You've been told wrong. I don't like scotch, but at least I tried it & decided for myself.
Try a premium bourbon like 12 yo Elijah Craig straight over chipped ice. NO water. It is a sipping bourbon. If you don't like that, you don't like bourbon.
On our birthdays, my cousin and I indulge in a nice bottle of bourbon. Bookers, Bakers and Woodford to name a few, but my cousin used to drink Jack Daniels exclusively. I have turned him onto cheap bourbon that is tons better than Jack D. Evan Williams and Heaven Hill black label is stronger smoother and better tasting than Jack. Heaven Hill white label is comparable to Jim Beam white label.