re: Scotch noob

I gravitate more towards Speyside scotches, myself. Highlands can be a little too floral while Islays are a little too salty and often a bit rough, but Speyside is kind of right there in the middle. Glenfiddich 15 is what I always keep in stock at my house, as it's my favorite. the 12 and 18 are good, too, but I think 15 is just right. 21 gets to be a little too oak-y for me. Macallan is another very good scotch, and Glenlivet is solid. If you want to explore an Islay option then I highly suggest Bunnahabhain. It's more lightly peated than most Islays so it drinks a pretty smooth.

Be a man, don't disgrace your scotch with water or ice. Drink a good single malt neat. The only time you should order a scotch on the rocks or a scotch and water is if they are serving a mediocre or worse blend, like Famous Grouse. Not saying all blends are bad (Your JW black, especially the blue, is a very good scotch that happens to be a blend), but I like the tastes and bite of the single malts a lot more.

Not all scotches are created equal; try sipping on a good scotch like Glenfiddich or Macallan and then switch over to a glass of Cutty Sark neat. It'll curl your toes.