White Spirits

Question 1

What percentage of Australians consume gin and vodka?

Answer 1

27.8% or 5,465,000

Question 2

What is the most consumed spirit in the world today?

Answer 2

Vodka

Question 3

What does the word ‘Vodka’ derive form?

Answer 3

The Slavic meaning “little water”

Question 4

Where did Vodka originate?

Answer 4

The origins are not entirely clear but it is claimed it originated as early as the 8th or 9th century in either Poland or Russia.

Question 5

When did Vodka become a popular drink in Russia and Poland?

Answer 5

The 14th Century until soon after WW2.

Question 6

What is Vodka traditionally made from?

Answer 6

Local ingredients such as Rye, Wheat (grains) and Potatoes. If it is made from any other source it must state it on the label.

Question 7

What is the original ABV of the purified neutral spirits purchased by producers to make vodka?

Answer 7

96% ABV

Question 8

What is the minimum ABV purified neutral spirits can be to classify as vodka?

Answer 8

37.5% ABV (with distilled water)

Question 8

What are the steps in vodka production?

Answer 8

1. Neutral spirits are distilled in a column stills and then rectified in a pot still or alternatively a distiller can purchase the NS already stilled and rectified
2. High Quality NS - 96% ABV
3. Spirit Reduction: water forms 60-70% of the final product. This water is the result of high quality water going through carbon/ reverse osmosis filter then being filtered and demineralised. Sugar/ glycerin/ citric acid can be added at this stage.
4. The spirit goes through a carbon/ pad filter.
5. The finished vodka 37.5% ABV, 40% ABV Premium.

Question 9

What is tequila made from?

Answer 9

Tequila is made by distilling the fermentation of blue agave (agave tequilana) plants.

Question 10

What does a spirit have to contain to be classified as a tequila?

Answer 10

51% blue agave plant distillate

Question 11

How is tequila made?

Answer 11

1. The heart of an agave plant (the piña) is steamed and shredded until a juice called aguamiel comes off.
2. The aguamiel is then mixed with cane sugar and yeast, then fermented for several days.
3. The fermented juice is then distilled twice in copper pots and reaches 45% ABV or higher
4. Once the distillation process is over, tequila is aged inside oak barrels which dictates the labelling:
   - Blanco (0-2 months in oak)
   - Reposado (2-12 months in oak)
   - Anejo (1-3 years in oak)

Question 12

What is a mezcal?

Answer 12

A mezcal is defined as any agave-based liquor. Both tequila and mezcal are made from harvested core of the agave plant, but are distilled differently:
- Tequila is typically produced by steaming the agave inside industrial ovens before being distilled two or three times in copper pots.
- Mezcal is cooked inside earthen pits that are lined with lava rocks and filled with wood and charcoal before being distilled in clay pots.
Both tequila and mezcal are aged inside oak barrels.

Question 13

What is the worm in mezcal?

Answer 13

Moth larvae.