Dark Alcohols May Contain More Antioxidants Due to their color, darker alcohols may contain more antioxidants, which are "generally felt to be protective," Dr. Heskett says. Think along the lines of red wines, and how many studies have shown they provide various health benefits.

When we talk about “white” and “brown” spirits, we are using rough approximations of color, style and production method. “White” spirits are clear, generally devoid of color, because they have usually not been aged in color-inducing wooden barrels.

The color of the alcohol really doesn't matter at all when it comes to intoxication. Although, dark liquor may increase the risk of hangovers due to congeners. Congeners are other chemicals in dark liquor that are a byproduct of aging alcohol in barrels.

Whiskey and brandy are the most common brown liquors. Scotch, a variety of whiskey, and cognac, a type of brandy, fall into this category as well. Brown liquors get their color from barrel aging, sometimes in charred barrels.