I guess I didn't take part of topic yet? I've never had any problems with alcohol, and most of all, my tastes are to lets say in the most bourgeois manner: "enjoy it responsibly", hah!
I guess it was few years ago, when I made conscious decision to drink most of all whisky, and more precisely almost exclusively single malt isley whiskies. If bottle price is related to quality, what I buy, is not a liquid to drink to get smashed. You'll enjoy and savour the taste and smell, yet perhaps less faggy way than in the wine & cheese clubs. Generally pour glass, put some vinyl on rotation and browse books. Some periods I may drink 1-2 shots every night, or just couple days a week or not at all for some time.
Currently dealing with 12 year old Caol Ila. It's good. Last year drank one too. This year have gone through perhaps... 3-4 different brands and last year more. And year before.. Most of bottles I keep in attic so I can remember what exactly have been drinking, yet also return to some favorites like Lagavulin, Ardbeg, Glenlivet, Laphroiag, Talisker, etc... Most often, the more smoky, the peaty, and generally fierce, the better. Right kind of bitterness, not crappy cheap bitterness.
Unfortunately the alcohol culture here is not the most advanced, hah, so availability is often problem. Advantage of traveling is the tax free airport purchases.
Been thinking about trying to sometime set up show as excuse to get myself to visit Islay.
