Distilled alcoholic beverages are a common presence in moments of celebration, whether at vibrant parties, lively nightclubs, or relaxed outdoor barbecues. Drinking with friends can be a fun and for many, a relaxing experience.
But do we know the differences between a distilled beverage, such as whiskey or gin, and a fermented beverage, such as wine, sake, or beer?
All alcoholic beverages contain ethanol, an alcohol that is not directly toxic to humans and can be classified into two major categories:
Fermented Beverages: obtained through the alcoholic fermentation of sugars present in various vegetables, such as fruits, honey, cereals, and even stems. It is a process where microorganisms, especially yeasts, convert these sugars into ethanol.
Distilled Beverages: characterized by a higher alcohol content and produced through a complex distillation process. This method, dating back to ancient alchemy, essentially separates the beverage through boiling and condensation, thereby increasing its alcohol content.
As for distilled beverages, we can identify 7 main types:
Vodka: mainly distilled from starch-rich plants, with potatoes being the most common base.
Tequila: made from fermented agave, tequila has a somewhat sweet, earthy, and spicy flavor.
Gin: distilled from cereal grains, juniper, and typically flavored with botanicals such as citrus peels or spices.
Rum: usually distilled from some type of sugar, commonly molasses or sugarcane, hence having a sweeter taste than most other spirits.
Whiskey: distilled from malted grains such as rye, corn, wheat, or barley.
Mezcal: sometimes considered a type of tequila, mezcal is also distilled from agave. The main difference lies in the distillation process; while tequila is made exclusively from blue agave, which is cooked or steamed before being fermented and distilled, mezcal is created by smoking agave hearts or stalks, at which point the plant is crushed, fermented, and distilled.
Brandy: when fermented fruit juice is distilled, the result is brandy. Brandy includes Cognac, Armagnac, Calvados.
And because at Vinha we offer more than just wines, we have created a new selection of spirits that will inspire your creativity and palate. Use them to craft cocktails and explore their versatility and unique flavor!
It’s time to unveil the secrets of distilled alchemy! Discover them here!
