I also started as a whiskey hater via JD, Wild Turkey, and Southern Comfort in High School, all drunk under peer pressure via shots or the bottle. It wasn't until my late 30's that I started to appreciate whiskey again. First through Maker's Mark, then moving to ryes via Old Overholt (both generally drunk in things like Old Fashioneds versus straight), to my current appreciation of fine (and sometimes inexpensive) whiskies.
I'm a big rye guy but also drink bourbon, and in the last ten years have also come to appreciate smokey, smokey, Islay scotch (thanks Ron Swanson!). People think I'm paid off by them, but I absolutely love most High West whiskies. Campfire is probably my favorite - a blend of rye, bourbon, and scotch. For people who want to experiment with high quality whiskey, I always recommend High West double rye. It compares with many $80-$100 bottles of whiskey I've had (and is often better), but can often be found for $30/bottle. It's my favorite for having along with my steak on Sundays.
But yeah, GOOD whiskey, sipped (straight up, rocks, a little water, whatever floats your boat) is a whole nother world compared to grocery store whiskey that you shoot down your throat.