If you are just starting out growing garlic, my advice would be to start with the "hardneck" varieties. They are very winter-hardy, produce huge cloves, and have interesting flavors. They are seldom sold in stores, so they are a good choice for gardeners.

Several mail order catalogs offer heirloom garlics (including Seed Savers Exchange & Territorial Seeds). You might be able to find more sources if you search the Alliums Forum.

Wherever you choose to buy your garlic, buy it soon... this is the time that garlic ships, so some varieties will begin selling out.

Here is a link that might be useful: Allium forum

Filaree Farms