Absinthe
Nicknamed the 'Green Fairy', Absinthe is a bitter, aniseed-flavoured green liquor distilled with anise, fennel and wormwood. It has a reputation to challenge
Akvavit / Aquavit
The word akvavit, like the word whisky, originates from the alchemical term water of life or aqua vitae in Latin. It is also known as aquavit. This flavoured
Arak / Araq / Raki
Arak, Araq is an alcoholic anise-flavoured beverage traditionally served in the Middle Eastern countries of Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, but is also
Armagnac
Armagnac is a fine brandy from South West France. It is distinguished from Cognac by its use of single continuous distillation rather than double batch
Baijiu or Shaojiu
Baijiu (白酒) or Shaojiu (烧酒) is a Chinese distilled alcoholic beverage between 40-60% alc./vol. Baijiu literally translates as 'white alcohol' and
Beer eau-de-vie (eau-de-vie de bière)
Beer eau-de-vie is traditionally made in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and France, typically by smaller breweries and beer brewing monasteries
Bitters
Bitters are alcoholic beverages prepared with herbs, spices, roots, fruits and peels infused in alcohol or glycerin. Popular ingredients include gentian,
Bourbon
Bourbon is as American as the Stars and Stripes, the Grand Canyon, and pumpkin pie, but there are some common misconceptions about what exactly bourbon
Botanical Spirits
All the botanical influences and low cost of entry distillation opportunities which gin offers, but without gin's restrictive requirement to include and
Cachaca
In Brazil, Cachaça is also marketed under the name caninha (‘little cane’) or as ‘aguardente de cana’, which means ‘distillate of cane’ but
Cognac summarised
Cognac is a fine French brandy (eau-de-vie) from the region that surrounds the little town of Cognac in southwest France. Like champagne, its mere name
20 best Gin cocktails
Gin challenges even vodka for its cocktail versatility, and as the leading spirit in vintage cocktail books there are plenty of great gin-based cocktails
Eaux-de-Vie
Traditionally produced in Germany, France, Yugoslavia and Scandinavia, eaux-de-vie are 'fruit brandies which are usually sold un-aged, so clear and colourless
About Irish whiskey
As the name suggests, Irish whiskey must be made and aged on the island of Ireland. It is distilled from the fermented mash of malted cereals, with or
Mezcal - What is mezcal?
The name mezcal originates from the Aztec language and refers to a traditional Mexican spirit made from the Agave plant, known as Maguey in the Aztec language
Peruvian pisco
Pisco is the Peruvian National spirit. It is made by distilling wine fermented from the fresh must of eight specific varieties of vines to produce a clear,
Styles of rum
The spectrum of rum ranges from light, vodka-like extra-light white rums to characterful cognac-like aged rums with Navy, Dunder and such like in between.
Ryukyu Awamori intro
Made from water, rice, yeast, and a special black mould Aspergillus awamori called kuro koji (black koji), awamori has been produced in Okinawa since
How is Single Malt Scotch Whisky made?
There are over 100 different single malt whisky distilleries in Scotland, each producing their own distinctively different whiskies. However, broadly speaking
Shochu / Soju
Translating as 'fiery liquor', Shochu (spelt Soju in Korea) is the traditional spirit of Japan. It is distilled from a number of different materials and
Tequila - How is tequila made and what from?
Tequila is a distilled spirit made from the cooked and fermented juice of the agave (pronounced 'Uh-Gah-Vee'), a spiky Mexican plant which resembles a
The 7 great vodka myths / truths
Vodka is the purest of spirits, so the nuances between one brand and another can be subtle. Hence, the promotional literature that accompanies vodka brands
