Spirits Guide
Brandy
Brandy is a class of spirits that is distilled from grape wine, the pomace left over from winemaking, or the fermented juice from other fruits. Most grape brandies are aged in oak, while the fruit and pomace brandies are unaged and clear.
Gin
Gin is a flavoured spirit, obtained by redistilling a high-proof spirit primarily in the presence of juniper berries and other flavouring agents. There is no single way that gin must be produced and a variety of styles exist depending on distillation techniques.
Liqueur
Liqueurs, also known as cordials, are flavoured spirits containing no less than 2.5% sugar by weight and prepared by mixing or redistilling any type of spirit with fruit, plants, or other natural substances.
Rum
Rum is a spirit distilled from a fermented mash of sugarcane juice or molasses. It is often aged in wood barrels, but this is not a requirement. Rums can be made into a variety of colours and styles.
Tequila
Tequila is a spirit produced from the blue agave plant and comes in a wide variety of styles and flavour profiles. Unlike other major spirit categories, tequila can only be made in a few designated areas in Mexico.
Vodka
Vodka is a clear, unaged spirit that is often considered to be completely neutral – without distinct characteristics, flavour, colour, or aroma. Source ingredients can range from grains such as rye and wheat, to potatoes, grapes, and sugarcane.
Whisky
Whisky is a spirit made from a fermented mash of grain, distilled under 190 poof and stored in oak barrels before bottling at no less than 80 proof or 40% abv. (alcohol by volume).