Spirit Flashcards
What is whiskey?
A distillate from fermented grains, typically aged in a wooden cask.
What is Gin?
Neutral grain spirit which is then infused with botanicals like juniper, herbs and other flowers. Made heavily in U.K. But not exclusively.
What is vodka?
Primarily made from potatoes or grains like rye, wheat, barley, and corn.
What is brandy?
Brandy can be a distilled spirit made from fruit juices like apple, cherries, and peaches. It can also be distilled from wine. Comes from the Dutch word brandewijn, which means burned wine.
What is tequila?
Spirit made from the pina of the blue agave. Must be made minimum 51% agave. Can only be made in Jalisco and a few other surrounding regions. Tequila is a type of mezcal.
What is mezcal?
Mezcal means any spirit distilled from an agave plant. Legally, it can only be made in 9 states in Mexico with Oaxaca being the top producer, and has robbed certified.
What is rum?
Run is alcohol distilled from sugar cane juice and it’s derivatives. Cane juice, cane syrup or molasses. Bottled at no less than 40% abv. Rum industrial is usually made from sugar byproduct and rhum agricole is made from sugarcane juice.
What is Vermouth?
Vermouth is fortified wine infused with herbs and spices.
What does it mean for a spirit to be bonded?
For a spirit to be labeled as bonded it has to meet strict regulations; has to be a minimum of 4 years old, must always be bottled at 100 proof and must be distilled from one distiller.
How long must a bourbon be aged? How long must a scotch be aged?
Bourbon has no age requirement but must be aged in new charred oak barrels. For it to be called straight bourbon it must be aged no less than 2 years. Scotch must be aged at least 3 years in oak casks.
How long may a reposado be aged? Añejo?
Aged in wooden or storage tanks from 2-11 months. Añejo has to be aged at least one year.
What does single malt mean?
Single malt is made from all barely, and distilled in one distillery.
