Distilling Types

Question 1

What are the 6 based types of distilled spirits?

Answer 1

Brandy, Gin, Rum, Tequila, Vodka, and Whiskey

Question 2

What is Brandy distilled from?

Answer 2

Fruit

Question 3

What is the alcohol content of Brandy

Answer 3

typically 40% (80 proof)

Question 4

What is Gin distilled from?

Answer 4

Usually NGS and botanicals

Question 5

How is Gin aged?

Answer 5

Typically unaged

Question 6

What are the typical styles of gin?

Answer 6

London Dry Gin, Plymouth Gin, Old Tom Gin, Genever, New American (or Modern-Styled) Gin

Question 7

What is the alcohol content of gin?

Answer 7

Typically 40 to 47 percent ABV (80 to 94 proof)

Question 8

What is Rum distilled from?

Answer 8

Rum is distilled from some form of sugar. Molasses is very common, and some rum uses pure sugar cane.

Question 9

What is Rum’s flavor profile?

Answer 9

Rum has a sweet toasted sugar taste that varies by style and region.

Question 10

How is Rum aged?

Answer 10

Light rum is typically not aged, and other rums are often aged in oak barrels to some extent. Due to climate, aging times vary greatly; warm climate rum requires less barrel time than rum from colder climates. Rum is also often blended.

Question 11

What are the styles of Rum?

Answer 11

Light Rum, Gold Rum, Dark Rum, Over-Proof Rum, Spiced Rum, Cachaça, Flavored Rum

Question 12

What is the alcohol content of Rum?

Answer 12

Typically 40 percent ABV (80 proof). Overproof rums can reach 75 percent ABV (150 proof).

Question 13

What are the regulations of Rum?

Answer 13

There are no distinct worldwide regulations, but some rums must adhere to regional laws and traditions. For example, cachaça must be produced in Brazil.

Question 14

What is Tequila distilled from?

Answer 14

Tequila is distilled from the fermented juices of the agave plant

Question 15

What is the flavor profile of tequila?

Answer 15

Most tequila has a vegetal, earthy flavor with semi-sweet and spicy tones.

Question 16

How is tequila aged?

Answer 16

Blanco (or silver) tequila is un-aged. Reposado and añejo tequilas are aged, often in used whiskey (bourbon) oak barrels. Gold tequila is blended.

Question 17

What are the tequila styles?

Answer 17

Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, Extra-Añejo, Gold (Other agave spirits are mezcal, pulque, sotol, raicila, and baconara, but these are not “tequilas.”)

Question 18

What is the alcohol content of tequila?

Answer 18

Typically 40 to 50 percent ABV (80 to 100 proof)

Question 19

What are the regulations of tequila?

Answer 19

Tequila is the most tightly regulated liquor. The laws are defined under an Appellation of Origin, which was first adopted in 1978, and the industry is overseen by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT).

Question 20

What is vodka distilled from?

Answer 20

Vodka can be distilled from almost anything, and it can be a catch-all category for white spirits that don’t fit elsewhere. Neutral grains (rye, corn, wheat, etc.) and potatoes are the most common, though some vodkas are distilled from beets, grapes, and other bases.

Question 21

What is vodka’s flavor profile?

Answer 21

Vodka has a neutral alcohol/ethanol taste. This can varies greatly depending on the distillate base and added flavorings. Quite often, vodka is distinguished more by texture: oily vs. medicinal.

Question 22

Is vodka aged?

Answer 22

Vodka is rarely aged.

Question 23

Where is vodka typically produced?

Answer 23

Vodka is made everywhere and is traditionally known as a spirit from Russia and Poland.

Question 24

What are the styles of vodka?

Answer 24

The base typically distinguishes clear vodka it was distilled from and/or the region it was produced. Flavored vodkas are a popular category.

Question 25

What is the alcohol content of vodka?

Answer 25

Typically 40 to 50 ABV (80 to 100 proof)

Question 26

What are the regulations of vodka?

Answer 26

Vodka is open to interpretation, and there are no regulations on its production.

Question 27

What is whiskey distilled from?

Answer 27

Whiskey is distilled from malted grains. It varies by style, but corn, rye, wheat, and barley are common. Many whiskies use a combination of a few grains in the mashbill.

Question 28

What is the flavor profile of whiskey?

Answer 28

Roasted, malted grain with oak undertones should be expected in any whiskey. There are also distinct characteristics in each style.

Question 29

How is whiskey aged?

Answer 29

Whiskey is typically aged in charred oak. Some styles, such as bourbon, require new barrels while others use a mixture of new and previously used whiskey or wine barrels. Moonshine (also called white dog) is the primary exception to aging. Some whiskeys are blended, while others are single malts.

Question 30

What are the whiskey styles?

Answer 30

Bourbon, Canadian Whisky, Irish Whiskey, Japanese Whisky, Rye Whiskey, Scotch Whisky, Tennessee Whiskey, Blended Whiskey, Flavored Whiskey

Question 31

What is whiskey’s alcohol content?

Answer 31

Typically 40 to 50 percent ABV (80 to 100 proof) or higher

Question 32

What are the regional regulations of whiskey?

Answer 32

Most whiskey styles have their own distinct regulations governed by the country of origin. Those simply labeled “whiskey” or “blended whiskey” generally do not fall into a regulated category.