The Great King Street offers a tremendous infusion of peat; however, the sherry cask and American Oak aging adds a subtle sweetness to its flavors as well to give it a well-rounded blend. Compass Box have also released a Limited-Edition Magic Cask expression that I wouldn’t mind getting a taste of (although it’s well outside of this article’s budget).

9. The Famous Grouse Smoky Black

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The last two brands on this list need little introduction. If you’ve bought a Scotch whisky at a pub or club somewhere about the world, you’ve likely had one of their classics either neat or in a mixer. They’re popular for a reason, well priced and suitable to a range of palates…

The Famous Grouse Smoky Black is interesting, adding smoke and peat to their classic whisky for Limited Edition bottle.

It’s a good way for Famous Grouse to lock in on some of the flavors that new whisky drinkers are experimenting with and tastes great too. Of course, if that doesn’t work, you can go back to the original blended Scotch whisky.

10. Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve

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Johnnie Walker sells because it’s good, no frills blended whisky. It doesn’t try to be too fancy, just does a good job with few weaknesses in flavor or drinkability and is there when you need it.

I don’t think you can have a list of best scotch under 50 without a Johnnie Walker bottle on it, and if you can get a quality blend like Gold Label Reserve inside that mark, it just makes things even better. This may not be the most exciting bottle on the list, but it won’t let you down either.