Spirits / Alcohols

Bourbon

Bourbon is a type of American whiskey, specifically a spirit made from a mash of at least 51% corn, distilled, and aged in new, charred oak barrels.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

Definition: Bourbon is a distinct product of the United States, meaning it can only be labeled as “bourbon” if produced within the US.

Mash Bill: The mash bill, or the recipe of grains used, must contain at least 51% corn.

Distillation: Bourbon must be distilled at no more than 160 proof.

Aging: It must be aged in new, charred oak barrels.

Flavor Profile: Due to the corn base and aging in new, charred oak, bourbon typically has a sweeter, vanilla, caramel, and oak flavor profile.

  • No minimum age requirement
  • No additives

Popular brands: Some popular bourbon brands include Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Four Roses, Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey, and Woodford Reserve.

Brandy

Brandy is a liquor made from distilling wine or other fruit, like apples or apricot. Popular styles include Cognac, Armagnac, Calvados, Spanish Brandy (Brandy de Jerez), American Brandy, and Pisco.

Popular brand names: Hennessy Cognac, Rémy Martin Cognac

Top cocktails: Sidecar, Brandy Alexander, 10 Cognac Cocktails or 15 Best Brandy Cocktails

Brandy is a distilled spirit, typically made by distilling fermented fruit juice, most commonly wine, but can also be made from other fruits like apples or pears.

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

Origin: The term “brandy” comes from the Dutch word “brandewijn,” meaning “burnt wine”.

Production: Brandy is produced by distilling fermented fruit juice or mash, with grapes being the most common source.

Types:

  • Grape Brandy: Made from fermented grape juice, this is the most common type.
  • Fruit Brandy: Can be made from various fruits, such as apples (Calvados), pears, cherries, or plums.
  • Pomace Brandy: Made from the leftover solids (pomace) after wine production.

Examples: Well-known brandy types include Cognac and Armagnac from France, and Pisco from South America.

Aging:Many brandies are aged in wooden casks, which can impart a characteristic flavor and color.

Alcohol Content: Brandy typically has an alcohol content of 35-60% by volume (70-120 US proof).

Consumption: Brandy can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or used in cocktails.

Gin

Gin is a distilled liquor that gets its flavor from juniper berries.

Popular brand names: Tanqueray Gin, London Dry Gin, Old Tom Gin

Top cocktails: Gin Fizz, Gin and Tonic, Tom Collins, and Best Gin Cocktails

Gin is a distilled alcoholic spirit flavored primarily with juniper berries, though other botanicals such as citrus and herbs are commonly added.

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

Base Spirit: Gin is typically made from a neutral spirit distilled from grains, such as wheat or barley.

Juniper Berries: To be classified as gin, a spirit must be flavored predominantly with juniper berries, giving it its distinctive piney or “ginny” taste.

Other Botanicals: Besides juniper, gin can also be infused with a wide variety of other botanicals, including citrus peel (like lemon or orange), herbs (like thyme or rosemary), and spices (like coriander or cardamom).

Production Process: The botanicals are added to the neutral spirit either through steeping or distillation.

Styles of Gin: There are several different styles of gin, each with its own unique flavor profile, including London Dry Gin, Old Tom Gin, and Genever.

Gin vs Vodka: While both are neutral spirits, gin’s defining characteristic is the addition of juniper berries, distinguishing it from vodka, which typically does not have a defined flavor profile.

Moonshine

Moonshine is a term for homemade, unaged, high-proof whiskey, typically made from corn, and often produced and distributed illegally.

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

Definition: Moonshine is a type of distilled spirit, usually a clear, unaged whiskey, that is traditionally made at home using a corn base (maize) and a high alcohol content.

History: The name “moonshine” is believed to come from the practice of distilling and distributing liquor under the cover of darkness to avoid detection and taxes.

Ingredients: Moonshine is typically made from corn, yeast, and water, which are fermented and then distilled to produce the high-proof spirit.

Illicit Nature: Historically, moonshine was produced and distributed illegally, often to avoid taxes or outright bans on alcoholic beverages.

Distinction from Whiskey: While moonshine is a type of whiskey, it is distinguished by its unaged nature and often illicit production.

Modern Moonshine: Today, some moonshine is produced legally, but the term still carries the connotation of a homemade, high-proof spirit.

Rum

Rum is a distilled liquor made from sugarcane molasses or juice. Styles of rum include white rum, golden rum, dark rum, and aged rum. Cachaça (used in the popular Caiprinha) is considered a type of Brazilian rum. Coconut rum is considered a coconut liqueur, because of the added sugar and low alcohol level.

Popular brand names: Bacardi Rum, Capitan Morgan Rum, Goslings Black Seal Rum, Malibu Coconut Rum (considered a coconut liqueur)

Top cocktails: Mojito, Daiquiri, Best Rum Cocktails, Dark Rum Cocktails, or White Rum Cocktails

Rum is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane byproducts, such as molasses or sugarcane juice, which can be fermented and aged in wooden barrels to produce a sweet and smooth spirit.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

Key Characteristics:

Base: Sugarcane is the foundation of rum production, with either the juice or molasses used as the base.

Distillation: The fermented sugarcane base is then distilled to produce an alcoholic beverage.

Aged or Not: Rum can be aged in oak barrels, which contributes to its color and flavor development.

Types of Rum: White/Silver/Clear Rum: Aged minimally, or not at all, and often filtered to remove color.

Gold/Amber Rum: Aged in oak barrels for a longer period than white rum, resulting in a golden color and more complex flavors.

