Great question. Basically all of these things contain lots of ethanol, but what makes them taste or smell different relates to other, minor components which have different aromas. There is a difference in the initial fermentation to produce the ethanol (and other components), then there’s a difference in the distillation process, then some spirits might be aged in oak, and others may be flavoured. Vodka (a white spirit) is fairly neutral without a lot of flavour, whereas whisky is made from a different starting material, different distillation process, and is aged in oak (as are other “dark” spirits), leading to more flavour and aroma. Both these things may have a similar ethanol (alcohol) content but are completely different products.
chowyin13
Great question. Basically all of these things contain lots of ethanol, but what makes them taste or smell different relates to other, minor components which have different aromas. There is a difference in the initial fermentation to produce the ethanol (and other components), then there’s a difference in the distillation process, then some spirits might be aged in oak, and others may be flavoured. Vodka (a white spirit) is fairly neutral without a lot of flavour, whereas whisky is made from a different starting material, different distillation process, and is aged in oak (as are other “dark” spirits), leading to more flavour and aroma. Both these things may have a similar ethanol (alcohol) content but are completely different products.
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