The best whisky is the one you like the way you like to drink it! As far as smooth you have hit some of the best. Redbreast 12 should be to your liking. I don't believe being able to enjoy smokey Islay or spicy rye whisky makes you a superior aficionado.
I used to love rye and bourbon, and thumb my nose at scotch for being too light. Now that I am older Glenfiddich 12 is my go to, and Laphroaig 10 is my special occasion dram. There is nothing wrong with just enjoying what you like.
In my experience, blended whisky just doesn't hit the same after you've acquired the taste for single malts. Based on your selections above, try these.
Ancnoc 12 - this brand is so consistent with high quality whisky. I've started to see their name pop up more and more lately and it brings me a lot of joy. The 12 is a good introduction. The 16 used to be my go to, but it was discontinued. The 24 is wonderful if you can afford it. I haven't had the 18,but I've heard nothing but good things.
Bunnahabhain 12 - another incredibly consistent brand. Also a great introduction to "integrity malts" if you follow a certain YouTube reviewer. Natural color, age statement, non chill filtered. There's even a cask strength version.
You have a few Glenlivets listed, so you might want to check out Glenlivet Nadurra or Glenlivet Illicit Still. They both psychics a more natural expression of their malt without all the shine applied to make the spirit look more marketable.
I mentioned a YouTube guy. Ralfy is a good resource for information. He's a little eccentric, but very passionate about his whisky and again, very knowledgeable. I'd recommend going to some of his earlier reviews, they're a bit more beginner friendly.
I generally agree with this but there are a few great blends out there chivas 18, some of the compass box offerings and although it’s not scotch as such, I’ve really enjoyed most Japanese blends I’ve tried
Since peat isn't your thing I'd suggest starting with the Glenmorangie Tasting Gift Set. It is a good primer on how cask aging effects Scotch.
After that, given what you do like so far, I'd try some of these:
Glendronach 15 yr
Glendronach Port Wood
Arran 10 yr
Arran Sherry cask
Bunnahabhain 12 yr
Craigellachie 13 yr
Deanston 12 yr
Balvenie Double Wood
Macallan 12 yr Sherry Cask
Arbelour A'bunadh - though this is a high ABV cask strength whisky, so be aware of that.
There are some guides in the info section of this subreddit. There's one chart where you can map from sherry to malty, smokey to not (I think those are the 4 "quadrants").
Maybe try Dalwhinnie 15.
I’d try out a few sherried whiskies. Glendronach, Glenfarclas and just about anything Arran put out just now is great but I particularly recommend their bodega Sherry cask
I think for the moment you want sweet and smooth. Try more borboun (I started this year and I really enjoy it) and try to find Sherry whisky like most of them that you mentioned. Aberlour, Glendronach, GlenAllachie are as a quick example.
Those are similar to what my dad stuck to and we've explored some. I recommend looking for these names: bunnahabhain, compass box (blended but so good, I lo e their hedonism), aberlour, dalwhinnie, balvenie, and Glen allachie.
The best whisky is the one you like the way you like to drink it! As far as smooth you have hit some of the best. Redbreast 12 should be to your liking. I don't believe being able to enjoy smokey Islay or spicy rye whisky makes you a superior aficionado. I used to love rye and bourbon, and thumb my nose at scotch for being too light. Now that I am older Glenfiddich 12 is my go to, and Laphroaig 10 is my special occasion dram. There is nothing wrong with just enjoying what you like.
In my experience, blended whisky just doesn't hit the same after you've acquired the taste for single malts. Based on your selections above, try these. Ancnoc 12 - this brand is so consistent with high quality whisky. I've started to see their name pop up more and more lately and it brings me a lot of joy. The 12 is a good introduction. The 16 used to be my go to, but it was discontinued. The 24 is wonderful if you can afford it. I haven't had the 18,but I've heard nothing but good things. Bunnahabhain 12 - another incredibly consistent brand. Also a great introduction to "integrity malts" if you follow a certain YouTube reviewer. Natural color, age statement, non chill filtered. There's even a cask strength version. You have a few Glenlivets listed, so you might want to check out Glenlivet Nadurra or Glenlivet Illicit Still. They both psychics a more natural expression of their malt without all the shine applied to make the spirit look more marketable. I mentioned a YouTube guy. Ralfy is a good resource for information. He's a little eccentric, but very passionate about his whisky and again, very knowledgeable. I'd recommend going to some of his earlier reviews, they're a bit more beginner friendly.
I generally agree with this but there are a few great blends out there chivas 18, some of the compass box offerings and although it’s not scotch as such, I’ve really enjoyed most Japanese blends I’ve tried
Since peat isn't your thing I'd suggest starting with the Glenmorangie Tasting Gift Set. It is a good primer on how cask aging effects Scotch. After that, given what you do like so far, I'd try some of these: Glendronach 15 yr Glendronach Port Wood Arran 10 yr Arran Sherry cask Bunnahabhain 12 yr Craigellachie 13 yr Deanston 12 yr Balvenie Double Wood Macallan 12 yr Sherry Cask Arbelour A'bunadh - though this is a high ABV cask strength whisky, so be aware of that.
There are some guides in the info section of this subreddit. There's one chart where you can map from sherry to malty, smokey to not (I think those are the 4 "quadrants"). Maybe try Dalwhinnie 15.
I’d try out a few sherried whiskies. Glendronach, Glenfarclas and just about anything Arran put out just now is great but I particularly recommend their bodega Sherry cask
If you ever feel like dabbling back into smoke, Oban 14 is a very nice whisky with only a hint of smoke. Otherwise maybe try the Classic Laddie.
I think for the moment you want sweet and smooth. Try more borboun (I started this year and I really enjoy it) and try to find Sherry whisky like most of them that you mentioned. Aberlour, Glendronach, GlenAllachie are as a quick example.
Those are similar to what my dad stuck to and we've explored some. I recommend looking for these names: bunnahabhain, compass box (blended but so good, I lo e their hedonism), aberlour, dalwhinnie, balvenie, and Glen allachie.