Highland Park is one of my favorites. But, you will get a slight bit of peat/smoke every so often. You will notice it starting out. Plus, you won't break the bank with a walk in the Park. I always have a bottle on hand.

Bourbon and Rye have been my drink of choice since the mid 90s. I have lots of bourbon on hand and bottles of rye. I just wanted to try something different. I will never leave bourbon or rye for very long.

A coworker and friend recommended a bottle. I have to say it's really good whisky (notice I left off the 'e'). Very complex a flavor overload compared to bourbon. Touch of smokiness and peat but subtle. Very enjoyable.

I miss sugar

Scotch with little or no peat?

Craganmore
Oban
Balvinnie
Macallan
Glenlivet

Or try some Irish
Redbreast
Green Spot
Yellow Spot (spendy, but worth it)
Writer’s Tears (great bang for the buck)

Or try Ardbeg. You’ll hate it, but after one taste of that peat soaked campfire everything else will taste as light as spring water...

But seriously. Avoid Ardbeg. Or any Islay. That’s where the real peat monsters live.

I'm another one in the Glenlivet camp.

Gator:
All good suggestions here - but before buying a bottle you may not enjoy(poppycock), find an establishment with a fine selection of scotches and taste test your way thru and find what you enjoy!

A Rye I like is the Ranger Creek.
https://drinkrangercreek.com/whiskey/44-rye

Tomatin 12 yr old is mild, no smoke. Talisker Skye has very little smoke.

Not an expert on whisky by no means, but if you want light, no peat, little smoke I'm partial to McClelland's Highland. About $27 a bottle here.

Dalwhinnie 15 is a gentle scotch with light notes of traditional scotch flavor. Very very smooth! Usually around your price max.
It is what I use to introduce good friends who are bourbon or rye drinkers to scotch.