Spirits.

Vodka

Vodka is a distilled spirit with a high alcohol content that can be produced from a number of different materials and possess different characteristics depending on the creator. Most vodka produced these days is made from a grain, though some is still made from potatoes.The exact history of vodka is unknown, though it most likely originated somewhere in the region of Poland or Russia between the 14th and 16th centuries. The word is thought to derive from Russian, meaning roughly “little water”.

Gin

Gin is distilled from grain and receives its unique flavor and aroma from juniper berries and other botanicals. Every gin producer has his own special recipe, which is under strict quality control. The flavor of gin will vary with the distiller.  Gin was first produced in Holland by Dr. Sylvius, a Dutch physician, during the 17th century. He named it Genievre, the French word for the juniper berry. It was the English who shortened the name to gin. Brought from Holland into England by English soldiers, who called it "Dutch Courage", gin soon became the national drink of England and has so remained.

Gin can be made two ways, by either being distilled or compounded. All leading popular brands sold in the United States are distilled. Compounded simply means a mixture of neutral spirits with juniper berries. Distilled gin is distilled completely.

Virtually all gins in the United States use the word "dry." You will see it on brand labels that may read, "Dry Gin," "Extra Dry Gin," "London Dry Gin," or "English Dry Gin," but they all mean the same thing‑‑lacking in sweetness. Originally, "London Dry" meant gin produced in London, but the name "London" is considered to be generic, and therefore it is often used to describe gins produced in the United States.

Rum

The first Rum is first said to have been used in Barbados in the 1620s to describe intoxicating, rough and unpleasant liquor made from sugarcane juice. Although the exact origin of rum is not known, it is commonly believed to come from the English word 'rumbullion' which means 'great tumult'. Today rum is made of sugarcane and by-products such as molasses and sugarcane juice. Rum is a product of a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid is usually aged in oak and other casks. Majority of rum production occurs in Caribbean and along the Demerara River in South America, but rum is produced also elsewhere in the world such as Australia and India. Many of the finest rums were produced in New England prior to Alcohol prohibition. Rum is produced in a variety of styles. Light rums are often used in mixed drinks, while golden rums are appropriate for cooking as well as cocktails. Premium brands of rum are also available that are made to be consumed neat or on the rocks. Rum plays a part in the culture of most islands of the West Indies, and has a famous association with the British Royal Navy and piracy. Rum has also served as a popular medium of exchange that helped to promote slavery along with providing economic instigation for Australia's Rum Rebellion and the American Revolution.

Tequila

Tequila, the primary spirit of Mexico, has its own special flavor that is almost tart and leaves the tongue clean and tingling. In the 1970s, tequila became the fastest growing spirit in sales, as vodka did in the 1960s.  Tequila is obtained from the distillation of the fermented juice (sap) of the mescal plant, called pulque. The only source for Tequila is the mescal plant, which is a species of the agave plant. It is a cactus that takes between twelve and thirteen years to mature. Its long leaves, or spikes, are cut off at harvest time, leaving only the bulbous central core, called the pina, meaning pineapple. The pinas, which weigh from 80 pounds to 175 pounds each, are taken to the distillery where they are cooked in pressure cookers for several hours. They are then cooled and shredded, and the juice is pressed out. The fermentation process is completed in huge wooden vats.  The fermented juice is then twice distilled in traditional copper-pot stills.
Bourbon

This type of whiskey must be made in the U.S., and be composed of at least 51% corn mash, but no more than 80%. Though originally it had to come from Bourbon County, Kentucky; today it's not necessarily the case. It must also be stored in charred oak barrels at least two years. Like vodka, bourbon is clear after distilling, the color coming from the wood of the barrels. Most people think Jack Daniels is bourbon, but is actually Tennesee Whiskey, filtered through sugar maple charcoal.
Whiskey/Whisky

This distilled spirit must be less than 80% alcohol by volume(abv), usually 62.5-70%,thus ensuring more flavor remains in the whiskey. Be aged in charred new oak barrels a minimum of 2 years. If matured less than 4 years, the age must appear on the label, hence most straight whiskey is at least 4 years old. It also can't have any added coloring or flavoring. Impurities, known as cogeners react with the interior of the wood--the so called "red layers" which imparts its' color.
Scotch

Scotch is the proper name for whisky produced in Scotland, although other countries do produce similar grain-based liquors. In Ireland, the same basic product can be called Irish whiskey, while American whiskey is often called bourbon. Most Scotch whiskey is considered blended, which means the end product is a carefully mixed combination of up to 50 separate single malt whiskeys created specifically for blending. Some single malt Scotch whiskeys are sold directly to the public, but most are used as separate ingredients in a skilled blender's palette.

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