Every bourbon drinker knows that bourbon has a distinct taste that is unlike malt whiskies, wherever they originate. In general, I think that most non bourbon drinkers, or novice bourbon drinker, who object to its taste do so because of its bite. Can you defend bourbon's bite, or do you find it off putting too?
To start things off, allow me to say that I find that spicy bite an important marker for bourbon. Even Wheat bourbons, which have less bite than rye bourbons, still have some 'spice' to them that is lacking in other spirits. For some people the 'spice' assaults the palate while for others (include me among them), it sharpens the palate, bringing it to full alertness.
Bourbon is not delicate and was never intended to be. Is this a good thing? Is it, as I happen to think, something that could have only come from America in that it is reflective of the ruggedness of the American character.