Looking for recommendations for smoky, peaty scotch. Would like to keep it around $50 but willing to go up to $100. 

Islay is the term you’re looking for. It’s a region specifically and there are a half dozen distilleries in the region. They all have a pretty consistent peat intensity. Each has its own taste and you have to try a bunch to find what you like.  Laphroaig, lagavulin, ardbeg are all three brands to start from. Ledaig is another less available one as is port askaig.  All of the main 8-12 year old versions of these scotches will be in that range. They will all have strong peat in one way or another and then some interesting other flavors. these are all of the campfire type scotches. 
 

If you want a cleaner peat with more interesting things, bowmore is a lot more complex with a strong peat backbone. There are also other highland distilleries that have a lot of peat but also a lot more malt and barrel flavor. 
 

do you have one that you know you like already?

 

21 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

Islay is the term you’re looking for. It’s a region specifically and there are a half dozen distilleries in the region. They all have a pretty consistent peat intensity. Each has its own taste and you have to try a bunch to find what you like.  Laphroaig, lagavulin, ardbeg are all three brands to start from. Ledaig is another less available one as is port askaig.  All of the main 8-12 year old versions of these scotches will be in that range. They will all have strong peat in one way or another and then some interesting other flavors. these are all of the campfire type scotches. 
 

If you want a cleaner peat with more interesting things, bowmore is a lot more complex with a strong peat backbone. There are also other highland distilleries that have a lot of peat but also a lot more malt and barrel flavor. 
 

do you have one that you know you like already?

 

I picked up a bottle of Ardbeg An Oa a while back and like it, but honestly I'm looking for something more challenging. Its the only Islay I've had and while its smoky its also not that powerful to me, its actually got alot of sweetness in the back end. I'm looking for heavy smoke, medicinal and iodine notes.

Laphroig is probably a good one for you to start with that’s findable. 

Highland Park is another that’s widely available 

1 hour ago, DitchPanda said:

I picked up a bottle of Ardbeg An Oa a while back and like it, but honestly I'm looking for something more challenging. Its the only Islay I've had and while its smoky its also not that powerful to me, its actually got alot of sweetness in the back end. I'm looking for heavy smoke, medicinal and iodine notes.

 

volfan is right. If you haven’t had laphroaig then that’s the next one to go for. Quarter cask is a good choice if you can get it. 

 

14 minutes ago, VolFan said:

Laphroig is probably a good one for you to start with that’s findable. 

 

 

7 minutes ago, GReb said:

Highland Park is another that’s widely available 

this would be one of the highland distilleries I was referring to above in my original post. They use plenty of peat but they also have a strong malt flavor and often plenty of barrel of some type. 

Most decent bars will have Laphroig if you want to try a pour before buying a bottle. 

Laphroaig 10 Sherry Finish - classic peated scotch forepalate with a softer sweet finish, this is a good starter in a peated scotch voyage

Ardbeg Corryvreckan - quintessential peated scotch at cask strength

Lagavulin 16 - Aahhhh, my favorite for under $100, a smooth, heavy body Islay that coats the palate and lingers in the finish.

 

All of these are under $100 MSRP, but actual pricing in your local store may vary unfortunately.

 

16 hours ago, Junger said:

Laphroaig 10 Sherry Finish - classic peated scotch forepalate with a softer sweet finish, this is a good starter in a peated scotch voyage

Ardbeg Corryvreckan - quintessential peated scotch at cask strength

Lagavulin 16 - Aahhhh, my favorite for under $100, a smooth, heavy body Islay that coats the palate and lingers in the finish.

 

All of these are under $100 MSRP, but actual pricing in your local store may vary unfortunately.

 

I've been looking long and hard at lagavulin 16

Get yourself some Jack Black and siphon it thru some mud