Funny...I was just out in SF last week, and my brother picked up a bottle ...can't recall, it was either the 1970 reserve or the 36 year.
I'm not well versed on the technical aspects of describing tastes of scotch, but I'll do what I can. It was a semi-strong flavor....not harsh, but with more substance then your average single malt. I'd say, and this is just my mind, there was a strong hint of oak in the flavor. VERY SMOOTH, and with a definite presence of fruit in the undertones. Crisp but not sharp aftertaste. All in all, I found it to be a very pleasurable scotch. Expensive, however.....I think it was 259 or 289 a bottle.
FatherTiresius has it right. Of all the single malts I've tried, my fave is actually the 25 year Macallan...and it has NOTHING to do with the cool wooden coffin-case...honest! It's the best of all worlds...not too expensive, not too smoky, or sharp, but definitely a complex and pleasant taste.
The 18 is very similar in taste, but just a bit less smooth....an excellent choice for the budget conscious (189 for the 25 versus the 72 for the 18). Basically, you can't go wrong with it. I've also heard the cask strength is supposed to be nice, but have yet to try it...and I hope to snag a bottle of the 30 year for my birthday this year....
I know a lot of people seem to like it...but Glenlivet really never did anything for me. Not bad...just.....meh. Most of the others that I've tried were....well.....the fact that I can't really recall the names says a lot.
If you want something a bit lighter, and less strong, the Glenmorangie is another very nice scotch. Less body to my mind, and a lighter aftertaste than the Macallan...it's usually what I recommend to people who have not tried scotch before.