Spirits Flashcards
What is acetic acid?
The acid component of vinegar. This is the product of the oxidation of ethanol by the action of bacteria known as acetobacter in the presence of oxygen. A volatile acid present in small quantities in most alcoholic drinks. Excessive amounts result in a vinegary nose and taste.
What type of agave must be used in the production of “Tequila 100% Agave?”
Blue Agave
(Agave tequilana Weber var. azul)
Agave is a succulent, but not a cactus. What species of plants is it related to?
Lilly
What are the sharp leaves of agave plants called?
pencas
What is aguardente/aguardiente?
Portuguese/Spanish word for spirit. In Portugal and Spain, this will be grape-based (such as the spirit used to fortify Port). In South America, the spirit is likely to be sugarcane-based.
What is Akvavit?
A spirit common in northern Europe that is predominantly flavored with caraway or dill seed.
What are the three most common types of alcohol found in spirits?
- Ethanol
- Methanol
- Fusel oils
What are aldehydes?
Aroma compounds produced by stripping alcohols of some of their hydrogen atoms, due to the effects of oxygen. While in small amounts these can add attractive floral, spicy and Sherry-like complexities to a spirit, they are the first step along the path from alcohol to vinegar.
What is amylase?
An enzyme that converts starch into fermentable sugars (maltose).
What is backset?
In the sour mash process, the acidic residue from the first distillation that is added to the fermenter for a subsequent batch. The acidity helps avoid bacterial spoilage, and the process helps to ensure consistency from one batch to the next.
What is babash?
A rough, locally made, usually illegal rum. It is usually sold under the table during sugar harvest time.
What is bagasse?
(French) Sugar cane stalks after they have been crushed and the juice removed. This fibrous material can be used as fuel (ex. for rum stills).
What is baumé?
French scale used in measurement of must weight.
What is BOB?
Buyer’s Own Brand
A spirits brand made by a third party (which could be a major spirits company owning several significant brands of its own) but sold under a label owned by a distributor or retailer. Supermarket own-brand vodka, gin and whiskey are examples.
What is boise?
(French) An extract of oak chips in spirit, used to give color and woody flavors to inexpensive young brandies.
What is boisé?
(French) Woody. Usually too woody.
What is bonne chauffe?
(French) The second distillation used in Cognac to convert the brouillis to eau-de-vie.
What is Bordeaux mixture?
Solution of copper sulfate and lime in water, used to spray vines as protection against fungal diseases.
Define “Bourbon”
A whisky produced at not exceeding 160° proof from a fermented mash of not less than 51% corn and stored at not more than 125° proof in charred new oak containers.
What is brandewijn?
(Dutch) Literally, “burnt wine.” The origin of the term brandy.
What is brouillis?
(French) The product of the first distillation in Cognac. Also called bonne chauffe.
What is the traditional barrel used in Sherry production? How big is it?
Butt. 600 liters.
(Picture shows a Sherry butt next to a Bourbon barrel)
What is a chai?
(French) Above-ground warehouse for storing and aging wine, Cognac or Armagnac, usually in barrels.
What is a chauffe-vin?
(French) Wine heater. Part of a Cognac still, used to heat the wine before it enters the pot still.
Explain cold compounding.
A simple method of flavoring spirits such as the cheapest gins and many flavored vodkas. Flavor concentrates are added directly to the spirit. This method is cheaper than maceration and/or distillation of botanicals, but the results can taste less complex.
What is Demerera?
A river (and a county) in Guyana, giving its name to a kind of raw brown cane sugar, and a richly-flavored style of rum.
What countries surround Guyana?
Venezuela, Brazil, Suriname
In what country might you hear someone say, “Duppie’s share?” What does it refer to?
Jamaican term for angel’s share.
What does “fine de ___” mean on a label?
(French) Grape brandy using grapes traditional to the winegrowing region. Ex: Fine de la Marne (Champagne), Fine de Bordeaux, Fine de Bourgogne
On what product would you find the words “Fine Champagne?”
Cognac
What does “finishing” refer to in the production of spirits?
A spirit (most commonly a malt whisky) may be transferred to a very active cask that has previously contained another alcoholic beverage such as Sherry, Port, wine or another kind of spirit. Although no loose liquid from the previous occupant should remain in the cask, a considerable amount will have seeped into the staves. Over a short period, the spirit will extract flavors and colors from the “finishing” cask. It may then be described as “Finished in Port Casks.”
What is a foudre?
(French) A very large cask (typically 35,000-65,000 liters)
