Rum vs Tequila
Two sugarcane/agave cousins from the Americas with very different regulatory backbones. Tequila has the CRT and additive disclosure (sort of). Rum is the wild west: most producing countries permit undisclosed sugar, caramel, glycerin, and oak extract.
Rum vs Tequila: the differences
| Attribute | Rum | Tequila |
|---|---|---|
| Made from | Sugarcane, molasses | Blue Weber agave |
| How it is made | Pot, column, or blend | Pot or column, 2x |
| Aging | White, Gold, Dark, Aged | Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, Extra Añejo |
| Typical strength | 37.5 to 75% ABV (75 to 150 proof) | 38 to 55% ABV (76 to 110 proof) |
| Calories | 99 to 100 kcal per 1.5oz | 98 kcal per 1.5oz |
| Gluten | Naturally gluten-free | Naturally gluten-free |
| Hangover Index | 6/10 | 4/10 |
Rum
Sugarcane, sweet and heavy
- Congeners
- Moderate
- Histamines
- Low
- Polyphenols
- Low
- Sulfites
- Very Low
- Tannins
- Low
- Sugar
- High
- Additives
- High
Tequila
Agave, regulated, sometimes adulterated
- Congeners
- Low
- Histamines
- Low
- Polyphenols
- Low
- Sulfites
- Very Low
- Tannins
- Low
- Sugar
- Low
- Additives
- Moderate
100% agave tequila wins, clearly. Even compared to additive-free Barbados rum, tequila's lower sugar baseline and tighter regulation make it the safer choice. Sweet aged rums lose to tequila by a wide margin.
Which one for which situation
FAQ
Is tequila healthier than rum? ▾
Yes, in most direct comparisons. Tequila has a lower sugar baseline, stricter additive regulation, and generally less aging-derived congener load. Premium additive-free rums close the gap.
Which has more calories, rum or tequila? ▾
Plain tequila and plain rum at 40% ABV are identical in calories. Spiced rum (under 40% ABV) and added-sugar rums carry meaningful extra calories.
Does rum give worse hangovers than tequila? ▾
Generally yes, most aged rums carry hidden sugar that drives hangover symptoms, while 100% agave tequila does not.