Spirits and Liqueurs Flashcards
What destillation is used for vodka production?
Continuous still
What is Vodka?
neutral, clear liquor
russian word for water
may be distilled from potstoes, rye, grapes, beets, molasses
why is Vodka filtered with charcoal?
to make it ultra-clean
what happens, if vodka is destilled over and over?
the stronger and purer the final spirit will be
in EU, vodka must have a minimum abv?
37,5%
Vodka producers?
Stolichnaya Ikon (both Russia) Chopin Belvedere (both Poland) Grey Goose (France) Ketel One (Holland) Tito's handmade Vodka (Texas 100%corn) Smirnoff (global, Diageo owned; Russian origin-not produced there for a century)
vommon flavors for vodka are:
lemon/citron vanilla orange rasperry blueberry fruits and spices
What is Aquavit?
scandinavian liquor
fermented from potatoes or grain
flavoured with caraway root and other aromatics
(basiclly flavoured vodka)
Soju
korean soju or jamanese shochu, destilled liquor made out of sake-now also made out of grain and potato- similar in style to unflavoured vodka
Awamori?
an Okinawan style of schochi - always destilled from rice
gin?
essentially flavored vodka
production of gin?
neutral grain spirit, flavoured with a range of botanicals - JUNIPER BERRIES are the most important component - and redistilled
What is London Dry Gin?
wide range of botanical flavorings
addition to juniper berries, often contains citrus and spice elements
orange peel, lemon peel, anise, cardamom, coriander, nutmeg, angelica root, …
Popular London Dry Gin brands?
Beefeater, Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, Gordon’s, Boodles
Where was gin developed?
Holland
How is Genever produced?
pot still
sweeter, but less alcoholic than London Dry Gin
Juniper and malt are dominant aromatics
min 15% malt wine (destillate of corn, rye and wheat)
Corenwyn?
Corn wine
cask aged Genever
maltwine comprises 51% of destillate
Jonge
cleaner, more neutral Genever
with less malt wine
Oude
traditional Genever
15% maltwine
Plymouth Gin?
just produced by Plymouth, Coates & Co (England)
fuller body than London Dry Gin
very aromatic
(for Pink Gin Cocktail)
What is Old Tom Gin?
English style rarely
lightly sweetened gin
old tom - was 19th century slang for black cat
Gin for the classic Tom Collins Cocktail
Whiskey - Whisky
Whisky prefereef spelling for Scotch
What is Whiskey?
… is distilled product of fermented grains, including unmalted and malted barley, maize, rye, oats, wheat
Where does the word Whiskey comes from?
Uisgebeatha
Gaelic for “Water of Life”
When was the first written proof of Whiskey?
Scotland 1494
When was Americas Whiskey Rebellion held?
1794
Bourbon Whiskey
destilled from min 51% corn
pioneered by Elijah Craig
aged in new oak casks
if aged for less than 4 years- it has do be written on label
Bourbon County is located at Kentucky
95% of Bourbon Whiskey is produced in that state
MAY LEGALLY BE PRODUCED ANYWHERE IN THE US
What is Tennessee Whiskey?
must be produced in Tennessee
currently only product by Jack Daniels and George Dickel
must be filtered with maple charcoal prior to aging
sour mash whiskey (portion of spent mash to neely fermenting mash)
Sour mash?
utilized by many Bourbon destillers
spent mash into newly fermenting mash
What is Rye Whiskey?
destilled from min 51% rye
aged in new charred oak barrels min 2 years
producers: Sazerac, Rittenhouse
more bitter and powerful than Bourbon
Corn Whiskey?
produced min 80% corn
may be unaged or aged
used or uncharred new barrels
labelled STRAIGHT (if spirit spent a minimum of 2 years in appropriate barrel)
Straight Whiskey?
if spirit spent min 2 years in the appropriate barrel
Difference American - Scotch Whiskey?
