What is Gin? There are different rules about Gin, depending on where in the world you are, but generally speaking: – The “predominant” characteristic must be juniper. – Must be bottled no lower than 37.5% ABV – Must be made from a re-distillation of spirit with botanicals or a maceration of botanicals in the spirit....
What is Chilean Pisco? A grape-based spirit usually made with Muscatel grapes (but there are a total of 11 varietals that can be used) Made in only two regions in the north of Chile: Atacama and Coquimbo. The climates here are dry and desert-like. The maximum distillation strength is 73% After distillation, water is added...
What is Canadian Whisky? To be called Canadian Whisky, the distilled spirit must be: Made with cereal grain The cereal mash production must take place in Canada The distillation must take place in Canada; Canadian producers can distil any way they choose The aging process must take place in Canada for a minimum of 3...
What is Bourbon? It must be made in the United States. It must be made with a minimum of 51% corn in the mashbill. It must be aged in new charred oak barrels. (Hint: this is why so many other spirits are aged in bourbon barrels!) Straight Bourbon must be aged for a minimum of...
spir•it (liq•uor) noun An alcoholic product made from a grain or fruit/vegetable-derived sugar that is fermented and then distilled. Refers to liquor that contains no added sugar and has a minimum of 20% alcohol by volume (ABV). Quick Spirits is a guide to different liquors as a way to educate you on the what...
About 105 days ago my city of Toronto shut down. Three weeks prior we had been innocently touring distilleries in Northern Italy. We had kept up with the news of a Global Pandemic but all of it seemed so far away. Upon landing home from Italy, we learned of the outbreak there and then those...
Aww mezcal! That spirit that is winning over the hearts of many people all over the world. Most of the best of this delicious spirit stays in Mexico but there are a few people out there working hard to get it to exported to other countries. Carmen Marron is one such person. Over the past...
How many different expressions from different distilleries could you taste through in a week? What about in 5 days? What if you were in Northern Italy? On a recent trip there, we visited the home base for 7 different Italian spirit companies and the variety and quality of everything we tasted was impressive. A few...
The depth and breadth of Italian made tipples is astounding. Of course when you think about drinking in Italy, most people will think of wine. However, last month The Italian Trade Commission and the people from The Spirit Of Italy sent a delegation of Canadian and American bartenders and writers and one photographer to Rome...
Ready for a little story time? Let’s go! In the 1800’s, everything you ever thought you needed was right down the road. The general store had flour, eggs, whatever vegetables were in season and your liquor. The spirits at the time ranged in quality so infusions and distillations with flowers and fruit were commonplace. Then...
