Liquor Dictionary Flashcards
What is proof?
The amount of alcohol in a distilled product.
What is pure alcohol?
100% or 200 proof
How do you calculate proof?
Alcohol percentage times (x)2, e.g., 34% alcohol is 34 x 2 = 68.
How do you calculate alcohol percent?
Percent = proof divided by 2 (proof/2), e.g., 151 proof / 2 = 75.5.
What can be used to make whiskey?
Whiskey can be made from any grain, including potatoes.
What are the most popular grains for making whiskey?
Corn
Wheat
Rye
Barley
Which Whiskey must contain at least 51% Rye?
Rye Whiskey
What percentage of rye must Rye Whiskey contain?
51% minimum
Rye Whiskey must contain 51% rye, minimum or maximum?
Minimum.
What percentage of corn must Corn Whiskey contain?
80% minimum
Corn Whiskey must contain 80% corn, minimum or maximum?
Minimum
Can Corn Whiskey contain other grains?
Yes
Which Whiskey has a minimum requirement of 51% and cannot contain other grains?
Bourbon Whiskey
What is caraway seed?
Rye
Who are the four major producers of Whiskey?
Ireland
Scotland
US
Canada
What does Bourbon Whiskey contain?
Minimum of 51% corn and no other grains.
Which Whiskey contains a minimum of 51% corn and no other grains?
Bourbon Whiskey
What are corn, wheat, barley and rye?
The most popular grains used to make whiskey.
What are Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and US known for?
Being the four major producers of Whiskey.
What are the steps to producing whiskey?
- Mashing
- Fermentation
- Drilling
- Aging
What is the first step in the production of Whiskey?
Mashing.
What is Mashing?
The first step in the production of Whiskey?
What is the second step in the production of Whiskey?
Fermentation.
What is fermentation?
The second step in the production of whiskey.
What is the third step in the production of Whiskey?
Distilling.
What is Distilling?
The third step in the production of Whiskey.
What is an extra step in the production of Whiskey?
Leeching.
What is typically the fourth step in the production of Whiskey?
Aging.
What is aging?
The fourth step in the production of Whiskey.
What is Leeching?
The extra step in making Whiskey. It is the process of steeping the Whiskey slowly through vats packed with charcoal drop by drop.
In the Leeching process, how long does it take for the first few drops to come out of the bottom?
About 10 days.
In which country is leeching added as a step in the production of Whiskey?
US
Where does the charcoal used for Leeching come from?
The Tennessee highlands hard maple tree.
What happens after the step of Leeching?
Aging
What happens prior to fermentation?
Mashing.
What happens after Mashing?
Fermentation.
What happens after fermentation?
Distilling.
What happens before Distilling?
Fermentation.
What happens after Distilling?
Aging, but leeching happens before aging if it is Tennessee Whiskey.
What happens before aging?
Distilling, except if its Tennessee Whiskey, then it is Leeching.
What happens after leeching?
The Whiskey is placed in charred white oak barrels for storing and aging in the Tennessee hills.
What is Irish Whiskey?
Made in Ireland, contains no spirits less than 3 years old.
What happens with Irish Whiskey during Distilling?
It is made ONLY with PURE SOFT IRISH WATER.
What is PURE Irish soft water?
It is water that has been filtered to reduce the mineral content.
What is water with less mineral content?
Soft water.
Which Whiskey is made with soft water?
Irish Whiskey.
What is the oldest Whiskey making distillery?
Bushmill’s, since 1608.
What year was the worlds oldest Whiskey distillery authorized to make Whiskey?
1608
What is Bourbon Whiskey?
USA Whiskey that must have 51% or more of corn.
Can Bourbon Whiskey have any other grains?
No.
How long MUST Bourbon Whiskey be aged?
2 years minimum
Bourbon Whiskey must be aged 2 years, minimum or maximum?
Minimum
Which Whiskey must have a minimum of 51% of corn?
Bourbon
What is Scotch Whiskey?
Made in Scotland, using barley and smoked with Peat Moss.
Which Whiskey is made in Scotland?
Scotch.
Which Whiskey is smoked with Peat Moss?
Scotch.
Which Whiskey is made from barley and smoked?
Scotch.
How long is Scotch Whiskey aged?
A minimum of 4 years.
What flavor does Whiskey made from barley and smoked with Peat Moss yield?
Smokey, sweet, spicy flavor.
What is Canadian Whiskey?
Made in Canada.
What is the spelling for Whiskey from Canada?
Whisky. No “e”
What is the legal requirement for aging Whisky in Canada?
