Best single-malt Scotch...

Prefer Speyside scotch, The Macallan 18 (which I prefer to the 25), Glen Elgin, Dalwhinnie 15, and the Balvenie Founder's Reserve. Enjoy Irish malts just as much, especially - when I can get it - Jameson Gold. Also enjoy Midleton, Redbreast (pure pot still), Knappogue Castle and Bushmill's 16 yr old single malt.

Timchen, Jim Murray's "Complete Guide to Whiskey" is a comprehensive and enjoyable introduction to whiskeys - Scotch, Irish, Bourbon, Rye and Canadian.

I'm on my last night of a business trip to LA and a Welsh friend of ours brought me a bottle of Edradour which I won't crack until I arrive back home tomorrow. From what I understand Edradour is the smallest distillery in Scotland with a "family" workforce of four. I'm looking forward to sampling it while I listen to some good jazz this weekend.

Luap, if you like Scapa you'll probably love its Orkadian neighbor, Highland Park. It's smokiness is delightful, much more delicate than the Islays, with an outstanding finish. Great character.

Albert, I agree about the Cask Strength Macallan. But if money is not an issue I would recommend you try Bushmill's Single Cask Single Malt - aged in either rum, sherry or port casks. 108 proof and arguably one of the finest whiskeys available, certainly the finest I've enjoyed. Not cheap at $200+, four times the cost of the Macallan - and not a daily sipper - but worth every last cent.

And I recently scored a couple of bottle of Edradour's cask strength...wonderful stuff.

Absolutely agree, Pardales. Hardly an inexpensive whiskey but worth the bucks. The only way I can get it is to have my son track it down in CA. WA's state liquor board controls imports and this is one of many whiskies that I can't purchase here. There is an 18 year old with rum finish available which I've had the chance to sample. A bit long in the tongue for me but Aberlour's 15 is very good. FWIW, my greatgrandfather was born in Aberlour, or Charleston on Aberlour.

I agree with Gliderguider's nod to Bruichladdich as an alternative to the better known Islays. But I have to say there are some Laddie's that are relatively expensive and a divergence from the 12 y.o. consumers will generally find on the shelf. In particular, the Links bottling is an outstanding Islay that doesn't beat one's taste buds to death. Limited distilling/release make it an unusual, and pleasing find. Also, Bunnahabhein ('Boonahaveen') is another outstanding Islay, as is Jura. But, if I can find it (and it's increasingly difficult to come by in my neck of the woods) I'd go for the Highland 18, an Orkadian whisky whose peatiness is distinctly more inviting, IMO, than any Islay. As far as combining smoke with a good Scotch, I would use something other than nicotine...