My brother is mates with a Whisky importer. So last year for my 60th, my brothers emptied their piggy banks and went to the mate and asked him to select 3 good bottles. Pic below
The Glenfarclas 12 YO comes with two miniatures in the drawer underneath of 21 and 25YO - all were great, but the 25YO was a standout. Caol Ila is wonderful, smooth and rich and extremely well balanced. Haven't opened the Longrow yet but it is rated highly though.
Under $100, my favourites are Laphroig 10YO (or the Quarter Cask which you might just find at that on special), , Abelour Double Cask 12YO, Smokehead (not everyone's taste, I admit, VERY peaty), Jura Superstition, Lagavulin 16YO, Ardberg 10YO and Oban 14YO. Abelour A'bunadh is a touch over $100, but wonderful and worth the stretch. Amrut Fusion from India is well worth a try too, I really like it. I have very little experience of Aussie and Japanese whiskys but have some a few good ones, price is higher for quality though. Not keen in most Irish, but a couple of premium Jamiesons I had were very good, don't like everyday stuff though. Less said about Bourbon the better..
Oh to have all of those in the cupboard now!!! Mind you, my liver would suffer!