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Different types of spirits: Whisky, Rum, Vodka, and more

  • 09 Mar, 2024

Did you know that alcohol was once thought to have magical properties to turn commonly available metals into gold? This mystical essence, believed to be the element’s life force, was referred to as a “spirit.”

Alcohol is produced by a fermentation process in which the sugar derived from grains, fruits or other vegetation is broken into ethanol with the help of yeast. Spirit is the result of the alcohol going through a distillation process to reduce water content and other impurities. The distinctive flavour and the elevated alcohol content in spirits come from the distillation.

There are 6 main forms of spirits namely; whisky also spelt as whiskey, gin, vodka, rum, tequila, and brandy.

 

Whisky

Whisky or whiskey is made from fermented, malted or unmalted grain mash, typically wheat, barley, corn or rye. Whiskey came from 15th-century Scotland and its name is derived from the Scottish-Gaelic phrase “uise beatha” meaning “water of life.”

Most whiskies are aged in wooden, mostly oak casks before being bottled and have a minimum of 40% ABV (alcohol by volume). There are different types of whiskies such as Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, Bourbon etc. depending on their place of origin, type of grains used, ageing process etc. Whisky taste is commonly described as toasty, spicy, warm, sweet or caramel-like.

 

Buy whisky online in South Africa. Try these popular ones:

Chivas Regal 18 YO Gold Signature Scotch Whisky

Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey

Jameson Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey

 

Gin

The name gin is derived from the Dutch word ‘genever’ or the French word 'genièvre’, which are both words for juniper. Gin was originated in the Netherlands, in early the 17th century as a medicine to be made from juniper berries. Basically, gin is a spirit of approximately 40% ABV or greater which is derived from the distillation of grains and flavoured primarily with juniper berries or juniper extract. It is usually served with tonic water and ice and garnished with a slice of lime or lemon. It also blends beautifully in cocktails like a martini, negroni or gimlet.

 

Buy gin online in South Africa. Try these popular ones:

Beefeater Imported Gin

Six Dogs Handcrafted Karoo Gin

Sugarbird Gin - Juniper Unfiltered

 

Vodka

Vodka is a clear, neutral spirit that is produced from anything starchy or sugary such as grain, potatoes, corn, sugar-beet molasses etc. Vodka originated from the Russian and Poland regions. Vodka is made by distillation of fermented cereals or potatoes and purification of the resulting liquid through charcoal to get rid of impurities.

Vodka originally does not have a distinctive colour, flavour or aroma. Nowadays, we get flavoured vodkas in which essences of fruits, flowers, herbs, grasses and spices are added to vodka after the process of distillation.

 

Buy vodka online in South Africa. Try these popular ones:

Grey Goose Imported Vodka

Absolut Elyx Handcrafted Vodka

Ciroc Infused with Pineapple

 

Rum

This spirit is made from sugarcane juice or sugarcane molasses which is first fermented and then distilled to get a clear liquid. This clear liquid is later aged in typically wooden casks, bourbon casks or stainless steel tanks. The resulting rum depends on the type of vessel used for distillation. When rum is matured in oak barrels, it develops a dark colour whereas, rum matured in stainless steel tanks remains colourless. Most rums have a distinctive flavour profile of rich, toasted sugar. Rum is a popular drink to make flaming cocktails.

 

Buy rum online in South Africa. Try these popular ones:

Bacardi Carta Blanca Superior Rum

Captain Morgan Black Jamaica Rum

Malibu Rum

 

Tequila

Tequila is made from the central core part called ‘piña’ of the Weber blue agave plant that grows in Mexico. It is named after a Mexican town called ‘Tequila’ in Jalisco state. Under-ripe agave gives out less complex flavours with herbal, grass-like, vegetal notes while ripened agave gives out sweeter, rounder full-flavoured tequilas. For the agave juice to be termed as ‘tequila’, it must undergo the fermentation process and then must be distilled at least twice. It is a popular beverage to be served 'neat' or as shots with a side of lime and salt.

 

Buy tequila online in South Africa. Try these popular ones:

Clase Azul Handcrafted Reposado Tequila

Herencia Reposado Tequila

Solento Organic Reposado Tequila

 

Brandy

Brandy, originally developed in France is obtained from the fermentation and distillation of grapes which are then suitably aged in wood. Spirit from any other fruit juice are called fruit brandies such as cherry brandy, apricot brandy, peach brandy etc. while brandy and apple brandies are matured in oak barrels, the other fruit brandies are traditionally not aged in order to maintain the flavour intensity of the fruit.

 

Buy brandy online in South Africa. Try these popular ones:

Ashkalon Brandy 1925

Diemersfontein Brandy

Klipdrift Export Brandy

 

To explore the full range of spirits available at The Grand Store, click here.