There are bad single-malts just as there are bad blends... and there are good blends just as there are good single-malts. As a rule of thumb, adding a bit of water brings out the aroma and the taste (there are exceptions)... less water for low proof whiskys, more for higher proof. Distilled water is preferable to tap, unless your tap is pretty free of odor and taste. It is hard to make a recommendation as tastes vary so much. I prefer big, peaty scotches (Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Lagavulin are good examples), but most either love these or hate them (Lagavulin is probably the most balanced of the 3). I think one of the tastiest, not too wild,, widely available single-malts is Glenmorangie 10yo. Balvenie Doublewood is another tasty but fairly mellow single-malt. Of the blends, Johhny Walker Red is a pretty good "starter" whisky. Slainte!