Calories in Whiskey – Answering the Most Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding the nutritional information of what is consumed is still important for a lot of people. Understanding the nutritional value of an alcoholic drink is even more important for critics, connoisseurs, and/or enthusiasts. Getting to know whiskey calories is just one way to prevent weight gain and maintain a healthy lifestyle, even if you work with this spirit or if you just like it too much.

One thing is certain: there is no healthy alcohol. Since the brain perceives it as toxic, all the body’s efforts go to the metabolism of ethanol components, instead of taking care of other important bodily functions. Besides all this, we all enjoy two fingers of whiskey once in a while, and some people work in this industry. To help those folks, we’ll count the calories in whiskey, including different types of whiskey and brands, and we’ll compare this spirit to other kinds of alcohol.

About Calories in Whiskey – The FAQ

What kind of calories are in whiskey?

Whiskey calories come from alcohol (ethanol) and nothing more, which makes them highly energy-dense at 7kcal per gram. And, although it is similar to fat in terms of the calorie-per-gram ratio, it is much higher when compared to protein or carbohydrates.

Because they are a result of the ethanol content, whiskey calories are “empty”: they contain no fat or sugar, but they also contain 0 proteins and almost 0 carbohydrates.

How many calories are in whiskey?

To have a more general idea of how many calories are in whiskey, we have to look at the Alcohol by Volume percentage (ABV) or a whiskey’s proof, as well as the quantity of whiskey a person is about to drink:

• A standard shot of whiskey (45ml or 1.5oz) with 40% ABV or 80-proof contains between 96 and 105 calories, depending on the type of whiskey.
• One ounce of whiskey (30ml) with the same ABV and proof contains approximately 65 calories.
• 2oz (60ml) of whiskey from the same category has between 116 and 120 calories.

What makes this math more complicated is that whiskey calories depend on the type of whiskey and the ABV of an expression. The higher the proof or ABV of the whiskey, the higher the amount of calories in the spirit. For example, per 1.5 oz (45ml):

• 86-proof (43% ABV) whiskey contains approximately 105 calories.
• 94-proof (47% ABV) may have 116 calories.
• 100-proof (50% ABV) may have between 120 and 130 calories.
• 120-proof (60% ABV) may contain about 148 calories.

How does the alcohol content affect calorie count?

Whiskey consumed without any additional mixers will have no carbs and zero fat or protein. However, adding a mixer, besides any 0-calorie drink, will also add sugars and, ultimately, more calories to the whiskey you are having.

To know more about this, check out our article: Can Whiskey Make You Fat?

Low-Calorie Whiskey

The calorie variation between different types of whiskey, brands and expressions is purely related to the alcohol content and not the production process. People might think that the cereals used for mashing, for instance, can impact the calorie count of a certain brand or expression, but with the rest of the process, those sugars and carbohydrates will disappear.

So, the whiskey types or expressions with the fewest calories are the ones with the lowest ABV. Whiskey must have an 80-proof minimum (40% ABV); so that’s the whiskey we count the calories of in the following sections of this article.

Bourbon Whiskey Calories

Made from 51% Corn and 49% of other grains, yeast, and water, Bourbon whiskey expressions are usually bottled at 80, 90 and 100-proof. That’s why they seem to have more calories per gram than other types of whiskey. The truth is, those expressions just have higher alcohol by volume, which results in a higher calorie count.

For an 80-proof Bourbon whiskey expression, you can expect:

• Around 65 calories per ounce (30ml).
• 95-105 calories per standard shot = 1.5oz (45ml) shot.
• For a 100-proof Bourbon, one can expect 124kcal per 1.5oz

Mixers will add more calories to Bourbon, and Bourbon-flavoured expressions also have a higher calorie content than straight Bourbon.

Calorie count by expression per shot:

• Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – 110kcal
• Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – 97kcal
• Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey – 110kcal
• Wild Turkey 101-Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – 123kcal

Scotch Whisky Calories

Scotch whisky is rich in flavor and complexity, but not in calories in itself. Since all calories come from the alcohol by volume, a higher alcohol content results in a higher calorie count per gram.

Looking at expressions with 40% ABV (as it is the minimum for bottling), you can expect:

• 97kcal per standard shot = 45ml (1.5oz)
• 65kcal per 30ml (1oz)
• Around 222kcal per 100ml (3oz)

Calorie count by expression per shot:

• Glenfiddich 12 Years Old Single Malt Scotch – 100kcal
• Ardbeg 10 Years Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 100kcal
• Ballantine’s Finest Blended Scotch Whisky – 97 calories
• Dewar’s White Label Blended Scotch Whisky– 97 calories

Irish Whiskey Calories

With 30% malted barley and 70% other unmalted cereal in its mash bill, Irish whiskey could be the lightest type of whiskey to drink. But since it all disappears in distillation, the calorie count depends solely on the ABV of a given expression.

With a 40% ABV, you can count on:

• 90-100 calories per 45ml (1.5oz)
• 66 calories per 30ml (1oz)
• 221 calories per 100ml (3oz)

Calorie count by expression per shot:

• Jameson Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey – 110 calories
• Bushmills Original Irish Whiskey – 101 calories
• Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey – 113 calories
• Knappogue Castle 12 Year Single Malt Irish Whiskey – 98 calories

Looking for an Irish Whiskey Tasting Box? Check out our box with three miniatures definitely worth tasting!

