[19Yzerman19]

Hoping there's some CP expertise that can make me a few suggestions in different price ranges for new scotches I haven't tried yet, that would cohere with my particular tastes. Because while I have a decent understanding of what I like, I do not know what makers actually produce a dram that meets with those preferences.

I don't really like the super woody, super peaty stuff. Not a Laphroaig guy. What I mostly drink is Balvenie - the Doublewood is my go-to under $100 scotch, but I also have a bottle of 14yo carribean cask, 17yo sherry cask and the signature. I also really like Highland Park's 18yo.

For my birthday last year a couple of colleagues got me a bottle of Aberlour Abunadh. I really like this one, despite it being a bit more of a kick in the teeth than my usual Balvenie, as it's cask strength. So, I'd say the power behind the scotch isn't what dissuades me from some of the more aggressive Islays out there, as much as the actual flavour profile.

Third point - scotch is not my usual whiskey. I'm a big bourbon drinker; I have 20+ varieties in my closet at any given time. So sweeter stuff isn't a problem here, and it goes along with that that stronger whisky isn't an issue and probably gives some background on my peat aversion. I can drink Booker's or Blanton's Gold bourbon all day.

Any pointers as to what I should go for? I'd like to hear about scotches in the $80-200 range, or so. I think if I was dropping coin on something in the mid $200's, I'd be getting a Balvenie 21y/o Portwood, but I'd be interested to hear about other alternatives +$200 just out of curiosity.

EDIT: Oh, and I take my scotch neat with a tiny bit of water - like a few drops at most.