Why do most people claim that they give more importance to the taste of the alcoholic drink rather then to the alcohol itself?

Because it's true, maybe? If all people cared about was the alcohol itself, then everyone would be fine with straight vodka. That would be the most efficient way of getting drunk, after all, with no taste to get in the way. If all people cared about was the alcohol, then people would drink anything at all as long as it had alcohol in it. Once you start counting people who are not kids any more, you generally find that people have some drinks they just don't like and don't want to drink, even if the drink has alcohol. If I had a choice between brandy and tea, for instance, I'd pick the tea.

I developed a taste for beer and whiskey after drinking it nonstop back in the day just to get drunk. Drinking enough of each desensitized me to the disgusting taste, then I got used to the taste, then I liked the taste, then I tasted different versions and found new ones I really loved. Now I like the taste of almost every single beer I try (from Miller Lite to J.W. Lee's $20/bottle Harvest Ale). I'm still picky about whiskeys however because the cheaper ones are just too harsh for me. But the enjoyment of flavors is real for many, despite the people who just want to brag about their good taste in booze. Booze at my age is still fine to catch a nice buzz occasionally, but for the most part it's just a drink, and I don't drink enough to feel any effects from the alcohol.

If you mean that people choose expensive drinks to show off, then maybe they just like those drinks. The more expensive the alcohol, generally, the better and/or smoother is tastes.

For example, I usually drink screwdrivers, but I always ask for top shelf vodka. It just tastes better.

It's not showing off. I liked the effects of alcohol right away but I have always enjoyed the flavor until I became an alcoholic and just drank it to get high. Just because you don't like the taste doesn't mean everyone else is lying. That is pretty arrogant of you to assume.

The affects are good but it takes a refined palate to distinguish different alcohols. I for one drink scotch. I drink it on the rocks with a orange twist. I do not like to drink anything else. I do like to Have an occasional beer, something crafty. Alchohol in my opinion goes with food the parings can be amazing.

Because they're adults? And have got past the teenager "how many shots to get me drunk?" stage.