know the smoky ones, great posts by the way

[@reneetuur1558]

hello Phil , whisky that brought me into this ,was Bowmore Darkest 15 y . It changed my life 25 years ago. Love your videos.thanks

[@prokopartworks]

At some point, I noticed the smoke in Johnnie Walker Red. That's what sparked a conversation with a friend over the whiskey list at the bar we were at, and we both got drams of Ardbeg 10. I love peat, and I like trying different Islay or Speyside distilleries and noticing some of the other complexities. A Talisker 10 with a crushable amber lager is a great night out.

[@adamlynch4122]

Tullamore D.E.W. got me into whisky. Smooth, tasty and cheap. Laphroaig 10 is what made me fall in love with whisky.

[@franciscodiaz3028]

For the price and taste and complexity, i would go with glenmorangie quinta ruban. My wife likes the islays, i prefer the highlands. I know the glenmorangie isnt an isla but it does take you on a journey. Glenlivets founders reserve is another good one and really economical. Another approach i would go is to buy the sample sets that different distilleries offer. You can buy 3 different bottles at a good price. Bottles are much smaller.

[@nickcimdins5579]

The whiskey that really got me into the smoky category was Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey. It's relatively inexpensive, not *too* smoky for a beginner and eminently sippable

[@jimtuggey]

I live in the US and was strictly a bourbon guy (mostly Maker’s) until my wife got me a whisky advent calendar from the UK. The first day was an Islay blended malt, blew my mind! The next day I had run out and get a bottle of Laphroaig. I agree it’s a good idea for someone that’s new to scotch to try a peaty one, it may be the best thing they’ve ever tasted. Great list overall! The Dalwhinnie is definitely a good one for people that’ve been turned off by other scotches.

[@revolvermaster4939]

43 years ago Laphroaig 10 was my first whisky and it was far different back then, it’s much smoother & richer now.

[@evanlitchfield4621]

the first whiskey that opened my eyes was buffalo trace. I started looking into the best scotch and an article recommended Balvenie 21 port cask, but recommended the 12 as the intro to Balvenie. And so Balvenie 12 Double wood started my descent into the rabbit hole of whiskey.

[@phaidonnikolaus9841]

I was born and spent my early years in Barbados, so rum was a part of my first 'spiritual' experience and I've tasted some glorious examples, not only from Barbados but also from my childhood 'other' home'. Martinique. Having a Scottish mother meant that I inevitably went to the 'motherland' and I spent several years there, at university, and whisky was a daily and delicious fact of life and fight against the cold. One memory which still makes me shiver with delight was that of my uncle taking me on a walk on the cliffside of Arbroath and sitting with him and my aunt and nibbling an Arbroath smokey while sipping a Glenmorangie 10, with just a whisper of fresh spring water to release it, the water tumbling out of the cliff face. Many years later, I started work in the wine trade and my colleague is a Master of Wine. I did all my wine exams, up to that level (and indeed, started my MW) and we were invited to a whisky tasting. It was a Glenturret that did it for me. I seem to remember that it was an 12-year-old, although there was also a glorious 8-year-old.

[@rojanshabani]

Glenfiddich and Glenmorangie got me into Whisky back in 2010. Aberlour A'Bunadh and Benriach Curiositas 10 got me into Whisky as a hobby. 🥰

[@chriswicecarver3715]

My first whisky ever...I was about 15 y.o. or so living over in Germany...I had bought Ballantine's Scotch Blend Whisky. It went down very easily and tasted great. Didn't have anything else again until college I tried Bourbon. Jim Beam, Jack Daniels...couldn't down any of them without throwing up (of course I need to admit that was after drinking a 5th). ----- Hadn't touched whisky again until about August or September of last year (2023). Started off with the Lagavulin 16...and I've been building my collection by 2 or 3 bottles a week. I've got daily/weekly drinkers - the Kilchoman Sanaig, the Glenfiddich 14 (bourbon barrel reserve), the Talisker Storm and Distillers Edition, a Coal Ila 12, and an Aberlour A'bunadh. ------- In December I picked up a membership with the Scotch Malt Whisky Society and seen many great selections from them. ----------- Typically, if I get something luxury (Signet, Octomore, Glenfiddich Reserva 21 y.o. Rum cask, Highland Park 18, Bruichladdich Black Art)...if I get something like that...I'll buy 2. The first to indulge in and the second one to save for special occassions.

