Spirits and Liquers

Question 1

Where is Vodka from?

Answer 1

(-) Vodka can be made anywhere in the world

(-) Traditionally associated with Eastern Europe (Russia, Poland)

Question 2

Raw material of Vodka

Answer 2

Commonly cereal grain but can be anything

Eastern Europe uses Potatoes and Cereal grains

Question 3

Type of distillation for Vodka

Answer 3

• Continuous still used most often to make vodka, but there are a few premium vodkas that are made in pot stills
• No minimum number of distillations, but the more you do the smoother and more neutral it becomes

Question 4

Distinct / special process for Vodka

Answer 4

Distilled multiple times in continuous still to remove any flavors

Question 5

Vodka Producers

Answer 5

Tito’s

Absolut

Smirnoff,

Grey Goose,

Kettle One

Cîroc

Belvedere

Question 6

Region Of Origin for Rum

Answer 6

Can be anywhere but
traditionally Caribbean

Question 7

Raw Material of Rum

Answer 7

• Fermented sugarcane juice
• Molasses (which is one of the byproducts when making sugar from sugarcane)

Question 8

Styles of rum depend not only on the product it’s distilled from, but what type of _____ is used in production.

Answer 8

Still

• Continuous still = more neutral style rum
• Pot still = expressive, full of character

Question 9

How do Dark Rums get their color?

Answer 9

They’re aged for an extended period of time in oak barrels

Question 10

Rum producers

Answer 10

• Myers’s
• Mount Gay
• Bacardi
• Captain Morgan (Spiced)
• Diplomático
• Goslings
• Havana Club

Question 11

Types of rum

Answer 11

Light
Dark
Aged
Spiced

Question 12

From where does gin originate?

Where can gin be made today?

Some of the world’s best examples of gin are made where?

Answer 12

• Originates from Holland (it’s orignally a Dutch product)
• Can be made anywhere in the world today
• Best examples from Great Britain in London Dry style

Question 13

What product is gin traditionally distilled from?

Answer 13

Cereal grains - just like vodka!

Question 14

What is the dominant flavoring agent in gin?

Answer 14

Juniper berries

Question 15

What are some other ingredients used to flavor gin?

Answer 15

Citrus peel
Anise
Angelica root
Orris root
Licorice root
Cinnamon
Cassia bark
Various herbs

Question 16

How do those botanical flavorings get into the gin?

Answer 16

• A neutral, base alcohol made from grain
• The selected ingredients are macerated with the base alcohol
• Then it’s distilled again (usually a few times)

Question 17

Gin producers

Answer 17

• Tanqueray
• Bombay
• Nolet
• Beefeater
• Hendrick’s,
• Sipsmith

Question 18

Type of distillation for Gin

Answer 18

Continuous distillation

Question 19

Tequila is a protected appellation in which state in Mexico?

Answer 19

Jalisco

Question 20

What plant must Tequila be made from?

And which part of the plant?

Answer 20

• Blue agave plant (Agave tequilana)
• Fermented juice from the cooked piña / heart of the plant
• The heart of the plant is called ‘piña’ because it’s shaped like a pineapple.

Question 21

In what still can Tequila be made?

Which still is it traditionally made in?

Answer 21

Either a pot still or a continuous still, but the pot still is traditional

Question 22

When is Blanco / Silver Tequila bottled?

Answer 22

Immediately after disillation

Question 23

How long is Blanco aged

Answer 23

Under 2 months

Question 24

What is the aging requirement for Reposado Tequila?

Answer 24

Must be aged at least 60 days and up to 1 year in oak barrels

Question 25

What is the aging requirement for Añejo Tequila?

Answer 25

Must be aged 1-3 years in oak barrels

Question 26

Tequila producers

Answer 26

Don Julio Jose Cuervo Patron Herradura Sauza El Jimador 1800 Hornitos

Question 27

Which state in Mexico is the Mezcal appellation a protected one?

Answer 27

Oaxaca But there are other states where Mezcal can be made; it’s just not a protected name in these other places.

Question 28

What is Mezcal distilled from?

Answer 28

Fermented agave

Question 29

What are 2 key differences between tequila and mezcal?

Answer 29

**Tequila**: * Made from Blue Weber Agave only piñas typically steamed in ovens **Mezcal** * Made from up to 50 different varieties of agave piñas traditionally roasted in earthen pits filled with wood or charcoal (where it gets is smoky notes from)

Question 30

Which still(s) are used to make Mezcal?

Answer 30

Either a pot still or a continuous still, though a pot still is used for traditional Mezcals

Question 31

Types of Mezcal

Answer 31

Blanco Reposado Añejo

Question 32

In which style is Mezcal traditionally made? Blanco Reposado Añejo

Answer 32

Blanco, though some examples of barrel-aged Mezcals exist in today’s market.

Question 33

Mezcal producers

Answer 33

* Bozal * montelobos * Del Maguey * Wahaka