For JFellows, who asked:
good single malt Scotch in the $45-60 range?
Aberlour a'bunadh $60 (prices from binnys.com)
Balvenie Doublewood (12 yr old) $40--almost everyone loves this and it's a bargain
Bowmore 17 yr old $63 peaty, but much less than Laphroig or Ardbeg; less expensive than Lagavulin
Highland Park 12 yr old $40 another good basic single malt
Isle of Jura Superstition Single Malt no age; kind of smoky $35
Macallan 10yr Old Fine Oak $40 an economical Macallan
Talisker 10 yr old $54 smoky, not peaty

Hope this helps and dad has a good day.