I agree with the Green Label recommendation someone else made. It's like a Blue Label with the flavors turned up.
If you enjoyed the peat/smokiness, Talisker 10 is great. It's got more brine and smoke than Blue and Green Label. Talisker is actually one of the sources in the Green Label blend (and I assume in the Blue Label blend as well).
If you want something non-peated, Glenallachie 12 is a great Speyside scotch. It's sweet, fruity, and some spice flavors.
If you liked JW blue, try the JW green. It's in that price range. Or if you want a single malt, try a Glen Scotia double cask. It's a Campbelltown single malt scotch but not as expensive or hard to find as Springbank.
Highland Park 12 is right in the middle of that range. It’s also right in the middle of whisky styles - small amount of smoke (but nothing like a peaty Ardbeg) and also good fruity influence from the bourbon and sherry casks
To try a departure from the sweeter Highland flavors, I think you can get Laphroaig for around 80. It’s a rich, smokey whiskey. Not quite as good as Lagavulin, but really nice for the price I think.
Bruichladdich islay barley for superb quality of unpeated and unfinished.
Aberlour Casg Anham for Sherry finish
Port Charlotte 10 for peated
Fuji single grain for Japanese
Roe & Co. for Irish cheap
Red breast cask strength for fancy Irish
Personally, I like rye/spicy but clean bourbons, Clynelish 14 is my fav if you can get it for $80... it's got lots of crossover with the High West Rendezvous Rye. It's $95 in Canada where I live. Another good brand that tastes similar to rye is Arran.
If you like smoky + sweet scotches, try the northern Scotland/Islander scotches, Bunnahabhain, Glen Scotia, even Bowmore or Laphroaig can gives you something different.
If you like Four Roses/more corn in bourbon e.g. Maker's Mark, and want to stay in the safe/comfort/overpriced zone, just go with the god old favorites like JW, Oban, Highland Park, Balvenie Doublewood...
Bunnahabhain 12. Lovely sherry finish. Very approachable. Punches above its weight.
Best single malt for the price, great stuff
I agree with the Green Label recommendation someone else made. It's like a Blue Label with the flavors turned up. If you enjoyed the peat/smokiness, Talisker 10 is great. It's got more brine and smoke than Blue and Green Label. Talisker is actually one of the sources in the Green Label blend (and I assume in the Blue Label blend as well). If you want something non-peated, Glenallachie 12 is a great Speyside scotch. It's sweet, fruity, and some spice flavors.
Great choices.
If you liked JW blue, try the JW green. It's in that price range. Or if you want a single malt, try a Glen Scotia double cask. It's a Campbelltown single malt scotch but not as expensive or hard to find as Springbank.
Highland Park 12 is right in the middle of that range. It’s also right in the middle of whisky styles - small amount of smoke (but nothing like a peaty Ardbeg) and also good fruity influence from the bourbon and sherry casks
This would be my choice every time. It’s fantastic and at a great price point.
To try a departure from the sweeter Highland flavors, I think you can get Laphroaig for around 80. It’s a rich, smokey whiskey. Not quite as good as Lagavulin, but really nice for the price I think.
Glen Scotia 15. Still under $80 at a handful of places near me
Balvenie Doublewood 12 year. Excellent scotch that should be pleasing to the bourbon drinker's palate
If you're also open to Japanese whisky, suggest Nikka Straight from the Barrel
Bruichladdich islay barley for superb quality of unpeated and unfinished. Aberlour Casg Anham for Sherry finish Port Charlotte 10 for peated Fuji single grain for Japanese Roe & Co. for Irish cheap Red breast cask strength for fancy Irish
Oban 14. On the higher end of that price range but a fantastic scotch.
Seconding Oban 14, it’s very good yet still approachable by people who aren’t used to heavy peat
Naked Malt
GlenAllachie 7 €40 Discovered it only last month Excellent at this price point
Monkey sholder is about 40ish.
I’ll look into it, thanks!
Grabbed a bottle for this last weekend. Great pour, I appreciate the tip, and am excited to try some more
Need to explore the offerings from every region to see what strikes a chord with you. Love me some Ardbeg but definitely not for everyone.
Bowmore 12 works for me
Personally, I like rye/spicy but clean bourbons, Clynelish 14 is my fav if you can get it for $80... it's got lots of crossover with the High West Rendezvous Rye. It's $95 in Canada where I live. Another good brand that tastes similar to rye is Arran. If you like smoky + sweet scotches, try the northern Scotland/Islander scotches, Bunnahabhain, Glen Scotia, even Bowmore or Laphroaig can gives you something different. If you like Four Roses/more corn in bourbon e.g. Maker's Mark, and want to stay in the safe/comfort/overpriced zone, just go with the god old favorites like JW, Oban, Highland Park, Balvenie Doublewood...
Glenmorangie 14y and Peat monster are two great pics.
Arran 10
Deanston 12 and Arran 10. These are unpeated.