Scotches come from 4 areas all are smokey but: Highland (floral) Islay (west coast, salty smokey iodiney) Speyside (east coast musky) Lowland (peatey)
common single malts: Glen Livet, Laphroig, Balvenie, Glen Fiddich, (and many more)
good blends (Johnny Walker Black Label, Dewers White Label, Pinch, Bells, and a few others)
most other blends have a distict raw aftertaste of neutral spirits
Like a small batch Bourbon, single malt is pricey because their is only a limited amount per year.
If you like a fine sipping whiskey, single malt is one of them to enjoy (as is also a fine rye and a fine Irish)