Updated July 2026.
There is no official better spirit for eggnog. Rum is a US type.147 at 40% or more in the US. Bourbon is a whiskey type. Taste talk is not a legal type. Typical US bottles print 40%. A 1.5-ounce pour of either at 40% is one NIAAA drink, in the nog or neat.
Related: rum taste, bourbon taste, rum drinks.
Class vs pour
| Spirit | 1.5 oz drinks |
|---|---|
| US rum | 1.00 at 40% |
| Bourbon | 1.00 at 40% |
| Better / holiday | — |
| Typical US bottle | 1.00 |
A 750 mL 40% bottle is about 17 drinks. Count the ethanol, not the mug name.
Sources
- 27 CFR 5.147 rum; 27 CFR 5.143 bourbon. Typical US 40%.
- NIAAA December 2025. No official eggnog pick.
- 27 CFR 5.147 ≥40%
- 27 CFR 5.143 type
- is 27 CFR 5