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I've pretty much been a rum guy. I've been smoking cigars for about two years now.

My first glass of scotch burned and was way too harsh for me. I purchased a bottle of The Balvenie Carribean Cask - Aged 14 years - supposedly some of those were in rub barrels to soften the edge.

Any suggestions for a newbie on scotch, bourbon, whiskey?

Something smooth that you enjoy with a cigar in the evening... something I can sip and learn to appreciate without getting my butt kicked.  Any and all suggestions are welcome.

BTW.... for what it's worth... I've been drinking the "real sugar" Doctor Pepper with rum while smoking cigars.... I find it to be really good. (I may get flamed for that comment, but I thought I'd be honest and share, haha)

I never pair cigars with alcoholic drinks; I found them to be overpowering. I always enjoy my smoke with chilled unsweetened coffee with milk. However, I always enjoy single malt after smoking.

For a beginners, I recommend to start with something from Spayside and Highland. Once you develop you palate, move to lowland and the Islay.

I recommend the following for its value and easy drinking.

Glenmorangie: Quinta Ruban, LaSanta. Affordable, available, smooth, and on the sweet side.
Glenlivet: 15 years, Nadura. My go to drams.
Balvenie: 14 years Cherry Cask (I prefer the long gone Oak Cask). One of the best distillery in the highland
Macallan: 12 years. Varieties for casks to suite your preference. A bit stronger than the above, but really good.

Stouts and porters pair well with cigars, if you enjoy beer, IPAs not at all.  Its tough to drink dark beers in the summer, but if you enjoy Dr Pepper, then you will probably enjoy a slight sweet, coffee stout or rich porter.  I am not a scoth guy, but I enjoy bourbon.  I think scoth doesn't always pair well because the smokey and earthy flavors can overpower a cigar that may have the same subtle undertones.

Rum, bourbon, tea, water, and occasionally a soda or lightly sweetened alcohol based drink is a good combo (like a mojito).

For scotch I recommend Cragganmore 12.

Personally, I’m a bourbon guy (specifically rye drinker)  who recently got into Rum. Can’t drink scotch at all (well, some sherried ones I can). Just can’t get over the band aid smell and funky taste.

If you thought Balvenie 14yr carribran burned, I would stay away from barrel strength bourbons. BTW, I picked up zero rum taste when I tired Balvenie caribbean cask, lol.

Low proof bourbon wise, here are some great choices (some are obviously more readily available than others)

Elmer T. Lee
Blantons
Weller 12 year
EH Taylor single barrel (100 proof but not harsh)
Smooth Ambler

Finally, I’m a huge fan of Mexican Coke. Been meaning to whip up some Cuba Libres.

If I am sipping tipples to complement a cigar, there is none higher to me than a dry rum made from sugarcane (as opposed to those made from molasses leavings). Barbancourt 8 year is a mainstay in my cabinet.

As for bourbons that wow without a lot of burn and bite, Willett's offerings are top-tier. The Pot Still Reserve (in the bottle that looks like a waterbong) is a steal at $35/750 mL. If you want to surprise yourself, I'd also strongly recommend Old Grand Dad Bonded (make sure it's bonded and not the regular stuff). I have a friend who has more money than Jesus and that OGD Bonded blew his doors out for quality/price ratio.