If you want to stay in the $50-$55 range it's hard to top Balvenie 12 Doublewood IMO, also Macallan 12. The scotch I remember being really good in the $70-$80 range was the Cragganmore Distiller's Edition, finished in port casks
I would say $50 range is where I'm comfortable with scotch at the moment. Give/take $10. I'm seeing Uigedail in the mid $60s out here. $55 in LA but with shipping it'd be the same as just getting it locally.
I've had the Aberlour Abunadh, Shaun, and really like it. I like peat, and I like sherry finishes. So I tend toward Islay scotches. I tend to like things at a bit higher proof, too, at least for now as I add it to the bourbon mix.
I also have a bottle of Kilchoman Machir Bay to pick up today, too, that I got pretty cheap at a tasting.