How can I distinguish between Western style spirits and Chinese style spirits (liquor)? I have tried to have this conversation a few times in China. The problem is when trying to explain the difference between beer, wine and spirits.

People assume that spirits means something similar to 白酒. However many Western style spirits don't have the same alcohol proof as most 白酒 (to my knowledge). 

I don't particularly want to discuss the alcohol proof, I am hoping there is already a collective word for Western style spirits (gin, whisky, brandy) without going into the routine of explaining that we have a range of liquors which aren't as strong as 白酒.

The point gets lost in translation if I can't get my meaning across quick enough. So is there a term for "Spirits" other than the Chinese 白酒?
烈酒 means hard liquor. 洋酒 means western liquor. Conceivably it could include wine and such, but it usually refers to western hard liquor (e.g., whiskey, vodka, rum).
Here's an example sentence for your benefit:

The city of Guangzhou consumes nearly 40% of the foreign hard liquor sold in China.
广州人所消费的烈酒，占了中国洋酒总量的近40%。