Liquor Glossary of Terms

Armagnac:

A dry brown brandy distilled in the French district of Gers.

Absinthe:

A high alcohol volume (usually 50-70%) licorice flavored herbal liqueur.

Bourbon Whiskey:

American whiskey made by using at least 51% corn grain mash in a wheat, oats, rye, and barley combination.

Brandy:

A product of the distillation of wine, or fruit in the case of flavored brandies such as peach or cherry. Cognac and Armagnac are special varieties made from grapes grown in specific areas of France.

Canadian Whiskey:

A light-bodied whiskey balanced so that no one particular mash ingredient is allowed to dominate the flavor.

Cognac:

Brandy distilled from white wine and produced in the vicinity of Cognac.

Crème:

A thick and concentrated infusion of fruit in neutral grain spirits. Commonly made from Cassis, Frambois, but can be from any fruit or nut source.

Gin:

A clear alcoholic spirit distilled from grain or malt and flavored with juniper berries.

Grain:

A type of pure alcohol which has been produced by fermenting and distilling grains such as corn and rye.

Irish whiskey:

A whiskey whose flavor is obtained from the malted barley component of its mash, made in Ireland.

Liqueur:

Distilled spirit that has been flavored with fruit, cream, herbs, spices, flowers or nuts and bottled with added sugar or other sweetener.

Moonshine:

Illegally distilled homemade whiskey, usually with a very high alcohol content.

Rum:

Spirit distilled from sugar cane residues or molasses. Light, medium, and heavy bodied flavor variations exist as do variations in color when not clear. Often flavored with spices or fruit flavors.

Rye whiskey:

Mainly American and Canadian whiskey which must be made from a mash containing at least 51 percent rye.

Schnapps:

A strong alcoholic drink resembling gin and often flavored with fruit.

Scotch Whisky:

Blends are a mixture of about 40 percent malt and 60 percent grain whiskey and single malts are 100% from a single distillery.

Tequila:

Mexican spirit distilled from the blue agave plant, a succulent. Tequila can only be made in the state of Jalisco. Generally available in three categories: Blanco (no wood aging), Reposado and Anejo.

Vodka:

Colorless, grain-based spirit, originally from Russia and Poland. Now made from virtually any grain, many fruits and potatoes as well and available in dozens of flavors.

Whisky:

A spirit made by distilling fermented cereals, which is matured and often blended.

Liquor Glossary of Terms

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