$250 for 3-4 bottles

Only Aberlour I've tried is the A'bundha. Many rave about it; it took me a while to warm up to it (but I got there eventually). Nevertheless, it seems to be more highly regarded than the 16 yo.

The Glenfarclas 15 would seem an excellent choice. Unfortunately, we can't get it here in the States, but I've enjoyed both the 12 and 17 yo's. The 15 is a popular choice in the 'farclas range, and it'd be one I'd be more than willing to buy blind.

I don't know any whisky drinker who doesn't love Lagavulin 16. It's much peatier than any HP, but it's also more dimensional than most peat monsters.

Others I'd suggest for your budget (and you may be able to get four or five of these with $250): Bruichladdich: The Laddie Ten GlenDronach 15 yo Revival Glenmorangie Astar Johnnie Walker Green Label Laphroaig Quarter Cask Talisker 10 yo

Personal choices, of course.

Personally my friend with that price point I'd grab a bottle of the George T Stagg, Thomas H Handy and William L Weller. That's because you lucky buggers can pick those bad boys up stupidely cheap in the US. If American whiskies hold no interest I'd personally go with a lovely sexy Talisker 10 yr old, the Glenfarclas 15 yr old, Aberlour Abunad/Glenmorangie Astarh and Lagavulin 16 yr old.

However if your interested in doing something like exploring the regions of Scotland I'd probably go Auchentoshan Valinch, Glenmorangie Astar, Aberlour Abunadh and Talisker 10 yr old. That way you're getting 3 different whiskies that sit at cask strength if my memory serves me correctly and then the always sexy Talisker!

Purchased today from the local store (couldn't keep my money in my pocket!): Aberlour 16, Glenlivet Nadurra 16, Lagavulin 16, and Longmorn 16. I couldn't decide so I went with a theme "16". Thoughts so far: Aberlour is very fruity and good but a bit flat, Glenlivet is very toffeeish and good, Lagavulin is rather iodine-y but very well balanced, Longmorn 16 is a suprise (picked it completely randomly) and pretty balanced. I would post a pic but I don't know how to here. Thanks for the suggestions!!!

@SquidgyAsh I couldn't find any of those at the local store, I even asked. I will look around and maybe order offline next time because bourbon is the one drink my wife will have straight.

@jandr272 Not too surprised about you not being able to find to Stagg, Handy, Weller, etc. It was a long shot, but they are so good and you guys pay such a stupidly cheap price for them that when I saw the $250 I went those would be the ones I'd go for. Last years Handy and Weller won the top 2 whiskies in the world by Jim Murray and the year before that the Stagg was #2 in the world, I haven't had this years (which odds are will be the only ones you'll be able to put your hands on) but I'm going to be getting them and I'm sure I won't/you won't be disappointed with them! They're worth whatever search you have to do (I'm currently paying $250 AUS which is close to $250 US per bottle, so $80 odd is so cheap it's not funny!)

@jandr272 Good Luck though! I hope you're able to get them!!