Spirits Flashcards
What are the two types of stills used to make spirits
Pot Still
Continuous Still (Column still)
What are the features and functions of a Pot Still
Used for slower distillation of spirits for wood aging (ex. Cognac, Scotch) and aim to retain as much flavor of the original ingredient
What are the features of a Continuous Still?
Used for faster distillation and best for neutral spirits such as vodka and bourbon with the aim of removing flavor and impurities
Name 4 examples of spirits bottled as soon as they come out of the still
Vodka
Gin
Blanco Tequila
White Ru,
How can color be added to spirits
Barrel Aging
Caramel food coloring
All whiskey is made from ____
Grains
Name 5 different types of whiskey
Scotch
Irish
Canadian
Bourbon
Tennessee
What are the ingredients and aging requirements of Canadian Whiskey
Made from rye, corn, wheat, or barley
Minimum 3 years of aging
What are the ingredients and aging requirements of Irish Whiskey
Barley
Minimum 3 years of aging
What are the laws in Bourbon production
Must be made in the USA
Minimum 51% corn
Aged in new charred American Oak
What are the production laws for Tennessee Whiskey
Must be made in TN
Must be minimum 51% corn
Must be filtered through sugar maple tree carbon fitler
What is the traditional fuel used to make Scotch
Peat
What aromas/flavor does peat add to Scotch
Smokey notes
Name a region known for heavy peated Scotch and a region known for lightly peated scotch
Heavy - Islay
Light - Lowlands
What are the requirements for making Single Malt Scotch Whisky
100% malted barley
Made in a pot still
Made at a single distillery
What is blended Scotch Whisky
Made from blending one or more single malt whiskies from different distilleries
What are the 5 major areas of production in Scotland
Orkney
Isle of Skye
Speyside
Islay
Lowlands
Name two wine based brandies
Cognac
Armagnac
Name 2 fruit-based brandies
Calvados
Eau de Vie
What is the primary grape varietal used in the production of Cognac/Armagnac
Ugni Blanc
How many times is Cognac distilled
Twice in a copper pot still
How many times is Armagnac distilled
Once in a continuous still
What is the aging requirement for Cognac and Armagnac
Min. 2 years in French Oak
Where is Calvados AOC
Normandy
What product is Calvados distilled from
Apple or Pear cider
What are the aging requirements for Calvados AOC
2 years in French Oak
What is the traditional still used for Calvados AOC
Twice distilled in a copper pot still
What does Eau de Vie mean in English
Water of life
Give at least 3 examples of an Eau de Vie
Kirsch (cherry)
Framboise (raspberry)
Poire William (pear)
Blume Marillen (apricot)
Mirabelle (plum)
What are the traditional ingredients used to make Vodka in Eastern Europe
Potatoes
Cereal grains
What vessel is used to distill vodka
Continuous still
Where does gin originate
The Netherlands
What product is gin traditionally distilled from
Cereal grains
What is the dominant flavoring agent in gin
Juniper berries
How are botanical flavorings infused into gin
The selected ingredients are macerated with the base alcohol then distilled again (usually a few more distillations)
Tequila is a protected appellation in which state of Mexico
Jalisco
What plant must tequila be distilled from and what part of the plant
The juice of the cooked heart of the Blue Weber Agave
What is the aging requirement for Reposado Tequila
2 months to 1 year in oak barrels
What is the aging requirement for Añejo Tequila
1-3 years in oak barrels
Mezcal is a protected appellation in which Mexican State
Oaxaca
What is mezcal distilled from
Fermented agave
Where did rum originate
The Caribbean Islands
What products can Rum be distilled from
Sugarcane
Molasses
How do dark rums get their color
Extensive oak aging
