Questions tagged [spirits]
The spirits tag has no usage guidance.
40
questions
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1answer
34 views
WSET Level 2 Exam
I'm studying for the WSET Level 2 and I will be taking it in a couple of weeks. Any advice on what I should study? I've already made tons of flash cards and I'm going through them regularly.
4
votes
1answer
70 views
Bad spirits experience - cannot drink that specific type anymore
One time, I had a bad experience with vodka; I drank a very excessive amount in one night.
As a result, I can no longer drink vodka or even smell it with out getting queasy / sick. This was several ...
3
votes
3answers
263 views
Can drinking 45ml of spirit (40%) per day affect your health?
Based on this question How much actual alcohol is safe to drink per day? we can see
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism suggests no more than 4 drinks per day, and no more than 7 ...
2
votes
3answers
41 views
Maturation process in casks
I’m curious about the cleaning process of casks before a distillery transfers its whisky to mature/age. To use one of the popular names, just as an example, before Macallan transfers its whisky into a ...
1
vote
2answers
125 views
Are there alcohol free spirits and how would they taste like?
There are alcohol free beer and wine, so are there any alcohol free spirits? I know that dealcoholization would make the beer or wine lose its flavor and for spirits the loss would be even larger ...
2
votes
1answer
115 views
Any recommendations on plum-based spirits?
Would anyone have recommendations on plum-based spirits? I've had the seasonal R. Jelinek Slivovitz Plum Brandy but that stuff is unpleasant and potent in large amounts, and I rarely see any kind of ...
2
votes
2answers
140 views
Is it possible to have a non-alcoholic Gin?
Is it possible to have a non-alcoholic gin? Tastes like gin but without the alcohol. Tonic on its own just isn't the same, but as the years go by I feel the need to minimise the 'volume' in my glass....
5
votes
1answer
87 views
Are there any maple syrup based spirits or other alcholic products?
I've done a cursory search for maple syrup based spirits and have not found any. It appears there are liqueurs with a whiskey base and maple syrup in them but maple syrup is not the base.
I'm ...
3
votes
2answers
4k views
What is the difference between Cognac, Brandy, Bourbon, Scotch and Whiskey?
All these taste and look pretty similar. What is the difference between them?
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0answers
45 views
Paw Paw 'Brandy' with slight blue cast
I'm working on recipe development for a Paw Paw 'brandy' and have had a slight blue cast to the product. Can anyone weigh in on the outcome? Thank you
-1
votes
4answers
137 views
Cheapest Gin in the UK?
Just visiting the good old UK, and discover that gin is so expensive - what and where can I buy a cheap gin in the UK, are there any online stores? Yes I have looked but to no avail. Thanks guys.....
1
vote
1answer
107 views
Will alcohol boost body fat?
I am drinking Rum, Brandy and Whisky regularly. Sometimes beer.
In those which boosts body fat? Which is good for obesity prone body?
1
vote
2answers
52 views
Winterhighlight “Feuerzangenbowle” without headache?
I would like to take this answer to an other question as an opportunity to ask about an other speciality we Germans like to take in winter. It is about burning sugar with high-proof spirits. The ...
3
votes
1answer
55 views
Extracting oils and flavours before fermentation
Distillation of ethereal oils is made with different pressures and temperatures than distillation of alcohol. So when distilling spirits out of mash directly most of the tastes get lost. I wonder if ...
4
votes
1answer
72 views
If buying a distillery, what would you focus on?
As I receive many offers of Latin American spirits and do not have any experience in marketing those (high quality) products I think to buy into an existing distillery with skilled personnel, to use ...
1
vote
2answers
339 views
How much Old Monk is famous in other countries?
I believe that this Rum from India is not limited to India but also having fans from around the world. Is this available in other countries? If it is, what is usage rate?
6
votes
1answer
152 views
Are there any spirits that never should be combined in a cocktail or drink?
Many drinks and cocktails are a mixture of different spirits with or without additional tastes introduced by juices, concentrates and/or other ingredients that create their special taste.
My ...
5
votes
1answer
62 views
Are there other spirits and/or wines in the world that use the Sherry production method?
The method to produce Sherry and the respective Brandies, called Solera, uses several layers of barrels (frequently four layers). From the lowest layer they take the annual amount they want to sell ...
3
votes
3answers
146 views
Best way to consume Mezcal?
About Mezcal I know that Mezcal is a drink made from 100% agave and so a more pure drink than Tequila. Rather bad Mezcal will include a "worm" which is a larva of two different kind of insects, as I ...
11
votes
5answers
3k views
How should I drink limoncello?
I was given some decent Limoncello from Italy as a gift, 30% proof, brand name 'Villa Massa' from Sorrento.
I had a tiny sip of it and it is quite smooth, not too sharp and rather nice.
However I'm ...
4
votes
1answer
8k views
Drinking vodka through a straw - stronger or not?
