Newbie drinker needs to find his go-to drink

[Sober]

While I'm fine with most vodka based shots, I haven't found vodka good in a drink. Vodka7, lime, tonic, pineapple, none of it.

I tried seeing if rum & coke would grow on me, but it really isn't. My problem might be that the bartender is a good friend and he's pouring them extra strong. If you call that a problem.

I think what I'm looking to do is branch out of standard vodka/j&c/etc and try a different liquor altogether. How many of you would recommend gin, and someone else said cognac? Are there many other whiskey drinks worth trying?

Oh, tried a martini, didn't like it. Damn.