I like using the Loch Fyne Whisky website for tasting notes http://www.lfw.co.uk
Easy to use the search to find what you like or use the word "ace" which are the reccomendations, and generally hit the spot. Then drill in by price and region/taste.
On what's been said above –
Balvenie Double Wood is good for those starting out – quite sweet and christmas cakey… and a joy to revisit for the same reasons.
Aberlour, Glenfarclas, Glenlivet and Glenfiddich get better with age, anything above 15 is worth paying extra – younger versions of these not so great
Highland Park is a staple – lovely spicey pepperyness – a great dram that always goes down well
Talisker – for some reason I get a bile vibe off this but I still like it.
Jura I simply don't get until the older expressions
Laphroig/Ardbeg and the Islays (except Bruichladdich) – if you like peat they are great. Bruichladdich stands almost alone but doesn't really come of age until 15+ at which point it's great. The younger ones are okay but sell on the marketting and the name of the older expressions rather than their own merits (IMHO)
Mortlach and Longmorn are both awesome big speysiders
Dalwhinnie is smooth and lovely
Old Pulteney – a friend has one of these open and I love going to his house… I really should get my own. Lovely briney almost tastes of the sea.
Benromach Organic – this almost tastes like a Bourbon… in fact it does taste exactly like a bourbon. I like it but it's not really like any other single malt – a very tasty curiosity.