Why rum is better than whiskey

Rum is a distilled spirit made from the byproducts of sugarcane, including sugarcane juice or molasses. Rum is a spirit distilled from sugar cane, whereas whiskey is a spirit distilled from fermented grain mash. There is no clear-cut history behind rum, but there are many possibilities as to where it was first produced.

Like most alcoholic beverages, rum is made using fermentation, distillation, and the natural aging process. The color and strength of rum also varies from one brand to the next. During the fermentation process, water and yeast are added to the sugarcane byproduct to break down the sugars. It is the yeast that changes the aroma and taste of various rums. Following the distillation process, rum must be aged for at least one year on a wooden cask to obtain its color. Some commercial companies that produce colorless rum use stainless steel tanks for aging.

Rums are characterized by different variations and grades, including:. Rum that is clear or light in color, is often referred to as white rum. Its flavor is usually very light and is frequently used for mixing other drinks. Rum that is dark in color, including red, brown, or black has been aged for long periods of time in charred wooden barrels. It has a stronger and sweeter taste compared to other rum varieties.

Gold rum is aged in barrels made of white oak. It has a stronger flavor than light rum and appears amber in color. Rum that is dark in color and has added flavoring, including spices like cinnamon, aniseed, and pepper. Rum that is infused with flavors like citrus fruit, banana, or coconut.

Premium rum has been carefully aged and is made of the highest-quality raw materials. It is usually sold at a higher price point and is thought to have more flavor and aroma than other rum varieties. But be forewarned— not all spices are created equal. Lax rum regulations in the States allow the use of artificial sweeteners and additives, the main culprits of crippling hangovers. So, seek out the distilleries proudly avoiding these cost-cutting techniques. As in the ones you find in nature. Nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon are the most conspicuous contributors.

As a corn-based spirit typically noted for its vanilla, caramel, and stone fruit characteristics, bourbon draws obvious comparisons to traditional rum. And so any rum echoing these flavors must have been correspondingly patient in the barrel. Enter Ron Zacapa Centenario X. Long story short, this Guatemalan rum is a blend of juices aged between 6 years and a quarter century, employing a handful of different barrels, including some that formerly stored sherry, bourbon, and Cognac.

A symphony of flavors ensues, everything from orange zest, to dried currants. Most of the rum's attributes, however — particularly the nutty, buttery mouthfeel — are indicative of a well-aged bourbon.

The St. Croix rum spends years in ex-Bourbon barrels, before a finish in separate American oak casks. Butterscotch, baking spice, oak—descriptors commonly reserved for bourbon—are all present in a neat pour, making it a suitable substitute in any number of traditional whiskey drinks. As Dave Pickerell, renowned American whiskey distiller of Hill Rock NY and WhistlePig fame VT recently admitted, "I have been taken recently with the similarities between certain aged rums and whiskey, with regards to classic cocktails.

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. The difference between rum and whiskey is in their ingredients. The rum is made from sugarcane while the whiskey is made from grains. Rum is made by fermentation of sugarcane molasses or sugarcane juice followed by the process of distillation. It is the oldest spirit in the world and was first originated in the West Indies.

How long the spirit is aged will depend on several factors including the type of spirit being produced and the climate where the temperature where the cask is located.

Rum tends to be aged less, often because the distilleries are located in warm environments like the Caribbean. Bourbon See All.

Wild Turkey Rare Breed [ Scotch See All. The Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask Review. Rye See All. Few Rye Whiskey Review. Blog See All. What to Mix With Jim Beam. Richard Hammond. Contents 1 What is Whiskey? Type to search or hit ESC to close. See all results. Remember Me. Sign In.