Half-way through the first page, I got tired of following along. There are awesome drinks in every category. Those that say beer because it's more accessible than wine, or that you simply do not like wine... do you have any idea just how many wines there are? I guarantee there is a wine for EVERYBODY. Wet, dry, sweet, bitter, you name it, there is a wine for that. I've never had any expensive wines, but I tend to go for the sweet, fruity ones. Rose, mostly. Like White Zinfandel. In Australia there is one that I only know by "Brown Brothers". Not expensive, and very tasty. I was convinced I hated red wines... until I had some Roscato. I have 2 bottles of that stuff in my house right now.
Beer? Not usual for me, but when I drink it, it's usually because other things are more expensive (probably where the "accessible" sentiment comes in). I'm a mixed bag with beer though. Most things in a can... I'll pass. Bud or PBR... pass. I can't stand Guinness, but I LOVE Kilkenny. It's pretty hard to find in Japan too. I'll drink Dos Eques, Tiger, Orion (Okinawa), San Miguel, Rolling Rock, New Castle, a Belgium Tripel... this'll get too long if I try to list them all. Depends where I'm at. But Carlsburg is definitely NOT "Australian for beer".
Whiskey? Used to think I hated all things whiskey, until a few months ago. And I'm nearly 47. I was in Korea trying to blow money, playing slots at a casino, but ended up winning. So I decided to walk into a shot bar that had this 14 Year Windsor, and they served a shot with a small can of lemon Ceylon tea. It was heavenly! I've since purchased Johnny Walker Blue Label, because everyone is always talking about it. It's ok, but nothing I would fuss over. "The Yamazaki" (Japanese from Suntori) is better, IMHO. I have a bottle of 12 year Yamazaki on order right now.
My go-to drink in Japan? Sochu. Cheap Jinro is fine by me. Tastes like whatever juice you mix with it. I'm partial to cranberry (or cran-grape), lime, or lemon. And I prefer sours, not Chu-Hi .Chu Hi is carbonated (soda water added), and I find that it's the only way to get a hangover with this stuff. I can burn through nearly an entire bottle in a night, and not be hungover the next day.
Best night cap? Ume shu. Japanese plumb wine. Various types and vintages. My favorite so far is not the most expensive I've had. In fact, it's less than $9 locally when you figure the yen rate. Only English word on it is "Black" and in Japanese, I can make out that it's a brandy-style Ume Shu. Anyway, if I have some of this right before bed (and don't open up YouTube on my iPAD as soon as I lay down), I sleep like a baby.