American: rely on newly charred wood
Scotch: used casks, used Bourbon and Sherry casks
2009 Scotch Whisky Regulation established 5 legal categories of Scotch. Which?
Single Malt Scotch Whisky Single Grain Scotch Whisky Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Blended Grain Scotch Whisky Blended Scotch Whisky
What is Single Malt Scotch Whisky?
destilled from malted barley
pot still at a single distillery
from 2012 all single malts must be bottled in Scotland
What is Single Grain Whiskey?
single destillery
unmalted barley, wheat or corn
What is Blended Malt Scotch Whiskey?
produced from a blend of Malt Whiskies
What is Blended Grain Scotch Whisky?
produced from two or more Grain Whiskies
What is Blended Whisky?
Mixture of Malt and Grain Whiskies produced of a number of different distilleries
What is the old term “Pure Malt Scotch Whisky” now called?
Synonym for Blended Malt Whiskies
Where is it allowed to produce Scotch Whisky?
all must be produced in Scotland
destilled twice (or more)
aged for at least three years
How long generally Single Malt Scotch ages?
at least 10 years
some are released at 25 or 30 years of age
Why Scotch Whisky can not be aged longer than 30 or 32 years?
“angles share”
all whiskies must be at least 40%abv
eavporation over time would weaken the spirit too much to meet the legal minimum
six regions on Scotland producing Whisky?
Highlands Lowlands Speyside Islay Campbeltown Islands
What is Scotlands largest Whisky region?
Highlands
Oban
Glenmorangie
Dalwhinnie
Dalmore
Highlands Whisky producers?
Glenmorangie
Oban
Dalwhinnie
Dalmore
What is often the lightest and least smoky Scoch?
Lowlands
Glenkinchie
Auchentoshan
Bladnoch
Lowlands Scoch producers?
Glenkinchie
Auchentoshan
Bladnoch
Where is Spyside?
producers?
former subzone of Highlands
home of a large number of destilleries
Glenlivet
Glenfiddich
Macallan
produced in Speyside with water from the river Spey
generally milder and fruity in character
Name the 3 distilleries of Campbletown?
Glen Scotia
Glengyle
Springbank
Major Scotch producing Islands?
Skye (Talisker) Jura Mull Arran Orkney (Highland Park)
Destilleries of Islay
Ardberg
Lagavulin
Laphroaig
most peaty and smoky style of Scoch
casks used for Single Malts
Port Sherry Madeira Burgundy Sauternes
Name the 2 destilleries who a pioneers of style crafting a softer, fruitier style of Single Malts designed to win converts to the category overall?
Glenmorangie
Balvenie
Name the 3 active Irish Whiskey destilleries?
Old Bushmills
Cooley
New Midleton (Producers of Jameson)
Difference between Scotch and Irish Whiskey?
Irish Whiskey is typically lighter, less smoky and traditionally distilled 3 times in pot still; must be aged at least 3 years prior to release ( in practice they age for at least 7 years)
Where except Ireland, US and Scotland - Whiskey is produced?
Canada & Japan
Japans most famous Whiskey producer?
Suntory
offering blended and single malt Whiskies
Japan Whiskey Style?
admirers of Scotch
produce Whiskey in similar style
What is Canadian Rye Whiskey?
generally blended
must be aged for three years before sale
no legal requirements
Glenora Destillers (Cape Breton Island of Nova Scotia) destills malt whisky in style of Scotch
Brandy?
Counterpart to Whiskey
Brandy used wine as it source material
eau de vie - water of life
EU defination of Brandy?
destillation of wine
with min abv 36%
min oak aging of 6 months
may be produced across the worlds viticultural regions
Where is Brandy produced?
Across the worlds viticultural regions
France, California, Spain, Germany, South America, Eastern Europe
Name the 2 delimated regions of Brandy production in Southwest France?
Cognac
Armagnac
When was Cognac first defined and where is it located?
1909
northeast of Bordeaux
Cognac’s 6 defined regions?
