Whisky or Cognac gift recommendation Needed

[jaykayen]

The gift receiver has a nice collection of intro Scotches. He also drinks blended whisky frequently, like Chivas and Jameson.

He likes the Balvenie DoubleWood. Lately, his favorite is Glenlivet French Oak (12 or 15 year designation, I'm not sure.) I found the Glenlivet French Oak to be very much like Cognac, so that is why I'm also looking for a Cognac recommendation, even though he is not a Cognac drinker. I am very familiar with Martell Cordon Bleu, but that is the only one, and I'm not very knowledgeable about the other houses' (cheaper) offerings.

I would like to spend no more than $50.

[DavidT]

This topic has been discussed before. Here is one prior thread on single-malts:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/665252

[DavidT]

Here is another long discussion of single-malts:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/503721

[jaykayen]

I'm kinda waiting for Jason to pop in for some Cognac suggestions. ;)