Auchentoshan 12 year and Three Wood
If you like Glenkinchie then you should check out Auchentoshan if you haven't already. It's another Lowland distillery. The 12 year's sherried, but not quite a sherry bomb. Not totally unlike some of the Macallans. The Three Wood stuff is aged is bourbon, Oloroso sherry, and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. It's phenomenal. The 12-year goes for between $40 and $50 in southeast TN and northern GA, and the Three Wood is usually between $60 and $70.
Compass Box Peat Monster, Spice Tree, Glasgow Blend, and Artist's Blend
I haven't had a Compass Box whisky that I didn't like. I'm still a relative novice in the world of scotch, but Compass Box's blends have outclassed many single malts I've had at their respective price points.
Peat Monster - Smokey and fruity. A blended malt comprising Caol Ila, Laphroaig, and a splash of several Highland malts. Solid if you're into smokey stuff.
Spice Tree - I'm not sure I can describe this one other than that it's one of the best, most interesting whiskies I've ever tried. Another blended malt, though minimal smoke (if any) this time. I think they use a ton of different barrels in the blend and it shows man. Lots of spices as the name implies, but not like the heavy spice you get from some ryes. Really, really good. Again, $60 to $70.
King's St. Artist's Blend - Blend of Speyside and Highland malts with some grain whisky, with some french oak, sherry, and bourbon barrels in the mix. Light but far from bland. In the $36 - $42 range in my area, I'd recommend it to someone over something like Monkey Shoulder or some of the cheaper Speyside single malts as a worthwhile "entry" point that's good enough to keep your interest after you move on.
King's St. Glasgow Blend - Same concept as the Artist's Blend, but smokey from a health dose of Laphroaig. Only had it once -- it's for whatever reason not distributed in my area -- but I enjoyed it. Priced a little cheaper than Artist's Blend from what I've seen.
