In case you’ve ever wondered what is the difference between your top choice of bottled spirits, you’re not alone. Whereas consumers regularly have their preference when it comes to liquor. Numerous people don't know what differentiates from one to another. Let’s take a look at your top choice bottled spirits and how they differ.

What is Rum?

Rum is a refined spirit made from the by-products of sugarcane, including sugarcane juice or molasses. There's no clear-cut history behind rum, but there are numerous possibilities as to where it was first created. Today’s rum fundamentally comes from Latin America and the Caribbean islands, where it is believed manor slaves first found that molasses might be fermented into liquor. Rum also makes one of the more versatile spirits. It was among the first liquors to be mixed into drinks. There are some excellent classic rum cocktails to choose from.

• Distilled From: Rum is distilled from some form of sugar. Molassesis very common, and some rum uses pure sugar cane.
• Flavour Profile: Rum has a sweet toasted sugar taste that varies by style and region.
• Aged: Light rum is typically not aged, and other rums are often aged in oak barrels to some extent. Due to climate, aging times vary greatly; warm climate rum requires less barrel time than rum from colder climates. Rum is also often blended.
• Produced In: The Caribbean and South America are best known for rum production, though it is made worldwide.
• Styles: Light Rum, Gold Rum, Dark Rum, Over-Proof Rum, Spiced Rum, Cachaça, Flavoured Rum
• Alcohol Content: Typically 40 percent ABV (80 proof). Overproof rums can reach 75 percent ABV (150 proof).
• Regulations: There are no distinct worldwide regulations, but some rums must adhere to regional laws and traditions. 

WHAT IS VODKA?

Vodka could be a distilled spirit that starts with water, yeast, and aged grains. Vodka grains may include Corn, Rye, Wheat Rice, and Sorghum. Moreover, Vodka can be made from potatoes or fruit. Vodka was first produced in medieval times and used as a medicine. It originated in Poland and became popular in Russia in the 1700s. Vodka was introduced to the United States in the 1940s. Today, many of the finest vodkas are produced in Eastern Europe. 

Vodka is a colourless spirit, sometimes infused with fruity additives for additional flavour. Grain-based vodka offers a light, crisp taste, while potato-based vodkas are said to have a fuller, heavier feel on the palate.

The Process

• Distilled From: Vodka can be distilled from almost anything, and it can be a catch-all category for white spirits that don't fit elsewhere. Neutral grains (rye, corn, wheat, etc.) and potatoes are the most common, though some vodkas are distilled from beets, grapes, and other bases.
• Flavour Profile: Vodka has a neutral alcohol/ethanol taste. This can varies greatly depending on the distillate base and added flavourings. Quite often, vodka is distinguished more by texture: oily vs. medicinal.
• Aged: Vodka is rarely aged.
• Produced In: Vodka is made everywhere and is traditionally known as a spirit from Russia and Poland.
• Styles: The base typically distinguishes clear vodka it was distilled from and/or the region it was produced. Flavoured vodkas are a popular category.
• Alcohol Content: Typically 40 to 50 ABV (80 to 100 proof)
• Regulations: Vodka is open to interpretation, and there are no regulations on its production.

WHAT IS WHISKEY?

Whisky is a distilled beverage made from a fermented grain mash that may include Barley or malted barley, Rye or malted rye, Wheat and Corn.

It is believed that whiskey has origins with the Greeks as far back as the third century, when spirits were distilled to make fragrances. It was in Italy in the thirteenth century when whiskey was first distilled as a drinking alcohol and medicine. It became an extremely popular drink in Scotland soon after. 

Whiskey is categorized in several ways, primary as a grain whiskey or a malt whiskey. Malting occurs when a grain is first germinated before it is fermented. 

Other whiskey classifications include:

Single malt: a whiskey made from a single type of grain and a single distillery

Blended malt: a mix of different whiskeys from multiple distilleries

Blended: a mixture of malt and grain whiskeys with added spirits, colours, and flavouring

Single cask: the bottle of whiskey is aged in an individual cask 

Cask strength: whiskeys that are bottled without dilution directly from the cask

Whiskey’s flavour and aroma depends on where the product was made and how it was aged. Whiskey’s varied taste is primarily based on the type of raw materials used and its quality. 

The Process

• Distilled From: Whiskey is distilled from malted grains. It varies by style, but corn, rye, wheat, and barley are common. Many whiskies use a combination of a few grains in the mash bill.
• Flavour Profile: Roasted, malted grain with oak undertones should be expected in any whiskey. There are also distinct characteristics in each style.
• Aged: Whiskey is typically aged in charred oak. Some styles, such as bourbon, require new barrels while others use a mixture of new and previously used whiskey or wine barrels. Moonshine (also called white dog) is the primary exception to aging. Some whiskeys are blended, while others are single malts.
• Produced In: Whiskey is produced throughout the world, and the various styles are often defined by the country or region in which they're produced
• Styles: Bourbon,Canadian Whisky, Irish Whiskey, Japanese Whisky, Rye Whiskey, Scotch Whisky, Tennessee Whiskey, Blended Whiskey, Flavoured Whiskey
• Alcohol Content: Typically 40 to 50 percent ABV (80 to 100 proof) or higher
• Regulations: Most whiskey styles have their own distinct regulations governed by the country of origin. Those simply labelled "whiskey" or "blended whiskey" generally do not fall into a regulated category.

Spirits in Summary

Every spirit has a origin story and method behind its manufacture. But all we want is to have our favourite drinks!