Not true at all. The flavors are simply incredibly subtle. Try sipping a neat cold shot of, say, 42 Below and one of, say, Grey Goose. If all I had tried (in terms of Premiums) was limited to GG, I might agree with you. But, 42 Below and Iceberg Borealis (to name my two favorites) actually have flavors to them. Really really really subtles ones, I will admit.
It’s kind of like drinking White Tea.
Also, I find that in “clean” drinks (i.e. ones that aren’t overpowered by their own flavor combinations), premiums are worth it. For the first two drinks of the day. After that, well, there is ethanol in there… 
(FTR: “Clean” drinks to me means e.g. Martini’s, ___ & Tonics, ___ & Sodas, and neats.)
I have occasionally wished to be someone else. Never before have I wanted so much to be merely someone else’s shoulder.
?! I like Smirnoff OK, but compared to the upmarket stuff, I do detect a slight additive tang. Maybe it’s the plastic bottle.
I had a shot (OK…several!) of GG the first night I’d ever seen it (I was playing jazz at a charity gourmet event and they were practically pouring the stuff down our throats). My reaction, entirely innocent of the brand name, was: <Red Skelton voice> “…shmmOOOOooooth.”
BTW, I happen to know the Times photographer credited with the bottle-in-the ice shot.
When I’m out, I drink vodka tonics, and I always use well vodka. There isn’t enough difference to justify spending more money, unless you’re after spending money. At home, I stick to Bombay gin with a lime slice, so I can’t help you there.