I highly recommend the Clarke in D, especially if it is your first.

This has a much quieter and woodsier sound than the more popular Clarke whistles

So I would recommend the Clarke, as an inexpensive, soft and easy to play whistle for anyone

(Oak Classic Pennywhistles)The wooden block in the fipple of the Clarke gives it a much warmer, flute-like sound than the Oak; however, the Clarke also sounds a bit breathy, so I'd say the Oak loses less air and plays more efficiently

The Clarke whistle really defies criticism, pro or con -- after all, it is the original mass-produced whistle.

I had originally gotten a Clarke sweet tone