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To say it in Latin, de gustibus non est disputandum.
So these notes and preferences are entirely personal. Thank goodness we do not all like the same whiskies or there would be a shortage. No matter what you like, there is a whisky to anyone's taste (if you like whisky at all of course).
The Lowlands generally produce whiskies that are soft and light in taste (e.g. Glenkinchie). Highland whiskies are rich in variety and range from dry to full-bodied to sweet to even slightly smoky (e.g. Glenmorangie, Talisker). Speyside lies in the Highlands, but as it produces about half of all the single malt whiskies, it has a separate label covering sweet and fruity whiskies (e.g. Glenrothes). Campbeltown used to cover dozens of whiskies but now only a few remain; they are slightly peated with notes of salt (e.g. Springbank). And finally Islay, the isle of peat (e.g. Ardbeg).
So if you find
Ardbeg too peaty, you might like a fruitier whisky, or you might enjoy a Lowland whisky for every occasion. De gustibus non est disputandum. Nothing wrong with your palate.
However, there is a golden rule to all single malt whiskies: NEVER EVER MIX ANYTHING WITH A SINGLE MALT EXCEPT FOR PURE WATER! That means, no ice cubes (ice breaks the structure of the whisky, so don't store a bottle in the freezer either), and do not dare to add coke or any other drink. If you want to experiment, please take a blended. Water, on the other hand, can open the subtle flavours and scents locked in the alcohol.
Just for your information:
A blended whisky is a whisky made of both malt and grain whiskies with an average of 60-85% grain whisky. Popular blended whiskies are: Johnnie Walker, J&B, Chival Regal, William Lawson's, The Famous Grouse.
A single malt is a whisky made at one distillery and from malted grain only. Popular examples are: Glenfiddich, Glenmorangie, Glenlivet.
Most whiskies are "chillfiltered", meaning that they have been cooled. The upside is that they will remain pristine at all times. Downside: they lose a bit of their taste. Some whiskies are un-chill filtered or non chill-filtered. Those whiskies are purer and have all of their taste, but can turn cloudy (THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT!).
My personal preference of single malts goes to island whiskies in general, which tend to be slightly to a lot peatier. Island whiskies are usually full-bodied and so close to the sea, you can taste notes of iodine and seaweed.
There are several islands that produce whisky:
Arran - Arran
Jura - Jura
Mull - Tobermory and Ledaig
but momentarily I will confine myself to three islands -
Orkney - Highland Park
Skye - Talisker
Islay 
Ardbeg
Bowmore
Bruichladdich
Bunnahabhain
Caol Ila
Kilchoman
Lagavulin
Laphroaig
