Reddit reviews American Bar: The Artistry of Mixing Drinks

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1558598537/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/177-8818945-7483307

Pick up a copy and read the chapters in the back on whiskey. It will give you a non-trivial grounding in how scotch, bourbon, rye, wheated rye and Irish whiskey are made. It will also give you a general introduction to the regions of scotch.

Also, pick up Michael Jackson's (different guy) 2014 scotch guide. It's considered by many to be definitive and comprehensive. The essays at the front will give you an excellent foundation, then, as you try whiskies, add your own notes to the corresponding pages in the book.

Good luck - it's a tall mountain you aim to climb.

I like a New Yorker (from American Bar)

This is from memory, will check my book later.

• 2oz Bourbon (I use Bulleit)
  
  
• 2 lime quarters, squeezed.
  
  
• Dashes grenadine, to taste
  
  Add all ingredients to an old fashioned glass, add ice, stir briefly. Garnish as you please.

Just tried a whiskey sour: 1-1/2 measure bourbon, 3/4 measure lemon juice, 1/4 measure simple syrup and 1 bar spoon of powdered sugar (from "American Bar" - A fantastic bar book, by the way). Very nice. Will try your version now.