Whisky vs Rum vs Brandy

Whisky vs Rum

Historically, whisky was considered more exquisite and a rich man's drink from rich European countries. 

And rum was Caribbean and drank by blue collar. 

Still in terms of cost whiskey brands are higher in price due to the well controlled and exquisite way of making.

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This is a matter of personal choice.  Both have their adherents.  Whisky is currently in vogue so will earn you more social brownie points.  Dark rum is a much underrated spirit except in certain parts of the Caribbean (where most of it is made) and some places that had a naval tradition.


https://www.quora.com/Which-is-better-rum-or-whiskey-and-why

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Brandy 

Brandy has fallen out of fashion in many places, though some of the expensive versions I'm sure you've heard of. For example, Cognac is a type of brandy, and is mentioned in quite a number of popular songs.


There are places where 'normal' brandy is still popular, like South Africa. It's just not in fashion everywhere.

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No expert, but from working at a liquor store, the main difference is that brandy is distilled wine/fruit and whiskey is distilled grain.

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"Better version" of brandy is called cognac. It's brandy made in the Cognac area of France, just like champagne is just "better version" of sparkling wine made in Champagne region of France.

Also I assume you are from the US. Brandy and Cognac are made from grapes, and Europe has a long history of grape based spirits, so these drinks are more common in Europe. 

The US on the other hand gives more weight on bourbon whiskeys (like Jack Daniels and Jim Beam) which are made from corn, so bourbons are much integral part of American spirits culture than brandy and cognac.

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It's just personal taste. I would much rather drink brandy than whisky, I find whisky makes me a bitter drunk, whereas brandy makes your stomach warm, and I get in a really good, laughing mood. Maybe it's to do with the ol' "brandy makes you randy". Which is not untrue, but, you know, alcohol in general has that effect. I found people thought it was weird when I drunk brandy at parties, it has connotations of being a classy drink that people drink alone in their armchairs by a fireplace. This might contribute to it's lower sales volumes. It's possible your store also stocked Congac (Kon- Yak), which is also just brandy, but from a particular region and using a particular grape (like champagne).


https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3k74hm/eli5_why_is_the_alcoholic_beverage_brandy_so/

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“Whatever was the available agricultural surplus became the main source for alcohol. Barley was the main crop in Scotland, rye and corn in Americas and cane in Asia,” says Vikram Achanta, a sommelier who founded talleeho.com.

https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/the-rs-41000-crore-trick-called-imfl/298501