You learn to associate the flavor with the drug and from there you start to appreciate the intricacies of the flavor. A good bourbon is sweet in the same way bakers chocolate is with a vanillin and other flavors picked up from the wood. Meanwhile a light wheat beer is almost like a bitter bread. Wine is like grape juice but with a lot less sweetness and more depth. And if you really want to get drunk without dealing with bitterness or wine flavors you can always go to mead, which tastes like the honey it once was