Finest Whisky: Single Malt Scotch, Irish, Bourbon

Drink Responsibly (ie 0-2 drinks/day). Prices are formatted 750ML/1.75L (otherwise known as a Fifth vs a Handle).
Check out a great list of cocktail recipes, most recommended are official IBA (International Bartenders Association) recipes.

Note: Don’t use ice. some can use a tiny splash/droplets of water to open up flavors especially if high alcohol content but don’t make this a habit. also, sip it, no need to rush enjoyment.

Best Value Scotch Whisky

Cheap or Blended Whisky, Best Scotch for a Scotch and Soda
Cheap Blended Scotch isn’t worth it, bourbon is probably a better value or stepping it up to the single malt scotches. However, one of these would go great in a Scotch and Soda (mixing 1.5 part scotch to 1 part seltzer water):
Famous Grouse $18/$30 (most sold whiskey in Scotland since 1980)
Black Grouse (slightly better/smokier finish than Famous Grouse but more expensive) $22/750
White Horse $23/1.75

(better than Johnnie Walker Red, J&B, Dewar’s, Jameson, Teacher’s, etc.). Johnnie Walker Black and Chivas 12yr might be better but versus that higher price range I’d go for cheap or a “Best Value Beginner” Single Malt Scotch instead

Best Value Beginner Scotch Whisky
Highland Park 12yr $40/750 (fruity/earthy)
Ardbeg 10yr $48 (smokey/peaty, a little better than Ardbeg An Oa)
Laphroaig Quarter Cask $48 (smokey/peaty)
(all great and complex unlike the widely-known Glenlivet/Glenfiddich)

Secondary: Balvenie Doublewood 12yr $60 (great for beginners but not as much of a “keeper”), GlenDronach 12 $45 a little hard to find but a good value sherry scotch, Talisker 10 $48 (a little too herbal, but decent, prefer Ardbeg 10 slightly over it), Laphroaig 10 (don’t get, too young age, and low peat, more subtle)

Don’t get: Oban 14 is decent for a nuanced highlander dessert dram but one-note, Yamazaki 12, Hibiki

Top-Rated Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Peaty/Smokey from Islay region)
These are moreso the Scotch connoisseur choices, as they have the most flavor and complexities.

Lagavulin 16yr $95/750 (Very Smokey/Peaty) – Some call this the “best scotch if they could only drink one forever” (for price and complexity)
Laphroaig 10yr Cask Strength (smokier and slightly more complex than Quarter Cask) $90
Ardbeg Corryvreckan $90 (more different things coming out than Uigeadail)

Secondary: Ardbeg Uigeadail $55 (some people dislike however and would pay extra for the Corryvreckan, sherry and peat, some say Corryvreckan tastes younger but it is higher ABV)

Top-Rated Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Sweet/Spicy from Highland/Speyside regions)
Aberlour A’bunadh (this is a Sherry Bomb) $65
Talisker Distiller’s Edition $71
Highland Park 18 $100

Secondary (just okay): Balvenie 15yr Single Cask $74, Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or $63

Don’t get: Macallan (expensive at each of its levels but better than Glenlivet/Glenfiddich), Glenlivet (2 dimension but at least better than the dreaded Glenfiddich), Talisker 18 is superb but sadly at $140 is a little too much to spend on it even though it’s superb (possibly at the top of the listed top-rated Single Malt Scotches, another great all-arounder like Highland Park 18),

Top-Rated Irish Whiskey

Like the cheap blended scotches, Irish Whiskey tends to not be a great value for the flavor (bourbon or single malt scotch would take the cake for flavor monsters).

Best Value: Redbreast 12 Year Old $45 (better value than Green Spot $60) or Teeling $40
Best in the US: Redbreast 12 year cask strength is better but hard to find and more expensive $80
Best only in the UK: Yellow Spot $100

Don’t get: Kilbeggan, Jameson, Concannon, Irish Mist (honey liqueur), Teeling (not made traditionally Irish as it is finished in Flor de Cana rum casks)

American Whiskey and Bourbon

Cheap Mixer (ie Manhattan, Whiskey Sour):
– Pikesville Supreme (rye whiskey to make an original Manhattan)

Secondary: Old Overholt (rye), Evan Williams Black $16/1.75 or Evan Williams 1783 (Green Label) $13/$20 for a tamer taste

Best Value Sipper Bourbon:
– Very Old Barton $12/750 (Kentuckians’ Un-Official Table Bourbon)
– Evan Williams Bottled in Bond (BIB) “White Label” Bourbon (100 proof)
– Rittenhouse Rye $22 — I recommend the most for best mixer (also recommend using the vermouth “Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth” in case you are making Manhattans) — Best Whiskey for Manhattan (according to SavoyStomp.com)
– Evan Williams Single Barrel $24
– Ancient Ancient Age 10 year $18
– Wild Turkey Rye 101 $19/$36 (more for mixing) — Best Whiskey for Sazerac or Old Fashioned (According to SavoyStomp.com)
– Ezra Brooks (great cheap alternative) $9/$22
– Sazerac Rye 6yr $26

Secondary: Elmer T Lee $28 (tad expensive but good), Elijah Craig 12 year $25 (tad expensive but good, oakmonster)

Best Expensive Sipper:
(Don’t recommend due to price unless Bourbon is your favorite)
Basil Hayden $42
Blanton’s $65 (Hard to find) – People even collect the bottle and bottle stopper on eBay
Four Roses Rye Single Barrel $57
George T Stagg $68 (Hard to find)
Pappy Van Winkle 15 year old $120 (an Absolute Best – Hard to find)

Secondary: Willett Pot Still $57, Booker $60, William Larue Weller $65, WhistlePig Rye $73 (one of best Ryes but expensive), Sazerac Rye 18yr $45 (one of the best Ryes)

DO NOT GET: Weak/Overpriced (Jack Daniels), Nasty/Overpriced (Jim Beam), Just Okay/Overpriced (Maker’s Mark, Knob Creek strong rye but uninteresting, Woodford Reserve, Baker’s, Basil Hayden, Bulleit, Eagle Rare 10yr, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad 100 Proof), Old Ezra 101 (discontinued)