The Outcomes
Sweetness
Sweetness matters especially across rum, liqueurs and some finished spirits. It can come from the raw material itself, from caramelisation during maturation, or from dosage added after distillation where that's permitted.
Bone Dry
Sweet
I
Bone Dry
No perceptible sweetness at all.
II
Dry
Any sweetness is incidental, from raw material or wood, never added.
III
Off-Dry
A light touch of sweetness, still reading as a dry spirit overall.
IV
Medium-Sweet
Sweetness is a clear, deliberate part of the profile.
V
Sweet
Sweetness leads the palate, often from dosage or a naturally sugar-rich raw material.
Where dosage is used, it's a Finishing choice, not a Force — meaning two spirits from an identical distillate can land on opposite ends of this scale.