Whiskey vs Gin: Taste, ABV, Calories & More

Whiskey vs Gin

Compare whiskey vs gin side by side, including calories, alcohol content, carbs, and taste differences. Note: All nutritional values are based on a typical serving size (see below).
Information	Whiskey	Gin
Family	Spirit	Spirit
Type	whiskey	gin
Container	Shot	Shot
Serving Size	45 mL/1.5oz	45 mL/1.5oz
Calories	97 kcal	97 kcal
ABV %	40%	40%
Alcohol (grams)	14.2	14.2
Taste	Woody, warming, complex	Piney, botanical, dry
Texture	Warming, viscous, smooth	Crisp, oily, light
Mixers	Ginger ale, cola, soda	Tonic water, dry vermouth
Is Vegan?	Yes	Yes
Glutenfree?	Yes	Yes
Carbs (grams)	0	0
Sugars (grams)	0	0
Main Ingredient	Fermented grain mash	Neutral cereal grains
Aged?	3 to 12 years	No
Country	Scotland	Netherlands
Price (USD)	10 - 500	10 - 200

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Deep Dive: Whiskey vs Gin

A closer look at the history, taste, and unique characteristics of these two beverages.

Drink Type

Whiskey | Spirit | whiskey

Whiskey is a distilled alcoholic beverage made exclusively from a fermented mash of cereal grains, including barley, corn, rye, or wheat. It is universally aged in wooden casks, typically charred white oak. This aging process imparts its characteristic amber color, complex tannins, and distinct flavor profile.

Gin | Spirit | gin

Gin is a distilled spirit defined by the predominant flavor of juniper berries. It is created by infusing a neutral alcohol base with a specific botanical blend during redistillation. While juniper is mandatory, distillers typically incorporate supporting botanicals like coriander, angelica root, and citrus peels.

What Makes Each Drink Unique?

Whiskey

Whiskey distinguishes itself within the broader spirit family through its mandatory wooden barrel aging process and specific grain mash requirements. Unlike neutral spirits, it retains extensive flavor compounds from the original grains, which are further complexified by the charring of the aging oak casks.

Gin

Unlike other clear spirits, gin is explicitly defined by its primary flavoring ingredient, the juniper berry. The required infusion of botanicals directly during or after the distillation process distinguishes it from neutral vodkas, creating an intentionally complex, heavily aromatic profile without aging.

The Taste Experience

Whiskey

Whiskey presents a diverse profile primarily characterized by distinct woody notes imparted by barrel aging. Drinkers typically experience a warming sensation accompanied by undertones of vanilla, caramel, subtle spices, and occasionally smoky or peaty elements depending on the specific distillation.

Gin

Gin offers a prominently dry and herbal flavor profile, primarily driven by juniper berries which impart a distinctive piney taste. Additional botanical ingredients like coriander, citrus peels, and angelica root provide complex, earthy, and lightly floral or citrus notes.

Serving Notes

Whiskey

The recommended serving temperature for whiskey is 18 degrees Celsius / 64.4 Fahrenheit. Serving whiskey at room temperature, approximately 18 degrees Celsius, allows volatile aromatic compounds to evaporate effectively. This temperature balances the intensity of the ethanol while ensuring the complex flavor profile and distinct aromatic notes remain detectable.

Gin

The recommended serving temperature for gin is 4 degrees Celsius / 39.2 Fahrenheit. Chilling gin to four degrees Celsius reduces the perceived burn of high ethanol content. Lower temperatures mask the harshness of the alcohol while highlighting the botanical oils, ensuring a smoother texture and a more refreshing palate experience.

History & Origin

Whiskey

Whiskey production originated in medieval Scotland and Ireland, evolving from the early distillation techniques brought by traveling monks. Initially used for medicinal purposes, the practice spread and became heavily regulated and taxed by the eighteenth century. Scottish and Irish immigrants later introduced distillation methods to North America, where local ingredients like corn and rye were adapted, ultimately creating distinct regional variations that remain highly popular worldwide today.

Gin

Gin originated in the Netherlands during the seventeenth century as a medicinal liquor known as jenever. English soldiers discovered the spirit during the Dutch War of Independence, bringing it back to England where it gained immense popularity. The ensuing Gin Craze in the eighteenth century led to widespread overconsumption, eventually prompting strict governmental regulations that carefully shaped the refined London Dry style recognized globally today.