Question: If I drink my vodka through a straw will it have a stronger effect. There is a question here that sort of addresses my query, but does it apply to spirits as well?
5
votes
1answer
146 views
Are there broad stylistic differences between Scotch and Irish whiskey?
This isn't a question about typical production: I know that Scotch is often peated while Irish rarely is and that Irish is usually triple-distilled whereas Scotch is usually double-distilled. That's ...
-1
votes
1answer
1k views
What effect does brandy have on blood pressure?
I've heard that Brandy can have an impact on blood pressure, but mixed responses of lower or higher feelings in the human body. What exactly does it do? Does the direction of the effects change over ...
6
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1answer
626 views
Why are spirits typically 40% ABV?
I live in France. I've found that at least cheaper (supermarket) spirits are almost always exactly 40% ABV. You can find stronger if you buy more niche or expensive alcohols like Chartreuse, but the ...
5
votes
1answer
524 views
How much of a spirit's flavour comes from the original fermentation?
It's my understanding that distillation produces alcohol to a very high percentage, over 90%. Obviously this doesn't leave a lot of room for flavour compounds. And indeed a lot of white spirit, such ...
5
votes
2answers
218 views
Do you recognize these foreign bottles?
Among the spirits my grandfather left behind, these four bottles caught my attention. Are they interesting or rare?
Liqueur Stregga
Tokay
Anisette
Starka
5
votes
1answer
627 views
What are the exact risks of drinking alcohol in a too high concentration?
It is frequently mentioned that drinks of very high ABV should not be drunk neat because of their harmful effects. Examples of such claims can be found e.g. here: What is the strongest drink in the ...
3
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5answers
1k views
What are some affordable brands of good Scotch? [closed]
I've just recently begun drinking Scotch, and I find it absolutely delicious. However, most brands I see in the store are quite expensive. So far the best Scotch I've tried is Aberlour single malt, ...
3
votes
1answer
879 views
What's Martini (the brand)?
I'm a total novice, so excuses for what is likely a ridiculously stupid question. I know that a MARTINI is a drink (like a gin martini, vodka martini) but there is also a bottled drink called "...
3
votes
1answer
696 views
Why does my slice/wedge of lime go up and down in my glass of Gin and Tonic?
I was sitting watching my G&T which had a slice of lime in it, when I noticed that the lime sank to the bottom of the glass, and then rose to the top again, it then continued to repeat this cycle ...
2
votes
2answers
128 views
Spirits over 50%. Taste v effect
I like a gin or 2, but tend to stick to the 37.5% stuff opposed to the stronger stuff. I don't get any extra taste, just fall over quicker! I understand that for some of the better whiskeys a little ...
10
votes
3answers
32k views
Tequila worms - to eat or not to eat - that is the question?
So, with a bottle of Tequila in hand, a glass, and oooppss - it's the last shot and the worm falls out! Now - do you consume it? Or - just throw it? But what type of worm is it and are they ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Mixing very strong alcohol for cocktails
Having discovered a trove of ridiculously alcoholic spirits. In what quantities should I mix them? If I slip and pour a little too much in this could cause a major problem! Let's say I am using ...
20
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10answers
16k views
What is the strongest drink in the world?
Assuming that it is available through 'normal' outlets - shops, supermarkets, off licenses etc... (in other words legal) What (per unit) is the strongest alcoholic drink in the world? Beers, wines ...
7
votes
4answers
1k views
What fruit spirit is in St. Germain?
I love St. Germain, and it's become a staple at my house... but it is so damn expensive. I'd like to make a homemade version using elderflower cordial for a fraction of the price.
St. Germain lists ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
What spirits are made in Cuba?
A family member will soon be travelling to Cuba and has offered to bring me back some alcohol.
The obvious choice is Rum, but considering it's easy enough to get Cuban rum in Canada, I'd like to know ...
7
votes
2answers
822 views
Any experience making fig liqueur?
I've successfully made a black raspberry liqueur, and am doing a similar process now with fresh figs. Has anybody done that? What have your experiences been?
Recipe:
1.5 cups vodka (I'm using Tito's)...
6
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10answers
1k views
Does anyone here still use bitters as medicine? Which ones do you use and for what ailments?
Bitters are known to have medicinal qualities.
I've never used them beyond making killer cocktails... But, I've noticed that orange bitters, in particular, will imbue me with an added vigor or gusto, ...
13
votes
3answers
1k views
Does hard liquor keep forever?
I drink mixed drinks infrequently, so it takes me a while to go through a bottle of rum, whisky, or vodka. Thus far I haven't noticed a problem with, say, a two-year-old (opened) bottle of any of ...
6
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5answers
41k views
What's the difference between Vodka and Moonshine?
With the legalization of moonshine in many US states I've been wondering what are the big differences between Moonshine and Vodka?
Both are clear spirits made from whatever grains/starches are ...
