Best single-malt Scotch...

This thread led to a Scotch odessey for my son & I. Prior to it, scotch wasn't on my adult beverage radar screen. So thanks to all for the impetus & the lightening of our wallets (grin)!

I now own approx. 15 single malts. And my son, owns more, including some Irish. In fact, he just sent me the following in an e-mail:
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I have procured a bottle of "Shackelton's Whiskey" (http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/shackletons-whisky-mackinlays-rare-old-highland-malt/) which is a vatted malt replica of a 100+ year old Scotch whisky that was found buried in the ice of Antarctica underneath one of the huts that Ernest Shackleton's team used during their "Nimrod" expedition of that land (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nimrod_Expedition).

The discovery and eventual return of some of the original whiskey to Scotland is an interesting story in and of it self. You can start here: http://www.whyteandmackay.co.uk/blog/2011-01-19-shackletons-whisky-unboxed-video-pictures-faq.aspx and here http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/13376.

Ultimately the original whiskey was sampled and painstakingly analyzed for scientific and industry curiosity as well as to enable the possibility of replicating it. The scholarly paper detailing the results can be found here: http://www.scientificsocieties.org/jib/papers/2011/G-2011-0630-1168.pdf.
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I'm looking forward to the Shackelton tasting that my son is planning with me, his best friend & my nephew.

I read that the Shackletons were all reburied in the ice.

Balvenie Double Wood has been available at my local Costco for a tad over $30. That's a no-brainer and is now my "house" malt.

It's been a while since I visited my own thread, and I am thrilled to see that it still has legs. A couple of comments about Macallan:

While I agree about the pricing I still find it to be, when all is said and done, THE ONE for me. Sure, I will often reach for something else in my cabinet, but when I don't want to give any thought to the choice, just relax and know that there won't be anything at all to fault in the experience, Macallan 18 is the one. If I only have the 12 on hand, I am much more apt to reach for something else; but not so with the 18. However, I disagree about the 25. I have enjoyed three bottles over the years, and
while it is obviously extremely fine, I find it to be a little TOO fine. I know it may seem odd, but it is a little too round and buttery for my palate. While the 12 can be a little unrefined, the 18 is just right.

For lovers of the Macallan, a couple of other malts that I consider good alternatives are the Royal Lochnagar (very nice smokiness and sherry sweetness), and the 21 yr old Auchentoshan (a personal favorite). The Auchentoshan is a little lighter than the Macallan; but pushes a lot of the same buttons for me.

Enjoy, and keep the comments (and Scotch) flowing!

Frogman, I agree. Though it might appear as though I'm contradicting myself, all things considered (including price), and though a bit over priced (heck, I'd buy a lot more if it cost little less) the 18 year old Macallan is still my favorite. Of course from time to time others might be more appealing during those times.