What is the difference between light and regular brandy?
An example would be Emperador Light brandy which is very popular in the Philippines. I am just curious what makes it 'light' compared to regular brandy.
What is the difference between Vodka and a regular beer except for the alcohol percentage?
Vodka is distilled alcohol (liquor), while beer isn't. The only things they have in common are that both are made from grain (although that's not necessarily true of vodka) and contain alcohol and water.Beer in the common sense is a carbonated, low-alcohol beverage made by double-fermenting malt and unmalted grains with the help of certain yeasts to obtain alcohol and CO2, flavoured with herbs and spices (these days mainly or exclusively hops).Vodka is highly distilled, preferably pure and neutral alcohol (traditionally from un-malted grain or potatoes, but distillates of grape pomace or other provenance have been used for relatively high-end vodkae both historically and currently) diluted to drinking strength with water. Flavouring the vodka with various ingredients is common in Poland, at least, and it's never carbonated. TL, DR: they're two entirely different types of beverage.
What is the difference between brandy, rum, and whiskey? What other categories are there?
Brandy is a distilled spirit made by distilling a wash of fermented fruit juice like grape juice fermented into wine, or apple juice fermented into alcoholic cider.Rum is a distilled spirit made by distilling a wash of fermented cane sugar.Whisky is a distilled spirit made by distilling a wash of fermented cereal grains like corn and barley.Vodka is a distilled spirit made by distilling a wash of nearly any fermented sugar source other than cane sugar, including grains or potatoes, and unaged. When distilled to its highest levels of purity, it is often said to be rectified, and is called neutral grain spirits.Mezcal is a distilled spirit made by distilling a wash of the fermented juice of certain kinds of agave plants. Tequila and Sotol are varieties of mezcal.Gin is typically made by infusing a neutral spirit like vodka with juniper berries and other plant essences.Shochu is a distilled spirit made by distilling a wash of fermented rice, sweet potatoes, or other grains.There are dozens of regional variations on these themes that go by as many different names as there are people who drink them, but for the most part, they all generally fit into one of these categories.Other liquors are made from different sugar sources like maple syrup or beets, but aren't called rum because they're not made from cane sugar.Most other liquors are made from some combination of these, usually starting with neutral grain spirits, and blending or infusing them with fruits, spices, or other flavors.
What exactly is the difference if any between white and dark liquor? As far as the effect it gives that is.?
You've probably heard that red wine is good for your health - but don't pop that cork too soon. Before you raise your glass, here are some things you'll need to know. Health benefits of red wine Red wine is the most heart-healthy alcohol. The skin and seeds of red grapes contain a type of antioxidant called flavonoids. It's believed that flavonoids help your heart by: Instead of turning to wine, follow the more traditional approach: talk to your doctor about your risks, control your weight, get enough exercise and follow a healthy diet.
What’s the difference between dark liquor, and clear liquor?
Some really far out answers here; it’s not cogeners or chemicals, all drinking alcohol comes out of the still clear. Some liquors are usually only bottled clear like vodka or aquavit, others have a clear version and a darker version which is due to caramel coloring being added like many tequilas or rums. When you get into whiskies, brandies, Anejo tequilas and some rums the darker coloring is due to barrel aging though many of these supplement with caramel coloring. In the case of Bourbon coloring is not allowed so whatever you see is due to aging in charred oak barrels.
Do light and dark liquors cause a different behavioral effect?
Different liquors, different chemicals, different effects. However most of the chemicals are relatively colorless. A few are colored. I don't think you can generalize.For example, most of the color in whiskey (and whisky) comes from barrel aging (interaction with wood, esp. oak). Young whiskey is colloquially known as 'white dog' in many parts of the US - its pretty much clear. If Oak Barrel aging has a pharmacological effect, it might also be seen from drinking barrel aged wines. Most of the color in rum is from adding carmelized sugar. We all know how controversial sugar is.As others have mentioned, many distillers make quite an effort to make vodka as purely "ethanol and water" as possible, also colorless. Pot distilled liquor is at the other extreme where the distiller strives to retain flavor elements - also mostly colorless. Bourbon, Rye, Malt whiskey are all colorless when they leave the still.There are some spirits - like chartreuse - where many many herbs and botanicals are added. chartreuse is green (or yellow). Another botanical heavy liquor is Swiss absinthe - which is often clear.