Grande Champagne Petite Champagne Borderies Fins Bois Bons Bois Bois Ordinaires (Bois a Terroirs)
Soils of Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne?
high % of soft chalk
preferred soil for Cognac
Soils of all Cognac regions except Grande & Petite Champagne?
hard limestone
sand
clay
What is Cognac?
destilled from low alcohol, acidic base wine produced from Ugni Blanc (98%), Folle Blanche, Colombard,…
Production of Cognac?
destilled twice
in copper Charaintais pot still
Name of the 2 destillation in Cognac production?
Brouillis (1. destillation - 28-32% alc)
Bonne Chauffe (2. destillation - 70% abv)
Bonne Chauffe (Second destillation at Cognac production) is devided in several parts- which?
tete (head)
coeur (heart)
secondes (second cuts)
queue (tails)
Cognac labels may give an designation of age- which?
VS - very special or *** min 2 years cask
VSOP - very special (superior) old pale min 4 years cask
XO - extra old min 6 years cask
(many are aged 15-20 yrs prior to release)
Do Vintage Cognac exist?
while now legal, are rare
If Grande Champagne is labeled eau de vie originates from…
100% named area
Fine Champagne on the label means?
Cognac is destilled from wines produced in Grande and Petite Champagne regions - Grande Champagne composing at least 50% of blend
Where is Armagnac located?
southeast of Bordeaux
3 regions of Armagnac?
Haut Armagnac
Bas Armagnac
Armagnac Tenareze
Grapes Armagnac produced from?
Ugni Blanc
Colombard
Folle Blanche (Picpoul)
Baco Blanc (only hybrid authorized in any french appellation)
What is Frances only hybrid grape authorized in an AOP appellation?
Baco Blanc
at Armagnac region
Production of Armagnac?
produced from a blend
my be destilled twice Charentais pot still
95% of all undergoes only one destillation
in cooper continuous still
Aging for Armagnac?
young Armagnac is aged in oak casks until it reaches its desired state
or
bottled after 3 months in an inert container as Blanche Armagnac AOC
What is Blanche Armagnac AOC
appellation since 2005
Armagnac bottles after 3 months in an inert container
clear spirit
Armagnac indications?
VS - aged at least 2 years in wood
VSOP - min 5 years
XO - min 6 years oak
BNIA
Bureau National Interprofessionel de l’Armagnac
BNIA new grading system?
Bureau National Interprofessionel de l’Armagnac
VS or *** barrel for 1-3 years
VSOP 4-9 years
XO or Hors d’Age 10+years
(2013)
Coupage
cellarmaster will blend a number of barrel selections
Vintage bottlingd in Armagnac?
must be aged min 10 years
vintage highlights the distinction of particular harvest
Cognac producers?
Remy Martin
Hennessy
Martell
Courvoisier
Armagnacstlye - cognac?
Armagnac is more rustic, fiery and more flavorful than Cognac
Except Cognac and Armagnac, name other regions of brandy production in France?
Fine de Bordeaux
Fine de Bourgogne
Fine de la Marne
(all are rarely seen today)
German Brandy.
producer?
Asbach Weinbrand
Charentais pot still
using base wine produced from Cognac grapes
Spain Brandy?
Name?
Region?
Grapes?
Brandy de Jerez
Andalucia- region of Sherry
aged in sinilar solera system
wines based on Airen and Palomino grapes
Brandies labeled:
Solera: age 1 year
Solera Reserva: 3 years
Solera Gran Reserva: 10 years
Brandy de Jerez.
producers?
most notable Sherry producers also make Brandy de Jerez
Domecq, Emilio Lustau, Osborne
What are Aguardente?
Brandy from Portugal
Italien Brandy?
Grapes used?
Buton
Trebbiano (ugni blanc)
Pisco?
Brandy from Chile and Peru
not aged in wood
base for Pisco Sour Cocktail
Pomace?
remnantants left after pressing grapes
Name some Pomace spirits around the World?