[@ashersspicekitchen5965]

What got me into whiskey drinking was Kirkland blended and what got me into the smoky ones was Lagavulin 16, but after hearing you comparing that to Loch Gorm and taking integrity bottling into consideration I’m looking forward to trying Loch Gorm. I think Loch Gorm has the best looking bottle in the industry

[@Chancla196]

Totally agree with your list of whiskies! Tried all of them.. Thanks for your effort

[@primewhisky]

Mid 90’s it was The Glenmorangie sherry wood that started my journey but just after that it was the peat,Bowmore, and I loved it😋😋

[@darrenfrost8582]

Penderyn welsh whisky for me into it light tones. Now I'm obsessed with smokey whisky's. Laphroig is always my go too

[@justasnapahot6761]

I started my journey with Glenmorangie Signet, thinking getting expensive will bring me a lot of flavors, in fact I was so wrong, having no basics about whisky, I couldn't enjoy the full flavor of it. Then I bought Glenfiddich 15, well... I'm still a noob and as for me it tasted the same as the Signet (please don't judge me) Next ones were Lagavulin 16 and Redbreast 12, and this time, I fully enjoy them, I think it is more a matter of tastes. Having 4-5 or even more whiskys to compare, I finally understood and be able to taste the small differences between them. And everytime I can't stop going back to the Signet or any other whisky I have and every time, a new flavor pops up.

[@kalifatokata]

For a beginner I would recommend Glen moray Elgin, good whisky, different finishes and fantastic price vs quality, simple but good and honest whisky.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Great suggestion!

[@melissa7867]

Always informative and entertaining! Thank you once again for such a great video! Cheers!🥃😊

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks Melissa! Always appreciate it

[@jose9rinconin]

My first single malt, not my first whisky, was Glenmorangie Lasanta and the first whisky that really impressed me was Lagavulin 16. I would recommend either to a beginner. Greetings from sherry country, Phil.

[@old_samovar1863]

I agree with Aberlour 12. It's great and you can find it around 40 euros. Dalwhinnie is also an excellent choice. Much better than Glenlivet and Glenfiddich 12. I'd consider Glenlivet only if 10 euro cheaper price is important compared to Dalwhinnie. Laphroaig is my favourite, but I would not recommend it to total beginners. Caol Ila, Talisker 10 or even Bowmore 12 if you want to try smoke.

[@danielsimons5706]

Phil... good reecommendations.. BTW the Glenfiddich 'classic 12' (green bottle) has sherry cask, but the Glenlivet 12 does not. I now play a game with my non Whiskyfile dinner guests, to find a Whisky they will appreciate.. the one that get's them excited the most is the Tamdhu 12

[@shawnmckissick7332]

Wild Turkey Rare Breed. I'd become fond of several entry-level whiskies before it, but that gave me the "Wow!" that convinced me to explore and invest more seriously.

[@BanjoSick]

Redbreast is so great!!!!! I'm into whisky for quite some years now and Redbreast is still great to me!!!

[@CameronWaldon]

Congrats on the new place! I also have a three y/o and a four month old! Best cheap Aussie bottles are Starward, Archie Rose and Kinglake is ok, but the best stuff comes from Tassie. Overeem Port Cask cask strength is a must have despite the price. And anything from Heartwood (Tim Duckett) or TIB - Tasmanian Independent Bottlers (Tim Duckett) Just picked up the Benrinnes 15 Flora and Fauna, also awesome!

