Spirits

Question 1

What are spirits

Answer 1

A spirit (also called hard liquor) is an alcoholic beverage produced by
distillation of grains, fruits, or vegetables that have already gone through
alcoholic fermentation. They have a higher alcohol content (ABV) than
other alcoholic beverages.

Question 2

MAIN TYPES OF SPIRITS

Answer 2

Whisky, Rum, Gin, Vodka, Brandy,

Tequila, Aperitifs & Digestifs

Question 3

All spirits are alcoholic beverages, but

Answer 3

all alcoholic beverages are not spirits.

Question 4

What is distillation

Answer 4

a technique to make alcohol, but also perfume, essential oil, to purify water.
➢ is about separating alcohol from water.
➢ Alcohol boils at a lower temperature than water and therefore when heated,
the alcoholic vapours evaporate first and when cooled they condensate
back into a liquid with a higher proportion of alcohol.
➢ Distillation is done by stills (Pot stills and Patent stills).

Question 5

Water boils at____

Answer 5

100 °C

Question 6

Ethanol or Alcohol boils at ?

Answer 6

78 °C

Question 7

Pot stills

Answer 7

Also known as ALEMBIC STILL or WASH STILL
➢ The traditional and oldest way to make spirits.
➢ Spirits can be only distilled in batches.
➢ Double or Triple distillation is required to achieve the required spirit.
➢ Mostly made of copper but it can also be made of stainless steel.
➢ Copper was used traditionally because it is a good conductor of heat and it extracts
Sulphur from the distillate.
➢ Used to derive aged spirits like whisky, cognac, tequila and rum.

Question 8

What is boiler or kettle

Answer 8

BOILER OR KETTLE the container in which the liquid to be distilled is poured and heated.

Question 9

Top

Answer 9

TOP covers the boiler, is shaped as a conical tube in which the vapors will rise.

Question 10

What is SWAN NECK OR LYNE’S ARM

Answer 10

a tube that was originally arc-shaped that brings the vapors
into the condenser.

Question 11

Patent still

Answer 11

Also known as COLUMN STILL or COFFEY STILL or CONTINUOS STILL
➢ Invented by AENEAS COFFEY.
➢ The modern way to make spirits that can produce rectified spirit (95% ABV).
➢ It can sustain a constant and continuous process of distillation.
➢ Only one distillation is enough to get the required spirit.
➢ ability to produce a higher concentration of alcohol in the final distillate.
➢ Made of stainless steel.
➢ used to derive white or neutral spirits like vodka, gin and white rum.

Question 12

__________a spiraling tube within a cylindrical container.

Answer 12

THE WORM, THE COIL, OR CONDENSOR

Question 13

Pot still vs patent stills

Answer 13

Other names ALEMBIC STILL or
WASH STILL.
➢ The traditional way to make spirits.
➢ Made from copper.
➢ Spirits distilled in small batches.
➢ Need multiple distillations.
➢ Maturation is required for the spirit.
➢ Spirit obtained has less alcoholic 
strength.
➢ Sprits contain impurities and 
congeners.
➢ Examples – Cognac, Scotch 
Whisky, Irish Whiskey, Dark Rum,

Other names COLUMN STILL or
COFFEY STILL or CONTINUOS STILL
➢ The modern way to make spirits.
➢ Made from Stainless steel.
➢ Spirits distilled continuously.
➢ Single distillation is enough.
➢ No maturation is required.
➢ Spirit obtained has higher 
alcoholic strength.
➢ Pure spirits are distilled without any 
impurities.
➢ Examples – Vodka, Gin, Bourbon 
Whisky.