Rum Versus Other Spirits

Posted by seaspirits on September 10th, 2019

Know your spirits

And how different is Rum when compared to other spirits

Ever wondered what really goes into making your favourite alcohol? 

Or what’s your first response when the bartender asks you “What will you have?” Is the answer a confident reply or an easy “What do you recommend?”

Honestly, most folks opt for the easy combo of rum and coke, or vodka and soda. But not many know what’s similar between the different types of spirits and how they differ.

So, let’s sit back and build knowledge that’ll lend you confidence the next time you order for yourself or for your guests when you entertain them at home for a night of cocktails and fun. The difference between rum and other spirits like vodka, whiskey are many. Let’s have a quick run through a few of them.

Rum or Vodka?

Can you confidently tell the difference between white rum and vodka? 

Basically, the ingredients that go into making the spirit will impact the flavours and taste. When it comes to Rum, the main ingredient is molasses or sugarcane. Vodka, on the other hand, is made from potatoes or grains. Vodka, because of the simple ingredients doesn’t have an overwhelming flavour and hence is infused with herbs or fruit to enhance the flavour.

Rum typically goes through the fermentation, distillation and ageing process. The strong colour of rum comes from its ageing process. In fact, the ageing of rum in oak barrels, adds better flavours as the compounds from the barrel seep into the rum. Vodka too is fermented and distilled. But since there is no ageing process the clear colour and bland taste is what we get. 

For any alcohol lover, the taste is the most important factor in deciding the drink. Well, each spirit has its own subtle tastes, colours, not so subtle taste and some do have strong colours. 

Rum, with its main ingredient being molasses or sugarcane, is definitely sweet; there are few brands or varieties of rum that are lighter. With a plethora of flavours, one can play around with the taste of rum, yet there will a slight tinge of sweetness.

Quite obviously, vodka tastes different. Vodka is strong and has a very little flavour to talk of. Vodka is a colourless spirit, sometimes infused with fruity additives for additional flavour. A reason why vodka is most often used in cocktails is it gives you the highs of a spirit with a good blend and taste of added flavours. Grain-based vodka offers a light taste, while potato-based vodkas feel heavier.

Rum or Whiskey?

We all know how Rum is made. And whiskey is a spirit made from fermented grain mash. Whiskey is primarily characterized as a grain whiskey or a malt whiskey. Malting occurs when the grain is first germinated before it is fermented. Whiskey is set to age in charred wooden barrels, which gives it the golden colour. Whiskey’s flavour and aroma depend on the ingredients used and how the ageing has been done.

Rum and whiskey are alcoholic beverages with markedly dissimilar tastes and qualities. While both of these are subjected to fermentation, distillation and ageing, rum gets its flavour from double distillation and storage in oak casks. Similarly, when it comes to taste, whiskey is mostly aromatic, with the remnants of the barrel in which it has been set to age. Rum, as you all know, is rich and spicy with a tinge of sweetness.

There are a number of flavours that both rum and whiskey boast of and the taste and finish depends on the age and the ingredients it is made up of.

The alcohol content of rums and whiskeys can vary greatly. Whiskey generally has a 40% alcoholic content but can go up to 60%. Rum, on the other hand, has an alcohol content of around 40%.

Watch out for their health benefits

Remember, alcohol in any form, can give you the understood health benefits only when consumed in little or moderate quantities. Both rum and whiskey help reduce anxiety, keep the body warm and also strengthen the immune system.

Taken in little measure or prescribed measure, Whiskey is said to help in regulating the body’s glucose levels. Similarly, rum helps to increase the mineral density of bones, alleviating arthritis when taken in small measures. 

It is also known that Whiskey is lower in calories than rum. While Rum is usually mixed with other drinks, such as coke or ginger ale, whiskey is often enjoyed alone. 

So, what’s your choice?

When it comes to choosing an alcoholic beverage, it depends on personal tastes acquired over a period of time, the openness to try new drinks or simply a personal taste.

Vodka, rum and whiskey come in a large range of flavours, so try them to find one that suits your preference! In any case, with the little brief about the beverages, you can now walk up to the bar like a pro while you order your drink or blend in the perfect cocktail for your guests with ease.

SeaSpirits Distillery in Woodinville, Washington is a go-to place to find some of the world’s best rum. SeaSpirits produces only the finest quality of rum. SeaSpirits makes great-tasting rum with the best quality ingredients, state-of-the-art equipment, coupled with the perfect distillation process. Some of their better-known rums are Silver Rum, Spiced Rum, Coconut Rum, and Barrel-Aged Rum. SeaSpirits uses only the highest quality yeast and nutrients when brewing their rum wash from cane sugar. This results in incredibly fine and tasty rums.

Visit SeaSpirits’ Tasting Room in Woodinville and you can experience it yourself…

Try a flavorful rum cocktail at SeaSpirits Distillery and refresh yourself with the best blends to please your palate!

For more information on how you can sample or order our world-class, high-quality rums visit https://seaspiritsdistillery.com/