Best single-malt Scotch...

Just had a taste of my friends Arran and I would agree;a very fine malt.
Islay labels are my preference. Laphroig and Lagavullan,Bowmores,Ardbeg.
Laphroig 10 yr. (we call it "frog juice")is one of the least expensive premium malts; going here in Cincy for about $45.00.
I have found that price has little bearing on character and taste (in single malts).
btw most of the distilleries are owned by the Japanese.

cheers

Awesome suggestions - thank you! I picked up a bottle of Islay Bowmore 12 and Red Breast 12. Islay (smoky) was great before dinner, and the Red Breast (sweet) great afterwards. Both required blooming to enhance and refine their flavors. To bloom I used ice.

I recently have been enjoying Oban. A very nice middle of road malt; not too peaty, not too sweet. I really like it and its not $1k/bottle. Not even a c-note.

Frogman, what is your opinion of the Islay ones? Laphroig and Lagavulin are my favorites.

Hi Learsfool. I currently have a bottle of Lagavulin 16, and Laphroig 10 in my cabinet. I love the Lagavulin. But I have to be in then mood for it. I thoroughly enjoy the Lagavulin. The Laphroig, well, let me put it this way: that bottle was a wedding present, and I've been married 12 years. I "get" the Islay malts, but it's just not my preference. I much prefer the Highland malts, and to a somewhat lesser extent the Lowland malts. Strictly a personal preference dependent on mood. Kind of like Mahler. Sometimes I think it's music from the Gods. Other times, depending on my mood, I find it trite and self-indulgent. But, I never tire of a good Highland malt. Prokofiev?

Regards.