Rye Whiskey Calories

Usually, the mash bill of Rye Whiskey consists of 51% rye, 39% corn and 10% malted barley. With a mash like this, and without the rest of the production process, rye whiskey would be the type of whiskey with the highest calorie count. But, like all the others, the alcohol content dictated the whiskey calories present in a serving.

So, expressions with 80-proof (40% ABV) will likely have:

• 97 calories per standard shot of 1.5oz (45ml).
• 64 calories per 1oz (30ml).
• 231calories per 3oz (100ml).

Calorie count by expression per shot:

• Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey – 97 calories
• Bulleit 95% Rye Straight American Whiskey – 110 calories
• Alberta Premium Blended Canadian Rye Whisky– 115 calories
• Basil Hayden Dark Rye Blended Whiskey – 115 calories
• Sagamore Spirit Rye American Whiskey – 97 calories

Whiskey Calories VS Other Kinds of Alcoholic Drinks

Vodka Calories vs Whiskey

Like the calories in whiskey, the vodka calories come exclusively from ethanol content, which means they are empty calories: no carbohydrates, no fat, and no sugar.

That is why, when comparing the same quantity of both spirits and expressions with the same ABV, the calorie count will be quite similar:

• A standard shot of 1.5oz (45ml) of 80-proof (40% ABV) whiskey has between 95 and 105 calories
• A standard shot of 1.5oz (45ml) of 80-proof (40% ABV) vodka has between 95 and 105 calories

Since it is the alcoholic content of the spirits and pouring size that matter the most, the rule for having the fewest calories possible when drinking whiskey or vodka is to have them neat or with a 0-calorie mixer.

Calories in Whiskey vs Wine

Although Wine is not considered to be a spirit drink, the calorie content is similar to that of spirits, with ethanol calories accounting for the majority of the calorie content in wine.

Unlike spirits, wine does have a few sugars and carb content: the equivalent of the grapes’ sugar that was not fermented into alcohol. That is, around 4 calories per gram of wine comes from carbs, while 7kcal per gram comes from alcohol.

Since people usually don’t drink the same amount of wine as whiskey, we can only compare the calorie count per standard pour. So:

• 1.5oz (45ml) of 40% ABV whiskey has between 95 and 105 calories.
• 5 oz (150ml) of 12% ABV wine contains around 120-130 calories. Dry whites may have fewer calories, while reds may have a higher calorie content. However, it all comes down to the alcohol content of each wine expression.

Whiskey Calories vs Beer Calories

If comparing whiskey and vodka was fairly easy, beer complicates the math at a high level. For starters, the quantity of a standard beer pour is a lot more than a standard whiskey pour. Additionally, beer may have a lower alcohol volume, but it contains carbohydrates and a small amount of protein.

Regarding the type of calories that are in beer, around 60%-70% of them come from alcohol (7kcal per gram), and the rest comes from carbohydrates (10-14g per 12oz). The protein value equals around 1-2g per 12oz.

Regarding types of beer, the regular beer (Lager or Ale) with 4.5%-5% has around 140-160 calories per 12oz (approximately 35cl). Some stronger beers or craft beers may have between 180 and 250 calories per pour.

So, when comparing calories in whiskey vs calories in beer, whiskey is more calorie-dense than beer, due to alcohol content. But, when it comes to numbers and standard pouring, here’s the rough comparison:

• 1.5 oz (44ml) of 40% ABV whiskey can have between 95 to 105 calories.​
• 12 oz (35cl) of 5% ABV beer has about 140–160 calories.

Calories in Brandy vs Whiskey

As it happens with vodka and other distilled spirits, Brandy is rich in empty calories. That is: it has no fat, no carbs, and no sugars.

Knowing that whiskey has around 95 and 105 calories per 1.5oz (45ml) for an 80-proof (40% ABV) whiskey, Brandy has the same calorie count as the previous.

Calories in Whiskey vs Tequila

As a spirit, just like whiskey, the calories in tequila are also very similar: they are empty, meaning that these drinks have no carbohydrates, no sugar and no fat. Since all the calorie content comes, therefore, from ethanol, the calorie count will be similar as well.

So, for 1.5oz (45ml) of 40% ABV expressions of both spirits, you can expect between 95 and 105 calories.

Three Tricks to Balance Calorie Count

If you want to keep drinking whiskey while watching your weight, the best thing to do is to keep in mind the calories in whiskey and follow a few tricks:

• Drink it neat, straight up or on the rocks: Don’t mix the whiskey with sugary drinks, such as soda. If you need to dilute the strength of the whiskey, have it on the rocks or with a splash of water. Besides, this is the best and most classic way to enjoy it.
• Eat well beforehand: Ensure you eat a quality, healthy and low-calorie meal before drinking a whiskey. Also, if you need to snack, choose something healthier and lower in calories throughout the evening.
• Drink high-quality spirits: It’s better to slowly sip a glass over 30 minutes and alternate it with a glass of water; this allows you to drink the whiskey properly.

The Finish of this Article

Of all the alcoholic drinks available in the market, whiskey is a calorie-heavy drink. It has a high volume of alcohol that brings up a lot of empty calories – 7 calories per gram. This may not work in your favor if you are interested in losing or maintaining your weight.

However, what may work in your favor is the fact that a pour of whiskey is usually smaller than a vodka, tequila or even rum – especially if people drink them in cocktails or with a single mixer. And, when comparing to wine or beer, a whiskey pour is definitely smaller than the previous beverages.

When thinking about the calories in whiskey, since alcohol calories are always 7kcal per gram, what matters the most is the quantity of the spirit and the alcohol by volume of the drink itself.