[@jdvdrnld]

Hands down the best starter for me is Aberlour 12. My first one was Dewer’s in 2010 and I forced myself to drink some every day of a weak long hunting trip. All I could say was Omg how horrible. I then ran into Tullamore dew, Jamison, famous grouse, black and white, and finally I had a Balvenie double wood and fell in love with it. ASAP I went out to buy one and it was $70+ I knew I couldn’t explain that to my wife at the time and after reading the label carefully I set out to find one made like it a double wood. I found Aberlour for $20 less and did it it was the best liquor purchase I have ever made to that date and made me a scotch lover. From there I kept trying all kinds and have found favorites from all 5 scotch regions, India (Amrut) us single malts and ryes. I had had experience with bourbons, Jim beam, Jack Daniel’s. All of these were of course bourbon and cokes. My first real revelation of whiskey differences was a visit in Kansas City to what I think was the Holladay distillery. That was where I tasted at least 6+ whiskies and bought a bottle of B J Holladay as my first whisky to drink neat. It was amazing to see how many different flavors of whiskey they had (none of them a flavored variety in 1991). That was where I started my whiskey journey.

[@loonypeat312]

I always look forward to your videos: educational and full of information. Thanks!! First was Glenlivet and Lagavulin 16. Love my Scotches. Currently Arran 10 is my fav!

[@GeoffreyBangers]

Great video! The whisky that really hooked me was probably Old Pultney 12yr. I remember that salty sea note really resonate with me. I live on the coast, and love the beach, so it was a natural fit. The next was Talisker 10. Another coasal, briney, spicy, sweet pour I fell in love with. Now both are not on my radar, but I remember them fondly.

[@rodstudemire6966]

Excellent presentation great delicious pours all around. Ardbeg 10 changed everything I knew about scotch. It was first true experience, I’ve had many more, yet and still Ardbeg is my fav to this day.

[@Koby616]

I really felt in love with whiskey after wild turkey 101. It had such big flavours comparing to others I tried.

[@chrisbergin390]

The first single malt i liked was the glenmorangie 10, the first peated one i liked was the lagavulin 8. An old local pub of mine used to sell it for £3 a drink

[@Rugged-Mongol]

For my 25'th b-day, procured meself my first own bottle of whisky, the Balvenie 12 doublewood. T'was superb.

[@jrc19901]

I’ve recently got a bottle of Mars Iwai 45. Entry into Japanese whiskies

[@christina3512]

Red Breast 12 was the whiskey that got me into whiskey many years ago, and Laphroaig 10 was the one that got me into Scotch a little later. I typically have good luck giving beginners Irish whiskey because of the sweeter flavor profile and lower burn. I recommend Red Breast 12, Powers Gold Label, and even Jameson Stout Cask regularly. I've also had success with sherry finished Scotch. A few friends who weren't new to whiskey but also weren't really into it have enjoyed Dalmore 12 and Aberlour 12.

[@MrEgyPete]

Johnnie Walker Black Label must be in any beginner list. I love blends as they give you a balance palate!

[@Ciiran]

Laphroaig was my entry point. It's a great one for sure.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

It's great to see how many people in these comments came to scotch via peaty whiskies. I was exactly the same. Thanks!

[@Patdeamon]

Cragganmore 12 :) i just sat at the spirit counter in my local supermarket and i thought "i should get into whisky". I asked the retail worker who happened to be a big whisky fan and he suggested the cragganmore 12 as my first whisky ever :)

[@davidowen2834]

Hi Phil, as always a throughly thought though and good put over video. With me ( oh many moons ago) my first malt was Glenlivet 12 and as for a peated dram it was of course Laphraiog 10. Slàinte Mhath Phil.

[@laurentsteck6086]

Great video for new whisky starters. I fell in love with whisky when I tasted the octomore 6.03. I know, not really a beginner whisky, but that's the one. Cheers

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Wow! you did jump in the deep end. So good! Cheers Laurent

[@Quid100]

Monkey shoulder got me into whisky. I avoided whisky (Scotch, specifically) because I did not like smokey/peaty flavors I tried in peated Scotch. I had no idea what wonderful flavors are in many whiskies that are not peated. My current favprites are Deanston 12, Bunnahabhain 12 and, Glenfarclas 12. Great video!

