Difference Wiki

Rum vs. Brandy

The main difference between Rum and Brandy is that the rum is made from sugarcane juice or its by-products and brandy is made by distilling wine.

Key Differences

Rum normally has 37.5% to 80% alcohol content on the flip side brandy normally has 35% to 60% alcohol content.
Rum is an alcoholic beverage prepared from fermenting sugarcane juice and its byproducts, whereas brandy is a spirit that is made by distilling wine.
Rum is made using molasses or sugarcane juice while brandy is made using any fruit or wine.
Brandy is commonly consumed as an after dinner-drink conversely rum is usually consumed as an alcoholic beverage for all kinds of occasions.

Comparison Chart

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A beverage made from sugarcane juice or its by-products
A beverage made by distilling wine

Varieties

Golden rum, dark rum, white rum, etc
Cognac and Armagnac
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First Distillation

17th century
16th century

Kind of Drink

Occasional-drink
After dinner drink
Aimie Carlson
Jul 17, 2019

Rum and Brandy Definitions

Rum

An alcoholic liquor distilled from fermented molasses or sugarcane.

Brandy

An alcoholic liquor distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice.

Rum

Intoxicating beverages.

Brandy

To preserve, flavor, or mix with brandy.
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Rum

Odd; strange.

Brandy

(uncountable) An alcoholic liquor distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice.

Rum

Presenting danger or difficulty.

Brandy

(countable) Any variety of brandy.

Rum

(uncountable) A distilled spirit derived from fermented cane sugar and molasses.
The Royal Navy used to issue a rum ration to sailors.

Brandy

(countable) A glass of brandy.
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Rum

(countable) A serving of rum.
Jake tossed down three rums.

Brandy

(transitive) To preserve, flavour, or mix with brandy.

Rum

(countable) A kind or brand of rum.

Brandy

A strong alcoholic liquor distilled from wine. The name is also given to spirit distilled from other liquors, and in the United States to that distilled from cider and peaches. In northern Europe, it is also applied to a spirit obtained from grain.

Rum

A queer or odd person or thing.

Brandy

Distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice

Rum

A country parson.

Rum

Any odd person or thing.

Rum

(rare) The card game rummy.

Rum

(obsolete) Fine, excellent, valuable.
Having a rum time

Rum

Strange, peculiar.
A rum idea; a rum fellow

Rum

A kind of intoxicating liquor distilled from cane juice, or from the scummings of the boiled juice, or from treacle or molasses, or from the lees of former distillations. Also, sometimes used colloquially as a generic or a collective name for intoxicating liquor.

Rum

A queer or odd person or thing; a country parson.

Rum

Old-fashioned; queer; odd; as, a rum idea; a rum fellow.

Rum

Distilled from fermented molasses

Rum

A card game based on collecting sets and sequences; the winner is the first to meld all their cards

Rum

Beyond or deviating from the usual or expected;
A curious hybrid accent
Her speech has a funny twang
They have some funny ideas about war
Had an odd name
The peculiar aromatic odor of cloves
Something definitely queer about this town
What a rum fellow
Singular behavior

Rum vs. Brandy

The main difference between Rum and Brandy lies in the ingredients used in their products. Rum is an alcoholic beverage prepared from fermenting sugarcane juice and its byproducts (such as molasses). Brandy is a spirit that goes through the processes of distilling and fermenting. However, its primary ingredient is not sugarcane but wine. Rum normally has 37.5% to 80% alcohol content. Brandy normally has 35% to 60% alcohol content. Brandy is usually consumed as an after-dinner drink. Rum is usually consumed as an alcoholic beverage for all kinds of occasions. It is often served mixed with other drinks like coca-cola, unlike brandy. Both rum and brandy are available in different flavors. Rum can be used in cooking. Rum is used in cooking and also in medicinal purposes. Rum undergoes the processes of fermentation and distillation (as with all spirits). Rum was produced in the Caribbean and Latin America. The first distillation was in the 17th century, on the sugarcane plantations of the Caribbean. Rum has no defined production methods. It is just based on traditional styles that may vary between locations and distillers. The name of brandy comes from the Dutch brandewijn that means “burnt wine.” While brandy is often made by wine, it can also be produced by fermented fruit juices. Rum is made using molasses or sugarcane juice, and brandy is made using any fruit or wine. But the rum has had a more significant impact on the society because it was one time being used as currency.

What is Rum?

Rum is an alcoholic beverage that is either directly made from sugarcane juice or sugarcane byproducts (molasses or sugarcane juices). The preparation of rum is by process of fermentation, aging, and distillation. The distilled product is then usually aged in oak barrels. Rum differs in taste, color, and strength depending on the geographical region of the product. The origin of the term ‘rum’ is not clear. There are various possibilities of its origin. The British etymologist, Samuel Morewood, stated in his essay that the word ‘rum’ was a British slang from “the best.” Other possibilities are that the word derives from other popular British drinks of the time like bamboozle and rumfustian. The large production of rum is in the Caribbean and Latin America. The countries like Spain, Australia, Austria, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, and India, etc. also produce rum. Rum plays an important part in the culture and the history of the West Indies, Royal Navy, and the Maritimes.

Grades and Variations

  • Light rums: light or clear in color, also be referred to as white rum, have very little flavor, used in cocktails
  • Gold rums: known as amber rums, often aged in charred white oak barrels, have a stronger flavor
  • Dark rums: darker in color, aged for a longer period in heavily charred barrels, have a hint of caramel and spices to adjust the color and flavoring, stronger and sweeter
  • Spiced rums: obtain their flavor from spices or caramel, dark in color, may have spices such as cinnamon, rosemary, absinthe/aniseed, or pepper
  • Flavored rums: infused with additional flavors such as banana, coconut, citrus, etc
  • Overproof rums: higher in proof and ABV
  • Premium rums: high priced, carefully aged and produced, have more flavor and taste

What is Brandy?

Brandy is a type of alcoholic beverage that is produced by distilling wine. The name brandy comes from the Dutch ‘brandewijn’ that means “burnt wine.” Brandy is often made by wine. It is also produced by fermented fruit juices. It mainly contains 70 – 120 proof. Brandy is aged in wooden casks. Sometimes caramel coloring is added to brandy to reproduce the effect of aging. Some brandies are made by using both coloring and aging processes. Brandy is a short term for Brandywine. It is a spirit that is distilled from grapes, wine, and other fruit juices. Brandy is more commonly considered as an after-dinner drink. It can contain alcohol by the volume (ABV) between 35% and 60%. The origin of brandy dates back to the development of distillation to ancient Greece and Rome. However, modern brandy dates back to the 12th century. Brandy may also be used to refer to the spirit made from the pomace and other fermented fruit. Some of the most known brandies are Cognac and Armagnac. If brandy is made from any other fruit than grapes, it is labeled as ‘fruit spirit,’ ‘fruit brand,’ or the name of the fruit is mentioned on the bottle. The regulations for the production and labeling of brandy differ depending on the jurisdiction.

Brandy Labels

  • S.– (Very Special) or ‘Three Stars,’ aged for two years in a cask
  • S.O.P.– (‘Very Superior Old Pale’) or ‘Five Stars,’ aged for at least four years in a cask
  • XO– (‘Extra Old’) or Napoleon, aged for at least six years in a cask
  • Hors d’âge– (‘Beyond Age’), formally equal to XO for Cognac, but Armagnac, at least ten years old

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