You already covered both my recommendations. Both of those were recommended to me by a big whisky drinker and that's as far as I've got with the Japanese variety.
Unfortunately for other recommendations, I'm kind of useless because I've been buying local distilleries for years.
But I just wanted to note how much I appreciate this post and if you had any brands I should try, that you didn't already list, next time I make my way to the store.
Finally, I saw saw that Belfour brand awhile back and, uhh, that Google search lead to a video of him getting arrested for passing out drunk in a hotel hallway. Hope he's doing better now. I've been tempted to buy it just to have the bottle, as I was a huge Belfour fan growing up.
If you're looking for Scotch or Bourbon then I'm your huckleberry. I'm still learning my way around Tequilas after moving to Texas, so I mostly stick to Casamigos there, but Don Julio is pretty good as well.
Scotch:
Talisker 10 - It's on the pricier side for a bottle now but it's definitely worth it if you like a peaty scotch. I'll take this over Laphroaig any day.
Ardbeg 10 - Another solid Isley peaty scotch. Less expensive than the Talisker but of comparable quality. If you ever make a penicillin cocktail*, this is the scotch to use as the float.
Glenlivet 12 - A classic. It's smooth and well balanced. Not too peaty and smokey, not too spicey. It's a good intro level single malt scotch and is at a good price going from $35 to $40.
Balvenie 12 doublewood cask - A little on the sweeter side of scotches but after I tried this in a flight I very seriously debated buying a bottle then and there. I'll probably pick this up in the very near future.
Bourbon:
Buffalo trace - Really versatile. Really smooth, and at a good price point. This one is great for a Without a Trace cocktail** as well.
Basil Hayden Kentucky Straight Bourbon - Incredibly versatile bourbon. Straight, on the rocks, in your favorite cocktail.
Treaty Oak Ghost Hill Texas Bourbon - If you want a bourbon with a good kick but some sweetness, this is the way to go.
Hudson Whiskey Bright Lights Bourbon - I'm not a fan of their other whiskeys but this one feels like they got the recipe just right. The flavor is what I expect from a bourbon.
* Penicillin cocktail
2 oz Dewars White Label (Or another blended scotch that you prefer. Johnny Walker Red is fine for this cocktail. Monkey Shoulder might also do the trick.)
3/4 oz honey syrup (1 part water, 1 part honey, heat and mix)
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice (Not that shit you get at the grocery store in the yellow lemon shaped bottle.)
Put in a shaker with ice, shake thoroughly, pour over ice.
Now the finish...
1/2 oz of a peaty scotch like Ardbeg, Laphroaig or Talisker 10 on top. The trick isn't to just dump it in there and mix it. Pour it in like it's a glaze. Maybe give it that little zigzag pattern over the ice.
Garnish with a lemon wedge and/or a piece of candied ginger.
Anyone who says that scotch isn't meant to be enjoyed any other way but on the rocks or neat needs to try one of these. It'll change their mind.
** Without a trace cocktail
2 oz Buffalo Trace bourbon. (Any Buffalo Trace bourbon will do. Get crazy with a special edition if you like.)
1/2 oz Vanilla infused simple syrup. To make this it's 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Heat it up, mix it, then store it in your fridge. (or use a cheat code and just use Monin vanilla syrup. Whatever.) Increase or decrease the quantity of this syrup as per your liking.
Dash of orange bitters
Mix in a glass with no ice.
Garnish with orange peel.
