Some of it is simply a matter of taste so sample many in order to help you make up your mind.
IMO if you take it on the rocks or neat you might want to be more selective that if you put soda pop in it.
Bourbon is mostly corn and relies on the barrels. I prefer straight to mash.
Lots to choose from and don’t let price be your guide.
Never really have cared for JD....but that is Tennessee stuff.
Canadian is good....smooth and great flavore....Canadian Mist or Crown are goon choices.
I prefer Irish above all...Jameson, Bushmills, Tullamore Dew.
In the end you’ll probably find that spending an extra buck or two for the better stuff is really worth it, but you don’t have to go above $25/bottle to find whiskey you’ll really enjoy.
Do you mean they are preferred by Canadian hockey enforcers?