The price depends on what type of spirit, therefore the manufacturing process (including time) and what the quality is like.
Smirnoff is made en masse, in Italy. It is cheap to make and does not require time to improve. A half decent brandy takes more care and time to produce something of a decent quality. Lower quality vodka is more drinkable (mixed) than a lower quality brandy, which can be just grim.
Basically, you cannot compare cheap own label vodka with a high quality Scotch. They are a million miles apart in how they are made and with what care.
What is interesting is that Smirnoff is the same proce, more or less and Finlandia, but they are miles apart in terms of quality. I still see people buying Smirnoff all the time and I pity their poor taste.
If you just buy spirits to get drunk, just get the cheapest vodka you can from a reputable source.
