Spirits Flashcards
Why spirits are different than Beer and wines?
Spirits differ from wine, beer, and other fermented beverages because of their
elevated alcohol from distillation and the effects of chemical processes that occur in the still.
How distillation is possible?
Distillation is possible because of the different boiling points of alcohol and water. Ethanol evaporates at
173.1 degrees Fahrenheit (78.37 degrees Celsius), while water begins its transition from liquid to gas at 212
degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius).
How the decisions made by the distiller can influence the final result of the spirits?
The producer must choose the type and shape of the still, the number of distillations, the amount of filtration, and, where
appropriate, the aging vessel and the duration of aging. The final step, blending, is a complex art that often
requires many years to master.
What are the base material used to produce spirits?
A staggering range of plant material can form the basis for fermentation and thus distillation. Grasses and grains, fruits, and roots and hearts.
What is the general style of vodka and how is it distilled?
vodka is defined as a clear spirit distilled to a very high proof, often filtered one or more
times, and then watered back to the desired alcohol level, producing smoothness, clarity, and faint traces of aroma and flavor.
What is the definition of Spirits?
Spirits are defined as beverages in which the alcohol content of a fermented liquid has been concentrated by the process of distillation, resulting in a high alcohol beverage.
Spirits fermentation
Usually the base material has an ABV between 8 to 14%. The liquid also contain acids, aldehydes, esters called “congeners” that are important to add distinct aromas to the finished product.
Distillation of Spirits
This stage concentrates the alcohol to a desired degree and usually separates completely from the water. Water has an higher boiling point than ethyl alcohol. Heat is applied to a solution of water and ethyl alcohol, so the alcohol will transform the liquid state into a gas.
Types of still
Distillation takes place in an apparatus called still. There is the POT still and the Column still.
Pot still
Pot still uses small batches and it takes 2/3 distillation to reach a typical alcohol level of 55% to 70%,
Pot still are preferred for artisanal quality spirits as they allow more flavoring agents.
The Column Still
Also known as patent or Coffey still, it allows a continuos stream of fluid to be distilled to a set strength in a single distillation. Column still are faster and are less labour intensive.
What are the so called “cut points”?”
Heart, heads and tails
The heads and the tails contain toxic alcohol such methanol while the heart or middle portion is the only potable portion.
What is the term Proof mean?
The term proof has been adopted to accurately describe the strength of alcoholic beverages.
Post distillation procedures
The new make spirits are colorless and they possess a sharp, biting aroma and taste. It is common to filter, add color, barrel aging and blending these spirits before they get released.
What are the origins of the Vodka?
The word vodka has
Slavic origins, coming from voda, or “little water.”
What is the source of vodka?
Grains are the most common source of the fermentable sugars in vodka, but fruits;
tubers, such as potatoes; and even sugar sources, such as sugarcane and honey, are used.
The uniqueness of Vodka
Unlike most of the other spirits types, it has no required source of ingredients.
The characteristics of Vodka
It is neutral style as a result of having been distilled to a very high proof as well as being generally unaged.
What type of raw materials are used to produce vodka?
Often very cheap materials like grains (primarily corn) and potatoes. Other vodkas are also produced using grapes, sugarcane or sugar beets.
How is vodka typically distilled?
Often in an energy efficient column still at 190 proffs in order to boils off the congeners. The goal is to make it a very “neutral spirit”.
Types of vodka being produced?
Infusions and mixtures of herbs, glasses, spices, leaves, honey and flowers.
- Pertsovka is a russian term for vodka flavored with red chilli pepper.
- Zubrowka is polish vodka with bison grass.
- Starka (Poland and Lithuania is vodka aged in oak casks.
Where is Absolut from? What is the base ingredient?
Sweden, wheat
Where is Belvedere from? What is the base ingredient?
Poland, Rye
Where is Ciroc from? What is the base ingredient?
France, grapes
Where is Grey Goose from? What is the base ingredient?
France, Wheat
Where is Ketel One from? What is the base ingredient?
