Single Malt Tasting Flight

Glenrothes 12yr? Approx $50-60/bottle

Oh, there are so many ways to go with this: Lowland (Auchentoshan) Highland (Dalwhinnie 15) Speyside (Macallan 12) Island (Talisker 10) Islay (Lagavulin 16) or the traditional distinctions: Lowland (Glenkinchie) Highland (Dalwhinnie) Campbeltown (Springbank) Speyside (Cragganmore) Islay (Lagavulin) or by style: Gentle (Auchentoshan, Dalwhinnie, Glenkinchie) Perfumed (Cragganmore, Balvenie) Sweet (Macallan, Glenmorangie Portwood, Balvenie Doublewood) Smoky (Lagavulin, Laphroig, Ardberg, Caol Ila) or a flight of finishes (the so-called distillery's editions) Glenkinchie (Amontillado) Dalwhinne (Oloroso) Cragganmore (Port) Lagavulin (PX) or a flight of finishes from the same house, Glenmorangie 12 Glenmorangie Madeira Glenmorangie Port Glenmorangie Burgundy Glenmorangie Nectar d'Or (Sauternes) or if you're an Isaly guy: Bunnahabhain Caol Ila 12 Lagavulin Ardberg It's all what you are fondest of.... ~ Huntsman

Better yet, drop by Huntsman's house or go drinking with him.
I can't really improve on his suggestions. I'd only add that if it's for a party, I'd go with one of his first three approaches.

I would typically steer you away from the Lagavulin for general consumption purposes. While I wholeheartedly believe that it is the best, most complex, most layered, and most flavorful relatively obtainable Scotch out there, its heavy, peaty flavor is more than most Scotch newcomers can comfortably handle, particularly on a first pass.

I'd recommend you try a flight that starts light and goes to heavy, perhaps ending with the Lagavulin, but giving people the option to double up on one of the lighter, more universally appreciable Scotches if they feel like going no further. That also has the added benefit of more Lagavulin for you.

Start with Macallan. No need to spring for the 18 or the 25; 12 years is fine. The sherry cask aging makes it user-friendly. It tastes a lot like some of the after-dinner drinks they may have tried before. People will have a reference point for this, so it's a good departure point.

Glenmorangie makes a nice next stop. The 10 years are all great, and the Port wood finish is excellent. The port finish will also provide a sense of familiarity, but the peat factor will be kicked up just a notch. The tall pot stills of Glenmorangie make for a very light Scotch that is still very drinkable even for your guests who are typically not accustomed to whisky.

For fun, you can take them all the way into peatville on your next stop. Maybe a Laphroaig, or Ardbeg if you can find it. Just offer the slightest taste, so they get blasted with the oily, smoky peat flavor. It'll be enough for them to see the other side of the spectrum.

If you want to offer something a little more balanced in that peaty direction, there are plenty of options. I like Highland Park, myself.

Then you can offer them a sip of the Lagavulin, so they can see what it's like when the best of all worlds come together in one fantastic dram.

All of these (with Ardbeg the potential exception) should be readily available in a good liquor store for $60 or less.

if there will be women at this party, i suggest ditching the scotch idea and serving margaritas. if there will not be women there, i suggest you cancel the party.