Bourbons are often described as having notes of cherry or apple, vanilla and shortbread, like the baking soda tang from shortbread. That sounds nice, like a pie.
Or they'll hand you an Irish whiskey with herbal or floral notes. It's pretty.
Then they'll hand you a Scotch and say "This one's really great, it tastes like peat moss, smoke, iodine and leather" and you hesitantly ask if they'd like to go to the hospital.
Definately a wide variety with scotch, tastes and smells with anything from cigar ashtrays, fresh mowed lawn, salty toffee, woody, honey, apples & pears.
Personally i love a sherry cask speyside. Something non-smokey with nice sweeter fruity notes, something to sip with a subtle warmth as it goes down the throat that makes you feel like you have just walked in from a cold evening and taken your coat off to sit in a nice comfy chair by the fire.
Love this as well. There is no shame in being honest that you want something non-smokey, sweet and delicious. Islay scotch for example is IMO for people who are, after years of smoking like chimneys, without tastebuds.