Netherlands, Wheat
Where is Luksusowa from? What is the base ingredient?
Poland, Potato
Where is Skyy from? What is the base ingredient?
Usa, grain
Where is Smirnoff from? What is the base ingredient?
Usa, grain
Where is Stolichnaya from? What is the base ingredient?
Russia, grain
Where is Tito’s from? What is the base ingredient?
Usa, corn
Where is Wyborowa from? What is the base ingredient?
Poland, Rye
Definition of GIN
A clear, neautral spirit flavored with juniper berries and other botanicals including a range of herbs, spices, roots, flowers, seeds, and leaves.
Where is the origin of Gin?
Holland, Germany and England but today it can be produced everywhere.
How many categories of gin are still valid?
Two, the distilled gin and the compound gin.
What is distilled gin?
it is considered to be the highest quality product and it is produced by direct distillation.
How direct distillation work?
A fermented mash is placed into a special still that contains a mesh tray and a basket or perforated rack known as a gin head. The gin head is filled iwth juniper berries and other botanical.
Compound gin. How is it produced?
It may be produced using essential oils method.
What are the leading styles of gin?
London Dry Gin, Old Tom Gin, Plymouth Gin, Genever.
Describe London Dry Gin…
Perhaps the best known. It originated in London. Less than 0.1 gram pf sugar per liter. All of its flavoring must be created via original distillation or redistillation.
Describe Old Tom Gin…
Slightly sweet, it was one of the most predominat style in the 1800s.
Describe Plymouth Gin
Plymouth gin tastes slightly less dry than London dry Style and has a smoother juniper flavor.
Describe Genever
The original Dutch gin was called genever, the Dutch word for juniper. Genever gin is made using flavorful malted grains and thus has a less obvious juniper flavor than other typed of gin.
Brandy definition
Brandy is a class of spirits distilled from fruit, more specifically from grape wine. Brandy is also made from apples and pears.
The origins of Brandy
In the 1600 a Dutch trader suggested distillation as a way to “condense” wine for shipping with the intention of diluting the wine again when it reached its destination. The concentrated wine was liked a lot and the Dutch called the new product “Brandewijn” (burnt wine).
Grape brandy
They may be made in pot stills or continuous stills according to regulations and traditions.
Cognac location
Southwestern of France (just north of the Bordeaux wine region)
When Cognac was awarded as an Appellation of Origin (AOC)?
In 1936
How many crus are in Cognac?
6
Name the six Crus of Cognac
Grande Champange, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fin Bois, Bon Bois, Bois Ordinaire.
What does it mean the term “Fin Champagne”?
It may be used to indicate a cognac with a combination of grapes from the Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne areas, with at least 50% of them grown within Grande Champagne.
Grapes used to produce Cognac…
Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, Colombard, Montils, Semillon, Folignan, Jurancon Blanc, Meslier-Saint-Francois and Select.
How Cognac distillation takes place?
It takes place in a traditional alembic or pot still known as Charentais. It is a two stage distillation process known as a repasse.
How is the first distillation of Cognac called?
Premiere Chauffe
How is the second distillation called?
Bonne chauffe
How long Cognac is matured for?
A minimum of 2 years, but some version are aged longer.
What are the leading brands of Cognac?
Hennessey, Martell, Remy Martin, Courvoisier.
Definition of Armagnac…
It is a french grape- based brandy produced in the department of Gers in the heart of Gascony region.
When Armagnac received the AOC protection?
in 1936
How many region are in Armagnac?
3 subregions: Bas-Armagnac (most prestigious), Tenareze (the central growing area), Haut Armagnac (the most easterly).
Which area produces the best Armagnac?
Bas Armagnac.
What are the four main varieties in the production of Armagnac?
Ugni Blanc, Baco Blanc, Folle Blanche, Colombard. Six other varieties are allowed: Clairette de Gascogne, Meslier Saint-Francois, Plant de Graisse, Jurancon Blanc, Mauzac Blanc, Mauzac Rose’.
