/ck/ - Food & Cooking

>>6841072
What you have there is two very similar Speysiders, Glenlivet and Glenfiddich, others may say they have more difference but when you're just getting into malt whisky there's not much to set them apart. Same story with Ardbeg and Laphroaig, two bourbon matured Islay whiskys that are both heavily peated. Talisker is sort of an inbetween, but definitely closer to the Islay style than the light Speysiders
I'd recommend the following, in this order
1-Light Speyside (Glenlivet, Glen Moray, Glenfiddich)
2-Sherry Speyside (Aberlour, Balvenie, Macallan, Glenfarclas)
3-Highland/Island Lightly Peated(Highland Park is excellent, it really is a great stepping stone to the peatier styles, Ardmore, Jura)
4 and 5-Islay, I'd recommend Lagavulin 16 for a richer smoky malt, and Ardbeg 10/Uigeadail for a lighter smoky malt (the smoke isn't lighter, the mouthfeel is). Talisker is also brilliant, a little different in style to Islay whiskys being on the Isle of Skye.
Five whiskies is certainly a reasonable amount to taste in one sitting, but remember, take your time. Noting spoils a single malt like rushing it. After it's poured, wait a few minutes before you even start nosing it, and make sure to nose and taste before adding water.
No ice.
Have water on hand to clear your palate and to soothe if the alcohol burn gets a bit much.
A good rule of thumb is to keep the whisky in your mouth one second for every year it has been aged.
That's about all I can think of off the top of my head, happy drinking mate :D