u/AJ_in_SF_Bay

I have searched around and couldn't find a good answer to this. Sometimes, too many options leave me overthinking and taking too long. So I ask all ye: cheap rolled oats (e.g., grocery store, in a cardboard cylinder) versus malted oats versus fancy floor malted oats in Irish Whiskey? My goal here is quality over quantity, but I wonder if I will be able to discern any difference:

1. Cheap generic oats (per 5 lbs, maybe ~$6ish, maybe less if I buy bulk)
2. Rahr Malted Oats (per 5 lbs $12.99): https://morebeer.com/products/malted-oats-rahr-malting?variant=51918014415137
3. Clipper Oats from Admiral Maltings (per 5 lbs $16.25): https://oakbarrel.com/admiral-maltings-clipper-oats/

I have visited Admiral Maltings, and the grains are, I believe, mostly (local to me) California-grown. Great. But seeing the work, care, and craft that goes into floor malting grain is incredible. I want to support them as much as I can, and I have on the homebrewing and drinking side, but when it comes to scaling up on the firewater side, I just don't know if the cost will be offset by the flavor. Only time will tell, and I'll be well into it by then. Would the flavor be there or just the mouthfeel, oils, and texture of the oats? If that's all it is, would cheap oats be good enough, or cheap oats bumped up on the mash bill to a degree?

I am curious to hear from those who have experience and interest in making good Irish-style Whiskey. I know it isn't for everyone.

Thanks!