When it comes to liquor, there are lots of different options to choose from. You have rum, which can be clear or dark, or sometimes in between, which has a sweet taste. It's perfect for mixing in Piña Coladas, soda, and other mixed drinks.
On the other hand, you have whiskey, which you can think of as a liquor that's a bit more rough around the edges. It has a spicy flavor profile that's bound to nip you in the lips if you’re not expecting it.
This article covers the intricacies of both types of liquor. We cover the alcoholic content, how they're made, and why you should consider trying them.
Rum vs Whiskey: The Main Facts
Rum and whiskey are different types of liquor, so they're made differently and include different ingredients, so it's important to cover each type. Rum is made with fermented sugarcane, juice, or sometimes even molasses, while whiskey is made with grains and malted grains including corn, barley, rye, and wheat.
Depending on the choice of grain, whiskey can have a distinct flavor. For example, rye whiskey is known for being one of the more spicy whiskey options. Rum, on the other hand, varies in flavor depending on how it's aged. Sometimes, it's aged in oak barrels that give it a hint of spice, which is how it gets a darker color.
When it comes to the flavor, you'll find that rum and whiskey tend to be different if you’re sipping white rum and your average whiskey. Lighter rums taste more like clear liquor but with a bit more sweetness.
On the other hand, whiskey tends to have more spices and hints of things like vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon. The only time that rum and whiskey will taste similar is if you pair dark rum with traditional whiskey. Dark rum has more spices mixed in, so they should taste pretty similar.
What Is the Alcohol Content of Rum and Whiskey?
The alcohol content of rum and whiskey varies depending on the specific type of liquor. You can expect most types of rum to fall between 40 and 80 percent alcohol by volume (ABV).
Whiskey tends to have an ABV between 40 and 50 percent. Factors like how long whiskey is aged, if it's a blend, and whether or not its cask strength also determines its ABV.
What Are Rum and Whiskey Made From?
The biggest difference between rum and whiskey is how they're made. Rum is made from fermented sugarcane, juice, or molasses. Then, it's mixed with yeast and water to create alcohol. From there, the process varies based on the type of rum.
Clear rum is aged for a minimal amount of time, but dark rum requires oak barrels to age the liquor, which is what gives it a dark color.
Whiskey, on the other hand, is made with different types of grain. Depending on the type of whiskey, the grain and mash bill will vary. Most types of whiskey are made with barley, wheat, corn, and rye.
What Are the Primary Ingredients of Rum and Whiskey?
The primary ingredient of rum is sugarcane, which is used to create the molasses that is used for rum.
For whiskey, the primary ingredient depends on the type of whiskey. The amount of grains in each mash bill is what determines the type of whiskey you’re working with. For example, bourbon whiskey needs to have a mash bill that contains 51% corn, and the rest of the mash can be other types of grains.
Other types of whiskey, like scotch whiskey, have different requirements, like needing to be 100% malted barley for a single-malt scotch.
How Rum and Whiskey Are Made
Rum and whiskey are made in similar ways but with different ingredients, so it's important to cover the unique differences between the two.
For rum, it's made by chopping up sugarcane into short stalks and mashing it up to create molasses, which is a thick syrup-like substance. Then, yeast and water are added to ferment the molasses. The result is clear rum, which can be aged in oak barrels to make it darker.
Some rum options, like spiced rum, may have additional additives to give them that spice.
Whiskey is made in a similar way but with grains. First, grains are steeped in water and then they're spread out to germinate, but before anything grows, heat is added and the process is stopped.
From there, the mash is malt grounded into flour, mixed with more water, and cooked to change the starch into sugar. Then, the mash is mixed with yeast for fermentation and the distillation process can begin. Aging and bottling are the next steps.
How Are Rum and Whiskey Distilled or Filtered?
Rum and whiskey are both fermented and distilled. While the ingredients are different, the process is very similar once the mash used for alcohol is created. To distill rum or whiskey, the mash is heated and vaporized
Once the distillation process is complete, water may be added to dilute the mixture, or it will go straight to barrels for aging.
Can You Make Rum or Whiskey Yourself?
Yes, you can make rum and whiskey yourself. That said, you probably shouldn't unless you have the proper equipment and the space to do so. You'll need a distilling tool, plenty of grains, and enough space to create molasses or a mash bill for your whiskey.
State laws may also prevent you from making rum or whiskey in your home, so keep that in mind before you start experimenting.
For these reasons, we always recommend getting your rum or whiskey from a reputable supplier like SpeakeasyCo.
Rum vs Whiskey: You Decide
