Is it only whisky that has such variety- no other spirits?!
Answers: I mean whisky seems to have it's fair share of conniseurs (?). Does, for instance, vodka or dark rum? Are there different standards and types of these drinks too?
It depends on where you are geographically, but I love watching the shelves change at the Liquor STore based on what's "hot" right now. For a while, it was Vodkas, tons and tons of types and flavors, and such. Then that died out, and Rum came on like a house-a-fire, with just as many flavors, and regionals (USVI, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Bahamas, you name it).
I haven't seen much change in Whiskey types over the last few years, that seems to be pretty static, with your big boys (walker, beam, daniels, the Irish whiskeys and Scotch's) being pretty consistant, without much change. Perhaps they will be the next type to experience the "craft brew revolution" as it were?
I highly reccomend sampling the different types of rums. There are even more of a variety out there than there are of whiskeys, and the flavors and strength vary _dramatically_ across the board.
i think there are lots of variety of rum but i think you are right it seems only to whisky conniseurs you hear about and wine obviously
whisky is Gods own tipple, that's why
Well, whisky has 4 distinct families (Scotch, Canadian, American and Irish)...that are all completely different, therefore they each are considered a ''category'' beside vodka, gin, brandy and rum equally. All spirits have connaisseurs (I was one for many years). All spirits are classified into low-end, high-end, and premium...according to professional tasters and availability. The less production of the product, the higher the cost...and this goes for ALL spirits. Cognac (another one with many connaisseurs) falls into the brandy category. Then we have the liqueurs, wines, champagnes, beers, coolers etc. to think about...but I think you get it.
Rum has a lot of different styles mainly because it is made by so many locales. I think you will only find connoisseurs of Tequila as far as other liquors go. There are many standards by which Tequila can be judged.
There are quite a few tequilas and they have quite a following as well. There is also a pretty wide range of vodka and rum.
lots of different standards of brandy and cognac -
all cognac is brandy - but not all brandy's are cognac!
Liqueurs probably have more variety than whiskies.
There are different processes and ingredients used to produce all types of spirits, and there are a huge array of vodkas, rum, tequlia, gin etc.
Thus why you get really cheap and really expensive spirits, it's all in the process and the ageing.
I think it depends where you come from, as I think in Russia and Poland there are probably many more vodka connoisseurs than whisky, and rum in the Caribbean!
Scotch Whisky has so many variety's because all are distilled using different sources of water.
something to do with the rocks in the streams the water have filtered through