Spirits: Vodka, Gin, Tequila, Mezcal, Rum for Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS)

Where can vodka be made?

What region in the world is traditionally associated with vodka?

Vodka can be made anywhere in the world
Traditionally associated with Eastern Europe (Russia, Poland)

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In Eastern Europe, what are the traditional ingredients used to make vodka?

Potatoes
Cereal grains

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Besides potatoes and cereal grains, what else can be used to make vodka?

Literally anything – if you can ferment it, you can make vodka out of it!

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What vessel(s) are used to distill vodka, and is there a minimum number of times it must be distilled?

Continuous still used most often to make vodka, but there are a few premium vodkas that are made in pot stills
No minimum number of distillations, but the more you do the smoother and more neutral it becomes

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How long is vodka aged?

It’s NOT aged!

Vodka is meant to be unaged, clear, and neutral
A handful of examples of barrel-aged vodkas exist today, but they are the exception

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From where does gin originate?

Where can gin be made today?

Some of the world’s best examples of gin are made where?

Originates from Holland (it’s originally a Dutch product)
Can be made anywhere in the world today
Best examples from Great Britain are in London Dry style

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What product is gin traditionally distilled from?

Cereal grains - just like vodka!

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What is the dominant flavoring agent in gin?

Juniper berries

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What are some other ingredients used to flavor gin?

Citrus peel
Anise
Angelica root
Orris root
Licorice root
Cinnamon
Cassia bark
Various herbs

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How do those botanical flavorings get into the gin?

A neutral, base alcohol made from grain
The selected ingredients are macerated with the base alcohol
Then it’s distilled again (usually a few times)

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Is there a minimum aging requirement for gin?

No! Most gins are like vodkas in that they are meant to be unaged and clear.

However, a handful of barrel-aged gins exist in today’s market.

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What are the key differences between gin and vodka?

Vodka can be made pretty much anywhere from anything (wheat, potatoes, grapes, rye, sorghum, etc.). Vodka is meant to be clear, neutral, and without any distinctive aromas or flavors.

Gin can also be made pretty much anywhere from anything, but gin has distinctive juniper and herbaceous aromas and flavors. Certain gins must come from certain places, such a Plymouth gin which must be made in Plymouth, England.

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Tequila is a protected appellation in which state in Mexico?

Jalisco

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What plant must Tequila be made from?

And which part of the plant?

Blue agave plant (Agave tequilana)
Fermented juice from the cooked piña / heart of the plant

The heart of the plant is called ‘piña’ because it’s shaped like a pineapple.

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In what still can Tequila be made?

Which still is it traditionally made in?

Either a pot still or a continuous still, but the pot still is traditional

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When is Blanco / Silver Tequila bottled?

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Immediately after disillation

What is the aging requirement for Reposado Tequila?

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Must be aged at least 60 days and up to 1 year in oak barrels

What is the aging requirement for Añejo Tequila?

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Must be aged 1-3 years in oak barrels

In which state in Mexico is the Mezcal appellation a protected one?

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Oaxaca

But there are other states where Mezcal can be made; it’s just not a protected name in these other places.

What is Mezcal distilled from?

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Fermented agave

What are 2 key differences between tequila and mezcal?

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Tequila:

made from Blue Weber Agave only
piñas typically steamed in ovens

Mezcal

made from up to 50 different varieties of agave
piñas traditionally roasted in earthen pits filled with wood or charcoal (where it gets is smoky notes from)

To read more about the differences between Tequila and Mezcal, click here and here.

Which still(s) are used to make Mezcal?

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Either a pot still or a continuous still, though a pot still is used for traditional Mezcals.

In which style is Mezcal traditionally made?:

Blanco
Reposado
Añejo

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Blanco, though some examples of barrel-aged Mezcals exist in today’s market.

Where did rum originate?

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The Caribbean islands

spread across Central + South America from there
can now be made anywhere in the world

What products can rum be made from?

* **Fermented sugarcane juice** * **Molasses** (which is one of the byproducts when making sugar from sugarcane)

Styles of rum depend not only on the product it's distilled from, but what type of \_\_\_\_\_ is used in production.

**Still** * Continuous still = more neutral style rum * Pot still = expressive, full of character

When are Light Rums generally bottled?

Immediately after distillation

Some Light Rums do spend a short time in oak, which give them color. How is the color removed from these rums so they are clear again?

**They're filtered**, usually through charcoal

How do Dark Rums get their color?

They're **aged for an extended period of time in oak barrels**

Spirits: Vodka, Gin, Tequila, Mezcal, Rum Flashcards

Learn the origins, fermentation, distillation, and aging requirements for these clear spirits. (29 cards)