How many times Armagnac is distilled?
Generally only a single distillation via an Armagnac still which is an early version of Column still. Double distillation is also permitted.
What is Blanche Armagnac?
Armagnac that is aged for 3 months in inert containers. Most Armagnac is aged longer.
What is Calvados?
Calvados is an apple - based fruit spirit (brandy) produced in the french area of Lower Normandy.
How is Calvados distilled?
It is distilled from cider made from specially grown and selected apples.
In the production of Calvados are pears allowed to be included?
Yes.
How many AOC for Calvados exists?
3
Calvados AOC (basic Calvados)
Calvados Pays D’Auge AOC highest quality
Calvados Domfrontais AOC: it requires the use of a minimum 30% pear cider.
Definition of fruit Brandy
Brandies produced in may parts of the world from plums, apricots, cherries, berries
Cherry brandy
Believed to be originated in the Black Forest of Germany. Known as kirsch or kirschwasser (german for cherry water)
Apricot brandy
Hungary produces one called Barack Palinka
Plum brandy
Produced in many regions around the world. In the East of Europe they are known as slivovitz.
Whiskey definition
Whiskey is a spirit produced from grains. it is produced throughout the world. It is generally considered to be a beverage whose main flavor profile is derived from its grain-based raw materials and the time it spends in oak.
The origins of whiskey
it is believed the the Irish Celts were the first to produce a spirit from grains. The present day name “whiskey” is attributable to either the Scottish Celtic words uisge beathe or the Irish Celtic term Uisge baugh both of which mean “water of life”.
What are the whiskey main ingredients?
- Grain (Barley, corn, rye, wheat)
- Water (the quality of water - its hardness or softness and mineral content - contributes to each whiskey’s style.
-Yeast: the strain utilized can contributes to its distinctive flavors.
Scotch Whisky definition
It might be produced from a mixture of water, malted barley and other whole cereal grains.
How many styles of Scotch are?
5
Name the 5 styles of Scotch whiskey…
- Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Single Grain Scotch Whisky
- Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
- Blended grain Scotch Whisky
- Blended Scotch Whisky
What is Single grain Scotch Whisky?
Any Scotch whisky distilled at a single distillery and produced from other malted or unmalted grains in addition to malted barley.
What does it mean Single grain?
It means that the whisky was not made from a single type of grain.
Blended malt Scotch whisky meaing…
It is a blend of two or more single malt Scotch whiskies that have been produced at more than one distillery.
Blended Grain Scotch Whisky?
It is a blend of two or more single grain Scotch whiskeis
Blended Scotch Whisky?
It is a blend of one or more single malt with one or more single grain scotches direct, it accounts for about 90% of the Scotch whisky consumed worldwide.
Why Scotch whiskey is so renowned?
For its unique flavor profile derived mostly from its base materials (grain, water), fermentation process, aging and the use of Peat as a fuel during the kilning of the grain.
Scotch whisky top selling brand
Johnnie Walker, Glenfiddich, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Grant’s, J&B, The Macallan and Dewar
Irish Whiskey definition
Known as Uisce Beatha Eireannach is a PGI. It must be distilled in ireland from a mash of cereal grains and aged in wooden casks for a minimum of 3 years.
Different types of Irish Whiskeys…
- Irish Malt Whiskey: made from 100% malted barley and distilled in pot stills. Irish malt whiskey is traditionally triple distilled
- Irish Grain Whiskey: produced from a mash containing a maximum of 30% malted barley. This type of whiskey is distilled using column stills.
- Irish Pot Still Whiskey: mash containing minimum 30% of malted barley and 30% unmalted barley (minimum). It is batch distilled.
-Blended Irish Whiskey: a blend of two or more different whiskey types.
Canadian Whisky
Distillation began in 1790. Perfect conditions for growing rye and barley.
Canadian Whisky regulations
It must be made from a mash of cereal grains and fermented, aged, and distilled in Canada. And it must be aged for no less than 3 years.