Dark/Black Rum: Aged for the longest time, often with added molasses or caramel, giving it a darker color and a robust flavor profile.

Spiced Rum: Rum infused with various spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla.

Rhum Agricole: A style of rum originating from the French Caribbean islands, made from freshly squeezed sugarcane juice rather than molasses.

Tequila

Tequila is a Mexican distilled spirit made from a specific type of agave: the blue agave plant, or agave tequiliana. Mezcal is the category of spirit made from any variety of agave, so tequila is a type of mezcal. Styles of tequila include Blanco, reposado, and añejo.

Info: Types of Tequila: Blanco vs Reposado vs Añejo, Mezcal vs Tequila

Popular brand names: Patrón Silver Tequila, Jose Cuervo Tequila

Top cocktails: Margarita, Paloma and Best Tequila Cocktails

Tequila is a distilled spirit made from the blue agave plant, primarily produced in the region around Tequila, Mexico, and known for its use in cocktails like margaritas. 

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

  • What it is:

Tequila is a distilled alcoholic beverage made exclusively from the blue agave plant ( Agave tequilana Weber ). 

  • Where it’s made:

The production of authentic tequila is restricted to the region around the city of Tequila, northwest of Guadalajara, and in the highlands (Los Altos) of the western Mexican state of Jalisco. 

  • How it’s made:
  • The heart of the agave plant (the “piña”) is harvested and cooked. 
  • The cooked agave is mashed to extract the juice. 
  • The juice is then fermented and distilled. 
  • The final product, depending on the aging process, can be bottled as Blanco (unaged or minimally aged), Reposado (aged in oak for a short period), or Añejo (aged in oak barrels for a longer duration). 
  • Common uses:

Tequila is a popular spirit, often used as the base for cocktails like margaritas, Paloma, and as a shot. 

  • Different styles:

There are different types of tequila, including Blanco (white or silver), Reposado (rested), and Añejo (aged), each with distinct flavors and aging processes

Vodka

Vodka is a clear distilled liquor from Europe with a neutral flavor.

Popular brand names: Tito’s Vodka, Skyy Vodka, Absolut Vodka

Top cocktails: Moscow Mule, Bloody Mary, Cosmo, Espresso Martini, and Best Vodka Cocktails

Vodka is a clear, distilled alcoholic beverage that’s typically made from grains, potatoes, or other fermentable ingredients. It’s often used as a base in cocktails like the Bloody Mary, Cosmopolitan, and Martini.

Ingredients:

Grains like rye, wheat, corn, barley, or sorghum

Potatoes

Sugar beets

Fruits like grapes

Production:

Ferment the ingredients with yeast to create a liquid called “wash”

Distill the wash to separate the ethanol from other components

Filter and refine the liquid to remove impurities

Taste:

Traditionally, vodka is flavorless and neutral

The base ingredient can influence the final flavor

For example, rye can add spice and an oily texture, while potatoes can add a creamy mouthfeel

Alcohol content:

In the United States, vodka must be at least 80 proof (40% alcohol by volume)

The European Union requires a minimum alcohol content of 37.5%

Uses:

Vodka can be served neat, chilled, on the rocks, or in cocktails

Whiskey

Whiskey is a distilled liquor made from grain mash. There are many types of whiskey from different regions. Popular styles are Bourbon, Rye Whiskey, Scotch Whisky, Canadian Whisky, Japanese Whisky, Tennessee Whiskey and Irish Whiskey. There are also flavored whiskies, like Peanut Butter Whiskey and Fireball Whisky.

Info: Types of Whiskey, Rye Whiskey Guide, Irish Whiskey Guide, Bourbon vs Whiskey, Scotch vs Whiskey, Fireball Whisky Guide, and Peanut Butter Whiskey Guide

Popular brand names: Maker’s Mark (Bourbon), Woodford Reserve (Bourbon), Jameson (Irish Whiskey), Crown Royal (Canadian Whisky), Jack Daniels (Tennessee Whiskey), Skrewball (Peanut Butter Whiskey)

Top cocktails: Whiskey Sour, Old Fashioned, and Best Whiskey Cocktails

See also: Top Whiskey Cocktails, Bourbon Cocktails, Rye Whiskey Cocktails, Irish Whiskey Cocktails, Scotch Cocktails, Crown Royal Cocktails, Fireball Drinks, and Peanut Butter Whiskey Cocktails

Whisky (or whiskey) is a distilled spirit made from fermented grain mash, typically aged in wooden casks, and often distinguished by region or type of grain used.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

What it is:

Whiskey is a broad term encompassing various distilled alcoholic beverages produced from fermented grain, with variations in flavor and production methods.

Production:

It begins with fermenting a mash of grains like barley, corn, rye, or wheat, which is then distilled and aged in wooden barrels (often charred oak).

Different types:

The type of whiskey is often determined by the region where it’s produced (e.g., Scotch whisky, Bourbon, Irish whiskey), the type of grain used (e.g., rye whiskey, malt whiskey), or the aging process.

Flavor:

Whiskeys typically have a warm, spicy, or sweet, caramelly flavor.

Alcohol by volume:

Most whiskeys have a minimum of 40% alcohol by volume (ABV), and are usually aged for at least a few years.

Spelling:

While the spelling “whisky” is more common with reference to Scotland (where scotch whisky is made), “whiskey” is also widely used.

Examples:

Scotch whisky, Bourbon, Irish whiskey, Japanese whisky and Canadian whisky are all types of whiskeys.