Yes meander is the correct word, and now that you have used it, I realise this is the case with me too. For me the motivations have been different. There was a phase when I was watching too many Cowboy westerns and the actors knocking back tequila from shot glasses got me into it. The exotic taste appealed to me and I started keeping a bottle at home. Pirate movies and books got me (re)-interested in Rum, which I had dumped because the local Old Monk we get in India can be too strong for the palette. Now in middle age I have reacquired the taste for Old Monk and home grown Gin, partly because of their constant nostalgia content that social media throws at you. As you will note, I am a sitting duck for marketing companies
Marketing bloody smarketing, I think we all get marketed more then we tend to realise.
Tequila and cowboy movies is a strange association, I thought it was usually whiskey. I suppose when Mexicans come into the roles, Tequila does get a mention. I started drinking in early 20's, never been one to fall for peer pressure. I had a little question in my mind that besides water, every culture on earth has it's own version of a liquid intoxicant, why and what is it? So I had to find out before dying, and went with whiskey, it's been an interesting journey. But nothing to shout about lol
Although, amongst my memorable moments, I was going on a holiday, alone, and at the airport I had ordered a triple Whiskey, and as soon as it was poured, my flight was called. I like getting a seat of my choice, it doesn't have to be good, as long as I choose it, so I had to rush, I grabbed my glass and took it in one go, a guy who was sitting at the bar had a shock of his life I think because he had a weird expression on his face, and continued to peer at me with an intense gaze, expecting got see the result I think lol
I actually only tried Rum few years ago, very late in life, but dark rum really is a treat, again neat only.
But, yeah middle age does strange things to the body and your taste buds, enjoy it while it lasts, soon you'll be entering the stick age, I've already reserve my dads old stick, no kidding lol