Glengoyne 10 Year Single Malt Scotch is a fine beginners’ single malt, and within my budget to boot.
Oops, this thread is about American Whiskeys. Sorry.
I’m fine with Jim Beam.
I enjoy single malts, too. My favorite is Highland Park 15-Year Old they call Viking Heart. And, a nice Glenlivet Founders Reserve is pretty tasty, too.
My favorite blended scotch is probably the Double Black Johnnie Walker, but I keep a Johnnie Blue around for special occasions, also.