Spirits are produced via distillation

This is what sets spirits apart from beer, wine and other types of non-distilled alcohol. They all follow a similar process:

1. Mashing

The raw materials used will be dictated by the desired final spirit (whisky can use barley or grains, gin is produced using a grain-based alcohol and vodka can be made with grain-based, fruit-based or potato-based alcohol). The purpose of mashing is to allow for optimized enzyme activity, which ultimately converts starches into easily fermentable sugars. on.

2. Fermentation

Irrespective of the raw materials used, fermentation is always the same: yeast + sugar = ethanol + CO2. The length of fermentation varies by spirits and by individual brands.

3. Distillation

Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from water via evaporation and condensation based on the different boiling points of alcohol (78.5°C) and water (100°C). The wash is heated, and certain parts of it are captured, purifying and concentrating the remaining alcohol (this will be the final spirit). Stills are utilised for distillation (most commonly continuous stills or pot stills). Numerous distillations can be done depending on the style of spirit being made.

4. Aging

Dependent on the spirit being produced aging might be required for a minimum period of time or this stage may not be required and the spirit bottled immediately after distillation.

Bourbon  

Bourbon is type of American whiskey made from a mix of fermented grains (typically corn, barley and rye). The mash must contain at least 51% corn.

START COURSE

Gin

Gin is a clear, unaged ethyl alcohol flavoured with juniper berries (juniperus communis) and other flavouring substances known as the botanicals.

START COURSE

Rum

Rum is made from a fermented sugar or refined-sugar base, (sugar cane molasses or sugar cane juice).

START COURSE

Scotch Whisky

Single malt Scotch whisky is made from three ingredients – malted barley, water and yeast – by batch distillation in pot stills. Single grain scotch whisky is made from malted barley and other unmalted cereals, water and yeast.

START COURSE

Tequila

Tequila is a type of mezcal. It can only be made in specific regions of Mexico and must be made from blue agave.  

START COURSE

Vodka

Vodka can be distilled from almost anything that can be fermented to make alcohol. It is most commonly made from cereal grains, potatoes, sugar beet and molasses.

START COURSE