I've tried absinthe before. I'm not sure if there are different kinds that taste differently, but the absinthe I tried tasted like licorice - not as strong as Jäger, but still noticeably licorice-y. Not my thing.
Served the old fashioned way with sugar and water it's not bad. I'd recommend a chaser though depending on how much water. Taking shots of absinthe is a bad idea
I just realized that bourbon on the rocks is my thing. I had Knob Creek and Bulleit tonight on the rocks, and for me it's way more enjoyable than neat. I appreciate good whiskey cocktails as well, but if i'm going plain gimme them rocks!
drink them enough and you'll definitely go back to neat. I personally dont like watering down my whiskey. I never liked it on the rocks but sometimes i would add like a drop or two of water, but i dont even do that anymore.