Frankly, if you aren't an "experienced" scotch drinker, I would suggest you avoid the pricier bottles and instead get a couple of single malts, McClellands offers an Islay (very smoky) and a Highland (lighter) for about 1/2 the price of most other single malts. Probably around $25/.75l. That will give you a couple of points of reference. I haven't found a bad single malt, all are interesting. I haven't drank a blend for so long that I can't speak definitively but never noticed them very memorable. Used to drink Famous Grouse when volume was a priority.

for grins googled and found http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McClelland's_Single_Malt

Cheers,

Rusty