I normally drink bourbon, and have been on a Jefferson's Ocean Aged at sea kick for several years. I first gave a bottle to one of my bosses when he transferred and got hooked. Not a$25 bottle though.
Try Monkey Shoulder for a scotch in the $20-30 range. Iron's One from Huntsville, AL is a pretty good bourbon in the $30 range.
I just got four bottles, 2 bourbon and 2 scotch for my retirement from some friends. So I am in the good stuff for a while.