Tag: Whiskey vs wine

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a standard shot of distilled spirits like whiskey contains the same amount of pure alcohol as a standard glass of wine. But does 1 ounce of whiskey have more alcohol than 1 ounce of wine? Absolutely, volume for volume, the whiskey has a significantly higher concentration of alcohol.

Whiskey is a distilled spirit with an alcohol by volume (ABV) typically around 40%, far exceeding wine's average of 12-15%. This stark difference is the primary reason why whiskey is considered harder than wine, but the full story involves more than just a simple percentage comparison.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), a standard US drink contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol. The myth that a shot of whiskey contains twice as much alcohol as a glass of wine is a widespread and potentially dangerous misconception. The truth lies in understanding the concept of a 'standard drink,' where the amount of pure alcohol is the key metric, not the total volume.