Which liquor is often used as a base in many cocktails and is distilled from grains?

Vodka is indeed often used as a base in many cocktails due to its neutral flavor profile, which allows it to blend well with a wide variety of mixers and ingredients. Distilled primarily from grains such as wheat, corn, or rye, vodka provides a versatile spirit for bartenders when crafting cocktails. Its lack of a distinct taste allows other flavors in a drink to shine, making it a preferred choice in drinks like the Vodka Martini, Bloody Mary, and Cosmopolitan.

In contrast, rum, tequila, and scotch have distinctive flavors based on their ingredients and production processes. Rum, made from sugarcane, typically carries sweet and tropical notes, which may limit its versatility in certain cocktail applications. Tequila is primarily distilled from the blue agave plant and has a unique flavor that distinguishes it from grain-based spirits. Similarly, scotch, which is a whisky made in Scotland, has pronounced smoky and malty flavors due to the use of malt and the aging process, influencing how it fits into cocktail recipes. Therefore, while all these spirits can be used in cocktails, vodka's neutrality and grain-based production make it the most commonly used base spirit in a wide range of cocktails.