Marc (France)
Grappa (Italy)
Bagaceira (Portugal)
Best examples for Pomace spirits made in France…
Marc de…
Champagne
Alsace
Burgundy
Name two Grappa distiller?
Jacopo Poli Giannola Nonino (first one to deshill Picolit for grappa - produce a aromatic example)
Styles of grappa?
most are clear
some wood aged may be labeled: riserva stravecchia vecchia invecchiata
grappa may be aromatized with added herbal, spice or fruit flavor
What is Calvados?
Eau de Vie destilled from apple and pear cider
produced in the normandy region (northern France)
may be released as vintage or blend of years
Calvados’ 3 delimated appellations?
Calvados AOC
Calvados Domfrontais AOC
Calvados Pays d’Auge AOC
Calvados Production?
traditionally destilled twice in a copper pot still
aged for min 2 years in casks
Calvados Pays d’Auge
Premier region of production
limits pear cider to max 30%
Calvados Domfrontais
must recent appellation
requires min 30% perry (pear cider)
min 3 years cask
Calvados latter may be labeled as…
Vieux or Reserve: 3 years age
Vieille Reserve or VSOP: 4 years
XO, Hors d’Auge, Extra or Napoleon: min 6 years
Youngest Calvados are labeled as:
Fine
Notable Eaux de vie are…
Kirschwasser (Kirsch - cherries)
Poire William ( Williams - bartlett)
Framboise (Raspberry)
made from plums: Slivovitz, Mirabelle, Quetsch, Prunelle
Boukha: Fig (Tunesia)
Barak Palinka: Apricots (Hungary)
What is Rum?
Destilled spirit from fermented sugarcane or molasses
a byproduct of processing sugarcane into sugar
Name the 4 major styles if rum:
light rum
dark rum
demerara rum
rhum agricole
What is “light rum”?
distilled by continuous method
filtered with charcoal after short cask aging
to remove any color
best suited for mixing
as it has little character
What is “Damerara Rum”?
light rum style unique to Guyana
spirit is distilled from molasses and sometime aged for over a decade prior to release
What is Cachaca?
Brazilian spirit
is produced from fermented sugarcane and is essentially light rum
What is “Dark Rum”?
fuller in body
darker in colour
dominated by more complex caramel notes
may be distilled twice in pot still and be aged for a number of years prior to release
Why is dark rum dark?
aging darkens the spirit, but final color is almost achieved by adding caramel
What is Rhum Agricole?
French style
produced mainly on Martinique
may only be produced from sugarcane juice
column distillation is mandated in Martinique
What can be claim to be the southernmost AOC in France?
Martinique AOC (Caribbean) for Rhum Agricole
What are Spiced Rums?
rums flavored with the addition of spice or fruit
f.ex. Captain Morgan
What is Tequila?
product of fermented juice of the cooked PINA (pineapple) - the heart of the BLUE AGAVE plant
traditional pot still (twice) or continuous method
Where does Tequila comes from?
Mexico
mainly from JALISCO
Where except in Jalisco - Tequila is produced?
Guanajuato
Tamaulipas
Nayarit
Michoacan
Tequila is made of…
only the best is made of 100% blue agave juice
most are mixto (min 51% blue agave - other sugars make up the remainser of the ferment)
What means Tequila blanco or Tequila silver?
tequila, that is bottled immediately after distillation
Tequila Reposado?
Tequila aged 60 days to one year in oak casks
Tequila Anejo?
Tequila that are aged to a maximum of three years in cask
Extra Anejo?
new category (since 2006) Tequilas aged a minimum of 3 years in casks
Mezcal?
All tequila is mezcal- but not all mezcal is tequila.
Mezcal is distilled liquor produced from fermented agave
pricipially in the state of Oaxaca
What is used for Mezcal?
distillers typically use maguey (agave americana) or espadin agave ( agave angustifolia) rather than blue agave (agave tequiliana)
What may Mezcal be labeled?
