I've found a cheap single malt that blows away the best blends, get it at Trader Joe's, a chain grocery store here in California. It's called Finlaggin and is a peated malt that tastes a lot like Lagavulin. $18 a bottle. If I could find a sherried malt of similar quality at that price point I'd be a happy guy. I've just not had much luck enjoying blends, as the grain alchohol taste invariably comes forth and distracts. I find it hard to pay Jonnie Walker prices when you can buy simple, unassuming single malts like Glenlivet or Glenmorangie for close to the same price.