Tag: Congeners

It's a common misconception that certain types of alcoholic beverages make you “more drunk” or produce different kinds of intoxication, but the reality is that the intoxicating effect comes from a single molecule: ethanol. The intensity and speed of intoxication are determined by the *amount* of ethanol consumed and how quickly it's absorbed by the body, not the drink's type.

Studies have shown that a person's ability to detect alcohol odor on breath is often unreliable and does not accurately predict blood alcohol concentration. This is because the odor isn't from the alcohol itself, but from metabolic byproducts and flavor compounds, directly addressing the question: Can you smell rum on someone's breath?

While it's a common belief that certain types of alcoholic beverages, like tequila, produce a more intense or 'high kick' effect, this is largely a myth. The intoxicating effect, or 'kick,' from any alcohol is primarily due to the ethanol content and the speed at which it enters the bloodstream, not the specific spirit consumed. All alcoholic beverages contain the same psychoactive substance, ethanol, and the differences in perceived intensity are explained by variations in proof, consumption patterns, and individual physiology.