MichaelR, that sounds like a great opportunity. It's a slow process to research, sample, give it time to see if you acquire an appreciation for some of these (or know instantly it isn't one for you.) Sharing the costs and having the guidance of others in the group gives more range but I bet you realize there are so many to try and so little time!

DaveH, look at my longer post from yesterday where I linked and named the various affiliations with this store brand. There are a couple of rabbit warrens to follow, i.e., Ian Macleod and William Maxwell.

Those Sheildaig varieties are a good price, but I'd like to establish is what are comparable name brands. I can drink the store brand happily and pay less, but if I wanted to buy a brand name bottle with similar qualities, what would that be?

Kendall, thanks. I do like the Speyside in general, and there are some delicious affordable ones. I found Aberlour and Bunnahabhain to be very similar, but they start at $50 a bottle.

I read a label for Bowmore 12 this evening - it mentions peat and smoke several times - so I held off. I picked up a bottle of Highland Park 12. Much better.

Though I normally wouldn't consider returning a bottle of something that is opened, the folks at Total Wine make the offer, that you can return something if you really don't like it. They want you to give it a chance first, so opened but barely tasted is viewed less favorably than a bottle with a couple of drinks at least out so they know you tried it. I hope they are able to use an open bottle of Laphroaig 10 for free samples - I'd hate to think they have to waste it.

Those of you who have been drinking the smoky ones for a while - I see peat, peat smoke, and smoke all mentioned on descriptions. Is there another kind of smoke than peat smoke? Wood smoke from barrels, perhaps? There are some that can have a smoke taste without the earthy taste - is that earthy bit the peat part?

SRS