Single malt definitely has an intensity of flavor that even the better blends just don't; though it should be said that the cheapest single malts are somewhat rough.

My "cost no object" rare treat favorites being either Aberlour 12 year or McAllen of the same vintage. About 40 to 50 dollars/bottle.

I can't even drink blends...it's just not the same.
I also love Aberlour and Mcallen 12

Have you ever tried Bowmore 12?

Last year I was visiting a relative and before dinner they asked if I'd like a drink. I asked them what do they have, and after they told me scotch was among them I said sure, I'll take 3 fingers of scotch in a tumbler. Then they come out with what looked like a half gallon bottle/jug of really cheap blended stuff, and glug-glugged it into my glass.

It was as bland as crown royal and rough as cheap rye. I should have had a beer instead.

Even though I was staying overnight and didn't have to drive, and they already think I have snobby food/liquor tastes as it is

to bring my own shit as he is stocking cheap stuff for any party - from beer to liquor. I must not have raised him right and this is my punishment.

On the other hand, I have good shit to drink at his parties. I am loathe to share with the Philistines chugging Miller Lite and generic vodka pineapples.

When you crack the seal and open the cap, you can smell the peat used in the distilling process. It smells like a campfire.

Wonderful.

Gotta check that out next visit to the ABC store. Always willing to expand my gastronomic horizons.

The Balvenie 21 Portwood
https://us.thebalvenie.com/our-range/portwood-aged-21-years

Or,

Glenmorangie Nectar D'or
Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban
The Macallen 18

but I'll happily take Quarter Cask or even 10yo in a pinch.

I recently had a chance to try some Balvenie Doublewood. There will be some bottles of Balvenie in my future.

There are malts for every mood. Even the priciest blends can't compare. They do "Taste like iodine."

I prefer the more elegant malts -- the Glenlivet being my poison of choice. But when in the mood for something with more zing, any one of the more phenolic malts will do: Talisker, Laphroig, Bowmore.

Of course, if you want smoooooooth, then anything triple-distilled is good. But some of the double-distilled Scotches are pretty smooth, too.

-- Mal

I used to drink Laphroaig and loved sipping it before a roaring fire on a cold and rainy evening in a warm robe and in an easy chair with a good book. My very favorite drink at these times is an expensive old Armagnac (nothing in the world beats that flavor) but I definitely love a good unblended scotch and the aged Laphroaig is one of my favorite treats. It sets me in a very special mood. I think there would be fewer suicides on Earth if more people could be introduced to the pleasant mood established by a good unblended single malt Scotch or a rare Armagnac.