Spirits

Spirits are alcoholic beverages obtained through the distillation process, which consists of heating a liquid to separate the alcohol and other volatile components from the aqueous part. This process allows to increase the concentration of alcohol and to extract specific aromas and flavors.

There are various types of distillates, depending on the raw material used and the production method. Some common examples of distillates include:

• Vodka: Usually made from grains or potatoes.
• Gin: cereal distillate flavoured with botanicals, mainly juniper.
• Whisky: produced from fermented grains, with various styles depending on the region of production (e.g., Scotch, Bourbon, Rye).
• Rum: obtained from the fermentation and distillation of molasses or sugar cane juice.
• Tequila: Mexican distillate obtained from the blue agave.
• Grappa: Italian distillate produced from pomace (the skins and seeds of grapes).
• Cognac and Armagnac: Wine spirits from the Cognac and Armagnac regions of France respectively.

Spirits are often consumed neat, over ice, or as a base for cocktails. The variety of spirits available offers a wide range of flavors and aromas, making them highly prized around the world.