Reposado
Anejo
The infamous worm can be found in some bottles of…
Mezcal (mezcal con gusano)
not in tequila!
what is a Bitter?
base spirit flavored by addition of spices, herbs, roots, fruit or botanicals
Name a well known style of “amaro” Bitters?
Fernet - Fernet Branca
“amaro” Bitters can be devided into 2 categories…
those to be anjoyed as:
aperitif (lower alc like campari, aperol,…)
digistif (higher alc like fernet, averna,…)
Name Bitters suitable for cocktail falvoring rather than straight drinking?
Angustora bitters - produced from base of Rum in Trinidad
Name some Bitter Herbal Liqueurs?
Fernet Branca Averna Ramazzotti Cynar Campari Aperol Amer Picon Suze Boonekam Unicum Jägermeister
Fernet Branca?
Italy
Herbs, Roots, Spices
Averna?
Italy
Herbs, Roots, Citrus
Ramazzotti?
Italy
Roots, Herbs, Orange Peel, Anise
Cynar?
Italy
Artichoke
Campari?
Italy
Herbs, Quinine, Rhubarb, Orange
Aperol?
Italy
Orange, Gentian, Rhubarb
Amer Picon
France
Orange, Gentian
Suze?
France
Gentian Root, Herbs
Boonekamp?
Germany (Underberg)
Herbs, Roots, Spices
Unicum
Hungary
Herbs, Spices
Jägermeister
Germany
Herbs, Spices, Fruits
Name some fruit liqueurs?
Cointreau Curacao Grand Marnier Van der Hume Maraschino Chambord Creme de Cassis Cherry Heering Midori Tamara Malibu Sloe Gin Limincello
Cointreau?
France
Orange
Curacao
Netherlands (Antilles)
Laraha Citrus
Grand Marnier?
France
Orange - Cognac base
Van der Hume
South Africa
Tangerine
Maraschino?
Croatia
Cherry
Chombard
France
Black Raspberry
Creme de cassis
France
Blackcurrent
Cherry Heering
Denmark
Cherry
Pisang Ambon?
Netherlands
Banana
Midori?
Japan
Melon
Tamara
Israel
Dates
Malibu
Barbados
Coconut
Rum base
Sloe Gin?
England
Sloe berries
sweetened gin base
Limincello
Italy
Lemon
Name some coffee, cream, nut and egg liqueurs?
Advocaat Bailey's Amarula Tia Maria Kahlua Godiva Frangelico Amaretto
Advocaat?
Netherlands
sweetened egg
Bailey’s?
Ireland
cream & chocolate
Amarula
South Africa
cream & marula fruit
Tia Maria?
Jamaica
coffee (rum base)
Kahlua?
Mexico
coffee (rum base)
Godiva?
Belgium
Chocolate
Frangelico?
Italy
hazelnut
Amaretto?
Italy
Apricot & Almond
Whiskey based Liqueurs?
Southern Comfort Drambuie Glen Mist Glayva Irish Mist
Southern Comfort?
American Whiskey
Peach, Orange, Spice
Drambuie?
Scotch Whisky
Heather Honey & Herbs
Glen Mist
Scotch Whisky
Heather Honey & Herbs
Glayva?
Scotch Whisky
Honey, Tangerine & Spices
Irish Mist
irish Whiskey
Honey & Herbs
Pernod
France
Anise
Ricard
France
Anise
Pastis 51
France
Anise
Ouzo
Greece
Anise
Sambuca
Italy
Anise & Elderberry
Galliano
Italy
Herbs, Anise, Vanillia
Licor 43
Spain
Vanilla, Herbs, Spices
Kümmel
Denmark
Caraway
Benedictine
france
Herbs & Spices
Chartreuse (green or yellow)
France
Herbs, Plants, Roots, Spices
B&B
France (cocktail originated in NY)
blended Benedictine and Brandy
Strega?
Italy
Saffron, Herbs, Spices
St Germain
France
Elderflower
Krupnik?
Poland
Honey
