SPIRITS AND LIQUEURS

Given the surprising variety of liquors and cocktails, you might be surprised to learn that
there are ultimately only seven core spirits from which they're made. Each of these distilled
spirits has its own unique flavor, and each one features slight variations in the distillation
process. Learn them, and you'll have a much better sense of how to mix the perfect drink. 

All spirits are alcoholic, but not all alcoholic drinks are spirits, also referred to as hard
liquor.
These drinks tend to have a higher alcohol content than other alcoholic beverages and are
made via distillation. Working with a fermented liquid as a base, distillation essentially
separates the drink by boiling and condensing it, increasing the alcohol content as a result.
While modern distilleries use a little more complicated process than "just boil it," the
process is still roughly the same.
All alcoholic beverages contain ethanol, one of the only types of alcohol that isn't outright
toxic to human beings. Of these beverages, there are four distinct classifications: 
• Distilled. Created by distilling fermented materials. There are multiple types of spirits,
which we'll go into more detail below. 
• Fermented. As the name suggests, these are created via fermentation. Wine and beer are the
most commonly known. 
• Fortified. Fermented beverages that have had spirits added either during or shortly after
fermentation. Typically, this is only done with wine. 
• Liqueurs. Created by combining spirits with fruit, sugars, spices, and/or cream. This can be
done in several ways, including infusion, maceration, and simple mixing. 

Each spirit has its own distinctive taste due not only to the base from which it is distilled but
also to the way it's stored and aged. 
Most typically, spirits are distilled from fruit. However, some may be distilled from grains or
sugars. 
• Vodka
Distilled primarily from high-starch plants, vodka typically isn't very flavorful. Potatoes are
the most common base, though one can also use rye, corn, grains, or beets. Vodka generally
is not aged. 
BRANDS: ABSOLUTE, SMIRNOFF, GREYGOOSE, BELVERDE
ABV: 40% - 95%
COCKTAILS: BLOODY MARY, SCREWDRIVER
• Gin
Gin is distilled from grain. Unflavored gin typically has a dry flavor with hints of juniper,
citrus, or even malt wine, depending on how it was made. Many gins may also taste slightly
sweet and can be flavored with a range of different spices or fruits.
Like vodka, gin usually isn't aged. 
BRANDS: BOMBAY SAPHIRE, BEEFEATER
ABV: 40%
COCKTAILS: GIN TONIC, GIMLET
• Whiskey
Brewed by distilling malted grains such as rye, corn, wheat, or barley, whiskey is among the
most diverse spirits on the list, with a distinctive flavor that depends mainly on where it's
brewed. Some of the best known classifications include: 
• Scotch. Rich, smoky flavor, often with hints of peat. 
EX: GLENFIDICH, GLENLIVET
• Rye: Spicy and dry, sometimes contains notes of citrus. 
• Bourbon: Sweeter, often with notes of vanilla, caramel, or fruit. 
EX: JIM BEAM
Whiskeys are generally aged in oak casks, with older liquors being extremely expensive.
However, it’s essential to understand that the difference in flavor between an aged and
unaged whiskey is indistinguishable after a certain threshold.