What Are The Differences Between Whiskey And Vodka
Oct 15, 2020
Do you also wonder what makes alcoholic drinks different from each other? Whiskey and vodka are two such alcoholic drinks known for their unique taste. Whiskey and vodka share various similarities and yet are complete opposites. One is light, while the other is stronger. One clear, while the other is dark. Let’s know the key differences between whiskey and vodka in this article.
Differences Between Whiskey And Vodka
Difference In Formation
Both whiskey and vodka share quite a similar manufacturing process. Both of them require fermentation, distillation, and heating.
However, the difference lies in their byproduct. Vodka is made by fermenting any food containing sugar and starch like potato, rye, wheat, and barley. Nowadays, one can find various raw materials for making vodka. Some distillers have even started using maple sap, quinoa, and corn for making vodka.
In fermentation, the sugar is turned into alcohol, which is distilled to remove any impurities. The more distilled the vodka is, the better it is considered in taste. It is for this reason, most of the vodka brands label the number of times the vodka is distilled by them.
On the other hand, whiskey is made by fermenting grains like wheat, barley, and rye. For making this alcoholic beverage, the grains go through a malting process whereby grains are used from scratch, i.e., they are separately soaked, grown, germinated, and then mashed to make them suitable for making whiskey.
The liquid left behind is then fermented, distilled, heated, and matured in oak barrels for years to get the perfect whiskey taste. The whiskey color changes from light yellow to brown, depending on how long they are kept in the oak barrels.
Difference In Taste
Though both vodka and whiskey are prepared the same way, a few changes in their process make their tastes entirely different from one another.
Vodka is considered plain, colorless, and tasteless and yet loved by all for its taste. What sorcery is this? However, people who actually deal with them, like the bartenders and skilled patrons, can easily identify the taste of a well-distilled vodka. They say it tastes like bread and feels light and soft on the tongue.
Whiskey, on the other hand, is a stronger alcoholic beverage than vodka. Every whiskey brand tastes different because its tastes differ according to how long it is left in oak barrels.
Bourbon tastes like sweet caramel and okay afterward. Whiskey from rye tastes rich, spicy, and dry. Single malt tastes more like vanilla, citrus, and fresh fruits.
No whiskey tastes alike as each of these varieties are aged for a different period.
Difference In Health Benefits
Vodka is one such alcoholic beverage that is known for its good health benefits. There is no limit to how well you can make the right use of vodka. As vodka is mainly composed of water and spirit, it has fewer calories and is thus favorable for weight loss. Not only this, it works well in lessening the symptoms of various inflammatory diseases as well.
It also works as a great antiseptic and much more.
Whiskey too has a low-calorie content. However, due to several other mixtures present, whiskey is less healthy than vodka. Vodka is a clean drink with no impurities and is considered a better drink in terms of health.
It is important to notice that people and researchers have mixed opinions about both.
Difference In Aftereffects
Want to know which of these two will give you the worst hangovers? Though to some extent, it depends on the person’s tolerance as to how the drink will affect him later, it also depends on the congeners present in the drink.
The concentration of congeners or admixtures is greatly responsible for how long and how fast you will get drunk. These are the byproduct of the fermentation process that is left in the alcohol. More are the congeners in the alcoholic drink, more likely you are to feel worse the next day.
As vodka is a clean drink, it has fewer congeners or admixtures, and you are more likely to stay sober the next day. Drinking pure vodka will get you drunk faster than cocktails but still gets the upper hand in giving you mild hangovers. This is because vodka is fermented well and distilled more times, making it free from impurities and admixtures. It’s, therefore, a safe alcoholic beverage making you less likely to puke the next morning.
On the other hand, whiskey is naturally a stronger drink that will take full control of your senses. Moreover, as whiskey is not distilled twice or thrice like vodka, the admixtures in it are higher, making you regret drinking it the next morning.
So, vodka is favorite amongst patrons for its safe after-effects. You can drink in moderation and don’t have to worry about feeling hungover the next morning. If you drink whiskey for its rich taste, make sure you drink a good quality vodka with good admixtures. Doing so can save your next day.
Difference In Consumption Type
When preparing cocktails from either vodka or whiskey, vodka is a much more flexible drink. Also known as the best mixer, vodka can be used with absolutely anything to make world-famous cocktails. Mix it with organic juice to get the famous Screwdriver cocktail, add cranberries to make Cosmopolitan, or add ginger beer to vodka to make Moscow Mule.
Whiskey, on the other hand, is smelled before it is drunk. Due to its stronger taste, it is recommended to drink in small sips to avoid a burning sensation on the tongue. Smelling it first provides a sense of its taste. Furthermore, whiskey should be first swirled in your mouth well before gulping it down to get the best of it.
Drinking vodka includes no such rules and is good to drink even if you are not an expert in liquors.
Conclusion
To conclude, yes, we are going to be biased here – but vodka, undoubtedly, wins over whiskey, anytime! At least for vodka lovers like us. Agree? So, go ahead, and grab your bottle of Pristine Vodka now.
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