^^^
1. that's what I always thought.
2. that's why I don't drink vodka. What's the point?

Vodka:
Colourless distilled liquor of neutral spirits usually made from a grain mash (generally rye or wheat). Potato vodka originated in Russia in the 14th century. Today most vodka is distilled from cereal grains. It is highly neutral, most flavouring substances having been eliminated during distillation and filtration, the latter process employing charcoal purifiers. Distilled water is usually added before bottling in order to lower alcohol content to 40–43% by volume (80–86 proof). Vodka is not aged. It is traditionally consumed unmixed and chilled, in small glasses; in the U.S. and elsewhere, it is often used in mixed drinks.

ie- no taste or flavor, one brand is as good as any other.

I have never really been able to tell the difference between expensive and cheap vodka, especially if it is mixed with something. What are the differences?

vodka - Grey Goose is good and reasonable price IMO

I would never get wine or beer in MoCo if you can avoid it, but for liquor the MoCo stores are usually cheaper, and often very much cheaper, than DC.

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DLC/Resources/Files/retail/monthly.pdf

Tanqueray for $17 bucks? Bulleit for $17.50? Mccallan 12 year for $48?

I challenge you to do better in DC or VA.

Bassin's on MacArthur Boulevard is also very good for wine but I'm not sure if they have liquor.

There are a million answers to this and opinions will vary. For one-stop shopping, I would go to a reliable beverage store and ask for recommendations; they'd be thrilled to help you. In DC, I'd go to Schneider's (Capitol Hill), Ace Beverage (Foxhall), Calvert Woodley (Van Ness), Cleveland Park Wine & Liquor or One West Dupont Wine & Liquor (Dupont Circle), or Paul's or Rodman's (Friendship Heights). In Virginia, I'd go to Total Beverage for the wine, but for the liquor you have to go to the ABC store. In Maryland, I'd go to DC. If you'd rather strike out on your own, I'd go to Costco DC--they have a good selection of very good quality stuff and you will save a bunch o'money. (Costco DC has beer, wine, and liquor. Costco VA only has beer and wine, and Costco MD has no alcohol.)

Here are my thoughts:
Bourbon: go with the Maker's, since your Dad requested it. That's a good mid-level bourbon. My other favorite mid-level is Elijah Craig, because it's really versatile. Not too hot, not too sweet, right in the groove and good for cocktails. For the good stuff, Knob Creek, Blanton's, or Booker's.
Rye: Here's a good splurge: The Pigwhistle. 10 years old, from Shoreham, VT, has won a ton of awards. Great stuff.
Blended Scotch: Johnnie Walker Blue Label is a waste. It's for status-chasers. For a mid-level blend, go with their Green or Gold Label.
Single Malt Scotch: For a good mid-level, Macallan 12 year old. For a little more of a splurge, Lagavulin 16 year old, or PP's Balvenie Doublewood is a good call. For a serious splurge, Macallan 18 or older.
Irish Whisky: go with Jameson's since your Dad asked. But there are also single malt Irish whiskies out there. Red Breast is the one I know. But a good shop will have better recommendations.
Vodka: I'm not a vodka drinker. But I hear Tito's is good.
Gin: For the good mid-level stuff, Tanqueray, Hendrick's, or Sapphire. For the serious splurge, ask at the shop. I like Junipero, one of the first craft gins, but certainly not the latest, greatest, or highest-end. One I really do like for sipping neat, though, is Ransom. It's gin that was aged in Scotch whisky casks--amber in color, with notes of Scotch on the gin.
Rum--ask at the shop. Craft rum was the big new thing a couple of years ago. I haven't learned about it yet, other than the good ones are spelled "Rhum."

Wine:
So many options, so many price levels, and you're never going to get any kind of agreement here. I'll just mention a couple of personal favorites, though--for chardonnay, I think you'd do really well with something from Grgich Hills or Cakebread (or, at a more modest price point, Sonoma Cutrer). I'd be really happy if you had zinfandel from Turley (this would be a high-end and festive choice) or Ridge. For Malbec, Catena is good. Instead of a California Merlot, ask the wine shop to recommend a good St. Emilion (merlot from the right bank of Bordeaux). For a crisp refreshing white, ask the shop to recommend something from the Loire Valley (Sancerre for sauvignon blanc, Vouvray for chenin blanc).

FYI - Montgomery County Liquor usually has the lowest prices on Tito's vodka.

1L is $23.29 but often goes on special.