[@chinthm]

Lagavulin as a beginner I fell in love with

[@davidt.6013]

My whisky origin story was simply a friend bringing over a bottle of Laphroaig 15. He said this stuff is amazing, never had anything like it, you should try it. So I did. And wow! I was like, What. Is. This. Magic?! Hooked ever since.

[@AJHart-eg1ys]

I got into bourbon late in life because my brother really got into it and I wanted more for us to talk about (grew up 8 years apart, so it can be surprisingly tough). The first one that I got into at that time was just a simple Elijah Craig Small Batch. From there I put together a fairly modest collection of middling bottles (Heavan Hill blue, Eagle Rare, other EC expressions, Bookers, etc.) that fit my budget. And, to be honest, they fit my palate. Mine just isn't that sophisticated, and 90% of it tasted more or less the same to me. I think my favorite bourbon sipper is still likely Makers Mark 46 ($45 MSRP, $29 on sale). I sort of shifted to a few ryes but wanted more out of my purchases. Which is why, a couple of years ago, I decided to shift over to Islay scotches. To me, they just have more personality than bourbons and I can taste the difference between a more briney Talisker 10 and smokey Ardbeg 10 (my budget has obviously not changed), and those differences tell more of a story and more reflect their regions. I don't need some tacked-on BS about running moonshine during prohibition and that there is at least one drop from those rescued barrels in every bottle. My first Islay scotch was Ardbeg 10. I decided one day to go to a bar and sit outside with an Ardbeg and Laphroaig, take notes and see which one was going to be my entry-level 10-year selection. I've since added the Port Charlotte, Lagavulin Offerman, etc., but am now ready to expand more into the sherried or sherried/smokey ones. Instead of moving up the Ardbeg chain, I'm thinking maybe the Bunnahabhain 12, but am intrigued by the Kilchoman Loch Gorm and Batch Strength expressions. Unfortunately, locally you MAY find a Sanaig, but mostly will just find Machir Bay - IF a place is carrying this distiller at all.

[@KasperBildt]

My first whisky was a smoked whisky too (Ardbeg 10) and i never stoppes drinking whisky since. Smoked whisky can be a great door into the whisky world

[@cthulhuchan9587]

This is helpful I started with Jack Danial’s and I dislike it greatly straight >.> Hopefully I can get into whiskey with your suggestions

[@1125mikem]

I love your videos.. informative and interesting.. i am more into bourbon and a little Irish .. Scotch is something i want to dabble in more... And your videos and this one in particular .. will help me do that!😀

[@motleyscintilla]

My first bottle that I owned to drink neat was Aber Falls. Very satisfying

[@tinchin75]

My first single malt was Glen Elgin 12, and it's still a favorite for me. Great one for beginners. On the smoky side, I'll suggest Talisker 10. Great channel, greetings from Argentina!

[@royboy2124]

Great video. The Kilchoman Sanaig has become a desert island whiskey for me and they've actually become my favorite Islay distillery. Cheers!

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Great to hear. I think it's a tossup between them and Port Charlotte for me. Great drams.

[@McIntyresMalts]

Great category breakdown, better approach than regions for sure

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks mate! Yeah regions can be too confusing. I feel like there's more exceptions than there are patterns amongst most regions.

[@McIntyresMalts]

@@FirstPhilWhisky much more clear for a beginner to understand too. Always quality content 🔥

[@romnygonzalez439]

Thanks for sharing this information! What do you think about Tullibardine Sherry Cask?

