lol 
and that is the reason I can’t bring myself to buy a very expensive whistle!
For the record, these are the whistles I play on a regular basis:
Generations, red- and blue-top in D, red-top in C
Feadog in D
Sindt in A
And that’s all. I’ve owned more than my share of high-end whistles.
I would assert that all of the things that make cheap whistles sound not-so-great in inexperienced hands are exactly the things that an experienced player can exploit to greater ends. There so many things I can do on a Generation that I just can’t on an Abell. Not that I’m a great player, I just find expensive whistles stiff and un-fun to play.
You seem to have a great enthusiasm for learning the music and I actually think you are smart for starting out with an instrument that is not a cheap one, as you mentioned, because you will enjoy a great responsiveness and a well-made instrument. A couple points: "Celtic "sound as you mentionied: Just so you know that when you say Celtic music you are actually referring to a many types of music within a larger set of music. I don’t know if this is the best analogy , but think of saying “Latino” or “Hispanic” , referring to the subset of cultures: Mexican, Spanish, Nicaraguan, Costa Rican etc. When you say Celtic music, people think of the following: Scottish, Irish, Breton, and some music from Nova Scotia , Gallecia (?) Spain, Wales, etc. I agree with you: there is a haunting sound typical of all of these culures and places. If you re talking about Irish music, then you are talking about Irish music, often comprised of danceable music that is in the key of D (not always). I think that in you are price range, you will get a great instrument. Good luck! Get obsessed and you will go far!
I like the expensive whistles that I own!
Well, on second thought, I might let my Burke blacktip brass session pro go some future day, but I doubt that I will ever give up my Burke AL-PRO low D and G whiltles.
After all, I have tons of cheapies in D and C with Blacktop and Whitetip fipples. The Every Whistle may make the Burke go if hard times hit much harder.
I think I will keep my Burke composite low A too.
I think I’ll dig that one out of my bag. I haven’t played it in ages!
However, that’s food for thought. Anyone want to make me an offer for the Michael Burke Blacktip brass Session Pro?
The inscribing marking reads DBSBT 05 2004
OK kids, let’s have a pop quiz; how many of you ever read what the OP actually said? An extra 10 points for good penmenship! Cheers, Cyril.
Hmmmm … never heard of a whistle before “yesterday” and have already narrowed choices to Burke & Reyburn? That’s some amazing & quick research into a brand new field. I’d been playing a Clarke for over 3 months before discovering the Chiff’s Low-End/High-End page.
Gotta say I am thinking trollish thoughts …
I first started with an oak and the little black, for guitar i started with Squire.
the previous posts have already answered the question, start with a cheapie first (forum search), then work on skills. Warm and haunting sound is not purely from the whistle.
Only one post, so far.
After reading the discouraging (in a way) posts so far, maybe he has given up already 
I have not played the high-end brands that you named, but I think a Jerry tweaked Feadog can fulfil that nicely. Sounds to me that you are willing to spend a lot of money, looking for a perfect whistle. That, I think, doesnt exist.
The following is a quote from Terry McGee’s site. I believe this holds true for any instrument:
“Good enough for a beginner”
“Arghhh, was there ever a meaner trick than this? A beginner flute player has enough hurdles to jump over without saddling them with a flute that is hard to play, out of tune, unreliable or whatever else might make the instrument unsatisfactory for an advanced player. I learnt to play on a cheap metal Boehm flute and almost gave up entirely after 6 months (wouldn’t that have made a difference to my life!). Fortunately, I came across a good flute player at a party and tried his flute. I could play! Next morning found me down at the music shop, trading in my heap of junk on a good flute. If you have any reason to doubt your flute, ask a good player for an assessment, or conspire to try out a known good flute. Life’s too short, and this music is too much fun to be missing out.”
What’s a warm, Celtic sound.. sound like? 
My suggestion. flip a coin and buy whichever.
In a few months/weeks you’ll want the other one. Get it.
I contest that the ‘haunting Celtic sound’ is the player…I believe it is the audio software. The playing may be glorious, but who knows what the original sound was?
‘Haunting’ is usually electronic reverb.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
It was back in 1992,-I had never owned a whistle before, but I had heard The Chieftains play one, so I bought a Clarke Original D.
Man, did I get disappointed,-it didn’t sound anything like The Chieftains.
Then I spotted an image of Paddy Moloney playing the whistle on the CD, so I bought a Generation since that was what Mr. Moloney played on the CD.
Utter disappointment again,- still it didn’t sound anything like The Chieftains.
Then I went to another town and bought a Waltons D whistle.
Same result.
Feadog . . . same result.
Clare . . . same result.
Tweaked Clarkes, Generations, Waltons, Clares and Feadog . . .
Same result.
so my advice is . . . buy whichever whistle and just play it.
Wow- thanks to everyone who took the time to offer their guidance…I think I am going to just buy one and play it !!..lol…
I’ve read in several different places from other newbies that the quality of the instrument affected their efforts when they were starting out and I think I will need all the help I can get. If their perspectives were correct, then I’ve helped myself. If they were wrong, then someone is going to get a good deal on a great whistle in the near future so everyone’s a winner. At the end of the day I decided to go with a Reyburn Bb and hope I won’t be “haunted” by the decision.
BTW - this is a really great community here with lots of passion. Thanks, again.
Wow- thanks to everyone who took the time to offer their guidance…I think I am going to just buy one and play it !!..lol…
I’ve read in several different places from other newbies that the quality of the instrument affected their efforts when they were starting out and I think I will need all the help I can get. If their perspectives were correct, then I’ve helped myself. If they were wrong, then someone is going to get a good deal on a great whistle in the near future so everyone’s a winner. At the end of the day I decided to go with a Reyburn Bb and hope I won’t be “haunted” by the decision.
BTW - this is a really great community here with lots of passion. Thanks, again.
You probably made the right choice, a Bb-whistle sounds pretty warm and isn’t as hard to get used to for a newbie as a low-D would be.