Known loves: Bunnahabhain 12 and Bruichladdich Classic Laddie. Target: around $50-$60, coastal/barley/malty, not too smoky.
Buy when: you want the safe favorite: nutty, briny, sherry-rich, rounded.
Teaches: coastal Islay character does not have to mean smoke bomb.
Buy when: you want another safe favorite: Islay character without peat, in a very easy-to-spot turquoise bottle.
Teaches: Ben's sweet spot is probably coastal island malt and barley richness, not big smoke.
Buy when: you want to learn whether peat helps without committing to a smoky monster.
Teaches: old-school light smoke, cereal malt, fruit, and gentle spice.
Buy when: you want a real peat/smoke answer but still drinkable and balanced.
Teaches: whether coastal smoke feels exciting or intrusive.
Buy when: you want a reliable non-smoky bottle with real texture.
Teaches: what good unpeated malt tastes like without being boring.
Buy when: you want fresh, crisp, clean whisky that still has character.
Teaches: whether fruitier unpeated malt is your thing.
Buy when: you want weird-in-a-good-way character without peat.
Teaches: that Speyside is not always soft and polite. Thank god.
Buy when: you want the lowest-risk smoky bottle on the shelf.
Teaches: whether a little smoke plus honey feels right.
Buy when: you want sweeter, rounder, after-dinner scotch.
Teaches: whether wine-cask richness is your comfort zone.
Buy when: you specifically want to retest big smoke, preferably as a small pour rather than a bottle.
Teaches: dominant smoke overpowers the profile Ben likes.