I can give you my own experiences, at least.
The options are pretty much: blended whisky or single malt.

Blended whiskies are things like Johnny Walker- they take whisky from various distilleries and mix them until they get the taste they're striving for. (Great video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnSIp76CvUI) They tend to be somewhat generic, really.

Single malts are whiskies that come from individual distilleries. Highland malts are my favorite- light, smotth, and a little sweet. Lowland malts I've found to be a little smokier, but still nice. Islay malts taste of peat bogs and fires- not to my taste, but others prefer them.

Ten year old scotch is the basic, and is pretty good. (The longer it stays in the barrel, the smoother it usually is. Once it's in the bottle it stops changing, though- so don't bother buying a dusty bottle.) Eight year old scotch has a bit more of a bite to it, but is cheaper. Twelve year old is more expensive, but nicely smooth. Over that it's getting smoother, but personally I don't taste enough difference to make it worth the cost.

I like Oban a lot, but rarely can afford it.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Mon 7 Dec 2009, 15:43, Reply)