Let's Talk About Alkeehawl

I get it, I had a very bad experience as a teen with a fifth of Jack, should have had it pumped out and was drunk for days. Even 20+ years later just the smell of Jack makes me want to vomet. So for a long time I would only drink rum, vodka or tequila. Mainly Ketel One, Goose, Monopovola, or Tito’s and tonic with lime or margaritas, once in a while tequila shots and beer or rum and cokes. I went to the Kentucky Derby and the chefs were drinking Woodford and gingers, as much as Jack grosses me out, I tried one and damn it was good. What I’ve since learned since my jack days is that the mainstream bourbons / whiskey like Makers, Beam, Jack are crap compared to a small hand crafted bourbon that’s not just brown colored fire in a bottle.
So for bourbons, I’d try George Dickel, Woodford, Gentleman Jack, Blanton’s, and others in the 25-50 a bottle range.
Tequila, same thing, the 25-50 a bottle range, I really like El Mayor tequila, and is in the 20’s range. Already listed smooth vodkas above that are not rubbing alcohol. As for rum best bang for the buck for a spiced rum is Mt Gay Eclipse.