Spirits Glossary - History of Liquors

Gin: Gin is a clear liquid. The exact combination of herbs, seeds, and peels used for flavouring varies from one brand to another, but the flavour of juniper berries always predominates. Many of the most popular gins are imported from England which is the original home of gin.

Rum: Rum is distilled from sugar cane, and is usually produced in tropical countries, particularly the Caribbean. There are light rums, which are clear in colour and light in flavour and dark rums, which are heavier and sweeter.

Tequila: Tequila is made in Mexico from the agave plant, which looks like a giant pineapple. It can be either clear or amber coloured. The latter is "gold" and the color comes from aging in wood.

Vodka : The best vodka is made from grain (either rye, barley, or corn), but traditionally is was made from potatoes or sugar beets, too. It varies from 80 to 100 proof, is not aged, and has no colour. Vodka also has no taste or odour, and so is usually mixed with orange juice, tomato or clamato juice, tonic water, or some other beverage.

Brandy: Brandy is a liquor that is distilled from wine. When ordered straight up it is served in a brandy snifter, a glass that concentrates the strong, complex bouquet. (Preferrably heated). Cognac is a type of brandy that comes from the Cognac region of southwestern France.

Scotch: Whisky from Scotland is made from a mash that consists primarily of barley. There are three types of Scotch--Malt, Grain and Blended. The Scots named whisky (it means "the water of life" in Gaelic). Malt whisky is made from barley malt that is dried slowly on screens over smoldering peat fires (the smoke) which is responsible for the unique taste of scotch. There are hundreds of brands.

Irish Whiskey: The Irish malt is not permitted to absorb the flavor of the peat smoke (as above). It is triple distilled and very smooth. Japan, New Zealand and Australia also make malt whiskies

Bourbon: Bourbon whiskey is made primarily in Kentucky from a mash consisting chiefly of corn.

Canadian Whiskey: They are made from mashes composed of corn, rye, wheat and other cereal grains.

Tennessee Whiskey: 90 proof straight whiskey. It is filtered through finely ground sugar-maple charcoal to give a smooth flavour. Then it is aged in charred-oak barrels for four or more years.

Most whiskey is a blend of as many as 40 kinds of whiskeys made from different grains. Whiskey may be aged six years or more. Aging develops the flavour and gives the beverage an amber colour.

Glossary of Terms

Courtesy of allaboutbooze.com