Purists say single malt is better, but there are great blends as well.

Single malt means its from one distillery, blends come from multiple distilleries. What some people don't understand is that most single malts are a "blend" from that particular distillery. They mix different barrels together to get the flavor they want. Regulations say the stated "age" of a single malt is the youngest that goes into a blend. So a bottle that states its a "10 Year Old" can be a "blend" of barrels that range from 10 years and up. (If they used a whole barrel of 50 year old whisky, and a drop of 8 year old, regulations say that is an 8 year old bottling.) Even the younger aged liquor usually needs some older stuff to key in the desired flavor.

There are single barrel bottlings for the real purists, but those are small runs usually done by independent bottlers.

So to answer, I think blends are great, but if you want the character of a particular distillery, single malts are the way to go. You'll never get the taste of an Ardbeg in a blend, but those whiskies aren't for everyone.

Drink what you like.