Love the occasional bourbon? You wouldn’t be alone! Bourbon is considered sweeter than other types of whiskey, so something you might be wondering (and for good reason) is whether bourbon is high in calories. Here’s the deal.
A 1.5 fl oz (44-millimeter) shot glass of bourbon generally contains between 95 and 110 calories. That’s not much compared to other types of alcohol.
But that’s still the amount of calories for one standard shot of bourbon – so expect to consume more calories if you’re drinking more than one shot or mixing the bourbon with something like soda!
Curious to know how many calories are in a full bottle of bourbon? Or how bourbon stacks up compared to the calories in other whiskeys? Then keep on reading.
Popular Bourbons Compared
A standard shot of bourbon (1.5 fluid ounces or 44.3 milliliters) typically contains between 95 and 110 calories. But what are the calories when it comes to different bourbon brands?
Here are the calorie numbers for the most popular bourbon brands in the U.S.:
Bulleit Bourbon Whiskey contains 110 calories per 1.5 fl oz serving
Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whisky contains 97 calories per 1.5 fl oz serving
Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky contains 110 calories per 1.5 fl oz serving
Jim Beam White Label Straight Bourbon contains 100 calories per 1.5 fl oz serving
Basil Hayden’s Artificially Aged Straight Bourbon 100 calories per 1.5 fl oz serving
Overall, Maker’s Mark has the least amount of calories per standard shot serving, just slightly lower than Jim Beam and Basil Hayden’s, while Bulleit and Woodford Reserve have the most amount of calories!
Whiskey Calories Compared
If you like drinking other kinds of whiskey, then you might be wondering how many calories are in Scotch whiskey and rye whiskey, compared to bourbon.
Well, you might be glad to know that most other types of whiskey, including Scotch whiskey and rye whiskey, contain generally the same amount of calories as bourbon.
This is in the range of 95 to 110 calories per 1.5 fl oz (44-millimeter) serving – a standard-sized shot glass. So, really, there’s not much difference in calories when it comes to different types of whiskey.
But remember: the calorie content can change if the whiskey is flavored or artificially sweetened!
How Many Calories In A Bottle Of Bourbon?
Tend to finish off a bottle of bourbon pretty quickly? Then you might want to know how many calories there are in a full bottle of bourbon.
Most popular store-bought bourbons, like Bulleit, Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve, Jim Beam, and Basil Hayden’s come in 750-milliliter bottles.
A standard shot is around 45 millimeters (44.3 millimeters, to be exact), so there are approximately 16 shots in a regular bottle of bourbon.
So if the average amount of calories in bourbon, per shot, is 100 calories, then a full bottle of bourbon typically contains around 1600 calories. The more you know!
Is Bourbon Healthy?
Bourbon generally has lower calories, carbohydrates, and sugar than other alcohols, which can make it a healthier choice when compared to other alcohols – like wine, for example.
Bourbon also might taste sweeter than other whiskeys, but bourbon that hasn’t been flavored or sweetened does not contain more sugar! The sweetness comes from how it’s made, which uses charred oak barrels for the aging process.
In fact, bourbon generally has no sugar and no carbohydrates, so it’s a good choice if you’re watching your weight. It also has antioxidant properties, which can help improve the immune system.
Still, bourbon contains alcohol, so it’s typically not considered a “healthy” drink, as consuming alcohol regularly and in large amounts can lead to various health complications. All things in moderation, as they say.
Is Bourbon Healthier Than Beer?
When it comes to sugar, both bourbon and beer don’t contain sugar. Despite that, beer generally contains more calories than bourbon. It also contains carbohydrates, unlike bourbon (and other types of whiskey).
On top of that, beer is usually consumed in larger amounts than whiskey as it has a lower alcohol content than bourbon, resulting in consuming more calories. So there might be a reason behind the phrase “beer belly” after all!
Is Bourbon Healthier Than Wine?
Wine has more sugar than bourbon (bourbon has none), since grapes naturally contain sugar. Similarly, wine contains carbohydrates while bourbon does not. As for calories, drinking wine by the glass has more calories than drinking bourbon by the shot.
For example, a standard 12 fl oz glass of red or white wine contains around 280–290 calories while a 1.5 fl oz shot of bourbon contains around 100 calories (to learn more about calories and wine, read here).
Despite that, wine contains more antioxidants, which is the reason wine is considered one of the healthiest alcohols despite its high calories, carbs, and sugar content.
Is Bourbon Good For Weight Loss?
Since bourbon generally contains fewer calories than wine or beer, it’s one of the best choices if you’re watching your calorie intake and trying to lose weight.
However, its low calorie content only applies when it’s not sweetened or flavored and when it’s consumed on its own without being mixed with high-calorie sodas, like coke.
Regular bourbon also contains no sugar and no carbohydrates unlike other alcohols, such as wine and beer. Still, make sure to drink bourbon in moderation, as the calories will add up the more of it you drink on a regular basis!
Bottom Line
To summarize, a standard 1.5 fl oz shot glass serving of bourbon generally contains between 95 and 110 calories, depending on the brand. This applies when the bourbon isn’t sweetened or flavored, and not mixed with soda!
Bourbon (and whiskey, in general) is considered one of the lowest-calorie alcohols when compared to other alcoholic drinks, like wine and beer. Bourbon also doesn’t have any carbohydrates or sugar, making it a great alcohol choice if you’re trying to stay healthy.
Still, if you love bourbon, make sure not to drink too much of it on a regular basis if you’re trying to lose weight!
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