Rum vs whisky: What’s the difference?

The latest rum vs whisky conversation isn't about tasting notes or cocktail recipes. The latest crackdown has revived an old barroom debate: beyond the labels, what's the real difference between rum and whisky? How is rum distilled, as compared to whisky? Scotch whisky often uses pot stills in a double distillation process, while American bourbon typically uses continuous column stills. In contrast, both white rum and dark rum contain about 65 calories (in 30 ml), which is lower than its whisky counterpart.