The thing you may dislike in Dewars and Johnnie Walker may be that they are a tad peaty and also have some rye.

I would try the following (pricing is around what you can expect at a good discount liquor store):
Balvenie Doublewood (12 years) - about 40 bucks
Glenmorangie Original (10 years) - about 30 bucks
Highland Park (12 years) - about 40 bucks

The highland park has a bit more peat than the others (Glenmorangoe doesn't have much of any, an the Balvenie is very subtle)

A blend you may consider is Chivas Regal (not as peaty as the other blends you've mentioned)

I find the Glenrothes to nose like a tequila (not good times). It has good vanilla rate in the palate but the nose ruins it for me.