BRAND

INGREDIENTS

TASTE

Tequila

Distilled from fermented juice of the agave cactus plant; any other species produces mezcal

White tequila, the most mixable is harsher tasting.  Gold which comes from aging in used barrels is mellow.  The anejo meaning aged, is smoothest

Straight Bourbon

Rye

Corn

Distillate of corn, rye, barley.  At least 51% of these ingredients must be used to be labeled as either a straight bourbon, a straight rye or corn whiskey, containing no less than 80% corn.

Straight whiskey has the predominant flavor of the grain used in the mash and is full-bodied

Bottled in Bond

Straight whiskey, usually bourbon or rye produced under US Government supervision

Full-bodied flavor

Blended Whiskey

A blend of one or more straight whiskies and neutral grain spirits, containing at least 20% or more straight whiskey.

A blend is light-flavored whiskey unlike a straight, they are balanced, mellow, with richness in taste.

Light Whiskey

Blended Light Whiskey

Consisting of less than 20% of straight whiskies at 100 proof and no more than 80% of American light whiskey

Light-bodied less flavor conquerors creating a lighter tasting product

Canadian Whiskey

Distilled from rye, corn, and barley produced in Canada under government supervision

Usually light bodied than American whiskies

Scotch Whiskey Blended

Distilled from malt whiskey and grain whiskey (similar to American neutral spirits) blend of light grain and flavorful malt whiskies

Scotch has a distinctive smokey flavor

Single Malt Scotch Whiskey

Unblended malt whiskey.  Distilled from a single malt.

Much richer taste than blended Scotch

Vodka

Distilled from grain potato, sugar-beets or fruits, even wood pulp has been used.

Vodka being a spirit “without distinct character aroma taste or color”, very mixable

Gin

Distillate of a grain mash with juniper berries and other botanical as favoring ingredients

The dominant flavor of the juniper berry

Rum

Distillate of sugar cane, sugar cane molasses or other sugar can by-products

Rum has a distinctive bitter molasses aroma and flavor.  Light run is drier than its old counterpart and doesn’t have as distinct a rum flavor

Cordial-Liqueur

Fruit Cordials

Plant Cordials

Cream Liqueurs

Distillate of fruit, herb, seeds, flowers

Flavor based on distillate used along with spirit bases if used.

Schnapps

Distillate of fruits as main ingredients

Flavor based on distillate used

Brandy

Distillate of fermented juice, mash of wine of fruits, grapes, apples, cherries or berries

Brandies have a light mellow flavor and a distinct grape bouquet

Cognac

Distilled from the wine of the grape

Much richer taste.  Lighter mellow flavor.