Spirits Flashcards
absinthe
A dry flavored spirit whose main flavor component is wormwood. It tastes similar to the licorice-like flavors of anise.
ABV
Abbreviation for “alcohol by volume.” The percent of a liquid composed of alcohol, primarily ethanol.
agave
A plant native to the dry climates of Mexico, Southwestern U.S. states, and Central America, and often mistaken for a cactus. The blue agave variety, known as “agave tequila Weber azul,” is used to make tequila.
aguamiel
The juice that forms inside the agave plant.
Akvavit
A falvored spirt from scandanavia that features the distinctive caraway along with other herbs.
apply jack
“Fruit brandy” made from apples.
aqua vitae
Latin for “water of life.”
Armagnac
A grape spirit/brandy made in the Armagnac region of France.
Armagnac still
A column still used to make Armagnac.
backset
The “tails” of the distillate from a prior distillation used in bourbon production, added to each new batch of wash before it begins the first distillation. It contains little alcohol but has acids and congeners that add flavor and consistency to to each brand.
Baco 22A
A grape that is hybrid of Folle Blanche and an American grape called Noah. It is used along with Ungi Blanc to make to make Armagnac.
Pomace-based spirit made in Portugal and spelling.
bagaceira
Fibers from the cooked piñas that may be added to a tequila fermentation vessel to add complexity
bagasse
batch processing
A distilling process that requires distillers to run the process once, remove the distillate, clean the still, and then start over with the distillate, distilling it until they reach their desired purity level.
beer still
The first still used for making whiskey.
bitters
Flavored spirits similar to cordials but do not usually include sweetening agents.
blended grain Scotch
Scotch whiskey blends of single grain scotch whiskies from more than one distillery.
blended Irish Whiskey
Irish whiskey that contains a blend of two ore more distillates.
blended malt Scotch
Scotch whiskey that contains two or more single malt whiskies from different distilleries.
blended Scotch
Scotch whiskey that are blends of malt and grain whiskies.
blended whiskey (American)
blend of straight whiskey, other whiskey, and neutral spirits
must include at least 20 percent of straight whiskey on “a proof gallon basis.”
bottled-in-bond bourbon
Bourbon aged four years in charred oak barrels bottled at 100 proof. From a single distillery Vintage: produced in one season. No coloring or additives are allowed.
bourbon
Whiskey made in America
51 percent corn plus other grains
distilled up to 160 proof
stored at up to 125 proof in charred new oak.
brandy
A spirit made from fermented and distilled grape juice–basically a distilled wine.