Different types of spirits: Whiskey, Rum, Vodka, and more
Did you know that alcohol was once thought to have magical properties to turn commonly available metals into gold? This mystical essence, believed to be the element’s life force, was referred to as a “spirit.”
Alcohol is produced by a fermentation process in which the sugar derived from grains, fruits or other vegetation is broken into ethanol with the help of yeast. Spirit is the result of the alcohol going through a distillation process to reduce water content and other impurities. The distinctive flavour and the elevated alcohol content in spirits come from the distillation.
There are 6 main forms of spirits namely; whisky also spelt as whiskey, gin, vodka, rum, tequila, and brandy.
Whisky
Whisky or whiskey is made from fermented, malted or unmalted grain mash, typically wheat, barley, corn or rye. Whiskey came from 15th-century Scotland and its name is derived from the Scottish-Gaelic phrase “uise beatha” meaning “water of life.”
Most whiskies are aged in wooden, mostly oak casks before being bottled
and have a minimum of 40% ABV (alcohol by volume). There are different types of
whiskies such as Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, Bourbon etc. depending on their
place of origin, type of grains used, ageing process etc. Whisky taste is
commonly described as toasty, spicy, warm, sweet or caramel-like.
Buy whisky online in South Africa. Try these popular ones:
Chivas Regal 18 YO Gold Signature
Scotch Whisky
Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey
Jameson Triple Distilled Irish
Whiskey
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Gin
The name gin is derived from the Dutch word ‘genever’ or the French word
'genièvre’, which are both words for juniper. Gin was originated in the
Netherlands, in early the 17th century as a medicine to be made from juniper
berries. Basically, gin is a spirit of approximately 40% ABV or greater which
is derived from the distillation of grains and flavoured primarily with juniper
berries or juniper extract. It is usually served with tonic water and ice and
garnished with a slice of lime or lemon. It also blends beautifully in
cocktails like a martini, negroni or gimlet.
Buy gin online in South Africa. Try these popular ones:
Six Dogs Handcrafted Karoo Gin
Sugarbird Gin - Juniper Unfiltered
Vodka
Vodka is a clear, neutral spirit that is produced from anything starchy
or sugary such as grain, potatoes, corn, sugar-beet molasses etc. Vodka
originated from the Russian and Poland regions. Vodka is made by distillation
of fermented cereals or potatoes and purification of the resulting liquid
through charcoal to get rid of impurities.
Vodka originally does not have a distinctive colour, flavour or aroma.
Nowadays, we get flavoured vodkas in which essences of fruits, flowers, herbs,
grasses and spices are added to vodka after the process of distillation.
Buy vodka online in South Africa. Try these popular
ones:
Absolut Elyx Handcrafted Vodka
Rum
This spirit is made from sugarcane juice or sugarcane molasses which is
first fermented and then distilled to get a clear liquid. This clear liquid is
later aged in typically wooden casks, bourbon casks or stainless steel tanks. The
resulting rum depends on the type of vessel used for distillation. When rum is
matured in oak barrels, it develops a dark colour whereas, rum matured in
stainless steel tanks remains colourless. Most rums have a distinctive flavour
profile of rich, toasted sugar. Rum is a popular drink to make flaming
cocktails.
Buy rum online in South Africa. Try these popular
ones:
Bacardi Carta Blanca Superior Rum
Captain Morgan Black Jamaica Rum
Tequila
Tequila is made from the central core part called ‘piña’ of the Weber
blue agave plant that grows in Mexico. It is named after a Mexican town called
‘Tequila’ in Jalisco state. Under-ripe agave gives out less complex flavours with
herbal, grass-like, vegetal notes while ripened agave gives out sweeter,
rounder full-flavoured tequilas. For the agave juice to be termed as ‘tequila’,
it must undergo the fermentation process and then must be distilled at least
twice. It is a popular beverage to be served 'neat' or as shots with a side of
lime and salt.
Buy tequila online in South Africa. Try these popular
ones:
Clase Azul Handcrafted Reposado
Tequila
Solento Organic Reposado Tequila
Brandy
Brandy, originally developed in France is obtained from the fermentation and distillation of grapes which are then suitably aged in wood. Spirit from any other fruit juice are called fruit brandies such as cherry brandy, apricot brandy, peach brandy etc. while brandy and apple brandies are matured in oak barrels, the other fruit brandies are traditionally not aged in order to maintain the flavour intensity of the fruit.
Buy brandy online in South Africa. Try these popular
ones:
Diemersfontein Brandy
Klipdrift Export Brandy
To explore the full range of spirits available at The Grand Store, click here.
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