dont go highlands, stick with speyside malts.
or if you really want something different a Japanese whiskey as they are heavily influenced by speysides.
$80-$150 region will run you:
Jap: Hashuku 12, Yamazaki 12, Hibiki 12 or 17, Nikka 12 and maybe a nikka 17 blended.
Scotch: Anything from a major distilliery with "Glen" in the name from 12-21 years really.
so, Glenmorangie, Glenfiddich, Glenfarclas, Glenlivet.