Ironically, I, too, started with Macallan 18. In fact, it was my first real taste of whiskey, save the Wild Turkey I slammed shots of as a teen, man years ago. A customer bought me a glass and I've been bottom-feeding every since to find something almost as smooth, etc. To offer advice on what you might like, it would help to know what I've tried and liked. Here's what I can offer:
- After Macallan 18, while looking for a more economic scotch, I went the other direction, ended up really liking Jack and Coke, or Jack with one cube.
- worked my way through the bourbons, starting with the Bs - Blanton, Basil Hayden, etc., like and kept most of them
- Knob Creek Manhattans are tasty to me. Woodford is nice, but I don't like their reserve, or any of the fancier Jacks.
- Lagavulin, I can barely stand the smell and the glass has never made it to my lips. Probably to peaty for me. Maybe it's fantastic, but I'll never know...
- anything, scotch or bourbon, over 40% alcohol seems too harsh, for me. Because you began with bourbon, you might be able to go higher in %.
- Macallan 12 isn't near as smooth as the 18. It was a gift and I won't buy another.
- Don't really care for any of the Johnnie Walkers
- The Glens are pretty good to me, though I admit I didn't like them until my taste buds built up a bit more "tolerance" to brown liquor. I am anxious to open those, as well as a Glenlivet Nadurra. Something to keep in mind, your taste will likely change as you try more - I know mine did.
So let's get back to scotch specifically:
- My brother tried Dalwhinnie as his first brown liquor and said it was smooth. Its ~ $60, so not too expensive to try and most bars have it. He's mostly a wine guy
- I don't hear many folks talk about Aberlour, but I really like it. Here again though, I didn't like the fancier versions. I like the Aberlour 12. Again, ~ $60.
- I'm not against spending $100 or more, but haven't had to yet. Customers have given me Glenlivet 18, Glenfiddich 18, etc. I would like to find a really nice, special occasion scotch. Macallan 18 might still be that, or perhaps it lies within those Glens. When I discovered it, it was $175 a bottle. 2 weeks later, I got around to treating myself to a bottle and it was $225. I just couldn't justify that jump and it soured me a bit on the brand. I'm sure there could be legit reasons for the jump, but I just couldn't get there.
Good luck and most of all, enjoy the search. It shouldn't be a task