Alcohol is the man’s worst enemy and the bible says love your enemy. Like everything else, alcohol also comes with its pros and cons.
The consumption of alcohol can be both beneficial and harmful depending upon the amount consumed.
The minimum legal drinking age around the world ranges from 10 to 21 years. Alcoholic beverages contain zero calories.
Other than food energy they provide no other essential nutrients. Alcohols are considered to be a depressant. It slows down brain activity.
Alcohol consumption releases dopamine which is associated with satisfaction and pleasure. It also releases a neurotransmitter called GABA which reduces stress.
For all alcohol lovers, understanding the difference between their favorite drinks can be a hard test. This is equally true for rum and whiskey.
Key Takeaways
- Rum is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane byproducts, such as molasses or sugarcane juice, and is aged in oak barrels, primarily in the Caribbean and Latin American countries.
- Whiskey is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash, such as barley, corn, rye, or wheat. It is aged in wooden barrels, with production centered in countries like Scotland, Ireland, and the United States.
- The key difference between rum and whiskey lies in their ingredients and production regions; rum is made from sugarcane byproducts and mainly produced in the Caribbean and Latin America, while whiskey is made from fermented grain mash and primarily produced in Scotland, Ireland, and the US.
Rum vs Whiskey
The difference between rum and whiskey is in their ingredients. The rum is made from sugarcane while the whiskey is made from grains.
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Comparison Table
| Parameter of Comparison | Rum | Whiskey |
|---|---|---|
| Production | Rum is produced by fermentation of sugarcane or sugar molasses | Whiskey is produced by fermentation of different grains |
| Alcohol content | Rum has an alcohol concentration of 40% | Whiskey has an alcohol concentration between 40% – 50% |
| Taste | It is grassy and sweet in taste | It is spicy and smokey in taste |
| Color | Rum is golden in color | The color of whiskey is brown |
| Health benefits | Rum is considered to be good for heart and reduces muscle pain | Whiskey helps in weight loss, digestion and preventing cancer |
| Smell | The smell of rum is fruity, medicinal and glue-like | Whiskey has a coconut and wood aroma |
What is Rum?
Rum is made by fermentation of sugarcane molasses or sugarcane juice followed by the process of distillation. It has derived its name from the Latin word of sugar “Saccharum” as it is made from sugarcane.
It is the oldest spirit in the world and was first originated in the West Indies.
There are different types of rums. They are White Rum, Gold Rum, Dark Rum, Black Rum, Navy Rum, Premium Rum, Vintage Rum, Overproof Rum, Flavoured, and Spiced Rum.
Different types of Rum contain a different amount of alcohol.
Rum is widely produced everywhere but the majority of the world’s rum is produced in Latin America and The Caribbean. The oldest surviving brand of rum is Mount Gay.
August is celebrated as National Rum Month and 16th August is celebrated as National Rum Day. The color of rum depends upon the aging process.
They become darker and richer with time. Some of the most popular cocktails of the world are based around rum including the Pina Colada, the Mojito, and the Daiquiri.
Rum has got many other names including Nelson’s blood, Kill-devil, Demon water, Pirates drink, Navy neaters, Barbados water, Grog, and Rumbullion.
The most expensive rum in the world is owned by Jamaica’s Wray & Nephew.
What is Whiskey?
Whiskey is made from the fermentation of grain mash. Different types of grains are used for
Whiskey has derived its name from a Gaelic word ‘uisge beatha’ which means water of life. The origin of whiskey is both Scotland and Ireland.
There a different type of Whiskey namely, Irish Whiskey, Scotch Whiskey, Japanese Whiskey, Canadian Whiskey, Bourbon Whiskey, Tennessee Whiskey, Rye Whiskey, Blended Whiskey, and Single malt Whiskey.
The biggest producer of whiskey in this world is Scotland. The oldest running brand of whiskey is Bushmills whiskey.
The third Saturday of May is celebrated as World’s Whiskey Day.
The color of the whiskey is brown and it depends upon the time it has spent in the barrel. The oldest whiskey is more than 150 years old.
The most expensive whiskey in the world is Macallan ‘M’ whiskey.
Whiskey is loved by many great personalities namely, Hillary Clinton, Winston Churchill, Thomas Jefferson, Mark Twain, Johnny Depp.
Main Differences Between Rum and Whiskey
- Rum and whiskey differ in their production method. Rum is produced by the fermentation of sugarcane or sugar molasses whereas whiskey is produced by the fermentation of different grains. After fermentation, they both go through the distillation process.
- The amount of alcohol is different in both of them. Rum has an alcohol concentration of around 40% while whiskey has an alcohol concentration between 40% – 50%.
- The taste of rum is grassy and sweet. On the other hand, whiskey is spicy and smokey in taste.
- Rum is golden in color whereas the color of the whiskey is brown.
- Both have their health benefits. Rum is considered to be good for the heart and it also reduces muscle pain while whiskey helps in weight loss, digestion, and preventing cancer.
- The smell of rum is fruity, medicinal, and glue-like while whiskey has a coconut and wood aroma.
- Rum is aged for a short period while whiskey is aged for a much longer period.
- Rum is stored in stainless steel whereas whiskey is stored in wooden barrels.
- Rum is pocket friendly in terms of price while whiskey is generally very expensive.
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