2 years minimum.
What is Brandy made from?
Fermented juice, wine, or fruit.
What is fermented juice, wine or fruit used for?
To make brandy.
If brandy is not aged for two years how must it be labeled?
It must be labeled as IMMATURE.
For brandy to mature how long must it be aged?
A minimum of 2 years.
How long is brandy usually aged?
3 to 8 years.
What can be added for color in brandy?
Caramel food color.
What is Cognac?
Brandy made in Cognac, France.
Which Brandy is the better quality?
Cognac.
How is Cognac aged?
Same as Brandy. Minimum of 2 years, typically 3 to 8 years.
Is Cognac like Champagne?
Yes, without the bubbles.
What is considered like Champagne without the bubbles?
Cognac
What are Cordials also called?
Liqueurs.
What are 5 broad types of Cordials/ Liqueurs?
- Fruit
- Seed
- Herb
- Peel
- Cremes
In Cordials/Liqueurs, when is a single herb or seed used alone?
Never.
What determines the name of Cordials/Liqueurs?
The strongest seed name.
In Cordials/Liqueurs, what names are herbs typically given?
Trade names, such as Benedectine, Charteuse, etc.
In Cordials/Liqueurs how are Peels typically named?
Based on the fruit they taste like.
What is Blue Curaçao made from?
Curaçao oranges.
What does Blue Curaçao taste like?
Oranges.
In Cordials/Liqueurs what is the sugar content and consistency of Cremes?
Cremes have a higher sugar content and thicker consistency.
In Cordials/Liqueurs, how are Cremes named?
By the dominant flavor.
Which Creme is the most popular?
Creme de Menthe
Creme de Menthe is available in how many colors?
3
In what colors is Creme de Menthe available?
- Green
- White
- Gold
In how many flavors is Creme de Menthe available?
One. All colors taste the same.
Percolation is similar to what?
Coffee.
Maceration is also known as?
Steeping, like brewing tea.
What is used in distillation?
Herbs, seeds or peels.
How long are herbs, seeds, or peels distilled?
Until the flavor is infused.
How is Rum determined?
By geography.
What is Rum made from?
Sugar Cane byproducts.
What are the aging requirements in Puerto Rico?
Minimum 1 year for white and 3 years for gold label rums.
Where did Gin originate?
In Holland.
What is Gin made from?
Juniper berries.
What are Juniper berries used to make?
Gin
How many gins use the word “Dry”?
Virtually all.
How many gins use the words “London Dry”?
Most.
Does it have to be made in London to be called London Dry Gin?
No.
Does Gin have to be aged?
No.
How long must Gin be aged?
Gin doesn’t have to be aged.
What is used to make Sloe Gin?
Sloe berries.
What are Sloe Berries used to make?
Sloe Gin.
Are Gin and Sloe Gin similar?
No.
What is the difference between Gin and Sloe Gin?
Sloe Gin is a cordial/liqueur and Gin is a base alcohol.
What are the characteristics of Vodka?
COTS... Colorless Odorless Tasteless Smooth
Des Vodka have to be aged?
No.
How long does Vodka have to be aged?
It doesn’t have to be aged.
Is Vodka always tasteless?
Not if its flavored.
What is considered to be the best Vodka?
Russian Vodka.
Where must Tequila come from?
Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico
If Tequila doesn’t come from Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico what is it called?
Mescal after the aloe plant used to make it.
Is aging important in the production of Tequila?
No.
How long is Tequila aged to be called “Anejo”?
1 year
What is Tequila called if it’s aged from 2 to 4 years?
My Anejo.
What gives Tequila the golden color?
Aging.
What allows Tequila to acquire a pleasant mellowness without changing its flavor?
Aging.
What does aging do to Tequila?
Gives it a golden color and allow it to acquire a pleasant mellowness without changing its taste characteristics.
What are the 4 types of wine Aperitifs?
- Red table wine
- White table wine
- Dessert wine
- Sparkling wine
Do you refrigerate a red table wine?
No
Describe a white table wine.
Can be dry but sweet.
Describe dessert wine.
Sweet with higher alcohol.
What kind of grapes are used for dessert wine?
Grapes that have ripened longer.
What are sparkling wines?
White wines with bubbles.
I all Champagne a sparkling wine?
Yes.
Why would sparkling white wine be called Champagne?
Because it is made in Champagne, France.
In addition to red table wine, white table wine, dessert wine, and sparkling wine, what are other Aperitif wines?
Kosher
Flavored
Sherry
