What does the term botanicals refer to?
An array of herbs and spices used by distillers.
When is maceration used in flavoring spirits?
If and when a producer wants to extract color and a fuller range of flavors from botanicals.
What is a tincture?
A spirit that has been flavored using maceration.
Describe the process of redistillation.
A diluted neutral spirit is placed in a pot still with fruits/botanicals. As it boils, volatile aromas rise first; the distiller controls which aromas carry into the spirit.
What do we call a spirit flavored by redistillation?
Distillate
What are purchased natural flavors?
Pre-prepared botanical flavorings that can be blended with alcohol.
What does cold-compounding refer to?
Blending natural or artificial flavors directly into the base spirit (without distillation).
What are the two main methods of coloring spirits?
- Using natural plant extracts through maceration
- Artificial colors (chemical dyes)
What are the two categories of added flavors in spirits?
- Natural - fruits and botanicals
- Artificial - man-made to mimic natural flavors
What is the process called in which botanicals are soaked in a spirit for a period of time?
Maceration
Why may it be important to use a pot still where a vacuum is created when using the process of redistillation to introduce botanicals to a spirit?
In a vacuum, liquids boil at a lower temperature.
Some botanical flavors can be damaged by high heat, this process protects those flavors.
An example of this is cucumber, which does not react well to heat.
What is one problem producers may have using natural coloring when producing spirits?
Color extracted from plants can be unstable and may result in color differences between bottles.
Botanicals can be placed in what to make it easier to extract the botanicals from the solution when done macerating?
Large bags, similar to a tea bag.
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Tasting and Evaluating Spirits35
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Factors Affecting the Style and Quality of Spirits35
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The Spirits Industry15
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Fruit Spirits26
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Whisky/Whiskey30
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Sugar Cane Spirits37
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Tequila and Mezcal38
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Vodka18
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Techniques for Flavoring and Coloring Spirits13
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Flavored Spirits21
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Aromatised Wines13
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An Introduction to a Spirits Bar41
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Mixing with Spirits36
