Definitions - Whiskey, Rum, Vodka, Gin, Tequila

 Some definitions of spirits that you should be knowing as third years - 

What is Whiskey?

Whiskey is a spirit made by fermenting and distilling grain. By long standing tradition, Scottish distillers spell the name of the spirit as “WHISKY” and the Irish distillers spell their spirit as “WHISKEY”. The Canadians follow the Scottish spelling and the American follow the Irish spelling.

What is Rum?

Rum” is an alcoholic distillate made from sugar cane, or its derivatives like sugar cane juice, molasses or other sugar cane by-products. The base is combined with water & yeast and after fermentation if is distilled. Majority of rums are produced from molasses. Molasses-based rum is distilled via a column still; sugarcane-based rum is often distilled via a pot still.

What is Vodka?

Vodka is a neutral spirit made from the fermentation and distillation grain mash than rectified. It has no flavour, aroma, colour etc.

Vodka is a drink, which originated in Eastern Europe. The name stemming from the Russian word ‘voda’ meaning “water of life” or as the Poles would say ‘woda.’ The first documented production of vodka in Russia was the end of the 9th century, but the first known distillery at Khylnovsk was reported in the Vyatka Chronicle of 1174.

Vodka can be manufactured from almost anything, which contains starch including potatoes, grain sugar cane, and grapes but generally produced by rye or corn.

What is Gin?

Gin is a flavoured alcoholic beverage, which produced by re-distilling high proof spirit with Juniper berries and other flavouring agent.

Gin was first created as a medicine by a Dutch chemist Franciscus De La Boe in 1650. He was a professor in university of Leiden. At that time it was believed that Juniper berries contain aromatic oil that offers diuretic properties that can cure bladder & kidney ailment.

What is Tequila?

Tequila is fermented & distilled alcoholic beverage made from the blue agave plant and produced in specific geographic area of Mexico known as Tequila, which is within the state of Jailisco (about 40 miles northwest of Guadalajara) and parts of the states of Michoacan and Nayarit. If produced outside these geographical limits, it is called mescal (By government decree 9dec, 1974). Tequila has become synonymous with the culture and heritage of Mexico.