Distilling Knowledge Flavored Spirits and Liqueurs

Question 1

Name two major sources of flavors in spirits

Answer 1

Fruits

Botanicals

Question 2

Describe Maceration

Answer 2

The botanical or fruit is placed in the chosen alcohol. This can last for as little as a few hours or as long as several months. Heat can be used to increase extraction

Question 3

How is flavor introduced during distillation?

Answer 3

A diluted HRS and botanicals are placed in a pot still. In some cases they are also allowed to macerate

Question 4

Describe steam distillation

Answer 4

The botanical is mixed in a reservoir of water or suspended above it. The water is boiled, extracting the flavor from the botanical

Question 5

What technique is used for extracting essential oils and why?

Answer 5

Steam distillation. This is because oil and water cannnot mix and they form two distinct layers.

Question 6

What is vacuum distillation?

Answer 6

Essentially steam distillation but by introducing a vacuum to the liquid the boiling point is lowered allowing extraction of more delicate compounds without damaging them at high temperature

Question 7

How is color extracted from plant material?

Answer 7

Maceration. However these colors can be unstable.