I know I’ll take a beating for this but: Try Dewar’s.
It’s inexpensive, fairly smooth, and I happen to enjoy the taste. It makes for a nice “everyday” scotch, and a sort of template from which you can branch out and try various single malts (of which I prefer the Glenlivet).
Sure, I’m a cretin, a lowlife, and a blasphemer, but I like the stuff.
Well, you may be right on all three, but I keep a bottle of Dewar’s 12 around for those of our guests who don’t have the tastebuds for a decent single. It’s a “not all that bad” blend that won’t break your wallet.
I suppose it depends on your definition of “good,” but plenty of tasty single malts are available in the $50 price range. The Macallan 12 is about $50; Ardbeg 10 is about the same; Glenlivet 15-year French Oak Reserve, too, as is Laphroaig 10, Bowmore 12, etc. Jura 10-year is $40. (And I personally think the standard Glenlivet 12, although a bit sweet and thin for my palate now, is “good”, and only $30.) My very favorite single malt is Ardbeg Uigeadail Cask Strength, and that only barely hits the low-end of your range at $70. No, scotch is not a cheap hobby, but you don’t have to spending a hundred bucks a bottle to get good single malts.
And around here it’s also very affordable. One of my favorites, but I’m not a big scotch drinker.
Oops thanks for correction smarty. Auto complete on my tablet is the real culprit.
And Scots is never spelled “Scotch.” 
Just checking in to say I came home with my third scotch tonight, a bottle of Dalwhinnie 15. I added that to the Glenlivet 12 and Macallan 12 I already have.
I was invited out for dinner last night and had a Macallan 18 as well. I liked it, but I’d like to have it in a side by side with the 12. I also lost fully one half my glass down my shirt when my elbow was bumped. Hilarious, actually. Not one drop on top of my clothing, it all went down the cleavage.
I will continue to revisit this thread and the suggestions within, as this is going to be a process.
On my palate there’s Scotch and there’s every other kind of whisky.
Scotch is “smokey” or “peaty.” Other kinds of whiskey can be, but usually aren’t
From here on out, it comes down to personal taste, and I don’t care for Scotch.