What are the Nutritional Facts about Whiskey?
November 6, 2026 | by Sravani Pathakamuri | Posted in Nutrition Facts
Whiskey is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grains such as barley, corn, rye, or wheat. Unlike whole foods such as wheat or walnuts, whiskey provides virtually no protein, fiber, vitamins, or minerals in meaningful amounts. Most of its calories come from alcohol itself.
🥃 Nutritional Facts about Whiskey:
Serving size: 100 ml whiskey(approximately 40%alcohol by volume)
About 220 kcal
Calories
Alcohol: 31.6 g
Carbohydrates: 0 g
Protein: 0 g
Fat: 0 g
Fiber: 0 g
Values are approximate for plain, unsweetened 40% ABV whiskey.Calories vary with alcohol strengthand serving size.
Nutrition by serving size
| Nutrient | 30 ml | 45 ml | 100 ml |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 66 kcal | 99 kcal | 220 kcal |
| Alcohol | 9.5 g | 14.2 g | 31.6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g |
| Fat | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g |
| Sugar | Usually 0 g | Usually 0 g | Usually 0 g |
A standard 45 ml serving of 40% whiskey contains roughly 14 gof pure alcohol, close to one US standarddrink. Standard-drinkdefinitions vary by country.
Does Whiskey Contain Vitamins and Minerals?
Whiskey generally provides negligible amounts of essential nutrients.
- Potassium, calcium, and magnesium: Only trace amounts, if any.
- Vitamins: No meaningful source of essential vitamins.
- Antioxidant compounds: Some whiskey contains small amounts of compounds derived from grain and barrel aging, but these do not make drinking alcohol a health-promoting practice.
What does Whiskey do to your Body?
- Provides energy: Alcohol supplies about 7 calories per gram,but these are not accompaniedby essential nutrients.
- Affects the brain and coordination: Alcohol impairs judgment, reaction time, balance, and coordination.
- Can disrupt sleep: It may make you feel sleepy initially butcan reduce sleep quality later in the night.
- Can contribute to dehydration: Alcohol can increase urine production, particularly depending on the amount consumed.
- Can affect long-term health: Alcohol increases the risk of several cancers and can contribute to liver disease, high blood pressure, and dependence. Risk generally rises with consumption.
Whiskey vs. other Alcoholic Drinks
Approximate calories per typical serving:
| Drink | Typical serving | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Whiskey, 40% ABV | 45 ml | 99 kcal |
| Vodka, 40% ABV | 45 ml | 99 kcal |
| Red wine, 12–13% ABV | 150 ml | 125 kcal |
| Regular beer, 5% ABV | 330 ml | 140 kcal |
Actual values depend on the alcohol percentage, brand, and recipe.Sugary mixers, cola, syrups, andcocktails can add substantiallymore calories.
Is whiskey Healthy or Unhealthy?
Whiskey is not a source of essential nutrition, and there is no established health benefit that makes starting to drink worth while. Drinking less reduces alcohol-related risk, and avoiding alcohol carries the lowest risk.
For safety, avoid alcohol when pregnant, before driving, when taking medications that interact with alcohol, or when advised to abstain for a medical reason.
Bottom line:
Whiskey provides approximately 66 calories per 30ml, almost entirely from alcohol. It contains virtually no protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, or meaningful vitamins and minerals.