Available: Mon - Fri 8am - 7pm PST & Sat 8am - 1pm PST
There are a couple of legends about the term "spirit" with regard to alcohol. Many point to early distillation in the Middle East. An ancient eyeliner, al-Koh'l, was created using a system similar to distillation. Another Arabic word, al-ghawl, is mentioned in the Qur'an and is another contender for the origin of the term "alcohol." It translates to "spirit" in English. As with many origins of alcohol through the ages, this one is lost to time.
We’re not talking paranormal here. A spirit, or liquor, is an alcoholic beverage that has been both fermented and distilled. Distillation removes much of the water during the process, allowing for a higher ABV inmost spirits. Further, a pure spirit or liquor will have no added sugars or flavors.
Spirits are required to be identified in certain ways by various alcohol regulating bodies around the world. Labels must include the kind of spirit in the bottle (see below), the ABV, written as a percentage or "proof," the country of origin, the name and address of the importer, and a warning about the dangers of over-consumption. Whiskies, specifically, must also list the age of the spirit if it is under four years.
The most common origin for the term "spirit" appears to be an Arabic word - al-ghawl. This term appears in the Qur'an. Verse 37:47 of the Muslim holy scriptures mention the word, referring to either demons or spirits that produce intoxication. It is thought that "alcohol" is a corruption of the original Arabic term that maintains its link to the idea of spirits. Both "alcohol" and "spirit" began to be used in English to describe alcoholic drinks in the 16th Century.
There is no difference between liquor and spirits. The terms describe the same kinds of alcohol. Spirits begin life like all alcohol, a mixture of sugar, water, yeast, and mash. The mash is usually made up of a mixture of grains or fruits, depending on the alcohol being produced. Once fermentation has reached its peak, the mash is distilled, which separates the water from the mixture, and increases the Alcohol by Volume (ABV).
Depends on what you’re planning to do. If you’re planning on sipping first, whiskey, cognac, rum, and gin are excellent for neat pours. If you’re in the market for versatile would-be-mixers, whiskey, gin, rum, and tequila are top choices.
Once you’ve found a preference, branch out and find what other spirits tickle your tastebuds.
Aging means the spirit sat in wooden barrels. Time in wood adds color and flavors like vanilla, spice and oak tannins. It’s also meant to mellow down harsher flavors and give you a complex and layered sip.
We can simplify that for you!
Bourbon is American, made from at least 51% corn and aged in new charred oak. Out of the two bourbon is richer and sweeter, with notable vanilla and brown sugar notes.
Scotch is from Scotland, usually made from malted barley and aged for at least three years. Compared to bourbon, Scotch is distinctly more smoky, malty, and woody.
Most spirits can be enjoyed without the addition of any other mixers. Drinking a spirit "neat," or without anything else added, allows you to enjoy the flavor of the alcohol as well as any tastes left over from the original plant matter. There are those who claim, especially with whiskies, that a drop of spring water helps the flavor come through.
And, as is clear at this point, the variety of mixed drinks that rely on spirits as a base is virtually inexhaustible. Find a spirit, figure out where to buy alcohol online, google some cocktails, and get ready for a tasty, if somewhat hazy, adventure!