What is Mezcal? It is a spirit drink that comes from any cooked and distilled agave. Mezcal is made by harvesting agaves, cooking them often in a pit in the ground, fermenting them in a vat and then distilling before bottling. Following the Denomination of Origin, Mezcal must be made in one of 9 Mexican...
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...
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...
As it stands, we at Bartender Atlas still have full time-jobs. Jess (in case you have never looked here) has worked as a professional photographer for about 15 years. She is very good, so good in fact that she was asked to photograph a wedding at The Verandah Resort in Antigua. After about 23 seconds...
