Liquor Basics

Question 1

What is a liquor?

Answer 1

Also known as a spirit it is a beverage made of grains or other plants that are fermented to make a potent alcoholic drink. They’re the base of cocktails and mixed drinks.

Question 2

What are the 6 mains liquors?

Answer 2

1. Vodka
2. Rum
3. Gin
4. Tequila
5. Whiskey
6. Brandy

Question 3

What is a fermented beverage?

Answer 3

It is the process of converting sugar into alcohol. For example, beer, wine, and cider are examples of fermented beverages. You distill the fermented beverage, which is when you remove the water to create a more concentrated alcohol.

Question 4

What is vodka?

Answer 4

It is a neutral flavored, odorless, clear, and not aged spirit. It’s typically made from grains and potatoes. Some vodka brands are made from grapes like Ciroc. Some vodka brands add colors like the black vodka Blavod, which is great to use during Halloween

Question 5

What should you consider before buying vodka?

Answer 5

Get the vodka you can afford. The results from most blind taste test proved experts struggle to tell the difference between cheap and expensive vodkas

Question 6

What is tequila?

Answer 6

It is made from blue agave. In order to be called tequila, it has to be produced in one of the 5 tequila producing regions in Mexico. You will get sued if it’s produced in Mexico.

Question 7

What are the 5 types of tequila?

Answer 7

1. Blanco
2. Reposado
3. Añejo
4. Extra añejo
5. Gold (Joven/Oro)

Question 8

What is blanco (white/silver) tequila?

Answer 8

• 100% blue agave
• Aged in a steel barrel less than to 60 days
• Should be your go-to for cocktails. A good blanco will make yourmargaritasandpalomascrisp and refreshing

Question 9

What is respado (rested) tequila?

Answer 9

• 100% blue agave
• Aged in an oak barrel for more than 60 days but less than a yr
• Contains added notes of vanilla and oak, this tequila also pulls its color from the barrel its stored in

Question 10

What is añejo (aged) tequila?

Answer 10

• 100% blue agave
• Aged in oak barrels for more than a yr but less than 3 yrs
• More complex flavor notes and caramel color

Question 11

What is extra añejo tequila?

Answer 11

• aged for a minimum of 3 yrs and may rest in more than one type of barrel before it’s bottled
• Since this “extra-aged” spirit spends more time in contact with wood than any other variety of tequila, it has the strongest aromas and the richest amber color of any type. It also has the most complex flavor with similarities to aged whiskey and cognac

Question 12

What is gold (joven/oro) tequila?

Answer 12

• It is a mixed tequila. Jose Quervo is the most popular gold tequila
• 51% blue agave
• 49% flavors and additives
• Typically has a lower price point

Question 13

What is rum?

Answer 13

Most are made from molasses and stored in a barrel. Light rum, silver rum, and white rum are all the same spirit.

Question 14

What does “high proof” mean w/ regards to alcohol?

Answer 14

For example, Bacardi 151 rum has a “proof” of 151. You divide the proof by 2 to get the alcohol percentage (% ABV or Alcohol by Volume). Bacardi 151 rum has a 75.5% alcohol. Bartenders would refer to this bottle as “high proof” because it has a higher likelihood of lighting on fire.

Question 15

What is gin?

Answer 15

It is made by distilling grains or malt. In order to be gin it has to contain juniper berries.

Question 16

What is whiskey/whisky?

Answer 16

It is made by distilling fermented grains. What makes it different from vodka is it is aged in oak wooden barrels to extract the color.

Question 17

What is scotch whisky?

Answer 17

It is distilled from malted barley. In order to be scotch it has to be made in Scotland and it must be aged for a minimum of 3 yrs. It often has a label w/ how old the whisky is. The longer it has been aged the more expensive it typically is.

Question 18

What is Irish Whisky?

Answer 18

It is a type of whisky that has been made in Ireland. They have to be barreled for a minimum of 3 yrs and have to be bottled at at least 40% alcohol. Jameson is the most popular Irish whisky in the world.

Question 19

What is bourbon whiskey?

Answer 19

It is a type of whiskey that has to be at least 51% corn and after it is distilled it has to be charred in a new oak barrel in order to be consumed in the USA.

Question 20

What is rye whiskey?

Answer 20

It is a type of whiskey that has to be at least 51% rye when distilled and like bourbon it cannot be distilled to more than 80% ABV. It’s usually bottled around 40% ABV. After distillation, it has to spend some time in a new charred oak barrel.

Question 21

What are the 4 types of whiskey/whisky

Answer 21

The 4 types of whiskey/whisky are scotch, Irish, bourbon, and rye. They’re miscellaneous whiskey/whisky made from Japanese whisky, Canadian whiskey (like Crown Royal), white whiskey, and Jack Daniels, which is not a bourbon. Jack Daniels has a lower ABV than bourbon.

Question 22

I left off on the Brandy category at 18:09

Answer 22

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