Whiskey
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
Whiskey is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash, aged in wooden casks. It offers a complex flavor profile ranging from sweet vanilla and caramel to smoky, spicy, and fruity notes, with a smooth to fiery texture depending on the type. Nutritionally, it is a source of 'empty calories,' providing energy (231 kcal per 100g) but no protein, carbohydrates, fat, or essential vitamins.
💚 Why it's loved
People love whiskey for its vast spectrum of flavors—from the honeyed sweetness of a bourbon to the peaty smoke of an Islay Scotch—and its role in sophisticated cocktails and contemplative sipping. It's deeply tied to cultural traditions, craftsmanship, and the ritual of enjoying a drink.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
As an alcoholic beverage, it can impair judgment and coordination, and excessive consumption is harmful to health. It contains 'empty calories' that can contribute to weight gain, and some individuals may experience digestive discomfort or allergic reactions to grains or congeners. To counteract, practice strict portion control (1 standard drink or less), avoid drinking on an empty stomach, and stay well-hydrated with water.
Key benefits
- May contain antioxidants from grain and wood aging
- Can be part of moderate social rituals
- Used in culinary applications for flavor depth
- Low in congeners compared to darker spirits
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'angel's share' is the portion of whiskey (about 2% per year) that evaporates from the barrel during aging, a poetic term for what the distillery 'loses' to the air.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 66.6 g |
| Energy | 231 kcal |
| Protein | 0.00 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.00 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.00 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 0.00 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.04 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 0.00 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 4.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 2.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 1.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.04 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.02 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.00 mg |
| Niacin | 0.01 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 33.4 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.00 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Alcoholic beverage, distilled, all (gin, rum, vodka, whiskey) 86 proof — USDA does not publish this profile for Whiskey.
| Tryptophan | 0.00 g |
| Threonine | 0.00 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.00 g |
| Leucine | 0.00 g |
| Lysine | 0.00 g |
| Methionine | 0.00 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.00 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.00 g |
| Valine | 0.00 g |
| Arginine | 0.00 g |
| Histidine | 0.00 g |
| Alanine | 0.00 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glycine | 0.00 g |
| Proline | 0.00 g |
| Serine | 0.00 g |
FAQ
What's the difference between whiskey and whisky?
The spelling varies by region: 'whiskey' is used in Ireland and the United States, while 'whisky' is used in Scotland, Canada, and Japan. The production methods and flavor profiles also differ by tradition.
Does whiskey have sugar or carbs?
Pure whiskey contains no sugar, carbohydrates, or fat. Any sweetness comes from flavor compounds extracted from the wood during aging, not from added sugars.
Is whiskey gluten-free?
While made from gluten-containing grains (barley, rye, wheat), the distillation process typically removes gluten proteins. However, some with severe sensitivities may react to trace amounts or additives.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.31 kcal/g · 0% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.50 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.