What are the main differences between liquor and spirits?
The answer is simple and some other answers are quite simply wrong.Liquor refers to all non brewed alcoholic beverages, i.e. those made of or with a portion of distiled alcohol.The distilled alcohol on its own is ‘spirit’.Either a bottle of something (that isn’t wine/beer/cider, or otherwise just a brewed not distilled drink) is just ‘liquor’ or is both ‘Liquor’ and ‘spirits’ as spirits are still liquor. The inverse, contrary to other answers, is not true. Whether something is spirits depends on strength and additives, especially sugar.Depending on where you live Spirits are generally above 35% ABV. It varies by spirit and region (Tequila, spirit, has to be >35%; Vodka, spirit, >37.5% in Europe but >40% in the US; etc.). Additionally they only have very few permitted additives (Bourbon, 100% Agave tequila, London Dry Gin all prohibit additives. For Scotch whisky only a fraction of 1% caramel may be added for consistent colour, Vodka permits <1% additives for smoothness, usually Glycerine or Sugar. Rum is a notable exception as permitted additives and quantity vary wildly by region). If more or non permitted additives are used, or ABV is too low, then the product ceases to be a ‘spirit’ and becomes merely a ‘liquor’, a kind of catch all word for drinks manufactured with a base of distilled spirit.One category of liquor that isn’t spirits is Liqueurs. These can be any ABV but contain >50% Sugar. These are not spirits, but ‘liquor’. So both Malibu at 18% and Cointreau at 40% are liqueurs and therefore ‘liquor’. They are not spirits because spirits usually have minimal additives and certainly don’t contain 50% sugar.Some products are borderline in terms of how they are marketed. For example, despite being widely percieved as a rum Captain Morgan’s Spiced is neither a liqueur nor a spirit, but is ‘liquor’. It has too low ABV to be a spirit (i.e.rum), not enough sugar to be a liqueur, so is just generically ‘liquor’, or ‘spirits based beverage’.Hope this helps.
Do you prefer dark or light liquor?
Simple answer: dark liquors tend to be much more exciting and generally requiring more preparation. Just in case you are looking for a more complex response:Vodka- (Clear) By definition is tasteless and odorless; however, there are subtle differences. I am amazed at how much can be charged for a vodka when production is so simple. Some vodkas have multiple distillations, making them cleaner and more pure. Looking for a bargain? Sobieski. Likes: Skyy and Tito’s.Gin- (Clear) Juniper berries make a gin pretty much the same. Many, like Bombay Sapphire and Tanqueray, have botanicals to make them flavorful. Tanqueray #10 has citrus botanicals. Hendricks has subtle flavors of cucumbers and rose petals. All the above are highly recommended.Whiskey- (Dark) Bourbon with it’s corn, Canadian with it’s rye, and all being aged in barrels turn whiskies worldwide into flavorful, complex alcohol products.MY FAVORITES based on quality/price/value include:Bourbon-Knob Creek or Buffalo Trace -Both top quality at reasonable pricesRye-George Dickel RyeCanadian-Canadian Rich & Rare is super cheap, very high qualitySingle Malt Scotch-Lagavulin 16 yr, Laphroaig 10 yr to save a few bucksBlended Scotch-Monkey Shoulder or to save money-Johnnie Walker BlackIrish Whiskey-blended is Jameson…single malt is Redbreast 12 yrTequila- The Blancos are clear, unaged , and recommended for Margaritas. Reposados are aged in oak barrels for 2 - 12 months. Anejos are aged in oak for 1–3 years. Extra Anejo are aged more than 3 years. Favorites include:Blanco- El Tesoro Platinum….Reposado-Omeca Altos….Anejo-El TesoroRums - Fall into both sides of your question…dark and light. Favorite dark is Coruba Jamaican…light is Saint James Imperial…spiced is Sailor JerryBrandy- (dark) - Favorite is Korbel 12 yrCognac- (dark) (high end brandy from France) - Remy Martin 1738These are my opinion which when combined with a dollar will get you a large drink at McDonalds. :) Cheers!