Best single-malt Scotch...

Mmm... single cask is different... Something can be cask strength, but still blended from among a number of similarly aged to even out the flavor--I'd almost guarantee that Macallan's 15yo "cask strength" offering is a single malt cask strength, but from multiple casks. The single cask is more typical of private label bottlings because their bread and butter is buying abberrant casks that the distillers/blenders don't find it economical to use... "Look in this corner, we just found a 20 year old cask... worth too much to put it in our 18yo single malt bottling, and there isn't enough to warrant a new offering--sell it to the private labeler, who will do a run of 100 bottles."

I had thought whisky in cask could go up to the 80 percent range... I swear I had a bottle that was labeled 80% or something. I may be misremembering, but it seems strange that the variations are so huge--I check a bottle of the Macallan 15yo cask strength and I think that was over 100 proof. Doesn't seem right that a bottle labeled "cask strength" should be at 86 proof when most bottled single malts are in the 80-84 proof range.

The shop I was referring to is in DC--around 24th and M Sts NW, although I'll be dammed if I can remember the name--maybe the Wine Specialist?

interesting read about your favourite malts.
just as a side note. folks, remember - theres lotsa counterfeit whisky on the market, it a big business, just like counterfeit smokes etc.
its possible, that somewhere along the line you inadvertantly purchased a black market bottle here and there (with some unaccurately made up label on it). this merchandise does get into shops, unless a given shop is a very respectable joint of course...

A lot of the distilleries are offering their own cask strength or special bottlings these days--those are going to be really safe. But, I see your point with respect to the private labelings... With that said, there are reputable specialty bottlers. The Springbank 32yo cask strength I got, for example, was an Adelphia bottling. While Adelphia, to my knowledge, has now turned to dust, at the time it was a respected private labeler. There are also other specialty private label bottlers--Cadenhead, McMurry & McDavid to name a few--where you are pretty well assured that what you are getting is what it says on the label. Unfortunately, the label may be right, but the scotch may not be what you expect--may have been an experiment by the distillery using a different type of cask, for example. Still, they are interesting to try...

I'm a long time Bourbon drinker. I must admit to being intimidated by the price and selection of singe malts. Also, I once had a near death(but not near enough) hangover experience, resulting from some sadistic concoction called a "Rusty Nail"(Scotch and Drambuie).

I was recently introduced to the "Highland Park 18yr" and was impressed enough to research Scotch on the internet. This morning, I drove to my favorite spirit merchant who generously guided me through an impromptu tasting. I sipped several fine single malts selected to introduce me to the different styles and regions. It wasn't long before I found myself comparing everything to the "Laphroaig quarter cask". It was like being at some social event, where your expected to mingle, but find yourself unable to take your mind off one particular lady in the room.

So, I'm seeking advice. This is probably a dumb question to ask a bunch of audiophiles but here it goes: Should I be contented with heaven or search for the best neighborhood in heaven. What next?

Phaelon, what bourbon do you prefer, I hope you've tried the Small Batch Collection, ie, Knob Creek, Basil Hayden,Booker's or Bakers...Knob is exceptional, especially for manhattans, named for a creek on the land Abe Linclon was born, Bookers is/was made by Booker Noe, Jim Beam's grandson who unfortuantely passed away in 2005, argueably the best bourbon in the world, only one uncut and unfiltered from the barrel, Basil Hayden is Old Grand-dad, probably seen that one out there, Basil has a higher rye content making it a little lighter, similar to Maker's Mark, and Baker's is made by Baker Beam, Jim Beam's grand nephew, using a yeast that's been alive for over 50 years...I know sounds like I'm a professional but just a bourbon lover!