Differences in Commonly Seen Alcohol

Alright, someone actually asked me what is the difference between the alcohol. To be honest, I wasn't very sure myself too. So I went to find out more. It might not be the most accurate description. Feel free to correct me because my information might not best describe the alcohol. Below is the list of the common alcohol that we find nowadays. Tell me if I miss out any, I can add them in.

Beer 

Beer is made from yeast.

Ale vs Lager

Ales are usually fermented at warmer temperatures (12 to 21 degrees Celsius), while lagers are typically fermented at cooler temperatures (3 to 10 degrees Celsius). The cold temperature tends to inhibit the formation of ester (fruity aroma), hence ales tend to have a fruitier taste. On the other hand, because of the colder temperature, lager requires a longer time to ferment, thus giving a more mellow taste. 

Vodka

Vodka can basically derive any distillations. (e.g. grain, potatoes, grapes and many more). Of course the taste will be different base on the material that is being distilled. The content mainly consist of water and ethanol only. The difference between a good vodka and a bad ones is the number of times the vodka has been distilled. The higher number of distillation the vodka go through, the cleaner and smoother it will be, and of course higher the price. It is colourless, odourless and does not have any distinct taste.

Whiskey

Specifically, whiskey is made from grain and is aged in wood casks.

To be exact on the spelling, whisky and whiskey is actually the same, except produced from different countries. I saw an interesting way of deciphering which spelling to use online. As long as the country name contained an "E", it will be Whiskey, and those without "E" in the country's name, it will be whisky.

Scotch vs Bourbon vs Tennessee vs Rye vs Irish

Scotch is made from malted Barley and it must be made 100% in Scotland, and from Scotland.

Bourbon is made from a grain mixture of at least 51% corn. It must be from made in United States.

Tennessee is exactly the same as Bourbon. The only difference is that it is made in Tennessee and whiskey went through an additional charcoal filtering process

Rye is made from rye mash. The only rule to call it a rye is to have rye in the fermentation

Irish must be made in Ireland

To sum it all up. The different names just mean the same thing coming from different parts of the world.

Gin
Gin is fermented like beer and then distilled vodka. Aromatic herbs including juniper berries and often gentian, angelica root, and a host of secret flavorings depending on the brand, are added to the pure spirit. It is then distilled again. The second distillation leaves behind heavy bitter molecules which don't vaporize readily, capturing only the lighter aromatics. Appropriately bathtub gin omits the second distillation. Dutch gin is made by including the aromatics in the original fermenting mash and has a different, harsher flavor.

Wet vs Dry

The only difference between the both, dry gin is purely Gin while wet gin is mixed with water or flavour.

Rum 

Rum is made by fermenting and distilling cane sugar.  Like whiskey, some rums are aged, giving them an amber color. And, like other sprits there are regional variations with slightly different processes.

Light vs Dark vs Gold vs Spiced

Unlike other rum, light rum is fermented in steel container which result in the light colour. It is then filtered to remove impurities.

Dark rum on the other hand, is ferments in wooden cask for the colour and flavour.

Spiced rum is the same as dark rum. The difference is the spices are added into the rum for the additional flavour.

Gold rum is no different from dark rum as well. It is just unique in the colour.

Brandy
Brandy is a distilled spirit from fruits, most commonly grapes. Similar  to Whiskey, except for the starting material.

Cognac

A brandy can only be called as cognac when it is made from Cognac region of France. However, in United States, there is a grading for it.

VS - Stands for very special and aged for at least 2 years.

VSOP - Stands for very special old pale and aged at least 4 years.

XO - Stands for extra old and aged for at least 6 years.

To sum it all up, all cognac is brandy, but not all brandy is cognac.

Agave

Agave are made from fermented sugars from the agave, a relative of aloes.

Tequilla vs Mezcal

Tequilla and Mezcal are produced in different part of Mexico. Tequilla can only be made using blue agave while Mezcal can be made from many varieties of agave.The production method is also very different for both of them which give rise to the different flavour.

Rice Wine

Like other alcohol, rice wine is fermented and aged.

Sake vs Soju

Sake is made mainly from rice while soju is made from rice, barley and sweet potatoes. The production method differs as well. Soju is distilled (silmilar to whiskey) but sake is brewed (similar to beer).