Cut water tastes terrible. Is malt liquor superior in some cases to “real vodka”?

I bought the Mai tai and Long Island iced tea two nights ago, both were awful to me. They taste extremely cheap like MD 20/20 or Burnettes vodka. Considering popularity and price I am suprised how gross they are. Saccharine and bitter.

I was surprised to see that all of the varieties are made with real spirits and not malt liquor like white claws. However I think white claws taste better, a lot less bitter and chemically.

Is it possible for there to be a high quality malt and low quality vodka where malt liquor is going to taste better than the bottom of the barrel spirit?