Take a spin on the flavor wheel
What is a flavor wheel? It is built to help you narrow down the flavors you are getting from a whiskey. This flavor wheel is designed mainly for Bourbon, as Rye, Irish and Scotch tend to have different flavor profiles.
As you taste your whiskey, start from the inside with the most basic descriptor of the flavor, and work out. It will not be perfect, but will help you dial in on that flavor that you just can’t quite put your finger on!