Spirits

Question 1

What is a spirit?

Answer 1

(1) Distilled alcoholic beverage that (2) does not contain added sugar and (3) contains at least 40% ABV
They are the foundation of most cocktails

Question 2

What is vodka?

Answer 2

Vodka is made from neutral grain and sometimes potatoes, fruits, or sugar

Question 3

What is gin?

Answer 3

Gin is made from neutral grain, and then is steeped or vapor-infused with juniper and botanicals (herbs, roots, citrus) and then redistilled.

Question 4

What are the 4 categories of gin?

Answer 4

1. London Dry - most common; strong juniper; hints of citrus
2. Old Tom - sweeter, richer flavor than London dry
3. Plymouth - drier than London dry; more citrus forward; spicy botanicals
4. Genever - malt forward; less juniper and botanical; robust and rich

Question 5

What is rum?

Answer 5

Rum is made from sugarcane or sugarcane by-products (molasses) that is fermented and distilled before undergoing an optional aging process in either stainless steel vats or oak barrels.

Question 6

What are the types of rum?

Answer 6

1. White/clear - mild flavor, lighter body; aged in stainless steel
2. Gold/pale - mellow flavor; aged in oak barrels for some time
3. Dark rum - darker, fuller flavor; aged in oak for an extended period of time
4. Black rum - darkest, richest flavor; aged in oak barrels for longest period of time

Question 7

What are the 4 main categories of rum? (Based on style and region)

Answer 7

1. Spanish - light bodied from Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Cuba
2. English - rich, darker, and spicier, imported from former English colonies
3. French - earthier, drier, more floral notes, mostly imported from French West Indies
4. Jamaican - “navy rum”, complex, fruity, toasty, brown sugar, high ABV

Question 8

What are the two other types of rum that are further distinguished?

Answer 8

1. Spiced and Flavored Rum - can be aged as above but has additional flavor such as cinnamon, caramel, or coconut
2. Cachaça - must be produced in Brazil from sugarcane juice; smoother/sweeter

Question 9

What makes 100% agave?

Answer 9

It has to be made in Mexico

Question 10

What are the 4 categories of mezcal?

Answer 10

1. Joven/Blaco/Abacado - aged for 0-2 months
2. Reposado - aged for 2-11months
3. Añejo - aged 1-2 years
4. Extra Añejo - aged 3+ years

Question 11

What are the 4 categories of tequila?

Answer 11

1. Blanco/Silver/Plato - aged 0-2months
2. Reposado - aged 2-11months
3. Añejo - aged 1-2 years
4. Extra Añejo - aged 3+ years

Question 12

Tequila must be made from what kind of agave?

Answer 12

Blue agave

Question 13

What is tequila made from?

Answer 13

Blue agave that is steamed in above-ground ovens

Question 14

What is tequila usually distilled in?

Answer 14

Copper pot stills

Question 15

What is mezcal?

Answer 15

Mezcal broadly encompasses any agave-based spirit. Tequila is a type of mezcal

Question 16

How is mezcal typically distilled?

Answer 16

Clay pots

Question 17

Mezcals are..

Answer 17

Roasted in earthen pits with lava rocks

Question 18

Mezcals tasting notes are..

Answer 18

Smoky, earthy, and floral

Question 19

Tequilas tasting notes are..

Answer 19

Sweet, fruity, and toasty

Question 20

What is Irish whiskey?

Answer 20

Smooth; made from malt; distilled in wood casks for 3+ years

Question 21

What is Scotch whisky?

Answer 21

Made in Scotland with malt or grain; aged 3+ years in oak

Question 22

What is Japanese whisky?

Answer 22

Similar to scotch style; dry, smoky, peaty flavors

Question 23

What is Canadian whisky?

Answer 23

High corn content; barrel aged 3+ years; light/smooth

Question 24

What are the 3 types of American whiskey?

Answer 24

1. Bourbon
2. Tennessee
3. Rye

Question 25

What is Bourbon whiskey?

Answer 25

51%+ corn; aged in charred new-oak barrels

Good for chocolate, caramel cocktails

Question 26

What is Tennessee whiskey?

Answer 26

51-79% corn; maple charcoal filtration

Question 27

What is Rye Whiskey?

Answer 27

51%+ rye; crispier and spicier than bourbon

Question 28

What does the term “single” mean for whiskey? E.g “Single Malt Whiskey” vs “Blended Whiskey”

Answer 28

Single defines whether the spirit is made from a single distillery. Single malt/grain whiskeys may or may not be a blend of different casks, as long as all of those casks come from the same distillery

Question 29

What is a “blended” whiskey?

Answer 29

Blended whiskeys indicate that the spirit is a blend of whiskies from different distilleries. Mixing casks helps distilleries find the precise, balanced flavors they desire

Question 30

What is the difference between Whiskey and Whisky?

Answer 30

The country of origin, with Irish and American whiskeys using an “e”

Question 31

What is brandy?

Answer 31

Brandy is typically made from fruit with the most common source being grapes

Question 32

If a spirit is just labeled as “Brandy”, what does this imply?

Answer 32

That it was made from grapes

Question 33

How are Brandies typically aged?

Answer 33

In wooden casks

Question 34

What is a “mature” brandy?

Answer 34

Brandy that is aged more than 2 years

Question 35

What is an “unaged” Brandy?

Answer 35

Brandy aged less than 2 years

Question 36

Why do we age some spirits?

Answer 36

Three main reasons:

1. Additiv - As a spirit ages, the raw alcohol will add flavor from wooden barrel/cask.
2. Subtractive - It also allows for some undesired flavors to wane.
3. Interactive - The ethanol interacts with the wood to break down charred wood sugars and to oxidize with air