[@Nicolas_Allende]

Firstly, any day with a FPW video is a good one, so there. I got into whisky thanks to my tour guide in Scotland, and I started with the great, reliable Aberlour 12. However, I've been getting a lot of people hooked on more craft-presented stuff such as Arran 10, Classic Laddie, Ledaig and such. My approach is, start with the really nice stuff and then if it's too spicy go for the 40 % material.

[@Bragley2]

Hi Phil, thanks for the awesome videos. I’m a kiwi on the South Island and was wondering if you had any recommendations on where to buy whisky. Any websites with good deals?

[@OverlandDrams]

The Arran 10 sucked me back into the wide world of whisky 🥃. All thanks to your recommendations @firstphil!

[@klaushaunstrupchristensen7252]

My journey into whisky started around 7 months ago. This was one of the first KZbin videos I saw and now I’m revisiting it, sadly one cannot like it more than once but I can now make some personal comments. For me as a newcomer the thing I find most important is that a whisky should have an underlying cleanliness and smoothness. What do I mean by cleanliness? Let’s look at white vine grapes as reference. Clean tasting grapes are for me grapes like Chardonnay and Riesling and an example of non clean grape could be Gewürztraminer (which has a quite perfumed taste for a lack of better words) For this reason I like Lagavulin 16 more than Ardbeg Ten. I basically find the Lagavulin cleaner and slightly smoother and the Ardbeg more earthy and oily (I like the oiliness by the way. I happen to find Taliskers quite distinctly raw and actually quite unpleasant. As of today, if I could only bring two different types of whisky to a deserted island it would be Redbreast 12 and Lagavulin 16. Borth are wonderful, smooth and clean tasting. Next year my wishes might have changed but that’s why it’s called a journey into whisky/whiskey. Greetings from Denmark

[@louisdanao]

Laphroaig and Lagavulin are defo the ones that made me a whisky guy. I've tasted all of the bottles in this video and I'd say all are fantastic. They cover just about all of the moods that one can get into. So there's a dram for every occasion.

[@kiwigor]

Great video! It was Laga16 for me. Then i bought the Michael Jackson’s Single Malt guide and fell into a rabbit hole….. Also looooved MJ’s description of the Laga16 finish: A bear hug! But ye….. that ship has sailed into the too expensive horizon… Thankfully there is lots of choice these days to lure new whisky drinkers in. Once again: great video. As always 👏👏👏

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks! Agree completely. Laga 16 was an incredible 'converter' whisky a few years ago. But I feel bad recommending something so expensive now for someone who might not know they like whisky yet.

[@werners5191]

Phil and Ralfy are the top two of whisky gurus.

[@BanjoSick]

I always recommend Islay whisky to beginners. To normies, bourbon and sherry matured whisky will just taste like booze. Peat gives your tongue smthg to hold onto. I started to like like whisky with Lagavulin 16. Had Macallan and Highland Park before and did not get it. Laga made me get it. Kilchoman is my favorite distillery now.

[@whiskymad]

Great video. Its so Weird I finished filming my video yesterday and also suggested the first 3 you did. Glenlviet 12, Glenmorangie 10, Glenfiddich 12. keep up the great content

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

They are definitely really good for people who don't drink a lot of whisky by not putting them off.

[@frankterry7942]

My essential whisky for beginners is Green Spot! I turned so many into whisky with this one.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Oh that's a good suggestion!

[@mathieubredillet1189]

Bruichladdich The classic Lady. Very simple very nice, perfect for the start. Quite affordable in France

[@cascode1192]

Good choices, particularly Sanaig. I’d add Tomintoul 16 as a great mild bourbon-matured whisky for beginners.

[@InuyashaHanyu]

I had a Suntory in a Square Bottle, not sure which one it was. So now I'd like to try another brand from another location, ideally not a 3 digit price. Your video comes in very handy to narrow it down, as the shops selections are overwhelming and giving me choice paralisis.

[@kasperrytterbildt2521]

I remember the first whisky i tasted was Ardbeg 10. Still love the smoked ones. I would recommand Talisker as a good Beginner whisky. The Storm, Skye or 10