Facts About Spirits Flashcards
At sea level, what temperature does ethyl alcohol boil at?
173F or 78C
What is fractional distillation?
A technique that is used to create liquor, that separates the alcohol from the water.
Why did Ancient Babylonians use fractional distillation?
For perfumes
What is the wash?
Fermented liquor in a still
What are congeners?
Volatile molecules such as esters, other alcohols, and aldehydes.
What are the “heads”?
The first vapors to condense.
Where did the term “proof” originate?
British sailors in the 18th century, testing their payments of rum with gunpowder, to prove that it wasn’t watered down.
What is vodka usually filtered with?
Charcoal
What is the minimum alcohol percentage for vodka in the EU?
37.5%
What is the most important component of gin?
juniper berries
What style are most modern gins?
London Dry gin
What are common aromatic substances of London Dry Gin?
lemon peel, cardamom, anise, coriander, nutmeg, angelica root.
What are the dominant aromatics in Genever?
juniper and malt
The traditional genever recipe calls for what?
A minimum 15% of “malt wine” made of a distillate of corn, rye and wheat.
what is Corenwyn?
An cask-aged genever with at least 51% malt wine distillate.
What is the word “whisky” derived from?
The Gaelic word “uisgebeatha” which means “water of life.
Who distilled Kentucky’s first whiskey and when?
Elijah Craig, in 1789
Who are the only current producers of Tennessee whiskey?
Jack Daniels and George Dickel
What must Tennessee whiskey be filtered with?
Maple charcoal
What kind of casks are generally employed to age Scotch?
Bourbon and Sherry casks
What are the 5 legal categories of Scotch Whisky?
Single Malt Scotch WhiskySingle Grain Scotch WhiskyBlended Malt Scotch WhiskyBlended Grain Scotch WhiskyBlended Scotch Whisky
What is Single Grain Whisky?
Scotch Whisky produced at a single distillery, from unmalted barley, wheat or corn.
How long is single malt generally aged?
For at least 10 years
Which Scotch region tends to make the lightest stylistically?
Lowlands
Who are the pioneers of Scotch cask aging?
Balvenie and Glenmorangie
How many times is Irish Whiskey generally distilled in a pot still?
3 times
When was Cognac defined? When was it finalized?
19091938
What are the 6 regions of Cognac (in descending quality)?
Grande ChampagnePetite ChampagneBorderiesFins BoisBons BoisBois Ordinaires
The regions of Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne have a high percentage of what?
Soft chalk
What are the 3 primary grapes of Cognac?
Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche and Colombard (Ugni Blanc is 98%)
In what and how many times is Cognac distilled?
Twice in a Charentais pot still
What part of the second distillation becomes Cognac?
The coeur
What are the 3 sub regions of Armagnac?
Haut-ArmagnacBas-ArmagnacArmagnac-Tenareze
What does VSOP Armagnac signify?
4 to 9 years of age
What does VS Armagnac signify?
1-3 years of age
Where is Marc made?
France
Where is bagaceira made?
Portugal
What kind of spirit is Slivovitz, Mirabelle, Quetsch and Prunelle?
Plum eau-de-vie
What is Boukha and where is it made?
A fig eau-de-vie made in Tunisia
What is Barack Palinka and where is it made?
An apricot eau-de-vie made in Hungary
Where is Martinique AOC and what is it known for?
In the caribbean, for Rhum Agricole
In what state is Tequila?
Jalisco
What is the pina?
The heart of the blue agave plant.
What is the minimum % of blue agave for tequila?
51%
Cognac is to brandy as Tequila is to what?
Mezcal
What are the primary flavors and country of origin of Fernet Branca?
Herbs, Roots, Spices - Italy